James Charles Barnes (born September 9, 1949) is an American composer. Barnes studied composition and music theory at the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor Music in 1974, and Master of Music  in 1975. He studied conducting privately with Zuohuang Chen. Since 1977 he has been a professor of theory and composition at the University of Kansas. Barnes is also a tubist and has performed with numerous professional organizations in the United States.