Thomas Parchman, clarinet & director of operations, studied with the finest clarinet faculty in the country, including Robert Marcellus, Clark Brody and Larry Combs. As a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra, he had weekly sectionals with members of the Chicago Civic Orchestra section, as well as masterclasses. Mr. Parchman’s first full-time orchestra position was as bass clarinet for the Orquesta Sinfonica de Xalapa, Mexico. One of the oldest orchestras in Mexico, it performed 42 weeks a year mostly programs of large symphonic works, broadcast nationally. The orchestra toured nationally and made several recordings. After a short time in the orchestra, he was promoted to assistant principal and bass clarinet. He then became a member of the Long Beach Symphony and the Long Beach Grand Opera. During this time he was accepted into the doctoral program at the University of Southern California, where he studied clarinet with Mitchell Lurie and saxophone with Douglas Masek.
Prof. Parchman moved to Maine in 1984 as a result of a joint search between the University of Southern Maine and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Parchman holds the rank of Professor at USM, and has been the principal clarinetist with the orchestra since his arrival. As principal clarinet, he has performed the concerti by Mozart, Copland, Krommer, Brahms/Berio’s opus 120, and Bassi’s Rigoletto Fantasy. Dr. Parchman also holds the bass/3rd clarinet position with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and is a member of the Maine State Ballet, Portland Ballet, and Opera Maine. 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 ensemble concerts, and giving demonstrations, clinics and master classes. His students are active performers and teachers in their communities, ranging from teaching in the schools of northern Maine to playing in the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Email: operations@nationalmusic.us