Jared Barnes Music

This piece captures the anticipation, arrival, and celebration of the holidays through the use of sacred and secular carols alike.  The piece opens with a quiet setting of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," then continues with a colorful and energetic rendition of the "Ukrainian Bell Carol" before drawing to an exciting conclusion against a cacophony of ringing bells.

The piece was published by Alfred Music in their 2013-2014 catalog.  It was performed by the Grisham Middle School Honors Band at the 2013 Midwest Clinic.  You can find a sample recording and purchase a copy at Alfred Music, or any other sheet music retailer.  Alfred Music Score & Sound Preview

Featuring an energetic, almost always ascending melodic line, this engaging piece provides ensembles with a great flourish for the opening or closing of a concert program.  While the piece was written without a programmatic intent, the contrasting rhythmic and soaring melodies are likely to stir up images of an exciting trek through some of nature's challenging and beautiful landscapes.

Brimming with energy and anticipation from the opening, Beyond the Summit is a musical adventure which is sure to stir up images of some of nature's most majestic landscapes and mountain ranges.  The journey begins with a majestic call and response theme divided among the sections, chasing after one another.  Eventually, a lighter, yet still driving theme appears, signifying the discovery of a breathtaking view at the summit.  From there, the piece takes off once again, building with excitement all the way to the end, hinting that the adventure continues, or perhaps begins, "Beyond the Summit."

Beyond Trodden Paths was commissioned by the Platte-Geddes High School Band, in Platte, South Dakota, directed by Jeff Patzlaff.

The pioneering spirit is captured in this original concert overture.  The adventure begins as a subdued call of the unknown beckons, giving way to lyrical, triumphant melody accompanied by driving percussion.  The piece transitions to a quiet, pastoral melody, reflecting the beauty of the open plains.  The unknown horizon calls again and builds into a soaring statement of the opening theme, leading to an energetic conclusion.

Forever Loyal was commissioned by the Newman High School Band, directed by Mary Kate Hines, for their performance at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference on May 14, 2022.

Beginning with echoes from the school’s alma mater, “Newman Loyalty,” Forever Loyal honors Newman High School’s 60-year history from dream to reality, and beyond.  The main melody of the piece begins as a simple, reflective tune, but it soon begins to evolve - always building with confidence and excitement.  The melody eventually finds its way “home” again, leading to a triumphant final melodic statement from the alma mater: “Newman High, loyal to thee, sing we now thy song of praise!”

A sense of wonder, intrigue, and adventure are all captured in this unique setting of two traditional Wise Men carols.  The journey begins with a reflective, somewhat mysterious minor arrangement of "What Star is This?," which eventually gives way to an exciting, driving setting of "We Three Kings."  The piece builds to a triumphant climax with the majestic return of "What Star is This?" in its traditional major key.

This piece was premiered in December 2017 by the Northwood-Kensett and Aplington-Parkersburg High School Bands in Iowa.

It was published by Alfred Music in their 2020-2021 catalog.  You can find a sample recording and purchase a copy at Alfred Music, or any other sheet music retailer.

Alfred Music Score & Sound Preview

This piece was commissioned by the Wartburg College Concert Bands, in honor of Dr. Robert E. Lee, Director of Bands Emeritus.  Dr. Lee's appreciation for both marches and opera was well known, in particular his appreciation for the music from the opera Lohengrin, by Richard Wagner.  This lighthearted, traditional march incorporates moments of "drama" by offering brief quotations of themes from Lohengrin, including snippets from "Prelude to Act Three," and "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral.”  Preview Recording

Enjoy a musical journey through this beautiful section of the Black Hills National Forest.  From the bold chords of the opening statement to the lush, shifting harmonic progressions, this piece captures the grandeur of the canyon's majestic mountains, as well as the winding waters and trickling falls of Spearfish Creek.  A serene, lyrical theme emerges to depict the breathtaking views of the valleys from the mountain trails.  A call of the opening theme builds across the ensemble, signaling a return to the trek, and leading the canyon adventure to an exciting close.

The piece was published by Alfred Music in their 2018-2019 catalog, and was selected by J.W. Pepper as an "Editors' Choice."  It was also selected as a "Five Star Feature" by Stanton's Sheet Music.  You can find a sample recording and purchase a copy at Alfred Music, or any other sheet music retailer.  Alfred Music Score & Sound Preview

To Light was commissioned by Holly Prier and the Emmetsburg High School Band, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, directed by Mary O'Connell, in memory of Colton Johnson.

The piece begins with a quiet, somewhat melancholy, theme of wonder, which gradually builds in confidence.  The melody is constantly evolving and expanding, exploring a variety of instrumental colors and key areas.  The piece builds to to a soaring, triumphant climax, yet the quiet theme of wonder returns one more time in the end.  However, this time the theme has a sense of peace about it as it ascends to a final resolution.

With the musical call of, "Land, ho!" echoing across the band, Treasure Quest's tale of pirates, buried treasure, and battle is underway!  Written in rondo form, a strong, driving pirate theme serves as the main theme throughout the piece, and surrounds two contrasting sections.  The first contrasting section features a serene treasure theme introduced by the woodwinds.  The second contrasting section features a "battle" across the band as different sections call and respond to one another, building into an exciting final statement of the main theme.  This piece is ideal for a late 5th Grade / early 6th Grade performance as it features unique sectional parts, emphasizing independence of parts.

The piece was published by Alfred Music in their 2017-2018 catalog, and was selected by J.W. Pepper as an "Editors' Choice."  You can find a sample recording and purchase a copy at Alfred Music, or any other sheet music retailer.  Alfred Music Score & Sound Preview

This musical setting of Psalm 111 (vs. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6) was written for a special Mass in the fall of 2013.  It is written for solo voice and piano, with optional chorus, guitar, and bass.