Jennifer Margaret Barker
Jennifer Margaret Barker’s compositions have been hailed by critics as at once gripping and timeless, beautiful warm, haunting, toe-tapping, and her compositional output has been noted for its amazing array. As conductor Mark U. Reimer states in her ‘Nyvaigs’ CD liner notes, Barker is a musical pilgrim on a completely original path. In her music, one hears the passion and strength of her Celtic heritage, yet the colors are fresh and her style engaging. Barker has received commissions and performances from most notably The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with the New Jersey Youth Chorus, The Virginia Symphony with The Virginia Children’s Chorus, Network for New Music, The Society for New Music, Trio Arundel, The Bearsden Choir with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Brass and Percussion Ensembles, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra String Quartet, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra String Trio, The Holywell Ensemble, Marimolin, The Children’s Chorus of Maryland, and The Bay Youth Symphony, as well as numerous international concert artists. She was also invited to compose a work for The 2002 American Liszt Society National Conference. Published by Theodore Presser, Vanderbeek & Imrie Ltd. and Southern Percussion, Barker has received a wide variety of awards, and multiple broadcasts of her compositions on American public radio and the BBC. Her first CD, ‘Nyvaigs’, was released in April 2000 on the CRI label. Her second CD, ‘Geenyoch’, which includes a bonus DVD featuring four music videos of her compositions filmed by award-winning cameraman John Anthony Palmer, was released in May 2005 on the Meyer Media LLC label (www.meyer-media.com). This CD made it on to the 2005 Grammy nomination list in three categories: Best New Composition, Best Engineered and Best Solo without Orchestra. In reviewing this second CD, Jon Conrad noted that Barker’s music sounds familiar and yet always new. While speaking in her own distinctive compositional voice, it answers the emotional and visceral needs that music has always met. Conrad also notes Barker’s ability to incorporate thrilling new sounds, and that there is always a gratifying curve and arch to her vocal and instrumental phrases, as well as in the shaping and pacing of whole movements. Barker is an Associate Professor of Music Theory/Composition at the University of Delaware. As a William Penn Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, she received the Ph.D. and Masters degrees in music composition. She received two Masters degrees in piano performance and music composition respectively from Syracuse University, and an Honors Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Born and raised in Scotland, Barker has lived in America since 1987. In addition to composing, Barker remains active as a pianist. June 2005
Compositions:
BLUE WATERS Vibraphone Solo |