A neurological disorder called dystonia is estimated to have ended the careers of at least one member of every major American metropolitan orchestra. Dystonia has claimed the livelihoods of musicians across genres including the acclaimed pianist Leon Fleisher of the Peabody Conservatory of Music, former first oboist of the Chicago Symphony Alex Klein, acoustic guitarist Billy McLaughlin, classical guitarist Liona Boyd, keyboard player Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and others.
Radim Zenkl, the Czech-born, California-based magician of the mandolin has been on the road and onstage since he arrived in the USA more than twenty years ago. He recently swung through my hometown of Portland, Oregon and performed his eclectic solo show to a packed house of enthusiastic fans.
Rio Con Brio started out to make one CD. As they recorded tracks, they realized they had two albums on their hands. One is their third choro album, the other is the debut of fado singer Alexandra Coutinho.
The NAMM Show, one of the largest music products trade shows in the world hosted by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), opened today at the Anaheim Convention Center, welcoming an expected crowd of 90,000 musical instrument manufacturers, retailers, associates and their invited guests from all over the world to the industry's annual gathering.
If you were there, you’ll agree that the Baltimore host team put on an excellent convention for our quarter-century landmark. With so many people attending, the energy level was high. If you weren’t there, you want to know what you missed. Here are some highlights.
Links - Orchestras
- Atlanta Mandolins
Atlanta Mandolins was established in 1994, and is made up of mandolinists, guitarists and bassists, who have joined together to form the performing unit of the Atlanta Mandolin Society. Under the direction of Robb Smith - conductor, music selections range - Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra
Soon after arriving from Holland with her family, Doris Flameling (1932-2004) started teaching guitar and mandolin in West Auckland. In 1969, she formed a small ensemble. This ensemble eventually developed into a full size mandolin orchestra. - Canberra Mandolin Orchestra
Formed in 2003, the CMO brings together players of mandolin, mandola, mandocello, mandobass, guitar, double bass. - Capital of Australia Mandolinata
Capital of Australia Mandolinata was formed late in 2005. We welcome players of plucked stringed instruments. - Club des Mandolines de Remiremont
Mandolin orchestra in Vosges - France. - Concordia Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble
We are a mandolin orchestra based in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. There are approximately 20 members who play mandolins, mandolas, guitars, double bass and piano accordion. - Ensemble Mandolinistico Estense
L’Ensemble Mandolinistico Estense nasce a Modena nel 1997 nell’intento di riproporre l’importante tradizione della musica degli strumenti “a plettro” ed “a pizzico”. - Fretful Federation
Brighton's very own mandolin orchestra has been in existence for 14 years, since its foundation by Ian Harris, the Leader and Musical Director of the Orchestra, in 1995. His goal was to revive the tradition of mandolin orchestras. - Het Consort
The Guitar and Mandolin Orchestra Het Consort has gained praise and recognition for the carefully chosen and artistically played music, has successfully taken part in several national and international contests and festivals. - Louisville Mandolin Orchestra
The Louisville Mandolin Orchestra is an acoustic ensemble of mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, guitars and bass performing instrumental music from early baroque and renaissance to classical and modern. Formed in 1988 in Louisville, Kentucky. - L’Orchestra "Città di Brescia"
The orchestra “Città di Brescia” was formed towards the end of the sixties within the “Musical Education Youth Centre of Brescia” which was established by the Costantino Quaranta Mandolin Association and by Isidoro Capitanio Philarmonic Society. - Mandolinen Orchester Koslar
Das Orchester besteht derzeit aus 32 aktiven Spielerinnen und Spielern im Alter von 12 - 75 Jahren. Zum Repertoire gehört jede Art von Zupfmusik, von der Renaissance bis zur zeitgenössischen Literatur. - Mandolinen-Konzertgesellschaft Wuppertal
Das Zupforchester aus Wuppertal, Leitung Detlef Tewes - Mandolins D'Amour
Examples of music from the full orchestra section of the programme, include : Ballet Music from Rosamunde, RosenPolka, Notturno Veneziana, Barcarolle, Fantasy on the Serenade from Don Giovanni. - Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra
The Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra was formed in 1967 and has thrilled and entertained audiences in almost all the capital cities of Australia as well as numerous cities in Europe and Japan during its overseas tours. - Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra
The Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra was formed in 1991 to preserve and foster the enjoyment of mandolin music. - Pandurina Instrumentalgruppe
as Zupforchester wurde 1986 im damaligen Institut für Lehrerbildung von Renate Haufe in Berlin gegründet und besteht seit 1991 unter dem Namen. - Providence Mandolin Orchestra
The Providence Mandolin Orchestra was founded by the late Hibbard Perry in 1971, fulfilling a lifelong dream to revive his own Providence Plectral Orchestra from the 1930s. - Sydney Mandolin Orchestra
The Sydney Mandolin Orchestra is an ensemble that regularly performs in and around Sydney, Australia, under the baton of conductor Christopher Keane. We are Australia's oldest mandolin orchestra and are dedicated to keeping alive the tradition of mandolin - Vancouver Mandolin Society
The Vancouver Mandolin Society was formed in 1990 as a non-profit society dedicated to the preservation of the mandolin and classical mandolin music and to their furtherance in today's society. - West Australian Mandolin Orchestra
The West Australian Mandolin Orchestra (WAMO) Inc. was formed over 30 years ago and continues to perform a number of times each year in Perth and country areas. The orchestra is lead by conductor, Robert Schulz, who is a professional teacher and composer.