Joseph Baird is the director of Orchestras at Crockett High School in the Austin Independent School District. In the spring of 2002, Mr. Baird received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education along with a Certificate in Tuba Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. Having completed all coursework towards a Master's degree in Orchestral Conducting at Indiana University School of Music, he eagerly returned to Austin in the fall of 2004. In addition to his conducting post with the Austin Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr. Baird is the Music Director/Conductor for the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra. One of his greatest aspirations is to share his love and passion for music with the younger generation in order to ensure its legacy for enriching the human spirit.