• 2016 Classical Mandolin Society of America Convention

    2016 Classical Mandolin Society of America Convention

    King of Prussia, Penn. — The 30th Annual CMSA Convention convenes here November 2-6, 2016 at the Valley Forge Radisson Hotel, 1160 First Avenue.

    The theme of the 2016 Convention is "Ensemble and Orchestra Performance." This year's featured ensemble is the world-class Modern Mandolin Quartet, as both performers and as leaders of the pre-Convention workshops held Nov. 1.

    Four different pre-Convention technique workshops are designed for mandolin, mandola, mandocello, and guitar. These six-hour sessions typically provide for a year's worth of material to practice and are well attended.

    Dr. James Bates will return to conduct the 2016 En Masse Orchestra, some 140 members strong. Dr. Bates is a talented educator and conductor who inspires and guides the orchestra to deliver a diverse and engaging concert program. In the process, orchestra members glean practical concepts and skills that they take back to their own ensembles and orchestras.

    Neil Gladd will be serving as the 2016 Composer-in-Residence. Mr. Gladd is also a mandolin soloist and historian, having researched the instrument's repertoire ever since he began playing more than 40 years ago. Gladd appeared as a soloist at Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. He also performed with the National Symphony, under Leonard Slatkin, and with the Philadelphia Orchestra, under Rostropovich. In addition to two solo recordings, Gladd recorded Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" with the Baltimore Symphony last year, and his own work, "The Red Bach Book: Three Rags After Bach," has been recorded 6 times over the course of the three decades since it was first published.

    Location

    The 2016 Convention will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Valley Forge, located 25 miles northwest of Center City Philadelphia. The convention venue is located within walking distance of the Valley Forge National Historical Park.

    Host Committee and Host Organization

    The 2016 host organization, the Mandolin Society of Philadelphia (MSOP), is an umbrella organization comprised of two mandolin orchestras: the Munier Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra and the Philadelphia Mandolin Ensemble.

    Lou Chouinard Scholarship for M2 players

    A special feature this year is a scholarship in the name of CMSA’s long-acting President, Lou Chouinard. This scholarship will pay the registration fee for a worthy and deserving mandolin-two player.

    Additional Information