Biography
Anthony Orr is an American clarinetist and educator determined to show the world that beautiful music is not something to listen to, but to experience. Oftentimes, the general population refuses to attend live music, only because there are “professional recordings” provided on the Internet. Growing up in a small rural town in West Virginia, he did not have access to the experience of live music, oftentimes leading him to resort to these “professional recordings”. But there was something missing. That extra cold chill that goes down ones back when hearing Brahms’ Requiem. Or the emotion one feels listening to the Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony. This tangible feeling, the rawest thing one can experience; that is what Anthony wants the world to feel. To see. To love.
In 2023, Anthony earned his Bachelor of Music Performance and Minor of Music Theory from the University of North Texas College of Music. His time at this institution not only allowed him to experience music at the highest caliber, but also, how to understand music’s deepest complexities. As a member of the North Texas Wind Symphony, Anthony had the high privilege of performing with soloists such as the Barcelona Clarinet Players; percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie; and even meet and collaborate with composers such as Michael Daugherty and Jack Stamp.
Anthony’s largest priority regarding music is his passion and drive for quality chamber music. Chamber music is truly where these moments of pure expression and musicality reside, creating atmospheres and dialogues between small groups of players without ever uttering a single word. Throughout his collegiate years, Anthony has participated in nearly 15 different chamber groups, including new compositions in collaboration with composers, as well as utilizing classics within the clarinet repertoire.
While clarinet pedagogy and performance serve a strong role in his musical career, Anthony also loves teaching private lessons in the local Dallas – Fort Worth public schools. His goal in teaching primarily focuses on leading younger generations toward a future of musical expression and appreciation. Serving as a private lesson instructor for over two years, Anthony has learned that providing a musical and emotional vocabulary to younger musicians early on in their education allows them to understand not only what to listen for, but also, how to understand what they want to play and sound like. Music provides such an amazing opportunity for people to express themselves. Anthony particularly cherishes the many students that he has been able to help lead toward experiencing the impact of music over this teaching career.
Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra once said, “It’s one of the characteristics of a leader that he not doubt for one moment the capacity of the people he is leading to realize whatever he is dreaming.” This phrase is the philosophy to which Anthony strives to achieve. What is Anthony’s dream you may ask? That the world can listen to beautiful live music with an intent to learn, grow, and move toward a better tomorrow.
