Baker, Shirley (1932 - )

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A teenager at the time of the Ballets Russes tours to Brisbane, Shirley Baker became an assiduous diarist of her life and arts experience. From 1936, when she saw her first Ballets Russes performance, to her last in 1939, her diaries show the growing sophistication in her taste and special interest in individual dancers and productions. A parallel stream of writing about famous, international and Australian musicians whose concerts she attended reveals both the personal development of a young Queenslander and the growing cultural life of the city of Brisbane. Shirley Baker studied the oboe and although able to win the position of first oboist of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, she was not offered it because of her youth. She would go on to play in various orchestras and in particular, for J C Williamson's musicals. She established her own early music and dance ensemble in Melbourne and was an active member of the Canterbury Fellowship, where her great love of choral singing was amply rewarded. Moving to Brisbane in later life, she re-established her interests in early music and dance, performed in period costumes which she designed and built.

See also: Ballets Russes Australian tours ; J. C. Williamson Ltd.

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