Publicity Bio
Photo Credit: Steve WoodUniversity Professor of Music
Director of Music Technology
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Hulsey Center
(205) 934-8780

Research and Teaching Interests: Music Technology, Orchestration, Theory, Conducting, Arranging, and Recording Engineering

Office Hours: By appointment

Education:

• BA, Alabama A & M University
• MA, The Ohio State University
• PhD, the Ohio State University

Henry Panion III teaches music theory and technology. He is most known for his work as conductor and arranger for superstar Stevie Wonder, for whose performances and recordings he has led many of the world’s most notable orchestras. The two-CD set "Natural Wonder" features Dr. Panion conducting his arrangements of many of Stevie Wonder’s award-winning, chart-topping songs with Stevie and the Tokyo Philharmonic.

The creative force behind "Gospel Goes Classical" — featuring Juanita Bynum, Jonathan Butler, and the GGC Symphony Orchestra and Choir — Dr. Panion made history topping the Billboard charts on both the Gospel and Classical Crossover Charts simultaneously. He has also worked with The Winans, Chet Atkins, Eugenia Zuckerman, Aretha Franklin, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chaka Khan, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and American Idol winners Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard.

Dr. Panion’s own works are programmed throughout the US by many of this country’s major orchestras. As a producer, composer, arranger, and orchestrator, Dr. Panion’s work has produced two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and a host of other national music awards and nominations. Dr. Panion was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995, as well as the Alabama A & M University Hall of Fame in 2000. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has honored Dr. Panion for his many contributions to the field of music by bestowing upon him the distinguished appointment of University Professor. In 2009, Dr. Panion was appointed to the post of Cultural Ambassador for the City of Birmingham, AL.

For full details of recordings, performances of his works, and other details, see Dr. Panion's publicity bio.