Dr. James Barger
Associate Professor of Music
Office: Building 123
Email: jbarger@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-2861
Professional Profile
Dr. Barger joined the West Texas A&M University School of Music as Assistant Professor of Saxophone in 2016. He received a B.M. in Music Performance and Composition and a M.M. in Music Performance from West Texas A&M University in 2010 and 2012 and a D.M.A. in Music Performance from Texas Tech University in 2016.
Teaching and Related Service
Dr. Barger teaches applied lessons to all saxophone majors, conducts the WTAMU Jazz Band II and Saxophone Ensemble, teaches a course in music technology, and leads weekly studio classes. Additionally, he serves as the faculty sponsor for the WTAMU Pep Band, affectionately known as “The Band in The Box”. As a founding member and soprano saxophone chair of the nationally acclaimed Mirasol Quartet, he has been a finalist or prizewinner in the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition, North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition, Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Wind Competition, ENKOR Chamber Music Competition, the American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Having graduated from the competition circuit, Mirasol now performs across the country at universities and at public schools, presenting educational clinics and engaging chamber music recitals. Dr. Barger enjoys an active performance schedule as a concert and jazz saxophonist and as a woodwind doubler, having performed in the pit for local productions of Les Miserables, 9 to 5, Hairspray, The Full Monty, Brooklyn, Young Frankenstein, and many others. Dr. Barger is a performing artist for Selmer Paris saxophones and D’Addario woodwinds and offers clinics on behalf of the D’Addario Woodwinds Method Program.
Research and Creative Activity
Dr. Barger’s interests include effective practice strategies, music entrepreneurship, saxophone and woodwind pedagogy, and adaptation of new music for the saxophone and saxophone ensembles.
Personal Sketch
Dr. Barger lives in Canyon where he enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Brianne, and their dogs, Cashew and Nala. He enjoys giving back to his community by staying active through volunteering and serving with the Canyon Lions Club. When he is not teaching or performing, he enjoys running and early mornings at the CrossFit gym, playing racquetball and disc golf, exploring the beautiful Panhandle outdoors, reading a good book, and drinking way too much coffee.