Marci Gurnow

Bass clarinetist Marci Gurnow was appointed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 2024. Prior to her appointment in Dallas, she served as the second clarinetist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 2016, and was named acting associate principal for the 2023-24 Season. Marci began her career as second and bass clarinet in the Jacksonville Symphony, and later served as acting second clarinet with the Detroit Symphony. She has also performed with the National and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, and the New York Philharmonic.

An avid lover of chamber music, Marci is a founding member of The Merian Ensemble, an ensemble dedicated to performing and commissioning chamber works by women. Their debut recording, The Book of Spells, which features eight of their newly commissioned works, was recently released on Navona Records. Marci was also a featured soloist with the Atlanta Philharmonic and the DeKalb Symphony, giving the U.S. premiere of Ruth Gipps’ Clarinet Concerto.

Marci enjoys spending her summers in the mountains, performing with the Grand Teton Music Festival. Other festival appearances have included Bellingham, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music, Pacific Music Festival, Serafin Summer Music, and Sun Valley Music Festival.

Marci earned her Bachelor of Music from Southern Methodist University and her Master of Music from Northwestern University. Her mentors include Laura Ardan, J. Lawrie Bloom, Burt Hara, and Kalmen Opperman. She has been on faculty at Emory University and the Atlanta Symphony's Talent Development Program. Marci is a proud Buffet Crampon Performing Artist.