Award-winning Music Composer & Orchestrator

Music by Nan Avant

Tributum~Symphonicity Concert

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Thank you Symphonicity and Daniel W. Boothe for this spectacular performance!

 

Tributum~Symphonicity Orchestra~Virginia Beach, VA~April 13, 2025

“I so enjoyed having you, meeting you and most of all, in leading our orchestra through that incredibly beautiful music of yours. Tributum was one of the finest scored pieces I have ever performed in my career. Thank you for creating it and sharing your gifts! And looking forward to learning more! We loved having you! All the best-” Daniel W. Boothe Conductor Symphonicity Orchestra, Virginia Beach, VA.

 

 

Piper Stewart Pittman and Jim Roberts on Great Highland Bagpipes.

—and we’re closing with a celebration of culture, connection, and the spirit of community.An Irish Tribute showcased the vibrant music of Ireland, the home of our sister city, Ards and North Down Borough in Northern Ireland. With the help of our guest performers, we’ll shine a spotlight on the rhythms, melodies, and movement that have made Irish music beloved worldwide

  • Tributum by Nan Avant, a powerful and moving work for full orchestra and Celtic bagpipes that honors the musical traditions of Ireland and Scotland.
  • Selections from Riverdance, including fan favorites like Reel Around the Sun and Lift the Wings, performed by the award-winning dancers of Rhodes Academy of Irish Dance.A high-energy finale from Lord of the Dance by Ronan Hardiman….. more here

 

Tributum is available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon etc Here:

GMA’S Gold Medal

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Global Music Awards Gold Medal Album Symphonic Stradivarius 2025

Gold Medal Winner

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

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

Music for Sacrospace

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Music for Sacrospace~ Alt Architecture

Alt Architecture in Chicago IL. creates healing environments

“We use architecture as a tool for healing, education and community building. Alt Architecture + Research Associates LLC brings together the expertise of architects, behavioral health researchers and project stakeholders.”

A beautiful video was created by Alt Architecture incorporating the beautiful poetry book Positively Haiku Part 2. Watch the video on the Alt Architecture  on their Sacrospace Projects Page, Haiku Pavilion A

 

The music is titled Positively Positive Music from the Heart which is the music I composed for Frank Clark’s  second book, Positively Haiku, Part 2 of his series.

My Music page has a beautiful video of the Sacrospace using images from the book and with music. Video

Positively Haiku Part 2 Written by Frank Clark, Illustrated by Daria Ponomarenko and Music by Nan Avant

Published by Argyle Fox Publishing

Read more on the Music`Score~Vids page and scroll down to
Music for a Healing Environment

Book 5 Music

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

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”.

 

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

Bellevue Youth Symphony to perform Bijoux (the Nebulae)

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Milky Way: Photo by Mack Photography. ©2014 All rights reserved
Milky Way: Photo by Mack Photography. ©2014 All rights reserved

I am super excited to announce that the Bijoux ( the Nebulae) is on the program with the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra – Bookend Concert

 

A History of Bijoux ( the Nebulae) by Nan Avant

The following is my original post about my process in creating and composing Bijoux ( the Nebulae) orchestral score and video in 2015. Bijoux is available~ score and parts at J.W. Pepper and you can watch the original video of Bijoux c0-created  by Stephen Jablonsky and Nan Avant.  If your orchestra is interested in a live performance with sync to film, Bijoux the video is available without the original soundtrack. Please contact Nan for more information.

The origins and creating  of Bijoux (the Nebulae) 2015

This year (2015) has been one of the most inspiring and enriching experiences for me as a composer! Origins: Life and the Universe is the second concert production I have worked on with Burmer  Music LLC and Composition Lab, the first being the Celebrate World Music concert in 2013.

A little over a year ago, eight Seattle composers were invited to create an original composition and a short film about the Universe for the Origins: Life and the Universe concert a production of Burmer Music LLC and the Composition Lab.  My subject was the Nebulae.

The Nebulae: My subject was the Nebulae. I had to research this topic which included  one on one conversations with scientist Professor.Bruce Balick  from the University of Washington’s Dept of Astrobiology and Astronomy, reading articles on the Nebulae and  searching through hundreds of s images  from Hubble’s Space Telescope, NASA and ESO ( European Southern Observatory in Chile). The image here on the blog was one of those amazingly inspiring images that I found on NASA’s ” Astronomy Picture of the Day” of APOD. I searched for the photographer’s name and web site, contacted him,  in New Zealand, and aquired  this photo from Mike Mackinven. These images were a great inspiration to me in composing the music. They were colorful, vibrant, glimmering photos of the Nebulae and the impressed me as being like gems, gem stones.

Storyboard: After researching images, articles and discussing the Nebulae and the Universe with Prof. Balick, I started to create a story board for the film. My vision was to begin on Earth, the feeling of being home and looking out into the Universe and seeing the Milky Way. Traveling  towards the Northern Sky and the Orion Nebulae then heading South to the Southern Sky and the Carina Nebulae and finally returning to Earth. What I learned about the Nebulae from Prof. Balick and my research is that constant motion is  taking place in the Nebulae. Nebulae is dust, helium, hydrogen, ionized gasses constantly moving, stars are being born and stars are dying. There is continual  change, creation, motion and everything is evolving. My musical impression of the Nebulae was also evolving.

