Meet the House Music Judges: Jack Baxter

This year for our House Music competition we are fortunate to have Jack Baxter as a judge. Jack is an Icenian who now works as a composer and sound designer for theatre, film and television, making him the perfect judge for the House Music competition. Read more about him, his career after Langley and his fond memories below:

What year did you begin and leave Langley?

I joined in 2010 and left in 2017

If applicable, which A-Levels did you gain?

Music, Media and IT

During your time at Langley, did you know what career you wanted to pursue?

I was always set on being a musician in some capacity, but it wasn’t until I got to uni that I found composing was the right path for me.

Which extra-curricular activities were you involved in and have they been useful, for example helping with transferable skills?

Just about any music and drama activity that I could fit in, including: Dixie band, function band, brass band, cabarets, musicals, drama productions, and a variety of instrumental lessons over the years.

Have these activities helped you since school, for example via transferable skills?

I think it’s quite a clear link that writing music and creating sound design for plays in music and drama activities pushed me to do that at uni, and to take it forward into my career.

If you went, what did you study at university?

I studied Sound Design at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

If you’re working, how did you career begin?

I’m a self-employed composer and sound designer for theatre, film and tv, which entails writing the music and creating the sounds you hear in a film or piece of theatre. Whilst studying at uni, I built up a network of directors and producers who I worked with, and have since continued broadening that network.

So far, what have been your post-school highlights (in your career, onwards studies, family, travel etc.)?

My highlights so far have been working on productions for Channel 4, The National Theatre and The Barbican Centre, and receiving various award nominations.

On reflection, did your time at Langley help your attitude towards career choices and progression?

In putting on all of the shows and concerts, the music and drama departments were incredibly driven and focused, and this taught me to be equally driven and focused working on projects in my career.

What advice you would give to students considering Langley, their A-Levels or careers?

I think there’s enormous value in doing whatever subjects or activities you find fun, and not worrying too much about where you want to end up. If you’re passionate about something then you can’t go far wrong. I was often encouraged to take certain subjects or do a certain degree because they’d open up the best jobs, but I took the subjects that enjoyed and I’ve ended up in a career which is equally as enjoyable.

Your fondest memory of Langley?

The music trip to Lake Garda in Italy, or many Norfolk Shows spent playing with the Dixie Band

Any final thoughts, shout-outs or people you would like to see complete this form in the near future (we will try and track them down!)?

Unsurprisingly, I want to big up the music and drama departments – Mrs George-Broom, Mr White and Mr Slack are all greatly responsible for me doing what I do now.