'Sky Music' to Groove Thursday for Parkway Students

John Baker instilled the values of discipline and creativity behind great music in his students at before his retirement in 1994 and death seven years later. But as loved ones as well as friends and supporters of Parkway West’s music program will see, the impact of Baker’s career now has a legacy of its own.

“The Faculty and Friends Big Band,” made up of colleagues, buddies and former students of Baker’s, will perform at a fundraiser concert Thursday night at in Ballwin – a tradition now a decade old since its inception following Baker’s untimely death in 2001; Baker, who grew up outside of Springfield, MO before relocating to St. Louis, died at the age of 50 due to a brain aneurysm.

“He is remembered for his passion for music, dedication to and belief in his students, high expectations and laughter,” said Drew Davis, who plays in the Faculty and Friends Big Band and also is band director at .

Proceeds for Thursday night’s fundraiser will go toward the Parkway Alumni Association’s “Granting Dreams Program,” which provides financial assistance for qualified students seeking anything from specialized foreign language lessons to robot-making classes to medical mission trips abroad.

To date, the PAA has awarded over $200,000 in monetary grants and filled 100+ community resource grants, district representatives said. To learn more, visit www.parkwayalumni.org.

Where: Sky Music Lounge in Ballwin

Cost: $10 minimum donation