Eila Nevalainen has been elected as the new President of Avant Chamber Orchestra for 2019-2020. Previously the press officer of President Tarja Halonen and spokesperson for European Commissioner Erkki Liikanen, among others, Nevalainen has been a member of the Pro Avanti! Association since last summer. “I am genuinely excited about this opportunity,” said Mr Nevalainen, adding, “I like a lot of contemporary music and it is therefore a particular honour to be involved in the Avant Chamber Orchestra, which plays a lot of music of our time.”
Timo Ahtinen, Avant’s musician and double bassist, who has been the chairman since April 2018, is leaving Pro Avanti! Association at his own request and will continue as Vice-Chairman.
Pro Avanti! The Board of Directors of Pro Avanti Association also includes Emilie Gardberg, Antti Räikkönen, Tom von Weymarn, Kaija Saariaho, Valtteri Malmivirta, Heljä Räty and Antti Suoranta. Hanna Juutilainen and Mikko Ivars are alternate members.
Kari Kriikku will continue to serve as Avant’s Artistic Director and Annika Mustonen as Executive Director.
Avanti! will next perform in public at the Musica nova festival on 10 February 2019 in Sonore Hall of Helsinki Music Centre. Further information here.
