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Thread: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

  1. #1
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    Default Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    I suppose my OCD is kicking in, but I am trying to compile a comprehensive list of all the mandolin orchestras currently active in the United States. Below I list all the ones I know of, all of which (with the exception of New Expressions) appear to have web pages. I'm sure there are several others that simply don't have web exposure, so if anyone can help add to the list I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks!

    Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra
    Austin Mandolin Orchestra
    Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra
    Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra
    Dayton Mandolin Orchestra
    Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra
    Louisville Mandolin Orchestra
    Mandolin Society of Peterborough
    Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra
    Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra
    New Expressions Mandolin Orchestra
    New York Mandolin Orchestra
    Oregon Mandolin Orchestra
    Orpheus Mandolin Orchestra
    Pittsburg Mandolin Orchestra
    Providence Mandolin Orchestra
    Seattle Mandolin Orchestra
    Takoma Mandoleers
    John Craton
    "Pick your fingers to the bone, then pick with the bone"

  2. #2

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Have you been on the CMSA site for this? There's a list there. Not awake enough to think of any others right now. (Day off).
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life--music and cats" Albert Schweitzer

  3. #3
    Michael Reichenbach
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Yes, the CMSA site is the reference. I have used it for my google map:

    Mandoisland Mandolin Orchestras of the World

    I will add any mandolin orchestras that are missing in my map if you find such.

    I propose that every mandolin orchestra should create a wikipedia page about itself and ad it to category "mandolin orchestra" (which needs to be created first, the following article is in category "orchestra"

    wikipedia

    This would make it more easy to answer questions like this one, and also help to locate the mandolin orchestras in the web.
    Homepage: www.mandoisland.de / Blog: www.mandoisland.com / Freiburg / Germany

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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Thanks so much for the Mandolislan link! I thought surely someone had compiled a comprehensive list before, but my search for one this morning did not locate anything. And I was quite surprised not to find a list on the Wikipedia page about mandolin orchestras. I second the motion that each orchestra should create a Wiki page about itself. The Mandoisland link will go in my bookmarks, for sure. Thanks again!
    John Craton
    "Pick your fingers to the bone, then pick with the bone"

  5. #5

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Pittsburgh has an "H" on the end...

    Thanks for including us on the list!

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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    You'd think I'd remember the H, given that I'm a huge Penguins fan. We'll chalk it up to old eyes.
    John Craton
    "Pick your fingers to the bone, then pick with the bone"

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    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    You left out a couple of groups in the Bay Area, and it seems to me there's a group on Long Island separate from the New York orchestra .
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

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  8. #8
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Aurora Mandolin Orchestra (www.auroramandolin.com)
    Silver Strings Mandolin Ensemble (no web)
    Caffe Acustico (no web)

    All in the SF Bay Area

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  11. #10

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    The New American Mandolin Ensemble (N.A.M.E.) is based in southern New England, under the direction of Mark Davis. Our website is: http://namandolinensemble.com/index.html
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    I think the CMSA list is pretty much up to date tho I am sure there are some embryonic groups either starting or finishing lately. We in the Hudson Valley started one but we got to one rehearsal and lost everyone after that. I think one person (at least) needs to be persistent to keep a group going. Not so easy.

    What is amazing to me is how there are quite a few groups that exist for decades. The New York MO dates back at least to 1924 and Milwaukee is even earlier.
    Jim

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  13. #12

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Chris Acquavella has one in San Diego and I think there's a second one there too. The LA mandolin orchestra is struggling...

  14. #13
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Eddie, are you referring to the Ger Mandolin Orchestra? I thought the LA Orchestra was defunct for quite a few years.
    Jim

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  15. #14

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Chris' orchestra is the New Expressions.

    There was an attempt to restart the LA orchestra a few years ago but it has just ambled along at little more than a revolving-door ensemble...

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    Registered User Patrick Melly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    "There was an attempt to restart the LA orchestra a few years ago but it has just ambled along at little more than a revolving-door ensemble"

    There are four of us still meeting regularly.
    Patrick Melly

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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie Sheehy View Post
    Chris Acquavella has one in San Diego and I think there's a second one there too. The LA mandolin orchestra is struggling...
    There are indeed two in San Diego: NEMO (New Expression Mandolin Orchestra) that Chris founded, as well as the long standing San Diego Mandolin Orchestra that has been playing together for decades (even hosted the 2003 CMSA Convention):

    http://www.classicalmandolinsociety....in%20Orchestra

  18. #17
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Yes, there's the San Diego Mandolin Orchestra as well as New Expressions.

    Montana Mandolin Society:
    http://www.montanamando.com/

    Many, many more groups listed at CMSA.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

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  19. #18

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Quote Originally Posted by Patrick Melly View Post
    "There was an attempt to restart the LA orchestra a few years ago but it has just ambled along at little more than a revolving-door ensemble"

    There are four of us still meeting regularly.
    That's good to hear, Patrick. Hopefully the plethora of LA Mandolinists will gravitate towards it. It's hard to imagine that SD can have two full mandolin Orchestras while Los Angeles can only support a quartet.

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  21. #19
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Larry Hunsberger

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    3/4 guitar converted to octave mandolin

  22. #20
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    There is also the Denver Mandolin Orchestra. www.denvermandolin.com

  23. #21

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    In southeastern Virginia

    The Hampton Roads Mandolin Ensemble (our sadly in need of update site is http://www.hamptonroadsmandolin.com/)

    Barry

  24. #22
    Registered User Nick Royal's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Montana Mandolin Society orchestra
    Nick

  25. #23
    Michael Reichenbach
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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    Quote Originally Posted by David Miller View Post
    The New American Mandolin Ensemble (N.A.M.E.) is based in southern New England, under the direction of Mark Davis. Our website is: http://namandolinensemble.com/index.html
    Where should I place this orchestra on my google map? "southern New England" is not clear enough for me...
    Homepage: www.mandoisland.de / Blog: www.mandoisland.com / Freiburg / Germany

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    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    "Where should I place this orchestra (NAME) on my google map? "southern New England" is not clear enough for me..."

    Hampton, CT
    Robert A. Margo

  27. #25

    Default Re: Mandolin Orchestras in the U.S.

    The New York Mandolin Ensemble, not to be confused with the NY Mandolin Orchestra has been in existence and performing since 2007. We are listed on the CMSA site and have a Facebook page.

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