Douglas Barley came to the UUCC choir in May of 2007, debuting as a conductor with his own composition “A Mother’s Hands” in honor of Mother’s Day. Since that time he has written two additional original compositions for the UUCC congregation in Augusta: “Solstice Song” for the winter solstice and “Apple Blossom” for the June flower communion.
The UUCC choir sings pieces covering a diverse array of genres, incorporating classical, folk, jazz, gospel, and even occasionally a Broadway show tune if the text fits the occasion. Douglas coordinates and leads choir rehearsals every Thursday night, and all members and friends of the church are welcome, like the hymn says, to “come sing a song with (us).”
Douglas’s musical training includes a Doctor of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, a Master of Music from the North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory. He also holds a BA in East Asian Studies from Oberlin College, and he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the UUMN.