ABOUT
ME
ABOUT Hugh W. Barnes, Jr.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Hugh Westley Barnes, Jr, has always had the motivation and determination to succeed. As the second oldest of four, Hugh has always kept family first. Raised with the mindset of the 40/60 rule, 40 percent book smarts, 60 percent street smarts, education has always been his key focus life, after home life. Hugh is the first and only member of his family to receive a college degree.
Hugh Westley Barnes, Jr. earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and a Bachelor of Music degree from Morgan State University, and a master’s from McDaniel College. He is presently pursuing his Doctor of Music Arts (DMA) in instrumental conducting.
Hugh Westley Barnes, Jr. is a former Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Coppin State University. He is a respected guest clinician and adjudicator for bands, vocals, and national competitions such as NCAA ACT-SO. Additionally, he has created instrumental and vocal music programs in several Baltimore communities.
Professor Barnes has received numerous awards and accolades in his career, however he considers his students' accomplishments as his greatest reward as an educator. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers as musicians, directors, teachers, performers, educators, recording artists, and managers. He believes that there is no greater gift than to see the fruits of one's labor blossom and grow into something great and beautiful.
Professor Barnes is a member of ♪ Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, ♪ National Band Association, ♪ National Association for Music Educators, ♪ Member of International College Band Directors National Association, ♪ trumpeter’s guild, ♪ Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and the ♪ Maryland Music Educators Association.
I CARE MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE MY STUDENTS BECOME THAN THE SCORES ON THE TEST THEY TAKE!
"AS SOON AS CHILDREN FIND SOMETHING THAT INTERESTS THEMTHEY LOSE THEIR INSTABILITY AND LEARN TO CONCENTRATE!" - Dr. Maria Montessori
MY INSPIRATION
Band and sports took the drugs out of my hands and replaced them with a musical instrument and my teammates became my new family to support me and my growth.
At some point music and sports stuck with me more and allowed me to express and relieve myself of emotional stress in other ways, it helped to calm my angry, savage soul. Without music, sports, and my musical family I know I would be dead or in the jail easily.
Every music teacher that came into my life changed it for the better, though it was rough for them, it literally took "A Village" to change my life. Around 27-28 is when I finally got it. My eyes opened to reality when I started working at a high school in Prince George’s County Maryland with a bunch of mini-mes. Truly troubled, misguided unfocused rough youth I got to see myself in them and it forced me to fully change and grow up as I see they needed me as I needed my Village to grow and survive death.
Becoming an educator changed my life and the kids I've been blessed to teach, educate, nurture, mentor, raise and love are the reason for my full growth to being a better person, man, and leader. They are one of the biggest parts of me being alive today.
I just couldn't let those kids down by not being there for them in their time of need, like all my teachers (Village) did for me!!
Testimonies
