As I write this Dr. Panion (Henry) has just
texted me that his Dreams of Hope PBS
Special (link follows), has just received 13
nominations for the Telly Awards. Henry is an
educator, community leader, brilliant composer
and arranger, worshiper and musician
extraordinaire. In addition to his mainstream
work, his work in Gospel music has received
widespread acclaim and impacted many. From
his humble beginnings in Birmingham, AL, to
his work with Stevie Wonder, to his involvement
in the church and community, Henry continues
to be at the top of his game.
[WM] What a delight it is to visit with you
again! I hope to scratch the surface of several
topics today so let’s get started. Your academic
background seems to have provided a strong
bedrock for your many professional activities.
What can you tell us about this foundation
and how it has helped you to accomplish
your dreams?
[Henry Panion] For as long as I can remember
I have wanted to be a musician, I have been
"in music" since I was in kindergarten. Now,
I could expound on this for more pages than
you would have in this publication, but looking
back on my career and my education, I can
easily see now how all of my experiences have
led to where I am today. Having had great
experiences in high school and college band,
I really thought I wanted to be a band director.
However, when I became a drum major in
college, having only missed two performances
through high school and college (yes, I was a
real band geek), I recognized two things. First,
the band directors and football coaches never
went home and, second, I only saw my other
professors on campus during their classes.
No, seriously, as a drum major we were given
certain opportunities to conduct the band, and
as a music major I had an opportunity to have
several of my arrangements performed by the
marching band. Those two experiences have
been the central focus of my career. I also knew
that if I was going to have an opportunity to
pursue a career as an arranger and conductor,
I'd need to also pursue not only the masters
but a doctorate degree.
to graduate schools, I
scores created for my u
band. Ohio State offered
they say, “The rest is his
Educatio
the key. A
that doe
necessar
mean jus
classroom
I have always loved all
classical to jazz, from G
hop to bebop. I becam
a sponge) of everything
arranger, composer, co
I also believe that is wa
but my intense studyi
styles my entire life that
to the overall musician I
allowed me to bring a le
music of the many vari
work today. Education is
not necessarily mean
Actually, that's only wh
especially for musicians
on my own outside of
sitting behind a desk i
understand what I’m st
professors and teacher
quite necessary. A num
served as mentors to
my development. But w
should encourage thei
learn even more than
in a lecture. And for ev
instruction, I have spen
that outside the classro
as a musician.
June 2020