Don Hart

Don Hart is a composer, arranger, and orchestrator living in Nashville, Tennessee. Among the honors Don has received as an arranger are his 2006 Grammy nomination, arranging for a Grammy winning album, advertising’s Clio and Gospel Music’s Dove awards. Symphony orchestras and chamber groups, including ensembles from Nashville, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Kansas City, have played his music. Don was commissioned by the Nashville Ballet to write the score for a new production of The Velveteen Rabbit, which premiered in April 2006. In addition to numerous arranging assignments for the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, he has been commissioned by them for several works, including “Concertino for Two Mandolins, Guitar and Strings”, the cantata, “With Heart and Hands and Voices” and “Tarantella and Reverie” in which he teamed with co-composer/guitarist John Jorgenson. Don is the Music Teachers National Association Nashville chapter’s candidate for 2007 Tennessee Composer of the Year. His compositions for broadcast have been heard nationally on A&E, CNN, TBS and the History Channel.
Don received a Grammy nomination in 2006 for his arrangement of “Scary Things”, from the award winning children’s album “Kid Pan Alley Nashville” (Parents’ Choice Gold Award and NAPPA Gold Award). He contributed several arrangements to “Bar 17”, Anastasio‘s current solo album and his string arrangement can be heard on Rick Trevino’s new single, “Separate Ways”. He has worked with numerous other artists such as Martina McBride, on her single “In My Daughter’s Eyes”, and with Randy Travis on his 2005 Grammy winning album “Worship and Praise”; also Sara Evans, John Bindel (“Scary Things”), Collective Soul, Raul Malo, Darrell Scott, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Gabe Dixon, Jonell Mosser, Suzi Ragsdale, Amy Grant, the Mavericks, Suzy Bogguss, Tim O’Brien, Wynonna, Michelle Poe, Bering Strait, Marty Stuart, Lonestar, Andy Williams, Steven Curtis Chapman, Steve Green, Sandi Patty, Peter Rowan, and Nanci Griffith.
In the choral field Don has been published by a number of companies, including Hal Leonard, Word Entertainment and Shawnee Press. He has also arranged and orchestrated for McGraw-Hill's music curriculum series. In 1990 Don won advertising's Clio award, and in 1991 he was awarded Gospel Music’s Dove award for arranging and co-producing the Musical Album of the Year, “Handel’s Young Messiah”.
A few words from Don's colleagues:
Don Hart's compositions and arrangements have an amazing ability to take the audience and the musicians to new and unexpected places. It's rare to find someone equally at ease in so many different styles. Don Hart's musical language knows no boundaries and the end result always goes straight to the heart. ~Paul Gambill~ Conductor, Nashville Chamber Orch.
Don seems to be able to instinctively enhance and expand on my themes and ideas while infusing a distinct style of his own. Working with Don has been one of my most fruitful and stress-free musical collaborations, and I look forward to creating more music together in the future. ~John Jorgenson~ Artist, Composer
Don's arrangements are beautifully profound and creative. He is a truly gifted arranger and composer. ~Gabe Dixon~ Artist, Songwriter
Having worked with Don Hart for several years as well as hearing his own works, he is at the top of his game, and yet, getting better all the time. In working on songs he goes right to the emotional core of the song; and, every musical decision he makes is based on serving the song: lyric, composition and, especially, intent. He begins there and weaves his rich experience and imaginings to lift whatever he works on. Besides, he is a gentle man to be around from brainstorm beginnings to after show congratulations. Musically, I believe Don could do anything. ~Darrell Scott~ Artist, Songwriter
I recently had the pleasure of working with Don Hart and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. Don wrote some beautiful arrangements and helped to set up a musical atmosphere where I could really play. He knew just what to do. ~Bill Frisell~ Artist
For the past 22 years I have had the distinct pleasure of recording and performing the orchestrations of Don Hart. The quality of his work is extraordinary. Mr Hart has a complete understanding of the complexities of the orchestra as well as the recording process. What is most remarkable are the consistent compliments that always occur after the first reading of one of Dons orchestrations. His care for each part, making certain that the inner lines are melodic and supportive, showing great attention to range and style, make his work always appealing to the most experienced musician. From string quartet to to full orchestra and choir, Don Hart is the finest.~David Davidson~ Artist, Concertmaster, Producer