Victor Marquez-Barrios

Venezuelan composer and guitarist Victor E. Marquez-Barrios holds an extended catalog of works that includes compositions for a variety of solo instruments, numerous chamber ensembles, mixed choir, electronics, symphonic band, and symphony orchestra. His music has been performed, published, and recorded by important soloists and ensembles from Latin America (Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, enCayapa Ensemble), the U.S. (H2 Quartet, Oberlin Orchestra), and Europe (Proxima Centauri, Guitar Duo Montes-Kircher). Works by Marquez-Barrios have received performances at numerous international music festivals such as the Latin American Music Festival (Venezuela), XVII Festival of Contemporary Music of Havana (Cuba), 20eme Festival Internacional de la Clarinette (Martinique), Hollywood Fringe Festival (U.S.A.), the World Saxophone Congress (2012 and 2015 editions), and ClarinetFest (Belgium), among others.

An enthusiastic collaborator, Marquez-Barrios regularly works directly with performers and conductors, as well as with artists from a variety of disciplines beyond music. He has been awarded fellowships at some of the most prestigious artist residencies in the U.S., and has received grants and commissions from prominent institutions such as New Music U.S.A., the International Double Reed Society, Ibermúsicas, and the American Composers Forum.  

 Marquez-Barrios holds M.M. and D.M.A. degrees in Composition from Michigan State University, as well as a Master’s degree in Music Theory Pedagogy from MSU. He has served on the faculty at Michigan State, Kalamazoo College, Grand Valley State University, Alma College, and St. Lawrence University. Since 2015 and in parallel to his active career as a composer and guest lecturer,VictorMarquez-Barrios teaches music theory and composition as part of the faculty at Truman State University, where he is also the founding director of Uncommon Practice, the University’s contemporary-music ensemble. During the summer, Marquez-Barrios teaches at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. More information atwww.marquezbarrios.com.