About

Clarence Barber taught public school in Ohio for 31 years, including 21 years with the Midview Local Schools. During his time at Midview he was named the Lorain County Schools Teacher of the Month in February, 1988. Previously to his years at Midview, he was director of bands for the Cardinal Local Schools, Brown Local Schools, and Kyger Creek High School. A graduate of Northwest High School in Canal Fulton, he received a Bachelor of Music in Education from Kent State University and has done post-graduate work at Kent State and the University of Akron. Mr. Barber studied composition with Walter Watson and Ralph Turek and percussion with Larry Snider, Michael Rosen, and James Adkins. While at Kent State, Mr. Barber was a member of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Canton Symphony Orchestra. While studying with Dr. Watson, Mr. Barber’s Duo for Euphonium and Percussion was second place winner in the Ohio Music Teacher’s Association Composition Contest, judged by Gunther Schuller. After retirement he was the managing editor of the new products division of LudwigMasters Publications. Mr. Barber wrote a prodigious amount of music for his students at Midview, finding it both useful as a motivational tool and a way to fill areas of need both in programming and meeting student instructional needs. Much of that music has ended up being published and performed widely in this country and abroad. He was asked by three Cleveland Orchestra members to write concertos for them and also wrote extensively for members of the United States Air Force, Army, Marine, and Navy Bands in Washington, D. C.

Mr. Barber remains active as a conductor, clinician, composer, and performer. He has conducted the Lorain County Middle Schools Honors Band, presented a clinic for the Ohio Music Educations Association, adjudicated OMEA solo and ensemble events for twenty years, and has been guest conductor/composer for schools in Ohio, New York, Nevada, and Virginia. He has performed regularly as conductor and percussionist with the Virginia Grand Military Band, Venner Clarinet Choir, Blossom Festival Band, Blossom Festival Orchestra, Strongsville Community Band (where he is percussion coordinator), and the Patriot Symphonic Band.