CLEVELAND — Marvel’s Black Panther is continuing to inspire audiences years after its theatrical release.

What You Need To Know

  • Anthony Parnther is a world-renowned orchestra conductor and bassoonist
  • Parnther worked on the original score for Marvel Studios Black Panther
  • Black conductors make up about 4% of conductors

It all started about a month ago, when Marvel Studios Black Panther costumes were put on display at Severance Music Hall — Black Panther Live with the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Parnther. Parnther is a part of the less than 4% of Black conductors in the industry.

It started with a middle school band and support from his mom, and now more than 30 years later, Parnther is a world-renowned orchestra conductor and bassoonist  He led the Cleveland Orchestra for Marvel Studios Black Panther in concert he worked on the original score for the movie, one he felt a special connection with.

“It was great to see people who looked like me personified in ways that I was not accustomed to seeing, to see like afro futuristic, to see superheroes that look like me," said Parnther, orchestra conductor and bassoonist.

According to the League of American Orchestras, Black conductors make up about 4% of conductors — number Parnther says comes from a lot of different factors and many he can relate to.

“My mom had to make the decision to pay the electric bill on time or make the payment on my instrument, and, you know, so it was in those months that we had no electricity," said Parnther.

Other factors Parnther said contribute to the low number of Black conductors include access to quality instruments, resources to take private lessons and opportunity to get into a good well-known music school.

“I was very grateful for the opportunity to rise to the occasion it begins there with the opportunity to participate and be involved in classical music," said Parnther.

Parnther knows firsthand what it’s like to feel isolated in an industry filled with people who don’t look like you or have the same background. With his current position as the music director for the San Bernardino Symphony, he is using his platform to encourage more Black classical musicians and to diversify his own orchestra.

“San Bernardino is 70 — is over 70% Black and Latino and the orchestra did not mirror that diversity. And we certainly are much closer to that nowadays," said Parnther.

If you missed the show, you can still view the costumes from Marvel Studios Black Panther movie at the music hall until April 6.