Superstar Clarinet Player At Montclair State Captures Major Award

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A superstar clarinetist who serves as an artist-in-residence at Montclair State University has earned a major award for reaching the peak of his profession.

Anthony McGill, a fall 2020 artist-in-residence at Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music, has been awarded the 2020 Avery Fisher Prize, a prestigious award given in recognition of musicians who “represent the highest level of musical excellence and whose vision and leadership have expanded the reach of classical music.”

“It is an absolute honor to receive this award,” McGill told MSU administrators. “I’m also thrilled that I’ll get to spend time working with the students, staff and faculty.”

As part of the prize, McGill will receive $100,000, plus an additional $30,000 to be donated to the charitable organization of his choice, the Music Advancement Program of The Juilliard School, where the funds will be earmarked for summer program scholarships, going directly to students and their families.

McGill is the third clarinetist ever to be awarded the Avery Fisher Prize. Past winners have included legendary musicians such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianists Emanuel Ax and Andre Watts, violinists Midori and Joshua Bell, and the Kronos Quartet.

McGill serves as the principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic and maintains an international solo and chamber music career. Learn more here via Montclair State University.

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