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, and Young Frankenstein.
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.