The Music Sack is a new internet resource offering a large database of people, books, bands, churches, pianists and theatres associated with music. This is a new web site and may deserve our support and contributions. I will have sort out the entry on John Wesley Barker as the listing is confusing several people of that name, besides myself and my dad, who has the same name.

Hooray! The International Music Score Library Project has reopened.

Welcome to the International Music Score Library Project! IMSLP attempts to create a virtual library containing all public domain musical scores, as well as scores from composers who are willing to share their music with the world without charge. You can read the full list of goals that IMSLP will try to achieve.IMSLP also encourages the exchange of musical ideas, both in the form of musical works, and in the analysis of existing ones. Therefore, feel free to create/edit a page with your analysis of a particular piece (please use the "Discussion" link on the work page of that particular piece)

OK, it's not April Fools anymore, but while it was I had fun with this

My Tribute read at the funeral in Christchurch Cathedral, Nelson, by my brother-in-law Kemp English

My father John Wesley Barker was born on the 11th May 1927 and died on the 25th July 2007, his Mother's birthday and the Feast of St James The Apostle. He was Music Director of Christchurch Cathedral in Nelson, New Zealand. Donations to be sent to Health Research Council of NZ, "Barker Fund" for Vascular Research, PO Box 5541, Wellesley Street, Auckland, New Zealand.
Today I listened to a cassette recording of the Funeral and read the letter he wrote to me a few hours before he died.

Read More...

Yesterday, the 20th July, we had a flood here at Stoke Wharf, as did many other parts of the country. I got home, just, having threaded my way back from Telford through flooded country lanes, often having to turn around and seeking an alternative route.

The Worcester & Birmingham canal overflowed at Stoke Bottom Lock where the water drained away through the canal cottages onto the Hanbury Road and into the car park of Metal & Ores (pictured). The road was blocked for some hours, some people got lifts on tractors over the water to continue their journey on foot.

More photos...

BBC Radio 4 Presenter: Eddie Mair

May I put in a word for the pylons. They are, in my view, beautiful. - my e-mail sent 17:47:40 BDT

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This Friday, the 22nd December, we fly to Nelson in New Zealand via Dubai and Auckland to arrive on Christmas Eve to spend Christmas and New Year with my family in New Zealand. We'll go on a 4 day walk through the Abel Tasman National Park and take in some sunshine. My NZ Trip Blog will have some more entries after two years since my last trip if you want to keep up with my holiday. Merry Christmas to you all. Read More...

Today, a student told me about a video of my appearance with John Foxx.

It's hosted on YouTube. I played keyboards on the album and later Underpass was on Top Of The Pops in January 1980 when it charted at No.11.

The photo shows John Foxx and myself playing keyboard on the right. Read More...

As part of the updating of this website, I've added the Flash MP3 Player to share audio with visitors.

The playlist currently contains:

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• My Funny Valentine by Richard Rogers
  played on a Technics digital piano by John Wesley Barker
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• Rise & Fall by John Wesley Barker
  recorded by Lost Jockey in a session produced by John Leckie at Abbey Road Studio 2.
  Previously released by Operation Twilight Cat. No. OPT11
• 
  
• Rainstick by Bag 'O Cats and John Wesley Barker
  from the album Out Of The Bag produced for Greentrax Recordings by John Wesley Barker.
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• Temptation Brothers In Rhythm Remix - by Heaven 17
  orchestral arrangement by John Wesley Barker, recorded at Air Studios. From the album The Luxury Gap. Session detail here
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• Eccho Ring for organ by John Wesley Barker
  originally written for the wedding of Clare & John, this solo organ version from the CD Stormin' Norma 2 by Kemp English. Recorded in Dunedin Town Hall, New Zealand. See Eccho Ring web page.
• 
  

Dear Colleague,

I have today been informed, in writing, by Edexcel that they have  decided not to seek re-accreditation for GCE Music and Music  Technology from QCA. Read More...

On Radio 4 just now I heard my Orchestral Theme of Temptation by Heaven 17 being used in the radio trailer for BBC2 The Line Of Beauty. The orchestral version hit the public as the last track on the single CD made to celebrate the 10th year after release and included a brilliant Brothers In Rhythm remix. This release is a muted out dub of some of the work I did on the track. I intend to make available the score and monitor mix (on cassette made on the 12th December 1982
I always jump out of my skin when I hear stuff I've done on the radio or TV. Temptation was used by Burger King a number of years ago, my blood boiled. Coincidence this time is that I want to start a performing group soon to play stuff I've been writing, the name for the group is Beauty, mm... strange... but...
Now I wonder, do I get any money for this? Will the musicians?
Watch this space.

MP3s made using Garritan Symphony Orchestra of Transit Of Venus 1 and Transit Of Venus 2 have become the first items on a John Wesley Barker Label at Last.FM making it possible to share with the Last.FM community and radio station.