Anthony Mcgill

Anthony McGill, a GRAMMY®-nominated clarinetist, established himself as a prominent figure in classical music early in his career, receiving the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2000. He achieved a significant milestone by becoming principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for a decade, a rare accomplishment for an African American musician in a major orchestra. A pivotal moment came in 2009 when McGill performed at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, premiering John Williams’ ‘Air and Simple Gifts’ alongside an esteemed ensemble including Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Gabriela Montero, an event that garnered national recognition. Building on this success, McGill joined the New York Philharmonic as Principal Clarinet in September 2014, holding The Edna and W.

Looking ahead, McGill was named Musical America’s 2024 Instrumentalist of the Year. He is set to embark on a 2024–25 tour with acclaimed pianist Emanuel Ax and will participate in the ‘Principal Brothers’ project, which will highlight works by Black American composers. A committed artist, Anthony McGill plays exclusively on Backun clarinets as a Backun Artist.