Screenshot of a full orchestral sheet music titled "Defying Gravity" by Stephen Schwartz, arranged by Jordan Barker. The composition includes multiple instrumental parts such as flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, horns, and others, with various musical notes and markings.

Concert Works

Simple Gifts: A Shaker Tune

Symphonic Winds and Percussion

In the Spring of 2021, in the midst of preparation for a Senior Trumpet Recital and my final year of undergrad I was lucky enough to audition for and advance to the Finals of the Air Force Band Composer/Arranger Search.

This piece was the final audition before interviews of the 2 final candidates for the role. I received the email with project outlines at 10:00 am on Wednesday and the final piece was due Friday at 9:59 am. That’s right… 48 hours to write a two and a half minute concert opener using the Simple Gifts tune so lovingly used by Zdechlik, Copland, Ticheli, and many others.


Funny Girl: Overture

Symphonic Winds and Percussion

Commissioned by the University of Houston Symphonic Winds under the Direction of Dr. Cameron Kubos.


Defying Gravity

Symphonic Winds and Percussion

Composed by Stephen Scwartz for the stage musical WICKED, rearranged for the University of Houston Symphonic Winds for the Spring 2025 Stage and Screen Concert.