Award-winning Music Composer & Orchestrator

Nan Avant

New Book and New Music~ Dreaming Together Book 5 by Frank Clark & Claire Clark

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A new book release  by Dr. Frank Clark and Claire Clark, Dreaming Together Book 5  with beautiful and colorful  Illustrations by Daria Ponomarenko  published by Argyle Publishing with original Music by Nan Avant

We are celebrating another outstanding children’s book by Frank Clark M.D and Claire Clark. Claire is Frank’s daughter and as a young child Claire’s  contribution here  is a lovely addition of  a young person’s expression. This new book, the 5th book in a series, includes wonderful ideas for growth such as ” encourage to dream” and ” together we will sing” I was very inspired to write a piece with the feeling of singing and dancing.  As you’re  reading this inspiring poetry, turning the pages of vibrant illustrations you will also experience music I composed titled: Chanson de Vie (Song of Life)

This book is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be released officially on April 8th , an Argyle Fox Publication.

Listening page is Here Scroll to “CHAMBER”.

 

Global Music Award~ Gold Medal ~Symphonic Stradivarius

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Global Music Awards has awarded our album. Symphonic Stradivarius with a Gold Medal Award in Classical!

Gold Medal Winner

London Symphony Orchestra, Miran Vaupotić, Davide Alogna

Symphonic Stradivarius Classical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am so honored to be among the composers of this spectacular album and grateful the Global Music Awards for this outstanding Gold Medal. Symphonic Stradivarius is beautifully performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Miran Vaupotić conductor with the most exquisite performance on the Stradivarius Violin by Davide Alogna.

Nani Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra appears on the PARMA recording, Symphonic Stradivarius, release on Jan. 10, 2025

Global Music Awards Honors Nani Lahaina with Silver Medal!

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Thank you Global Music Awards for this Silver Medal in Composition, New Release  for Nani Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra!This music is so beautifully performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Miran Vaupotić conductor with the most exquisite performance on the Stradivarius Violin with Davide Alogna.Silver Medal awards show in a list form, please search for my first name.

Nani Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra appears on the PARMA recording, Symphonic Stradivarius, release on Jan. 10, 2025

 

 

 

Clouzine Award for Nani Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra

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I am so honored and grateful to Clouzine International Music Awards for this new recognition of my latest orchestral work, Nani Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra. This music is so beautifully performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Miran Vaupotić conductor with the most exquisite performance on the Stradivarius Violin with Davide Alogna.

More details will be soon.  Clouzine has an online presence and a radio program on MixCloud.

Nani Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra appears on the PARMA recording, Symphonic Stradivarius, release on Jan. 10, 2025

 

 

Thank you Clouzine!

 

Symphonic Stradivarius a New Release 2025

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A new recording is here now! Stradivarius violin, London Symphony Orchestra with violinist,  David Alogna

LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: SPOTIFY, APPLE MUSIC, AMAZON MUSIC HERE !

I am completely ecstatic  to share with you my newest orchestral work, Nani Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra on the album, Symphonic Stradivarius, (yes, the Strad. violin) with 11 composers from around the globe. We recorded this new album in London with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Miran Vaupotić with renowned violinist David Alogna from Italy performing on a 17th century “red” Stradivarius violin. The experience was extraordinary,  breathtaking and I am so grateful! Read about the recording session from June 6, 2024 in London Here

The Strad Magazine features our violinist, Davide Alogna and the 335 yr Strad!

Symphonic Stradivarius: a 335-year-old Strad violin gives voice to the music of today

In the Youtube video below, Nan Avant discusses her latest work, Nani Lahaina~ Rhaposdy for Violin and Orchestra

YouTube player

 

The Story

Nani Lahaina~ Beautiful Lahaina ~ Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra

 

The winds and fire of the historical town, Lahaina, Maui (August 2023)

The Kaua’ula winds of Maui, Hawaii have been made famous in mele (songs) because of their powerful forces. It is through several historical descriptions of these powerful winds, my heartfelt loss for the people of Lahaina and my own early life experience of living and working for several months in Lahaina, that inspired me to compose Nani Lahaina, Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra.

 

“Stories of Old Lahaina”

by Inez MacPhee Ashdown,

as told by Mrs Alice Kaehukai Ka’ae in the late 1800’s.

“In the days of my mother’s youth, there were terrible winds which used to come from the Kauaula Valley. They would blow away all the hale pili

(grass houses), and tear down the trees. So, the people prayed and a sign was given as a warning to them. This sign was a loud whistling which would be heard about three days before the great wind would start.”

In 1867, a description of Lahaina appears in the newspaper Ke Au Okoa by a C & K of Lahaina. “Lahaina is a land of very strong winds. At times, it is a place of terribly destructive winds, but this is not a regular occurrence. This is a wind that does not blow all the time. It just blew once a year. The wind begins blowing and for three or four days it roars in the uplands, and then exits seaward. The roaring is heard from above like the crashing of the sea against the base of a cliff.

In hopes of a new beginning for Lahaina, I dedicate this music to the people of Lahaina, Maui.

Thank you for the beautiful memories,

Mahalo. Nan

 

Nan Avant a PARMA Recording artist, Navona Records

 

Symphonic Stradivarius

New Works for Violin & Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra
Miran Vaupotić conductor
Davide Alogna violin

Release Date: January 10, 2025
Catalog #: NV6688
Format: Digital
“Navona Records is pleased to present SYMPHONIC STRADIVARIUS, featuring decorated violinist Davide Alogna and the esteemed London Symphony Orchestra. Several contemporary composers assemble in this release to showcase the diverse influences and creative capabilities of modern classical composition.

