James Barket
James Barket, Orchestra Teacher/String Bassist
DMA, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
MM, Yale University
BM, University of Hartford
Fulbright Fellowship, Vienna, Austria (1992-93)
K-12 Music Certification, Georgia State University
www.jamesbarketweb.net
James Barket is Orchestra Director at Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, GA--part of the Fulton County School System. WBMS Orchestras under James Barket’s direction are active participants in Georgia Music Educators Association events. WBMS was invited to perform for the GMEA In-Service Conference in 2008 and for the ASTA National Orchestra Competition in 2006. Most recently in 2011, the WBMS Advanced Violin Ensemble was requested by the office of Governor Nathan Deal to perform at the Governor’s Mansion for Valedictorian Day.
He currently teaches string bass at Kennesaw State University, the Encore! Summer Music Camp, the Florida State Summer Music Camp, and the Walton High School Orchestra Summer Camp. In 2010, James Barket was a guest clinician for the Alabama Orchestra Association’s All-State Orchestra Festival. From 2000-2004, Dr. Barket was Co-Director (with Jennifer Barket) of the GAASTA Summer Camp. He also was the coordinator (with Kevin Majeske) of the GMEA District V Elementary Orchestra Clinic from 2003-2005. Dr. Barket served as GMEA State Orchestra Chairperson from 2005-2007 and was the organizer for the GMEA Middle School All-State Orchestra from 2008-2014.
His private teachers have included Gary Karr, Leland Tolo, Winston Budrow, and Josef Niederhammer. As a student of both Gary Karr in the US and Josef Niederhammer in Vienna, Barket is interested in music and musicians who represent these two vital schools of bass playing. His solo recitals include a variety of original compositions for solo bass and transcriptions/arrangements that represent both of these fine traditions.
Formerly, James Barket was on the faculty at Valdosta State University in Valdosta Georgia. He has translated Alfred Planavsky's "The Baroque Double Bass Violone" (1998: Scarecrow Press). Previous professional engagements include: Principal Bassist of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Principal Bassist of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Bassist in the VSU Faculty Jazz Quintet, and Per Service Bassist with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra.
Prior string teaching experience includes work with the South Georgia String Project in Valdosta, GA. This Project, sponsored by the VSO, provides string-instrument instruction to area public and private-school children. Dr. Barket taught class strings at Parker Mathis Elementary and Lowndes Middle School. In addition, he managed the program from 1997-1999. He was also active with the Valdosta Symphony Youth Orchestra. He directed the Summer Program in 1999, and managed the orchestra during the 1999-2000 school year.
