Meet the Music Director
Meet the Musicians
Meet the Artistic Advisor
Thomas Parchman
Principal Clarinet
Clarinetist Thomas Parchman came to Maine in 1984 as a result of a joint search between the University of Southern Maine and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He holds the rank of associate professor at USM, and has been the principal clarinetist with the orchestra since his arrival. Dr. Parchman holds a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Southern California, a master of music from Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in both music education and performance from Southern Methodist University. His principal teachers have been Clark Brody (Chicago Symphony), Larry Combs (Chicago Symphony), Robert Marcellus (Cleveland Orchestra), Ross Powell (Dallas Symphony), and Mitchell Lurie (Chicago Symphony and soloist).
As a clarinetist and saxophonist, Dr. Parchman performs music in a variety of styles from concerti, sonatas, chamber music, orchestra, ballet, and opera. He has been a member of the Spoleto Festival Orchestra since 1982, regularly performing with the finest musicians in Europe and the Americas. He also holds the Bass/3rd Clarinet position in the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
Dr. Parchman is active in developing music in the Portland community, taking part in joint projects between the Portland Symphony and Portland schools, performing in small ensemble concerts, and giving demonstrations, clinics, and master classes. He is blessed with many fine clarinet students from beginners to advanced performers.
At the 1998 Festival di Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, he took part in performances of Korngold’s Die Tote Stadt, was principal clarinet with the orchestra that accompanied Luciano Pavarotti in a gala benefit concert, and was featured in chamber music concerts that included Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, which have been broadcast nationwide in the U.S. via National Public Radio.
As a clarinetist and saxophonist, Dr. Parchman performs music in a variety of styles from concerti, sonatas, chamber music, orchestra, ballet, and opera. He has been a member of the Spoleto Festival Orchestra since 1982, regularly performing with the finest musicians in Europe and the Americas. He also holds the Bass/3rd Clarinet position in the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
Dr. Parchman is active in developing music in the Portland community, taking part in joint projects between the Portland Symphony and Portland schools, performing in small ensemble concerts, and giving demonstrations, clinics, and master classes. He is blessed with many fine clarinet students from beginners to advanced performers.
At the 1998 Festival di Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, he took part in performances of Korngold’s Die Tote Stadt, was principal clarinet with the orchestra that accompanied Luciano Pavarotti in a gala benefit concert, and was featured in chamber music concerts that included Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, which have been broadcast nationwide in the U.S. via National Public Radio.
