Biography

A Brief Career Synopsis

Lucas Barry spent most of his early years in the Pacific Northwest and picked up saxophone while living briefly in Montana. After graduating high school in Cheney, a small town outside of Spokane, WA, he attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. Being a liberal-arts college, Whitman College allowed Lucas the chance to continue studying saxophone under Clark Bondy while also majoring in Chemistry. He started to seriously consider pursuing music after an invitation to be the musical guest for Whitman’s annual Convocation ceremony during his junior year. Lucas went on to win Whitman’s Concerto/Aria Competition and earn his B.A. in Music (Performance) with honors.

Lucas taught a private studio in Spokane, WA for a year after graduation and studied with local saxophonist Leo Potts to help prepare for future schooling. After his gap year, Lucas moved across the country to Boston so he could study with Kenneth Radnofsky at New England Conservatory. While at NEC, he performed in masterclasses with Doug O’Connor, Carrie Koffman, and Jan Berry Baker. He also won the NEC Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition, giving him the chance to perform Jacques Ibert’s “Concertino da camera” in NEC’s historic Jordan Hall.

Lucas continues to live in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, regularly commuting throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts to teach and perform. His many months of grocery and instrument delivery have prepared him for long hours on the open road!

Contact

RESUME

Past Experience

Interested in learning more? Please click HERE to access Lucas Barry's Complete Resume. [Updated May 2024]

Music Educator

Woodwind Teacher

Mr. Barry is currently a Woodwind Instructor at Ashland Public Schools, Shrewsbury Public Schools, EKS Music School, and Xaverian Brothers High School; where he teaches saxophone, clarinet, and flute to students aged 5th grade to high school. He is part of the Music Faculty at Camp Encore/Coda in Maine during the summer, teaching Saxophone as well as courses in theory and history. Mr. Barry also hosts a private studio, offering online and in-person lessons to students of all ages and experience.

MUSICAL COLLABORATION

Symphonic and Non-Traditional

Lucas has performed with such groups as the Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra (bari sax), Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (alto sax), North Shore Symphony Orchestra (bari sax), NEC Wind Ensemble (alto/tenor/bari sax, bass clarinet), Metropolitan Wind Symphony (soprano/alto sax), Boston-based saxophone ensemble The Saxyderms (tenor/bari sax), NEC Saxophone Ensemble (bari sax), Chagall Saxophone Quartet (bari sax), and the Jamaica Plain Saxophone Quartet (bari sax; substitute). He is also an accomplished woodwind doubler, having extensive pit orchestra and freelance experience in flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet. Lucas also has some connection to the New England DIY/underground music scene, having played bari sax on an upcoming album with his No-Wave hardcore band, Thighs (BandCamp), and for legendary hardcore band Siege’s last New York show in January of 2023.

Solo Performance

Concert Saxophonist

Lucas Barry has performed as a soloist in various capacities in Massachusetts and the state of Washington. His goal is to convince audiences of the artistic capabilities of classical saxophone through programming diverse pieces demonstrating its expressive range. Recitals have included standards like Paul Creston's Sonata and newer works like Jacob TV's "Billie." Lucas is a large proponent of baritone saxophone repertoire, having performed a solo recital at his alma mater, Whitman College, focusing on the instrument. He is in the process of arranging all of J.S. Bach's Cello Suites for bari sax, having performed his own arrangement of Suite No. 2 at Whitman College.