Composing the Music: After several weeks of going through hundreds of images and learning about the Nebulae, it was time to concentrate on the music. I always start composing by sitting down to the piano and improvising. I had so many inspiring images to consider as I was working through
musical ideas. The music became  star music and music floating through space. I had lots of ideas and I created many different motifs reflecting this idea if many patterns or designs of the Universe. . I decided began with  two main themes, the Orion Nebula and the Carina Nebula And because the Nebulae is constantly creating and in motion, I felt that having multiple themes, melodies or motifs represented my impression of the Nebulae. So I composed many themes, the two major themes in the Northern and Southern Skies and then several smaller themes throughout, the music is always evolving, changing moving. The Earth/Home motif is the only theme I return to, as in the film, we return to Home.

Orchestrating the Music: Orchestration takes a bit of time and it’s really an interesting process. I love seeing how the composition transforms from being one instrument  into this  all encompassing orchestral work. I included some unusual percussion instruments in the Orion Nebulae theme to portray the mechanism of motion and creation. These  are instruments of the Orchestral Percussion section but are not always used. I  have anvil, steel plates and bamboo sticks.  This really worked  and I look forward to the live performance with these instruments in the orchestra. During this time of orchestrating the music I took a few private lessons with musicians to learn more about their instruments. I had a lesson with a fabulous harpist, John Carrington, a lesson with two percussionists, Mathew Koernieroski and Gunnar Folsom and consultation with a trumpeter via facebook.

Anvil, tie down bars photo 1
Tie down rails for anvil effect and hammers used for steel plates and anvil: Courtesy Mathew Koernieroski studio.
Bell Plate
Steel Plate ( often seen on road construction sites as orange plates. Courtesy Mathew Koernieroski studio.
Bamboo Sicks Courtesy Mathew Koernieroski studio.
Bamboo Sicks Courtesy Mathew Koernieroski studio

The Film:
Early on when I started creating the storyboard for the film, I decided  that I would  have a film editor do the edit and add animation to the  film. I collaborated with a very  talented filmmaker Stephen Jablonsky.    We had collaborated a few years ago on a documentary and I liked his work. I met with him a few times to discuss the ideas of the storyboard  and in July we  met at his work studio and designed the film.  Stephen  edited and added animation  and he also  captured exactly what I had imagined for the Earth sequence, the feeling of home. He filmed live action footage that is magnificent. The film was completed in early August and we will have a DVD and CD available by the concert date in November.

The Journey:I can’t put it into words how exciting this has been for me this year, it has been an enriching experience.  From learning about the Universe with  Professor Balick searching through hundreds of  images of the Nebulae, collaborating with a filmmaker to design a film and finally to compose and orchestrate music about the Universe. I ventured into new vistas of music and discovered  new orchestral techniques that I had never attempted. Composing Bijoux was like exploring a new musical universe. I am very grateful for this opportunity to be one of the composers of Origins; Life and the Universe, the astrobioconcert.

Bijoux? Why, you may ask, did I choose the title Bijoux? As I was looking through the vast array of stunning, breathtaking images of the Nebulae and composing rich, textured music as a musical impression of the Nebulae, I wanted to find a word, just one word that could describe this awesome feeling I had during these months of creativity. I researched for a word in various languages and found Bijoux, which is French for Jewels.

 

Articles and Press on Origins: Life and the Universe

University of Washington: College of Arts and Sciences: Sept. Newsletter

Avant Music News

 Leading up to the concert are three  lectures presented by UW scientists and composers from the Origins: Life and the Universe concert. Lectures  take place at the  Museum of Flight on Oct 1 and Oct 17 and the Pacific Science Center  on Oct 20.

YOUTUBE VIDEO OF BIJOUX THE NEBULAE

Click image for Score and Parts at JW Pepper

 

Positively Haiku~Part 2 ( Book 2) Release 1/2/24

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Positively Haiku Book 2 by Frank Clark, MD.

Discover and share Dr. Frank Clark’s, (MD) Children’s book titled: Positively Haiku, Part 2: Peace, Love and Discovery in 17 Syllables with Illustrated Affirmations. Now available  for pre-purchase now on AMAZON! Book Release date: 1/2/2024-

Discover, read, listen and share  this second beautiful book of poetry of Dr. Frank Clark MD  noted psychiatrist, author and clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville with beautiful art by illustrator,  Ukranian artist Daria Ponomarenko. The perfect collaboration has once again created an uplifting experience for you and your young ones. As you read you can listen to original music I composed for this latest book, Positively Positive Music from the Heart.Inside your new book ( hard copies only) you will find a QR Code that takes you to the original soundtrack, Positively Positive Music by Nan Avant. If you want to purchase the download for your own library, head to the ” Buy and Download” link.

Buy your book Here.

Positively Positive Music by Nan Avant