Mike Barnett, Composer

Composing music is a privilege and I feel fortunate to have the ability to express myself through sound (and silence). I’ve had all of the formal training; I earned the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1996 and 1998, respectively, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2004. I also spent seven years teaching at the University of Colorado. Looking back, none of that really seems to matter a great deal, except inasmuch as it has helped my powers of musical expression to evolve and helped me to form lasting relationships with performers.

I have had the excellent fortune of having my work performed by some amazing musicians, including David Korevaar, Alexa Still, Erika Eckert, Stanley Chepaitis, Dieter Wulfhorst, and Michael Thornton, and ensembles such as The Clavier Trio, The Arsenal Trio, The Kiev Philharmonic, The Vinca Quartet, The Ives Quartet and The IUP String Orchestra.

My music has been performed on college campuses, in art galleries and at new music festivals all around the United States. I have also had performances at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. I am currently awaiting the release of Alexa Still's new CD on Koch Classics which will include my work "Liquefied" for Flute and Piano.

Not bad for a “wrong side of the tracks” white kid from the middle of nowhere.

I suppose, to some small extent, we are all products of our environment. But I am much more convinced that we are products of our imaginations; you are what you think you are. I will continue to be thankful for all of the great things that come my way and for my wonderful family and friends. And most of all, I am thankful to have music as my life. Be happy. ..