Sparr's notable compositions include his one-act opera, Approaching Ali (libretto by Mark Campbell and Davis Miller) based on the work "The Tao of Muhammad Ali" by Davis Miller (2013), Concerto for Jazz Guitar and Orchestra: Katrina (2016), Violet Bond: Concerto for electric guitar and orchestra (2013), Dreams of the Old Believers for Orchestra (2014), Optima Vota for Orchestra (2012), Precious Metal: Concerto for flute and winds (2010), The Glam Seduction (2004), Woodlawn Drive (1999), Sound Harmonies with Air (2009), DACCA : DECCA : GaFfA (2008).

Sparr's eclectic style has been described as "pop-Romantic … iridescent and wondrous" (The Mercury News) and "suits the boundary erasing spirit of today's new-music world" (The New York Times).

The Los Angeles Times praised him as "an excellent soloist," and the Santa Cruz Sentinel says that he "wowed an enthusiastic audience … Sparr's guitar sang in a near-human voice."

His music has been performed and commissioned by numerous ensembles, including the Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera (HGOco, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, eighth blackbird, & the Dayton Philharmonic.

His composition teachers include Michael Daugherty, Augusta Read Thomas, Sydney Hodkinson, and Pulitzer Prize winners William Bolcom, Christopher Rouse, and Joseph Schwantner.