The story began about a month ago when Marvel Studios’ Black Panther costumes were displayed at Severance Music Hall for Black Panther Live with the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Parnther. Parnther is part of the less than 4% of Black conductors in the classical music industry.
His journey started with a middle school band and the support of his mother, and now, over 30 years later, Parnther is a world-renowned conductor and bassoonist. He led the Cleveland Orchestra in a special performance of Black Panther in concert, a film score he feels a deep personal connection to.
“It was incredible to see characters who looked like me, depicted in ways I hadn’t seen before, with afro-futuristic heroes who looked like me,” said Parnther.
According to the League of American Orchestras, Black conductors make up roughly 4% of the field — a figure Parnther attributes to a variety of challenges, many of which he personally experienced.
“My mom had to choose between paying the electric bill on time or buying my instrument. There were months we didn’t have electricity,” Parnther recalled.
Other factors contributing to the underrepresentation of Black conductors, according to Parnther, include limited access to quality instruments, fewer resources for private lessons, and the challenges of getting into prestigious music schools.
“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to rise to the occasion, but it all starts with being given the chance to participate and engage with classical music,” Parnther said.
Having experienced the isolation of being one of the few Black individuals in an industry where most people don’t share his background, Parnther is now using his role as the music director for the San Bernardino Symphony to advocate for greater diversity within classical music.
“San Bernardino is over 70% Black and Latino, but our orchestra didn’t reflect that diversity. Thankfully, we’re much closer to that now,” said Parnther.
If you missed the performance, you can still view the Marvel Studios’ Black Panther costumes at Severance Music Hall until April 6.
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