Saxophonist and composer, Barry Cockcroft’s music has received thousands of performances throughout the world and is played regularly in more than 40 countries. He is one of the most widely performed and recorded composers of his generation and his music is repeatedly programmed by some of the world’s finest musicians.

Barry has been concerto soloist with the United States Navy Band and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He has played with major Australian orchestras and for more than a decade has been a regular guest with the Malaysian Philharmonic.

Since 2000 he has performed with Perth pianist Adam Pinto in Rompduo. Barry has appeared at major events including the Melbourne Festival, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, the Brisbane Festival and international saxophone events in Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Canada, Thailand, Belgium, United States and France.

He is a Selmer Artist and a D’addario International Artist (Reserve Reeds) and is a long-time member of the International Saxophone Committee, supporting the triennial World Saxophone Congress.

Barry has given masterclasses at major universities across Australia and at George Mason University (USA), Trinity Laban Conservatoire (UK) and the Paris Conservatoire (France). He has adjudicated for the Gisborne International Music Competition (New Zealand), the The Adolphe Sax International Competition (Belgium) and the finals of Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards (Australia).

Barry studied in Australia with Dr. Peter Clinch for 5 years and for 2 years in Bordeaux France with saxophonists Jacques Net, Marie-Bernadette Charrier and Jean-Marie Londeix.

Captivating, quirkily humorous and technically demanding, Barry’s compositions have seen successful adoption into mainstream repertoire. He has predominantly written works that feature the saxophone and his music successfully integrates contemporary techniques into well-known genres, structures and rhythms. The combination of familiar sounds with new ideas has allowed audiences worldwide to appreciate his music. His recent work, Melbourne Concerto, was premiered by the Orquestra Clássica do Centro, Portugal.

Since 1996, Barry’s close association with over 120 composers has led to the publication of around 15,000 works. Barry has rallied composers writing the most advanced concert music to remember also the developing players who require a stimulating and original repertoire of their own. Barry encourages musicians to perform not only the newest music, but also the best new music. His own pedagogical books help to guide thousands of developing musicians each year and his 120 published works are available exclusively from Reed Music.

An enthusiastic traveller Barry has visited around 70 countries and continues to compose and perform.