About Mr. Barnard

Mr. Barnard has been teaching in Oak Park District 97 for 20 years, 14 years at Brooks, 6 years in our elementary program. Prior to teaching in Oak Park, Mr. Barnard also taught beginning and Middle School Band in Beach Park, Middle School, Band/Jazz in O'Fallon, IL, and High School Band, Chorus, and Jazz at Metro Academic & Classical High School, part of the St. Louis Public Schools.

Mr. Barnard also has many years experience as a private woodwind teacher and has also worked as an adjunct applied saxophone teacher at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Mr. Barnard retired in April 2024 from the U.S. Air Force Band Program as a saxophonist, clarinetist and Administrator for the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest. Mr. Barnard served 32 years and has performed all over the United States, Europe, Canada, and Jamaica.

He also has experience as a freelance musician in both the Chicago and St. Louis music scenes, performing a variety of musical genres, including Jazz, Latin, Pop, Funk, Blues, and R & B.

In addition to teaching and performing, Mr. Barnard has also been active in recent years as a composer and arranger in both Concert Band and Jazz idioms.

Mr. Barnard received his Bachelors in Music Education with a Jazz Studies Emphasis from Eastern Illinois University, where he studied with Henry Butler, Ron Westray, Allen Horney, and Sam Fagaly. He also received his Masters In Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.

Personal Life

Mr. Barnard has been teaching in Oak Park District 97 for 20 years, 14 years at Brooks, 6 years in our elementary program. Prior to teaching in Oak Park, Mr. Barnard also taught beginning and Middle School Band in Beach Park, Middle School, Band/Jazz in O'Fallon, IL, and High School Band, Chorus, and Jazz at Metro Academic & Classical High School, part of the St. Louis Public Schools.

Mr. Barnard also has many years experience as a private woodwind teacher and has also worked as an adjunct applied saxophone teacher at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Mr. Barnard retired in April 2024 from the U.S. Air Force Band Program as a saxophonist, clarinetist and Administrator for the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest. Mr. Barnard served 32 years and has performed all over the United States, Europe, Canada, and Jamaica.

He also has experience as a freelance musician in both the Chicago and St. Louis music scenes, performing a variety of musical genres, including Jazz, Latin, Pop, Funk, Blues, and R & B.

In addition to teaching and performing, Mr. Barnard has also been active in recent years as a composer and arranger in both Concert Band and Jazz idioms.

Mr. Barnard received his Bachelors in Music Education with a Jazz Studies Emphasis from Eastern Illinois University, where he studied with Henry Butler, Ron Westray, Allen Horney, and Sam Fagaly. He also received his Masters In Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.