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Search every verified Anthony Mcgill interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Anthony McGill, principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic, discussed receiving the Avery Fisher Prize in a September 2020 interview. He described learning of the award during a surprise dinner with friends, calling it "one of the greatest honors of my life." McGill said he planned to use the prize money to fund scholarships for students in the Music Advancement Program at Juilliard, where he serves as artistic director, stating that "financial considerations don't have to be a roadblock for students getting further study during the summer." McGill also addressed his decision to perform "America the Beautiful" during a protest against racial injustice. He said his wife suggested the piece after he woke up "feeling devastated and helpless," and that he altered the melody into a minor key as part of "a written statement of protest." He commented that "growing up in America as a black kid, that isn't really shocking to me" regarding racial violence, and expressed that classical music has "only recently" begun to create "actual change" around diversity and equity. McGill noted that despite the stress of increased performance and teaching commitments during the pandemic, he finds it difficult to decline participation in events that help keep music alive.
“It's actually probably the greatest, one of the greatest honors of my life.”
“I chose to use that money to give to students — at the Music Advancement Program at Juilliard where I'm an artistic director — to start a program by which we can give kids scholarships to go to music festivals, music camps and instruction during the summer.”
“Financial considerations don't have to be a roadblock for students getting further study during the summer.”
“I woke up one morning that week feeling devastated and helpless and full of pain and wanting to find a way to express myself as a musician — my wife suggested 'America the Beautiful' and it proved to be especially meaningful for me.”
“While I was playing it I decided to change it a little bit — it went into a minor key — and I realized that this was going to be part of a written statement of protest, my little part to speak against racial violence and injustice.”
“Growing up in America as a black kid, that isn't really shocking to me — what's more shocking is the slow state of progress regarding diversity, inclusion and equity in organizations and our societies.”
“Classical music has been talking about diversity for many years — 30 years perhaps — but only recently has it started to really put a point on trying to create actual change and understand the value of that change.”
“So many organizations need us to be active to support them, whether it's WQXR or a small chamber presenting series — it's hard for me not to say yes to participating in keeping these things going.”
“For me, getting this award means my life's work is valuable and has been meaningful for others.”
“My parents believed in giving us access to all kinds of different things — great academic programs, sports, music and art — because they were visual artists and teachers and they believed in education first.”
Principal Clarinetist from the New York Philharmonic, Anthony McGill is the latest recipient of the coveted Avery Fisher Prize.
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