Anthony’s Story

Anthony was a little boy living on the south side of Chicago when he started learning about music. Anthony wanted to be just like his big brother, Demarre. Demarre played the flute and practiced at home every day. So Anthony wanted to play an instrument too! The saxophone was too big for Anthony, so he began learning the clarinet and has continued to play it for the rest of his life! (Watch Anthony remember his childhood with photos.)

When he was young, Anthony went to his first orchestra audition. He had to play a song from memory. Anthony went to the audition, walked out on stage to perform, and started to play the song… and then he forgot how to play the rest! Oh no! Anthony was so sad. The conductor came to talk to him and said that not every performance is perfect. He said that Anthony “played with passion and expression, and that is what music is all about.” (Watch Anthony describe this moment.)

Anthony has played concerts with many different orchestras and for many different audiences. He was even invited to play for President Obama. One of Anthony’s goals was to be the principal clarinet player of the New York Philharmonic orchestra. A principal player in an orchestra is a leader to all of the other people who play the same instrument. Anthony would need to be the best clarinetist in the whole orchestra and wisely lead the other clarinet players. The New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States. It has existed for over 170 years, and they had never had an African American principal player before.

In 2008, the New York Philharmonic announced the job opening for principal clarinetist. Anthony wrote a big list as he planned all of the steps he would need to take in order to achieve his goal. He tried very hard to be the principal clarinetist, but unfortunately, he was not selected. Anthony could have given up, but he kept working on his list. Finally, 6 years later, Anthony achieved his goal! Now, Anthony is the principal clarinetist and he is the first ever African American principal player of the New York Philharmonic.

Anthony says, “It doesn’t matter what the concert is, who it is for, who [you play it] with. You have to give it your all… because you never know when that moment can change your life.” Anthony's story is still unfolding. He currently teaches and performs, sometimes with his brother, too. Someday you could see one of his concerts or attend his classes!

Born July 17, 1979