In a field dominated by white men Thomas Wilkins of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra breaks the conventional mold as one of the most high-profile black conductors of note.
The conducting and broader classical music worlds are use to older white males dominating the scene but things are changing. Female music director Marin Alsop and Parsi conductor Zubin Mehta have emerged as promosing talents in the field.
Wilkins became music director of the Omaha Symphony in 2005 a post he still holds today. He enjoys numerous working relationships with orchestras in the United States primarily the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
At school event in Roxbury, Massachusetts about a year ago, the conductor according to boston.com imparted some advice to a crowd of students.
"Wishing without working only leads to disappointment,'' Wilkins said. "I want you to know yourself. I want you to know what you're built for.''
At the event he said he was trying to reach children and bring them into the world of classical music that gave him the avenue to become successful.
"I think that to a certain extent young people in general can be discouraged from participating in classical music because there are so many entertainment opportunities,'' he said. "My view is to broaden the ownership of classical music for minorities so the pool gets larger.''
Wilkins grew up in the projects of Norkfolk, Virginia and became interested in his craft at a young age. He was first inspired to take up the baton when he heard a rendition of the American national anthem the "Star Spangled Banner."
He received his bachelors degree at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in 1978 and in 1982 he earned his masters in orchestral conducting at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
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