Michigan Mandolin Orchestra

Friday, May 20

7:30 PM Performance
7:00 PM Doors open

Tickets
$15 in advance and
$20 at the door

The Michigan Mandolin Orchestra, based in Grand Rapids, is lead by Michigan’s mandoliner Brian Oberlin and was founded in 2019. The 14 member, community orchestra boasts 1st and 2nd mandolins, mandola and octave mandolins, mandocellos, guitars and contrabass. They will play an incredible line-up of music spanning the repertoire of concert music eras, Italian and English folk, and rock music. Yes, ROCK music.

As all good mandolin orchestras go, a hefty helping of Italian light classical and folk music is served with Nostalgia di Mandolini, Funiculi Funicula, Sorriso di Bambola, and Suite Marinaresca. A set of O’Carolan tunes are played in medley and the Orchestra will rock out with Led Zepplin’s Kashmir. The contemporary music of brilliant composers Igor Stravinsky and Dmitri Shostakovich will be heard with Concerto in D for Strings and the Allegretto Polka from the ballet, The Golden Age, respectively. Small ensembles and solo pieces are common at an MMO concert so expect to hear these chamber jewels.  A highlight for the MMO and their audience will be the appearance of guest conductor and Michigan luminary, David Bass.