Title: CEO
Workplace: Delaware Symphony Orchestra
Alma Mater: The Juilliard School
Board: Arts Consortium of Delaware
Q&A: Favorite thing about Delaware? “Our rich cultural landscape.”
J.C. Barker took over as executive director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra in early 2020, just before the COVID pandemic would scuttle most of the prestigious outfit’s performances. Leaning on his prior experience as director of artistic administration with the Mobile (Ala.) Symphony though he helped the DSO navigate the uncertain times including live streaming performances to audiences over the web. Barker has also helped to temper relations between the board, staff and musicians, brokering an amicable new three-year contract with the symphony’s professional musicians in 2022 – the first new DSO contract since 2019. He will once again be tasked with a major role in 2024 in finding a new music director after longtime maestro David Amado takes a step down.
