Janie Baird Sanchez

Oboe Soloist

Janie Baird Sanchez is the former principal oboist of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, a position she held for 27 years. She was featured as guest soloist with EPSO as well as performing with the El Paso Opera Company and many chamber music ensembles in El Paso and Southern New Mexico. She had the honor of traveling with the symphony orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Gürer Aykal, to Germany and Turkey.

Janie is originally from Canyon, Tx, where she grew up in a musical family. Both her parents were musicians in the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. Her father, Don Baird was the low brass professor for West Texas State University (now WTAMU) where he became life-long friends with Dr. Gary Garner. She earned a music education degree from WT where she studied privately with Dr. Robert Krause and performed in ensembles under the direction of Dr. Garner. She also holds a MM performance degree from NMSU.

She was a music educator with El Paso ISD for 26 years. She also served as adjunct oboe instructor for the University of Texas El Paso and New Mexico State University.

After retirement, she and her husband made their new home in San Antonio. Now Janie is in her favorite role as grandmother! Her husband and son-in-law are members of the Heart of Texas Concert Band and are on-stage with her today.