Haidar “Hamed” Barbarji is a trumpeter and educator based in Chicago, IL. Hailed for his versatility as a multi-faceted musician, Hamed has found success in the classical, commercial, and jazz idioms. He has performed with orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Composers Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony; soloed with ensembles such as the DePaul University Wind Ensemble, the Virginia Commonwealth University Symphony Orchestra, the Universidad de Cartagena Symphony Orchestra, and the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra, and has toured with nationally-acclaimed bands such as the No BS! Brass Band, In Layman Terms, and the Kat Wright band.
As an educator, Hamed has given orchestral trumpet sectionals, jazz improvisation masterclasses, and coached ensembles such as the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet and the Virginia Commonwealth University Brass Quintets. In 2024, Hamed was appointed as a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the nation’s premier training program for young professional musicians, and was selected for the Civic Fellowship Program in 2025. Hamed continues to work as a freelance musician, performing and recording with groups such as: Broadway In Chicago, Gaudete Brass Quintet, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, and more.
Hamed’s mentors include Esteban Batallán, Stephen Burns, Rex Richardson, Brian Strawley, Samuel Huss, Taylor Barnett, Mark O’Keeffe, David Vonderheide, and Paul Bhasin. Hamed is currently on faculty at Loyola University Chicago, the Merit School of Music, and the DePaul Community Music Division.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I am really looking forward to a second opportunity to collaborate with Purpose Over Pain, the Chicago Refugee Coalition, and CPS Schools. I am also looking forward to working with the cohort to learn more about Chicago, give back to this amazing city, and inspire the next generation of young musicians.
