Mandolin Cafe Event/Gig Calendar

Michigan Mandolin Orchestra Debut Concert
Michigan Mandolin Orchestra excited to announce debut concert in Rockford

Who: Michigan Mandolin Orchestra
What: Debut Concert!
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Doors open 6 p.m.
Where: Rockford United Methodist Church, 159 Maple St. NE
Tickets: Advance online $10; At the door $15; Seniors, veterans and students $10 at the door; Kids under 12 free. Advance orders through Brown Paper Tickets at https://bit.ly/2N4TZSz
Parking/Entrance: Enter at southeast corner of the church
Information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichiganMandolinOrchestra/

Celebrating a wide array of musical genres
The Michigan Mandolin Orchestra will serve up a lively mix of musical styles at the ensemble’s Debut Concert on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Rockford.

The newly formed orchestra is dedicated to reviving traditional, community-based ensembles that feature members of the Mandolin Family of Instruments.

“We’re excited to have this chance to perform with our brand new Orchestra after rehearsing nearly every Monday night!,” said Brian Oberlin, the orchestra’s founder and music director. “We know many people haven’t heard a mandolin orchestra, and we think they will be surprised of its beauty and versatility – and pleased.”

The Debut Concert program features music from Beethoven, Schubert, Telemann, two pieces written for mandolin orchestra by Japanese composer Yasuo Kuwahara and Rockford's own Brian Oberlin -- and of course several Italian mandolin standards and American marches.

New take on an old tradition
Founded in the summer of 2019, the Grand Rapids-based orchestra is reviving the tradition of community-based mandolin ensembles popular during the early 20th century. Today, the all-volunteer orchestra boasts 16 members who play first mandolin, second mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin, mandocello, guitar and bass to create a warm, distinctive sound something like musical rain.

Rockford's own Brian Oberlin, a professional mandolinist and educator of 20 years, established the Michigan Mandolin Orchestra, with much focus on bringing the great sound of the mandolin, including its distinctive tremolo, to classical music lovers of West Michigan. In 2010, Oberlin founded the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra in Portland and they continue to thrive and be the finest mandolin Orchestras on the West Coast.