Recorded at the historic LSO St. Lukes, this repertoire offers musical insight into the environmental aspects of our world, all united by a world class ensemble, celebrated soloist, and an instrument that has been passed down through centuries of lauded performers: a “1690s ‘Stevens’ Stradivari” belonging to the very first group of red varnished Violins ever made.

“At the heart of this release is the 1690s “Stevens” Stradivari, one of the first red-varnished violins ever crafted, likely commissioned by the Medici court. A remarkable example of Antonio Stradivari’s innovative craftsmanship, this long-pattern violin combines elements of earlier designs with new techniques that defined his legacy. Celebrated for its exceptional sound quality, the violin has been entrusted to some of the most gifted players through the Florian Leonhard Fellowship, including Nancy Zhou, whose performance on this instrument earned her the top prize at the Izaak Stern International Violin Competition in Shanghai. With SYMPHONIC STRADIVARIUS, this legendary instrument once again takes center stage, uniting centuries of musical tradition with the vibrancy of modern artistry.” press release by PARMA

Symphonic Stradivarius ~New Release Today! 1/10/25

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1/10/2025~

It’s here today!!

AVAILABLE NOW

Listen and watch the video interview discussing my latest work, Nani Lahaina.

YouTube player
David Alogna and Nan Avant at the recording session.. and the ” red” Strad violin!!

I am completely ecstatic  to share with you my newest orchestral work, Nani (Beautiful)  Lahaina~Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra on the album, Symphonic Stradivarius, (yes, the Strad. violin) with 11 composers from around the globe. We recorded this new album in London with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Miran Vaupotić with renowned violinist David Alogna from Italy performing on a 17th century “red” Stradivarius violin. The experience was extraordinary,  breathtaking and I am so grateful to have had this amazing experience.  Read about the recording session from June 6, 2024 in London Here

LISTEN HERE NOW!

New Music~ Inspirational Book for Children~ Release Date 11/25/2024

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Anticipating Growth~new children’s book by Dr  Frank Clark, M.D. with beautiful and colorful  Illustrations by Daria Ponomarenko   and original Music by Nan Avant

We are celebrating another outstanding children’s book by Frank Clark M.D. This new book, the 4th in a series, encourages love, gentleness, kindness, forgiveness and joy, leading each reader to cultivate these virtues in  themselves and towards others. As you’re  reading this inspiring poetry, turning the pages of vibrant illustrations you will also experience music composed for Anticipating Growth, Envolee (fr.)~Soaring by Nan Avant. Links, audio and details:  HERE

 

London Symphony Orchestra, Strad Violin, Italian Violinist, Parma Recording!!

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Davide Alogna, violinist with the Stradivarius violin in hand!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am so excited to share this amazing recording session that took place last week in London at St. Luke’s Church in London with the London Symphony Orchestra, solo violinist Davide Alogna from Italy, an extraordinary and passionate violinist that played my piece, Nani Lahaina, Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra and the PARMA recording team.  I will have updates on this recording and release as everything comes together in the next few weeks/ months and for now I’m sharing some photos that Walt, my husband, took at the recording session. I was in the booth with the PARMA team, Brad Michel ( Senior Producer), Melanie Montgomery ( audio engineer)  and Chelsea Kornago ( publicity manager) and it was awesome!

Stay tuned, check back or join my newsletter which I send out every few months or when there is exciting news to share. The  score/ parts for this new work  will be available in  a few weeks on JW Pepper.

I want to give a shout out to my friend and another extraordinary violinist in Seattle that played through the violin part and added his bowing marks on this new work,  Arthur Zadinsky violinist in the Seattle Symphony, Thank you Arthur!

cheerio,

Nan

 

LSO!!
Brad Michel, Nan Avant and Melanie in the background

BYS Orchestra performs BIJOUX (the Nebulae)

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The Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Salvaggio Performed Bijoux ( the Nebulae) on May 19th and it was outstanding! I was invited to speak to the students at their dress rehearsal and it was such a great experience. Wonderful musicians and Maestro Salvaggio is an inspiring conductor and is also the conductor of the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra. There was a photographer at this rehearsal and the BYSO presented me with a framed picture  of the photos taken that day. Photo credit is: Michelle Surkan Photos

On the concert day there were two afternoon performances which included Bijoux  on both sets and each time it was performed beautifully to a full house! I also said a few words to the audience before each concert giving them an idea of what I had envisioned while composing Bijoux. For more details on Bijoux click here and to watch the video Bijoux with the soundtrack click here. Score and Parts are available at JW Pepper Here

Thank you Maestro Salvaggio and BYSO!

 

 

The Power to Act~children’s book~Release Date 5/7/2024

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The Power to Act

by  Frank Clark, M.D., and Zainub Javed, M.D. Illustrations by Daria Ponomarenko

Music by Nan Avant

Discover, pre-order and share this s new  children’s book   Now available  for pre-purchase on AMAZON!

DOWNLOAD AND PURCHASE MUSIC ON BANDCAMP

Book Release date: 5/7/202

Discover the latest collaboration with Dr. Clark, Dr. Zainub and illustrator, Daria Ponomarenko. The new children’s book inspires young people ( adults too) to act with love, kindness, respect and  forgiveness, to name only a few of the characteristics this book encourages.

Dr. Frank Clark MD is a noted psychiatrist, author and clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville. Dr Javed is a second-year psychiatry resident physician in Greer, SC and is an aspiring child and adolescent psychiatrist – hoping to cultivate a positive, empathic, and unified environment for her future pediatric patients. Artist and  illustrator, Daria Ponomarenko is a Ukranian artist living in Poland and has collaborated and two previous books with Dr Clark.

I was inspired while reading  ” The Power to Act” and the thought of cascades came to me as a floods of light or waterfalls of light and love, which reflects the ideas in this wonderful book, ” The Power to Act”.  Read More…

LISTEN TO CASCADES OF LIGHT