Now Hear This is produced by GMixEast and presented by Orchestra Iowa. The series is dedicated to providing performing artists an opportunity to develop their musical vision culminating in a live performance.

Doors open at 6:30pm with the show starting at 7pm. Tickets are $12 available through the Orchestra Iowa ticket office, online at artsiowa.com, or at the door the evening of the event as available.

Daren Barker

Daren Barker is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Cedar Rapids, IA. He grew up singing harmonies with his mother and grandmother while sitting around the piano. As a child, he dabbled in playing acoustic guitar via a Gibson J-160 E handed down from his father’s family. His mother taught him how to play ‘You Are My Sunshine’. But it wasn’t until age 14 that Daren started building his foundation as a lead player on electric guitar. He then spent years playing and singing in a praise band with his family.

By 2009, at age 18, Daren was performing live music across Iowa on the weekends. He spent three years in the music program at Kirkwood College, singing in an a cappella jazz ensemble with 8 voices, including a vocal bassist and percussionist. Daren has continued to perform music in Iowa and surrounding states in both acoustic acts and full bands. He is currently touring with New Trick: Iowa’s Classic Rock Band as the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist. He also performs with his wife in Faux Doubt: A Tribute to No Doubt.

The Now Hear This Series features an eclectic mix of musicians and music in an intimate, upscale environment.