Anthony McGill

Hailed for his “trademark brilliance, penetrating sound and rich character” (The New York Times), clarinetist Anthony McGill is one of classical music’s most recognizable and brilliantly multifaceted figures. In addition to his dynamic international solo and chamber music career, he is Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic—the first African-American principal player in the organization's history. In 2020 he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of classical music’s most significant awards given in recognition of soloists who represent the highest level of musical excellence.

In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, Mr. McGill launched a powerful musical protest video urging people to #TakeTwoKnees in demonstration against the death of George Floyd and historic racial injustice. His video went viral, and hundreds of artists and citizens amplified the message and responded to the protest with their own videos using the hashtag #TakeTwoKnees.

Mr. McGill appears regularly as a soloist with top orchestras around North America, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Baltimore Symphony, San Diego Symphony and Kansas City Symphony. As a chamber musician, he is a favorite collaborator of the Brentano, Daedalus, Guarneri, JACK, Miró, Pacifica, Shanghai, Takács and Tokyo quartets, as well as Emanuel Ax, Inon Barnatan, Gloria Chien, Yefim Bronfman, Gil Shaham, Midori, Mitsuko Uchida and Lang Lang.

A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Mr. McGill previously served as the Principal Clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Associate Principal Clarinet of the Cincinnati Symphony. In demand as a teacher, he serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music and Bard College Conservatory of Music.

Mr. McGill has been covered in The New York Times and The New Yorker and has appeared on National Public Radio, Performance Today and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Mr. McGill is an ardent advocate for helping music education reach underserved communities and for addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in classical music. He is the Artistic Director for the Music Advancement Program at The Juilliard School, a weekend program for music students who demonstrate a commitment to artistic excellence, which actively seeks students from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in classical music. In concert with a $30,000 charitable gift from the Avery Fisher Artist Program designated to a charity of Mr. McGill’s choice, he and Weston Sprott, Dean of the Preparatory Division of The Juilliard School, established the Weston Sprott and Anthony McGill MAP Summer Scholarship Fund so MAP students can take part in summer programs and festivals.

Mr. McGill serves on the board of directors for the League of American Orchestras, Cedille Records and the Harmony Program, and on the advisory councils for the InterSchool Orchestras of New York and Time In Children's Arts Initiative. He is a Vandoren Artist and Buffet Crampon Artist. For additional background, please visit anthonymcgill.com.