Born in Oakland, California on April 16, 1923, Warren Barker attended the University of California in Los Angeles, where he studied with several noted composers. Additionally, he studied with Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco and Henri Pensis. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was first sergeant of a 28-piece band, coordinating musical activities. His duties also included composing and arranging for radio programs, stage shows, bond tours and military functions.

After leaving the Army in 1946, he was engaged as chief arranger for Carmen Dragon. For the next 25 years, he would devote his efforts to composing and arranging music in Hollywood. At the age of 24 he was appointed chief arranger for the National Broadcasting Company’s prime musical radio program THE RAILROAD HOUR, a position he held for six years. He also arranged, composed and conducted music for many motion pictures and for television, being associated with the 20th Century Fox, Columbia and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. He was a member of the arranging staff for the Oscar winning motion picture HELLO DOLLY. The highlights of his television work include seven years as composer-conductor for the highly rated comedy series BEWITCHED in the 60s. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored him in 1970 for the original music he wrote for the award winning series MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT, based on the life of James Thurber. He also served as conductor-arranger and recording artist for Warner Bros. and Capitol Records. His compositions and arrangements were performed and recorded by a variety of musical artists such as Frank Sinatra, and by ensembles such as the Hollywood Bowl and Cincinnati Pops orchestras. Throughout his career, he received writing commissions from many outstanding music organizations including the United States Air Force Band, The Royal Australian Navy, the Northshore Concert Band and the Norwegian Army Staff band.

In 1971 Barker retired from work in Hollywood and moved with his family to Bend, California, where he bought a herd of cattle and went into the ranching business. In 1975 he was coaxed out of retirement and asked to compose and arrange music for the Hal Leonard company. This illustrious second career composing for school and college bands made him one of the foremost writers of our age, and his name is constantly found in programs of bands worldwide.
Warren Barker died August 3, 2006 in Greenville, South Carolina.