Franck Avril

Oboist Franck Avril has had a long and illustrious career of over 45 years as a soloist, chamber musician, residency artist, educator, and arts administrator. First recognized as a winner of Concert Artists Guild, he garnered a Bronze Medal at the 1977 Geneva International Competition and became the first oboist to ever win Young Concert Artists’ International Auditions. Soon thereafter, he became the first oboist ever chosen by Affiliate Artists as part of its renowned Informance-residency program, presenting over 50 solo recitals across the United States, with additional appearances in Europe.

Called “Brilliant…” by The Washington Post and “…a fluent performer with a cultivated tone…” by The New York Times, Franck’s NYC recital appearances include those at Weill Hall, Carnegie Hall, the 92nd Street “Y”, Merkin Hall, Town Hall, and at the Guggenheim Museum for its Kandinsky exhibit. Concerto appearances have taken him to major halls in NYC, as well as those of Atlanta, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Seattle, Flagstaff, Green Bay, Newport (RI), Westmoreland (PA), and the Brevard (NC) Music Center.

Franck’s numerous solo residencies have been underwritten by the foundations of Exxon, Citibank, Merrill-Lynch, Bristol-Meyers, John Deere, G.E., Alcoa, and the NEA, with community-enriching projects in collaboration with the Southeast Alaska School District, the Lower Manhattan Settlement projects, Buffalo’s Inner City Schools, Seattle’s Alternative Schools, and the Quad Cities (Iowa-Illinois). Additionally, he has been an in-residence visiting artist at major campuses including those of Ohio State, Iowa State, William & Mary, Montana State, San Diego State, Arizona State, and Stanford University.

Mr. Avril’s chamber music collaborations include those with the Vermeer, Rowe, Colorado and Philadelphia string quartets, the Garth Newel (VA) Chamber Players, the San Francisco Chamber Soloists, New-York's Harmonie Wind Ensemble, and the Sylvan, Aspen, and Soni Ventorum wind quintets; as well as with his acclaimed mixed-chamber group Die Serenade (soprano, oboe, viola, cello, and keyboard). He has appeared at the festivals of Sceaux (France), Mostly Mozart, Summerfest, Cape and Islands, Marzena's Pacific Rim Festival of Contemporary Music, Pepsico's Summerfare, the Cleveland Museum of Art Chamber Series, the Seattle Chamber Music Festival and Chamber Music Northwest.

A frequent collaborator, he has also appeared in joint recitals and chamber music with such performers as violinists Stephanie Chase, Daniel Phillips and Sidney Harth; violists Marcus Thompson and Toby Appel; cellist Ronald Thomas; pianists Christopher O’Riley, Samuel Sanders, David Golub and Margo Garrett; sopranos Anne Monoyos, Lucy Shelton and Beverly Hoch; clarinetist David Shifrin; flutists Linda Chesis and Gary Shocker; and fellow oboists Allan Vogel, Stephen Taylor and Alex Klein.