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Hi all - I'm going to try to attach a picture of the en masse orchestra rehearsing at Kraushaar Auditorium. The sound of 150 players in that resonant hall was amazing!

Hmm - all those budding Greek mandolinists are going to need engaging contemporary literature to study and perform, perhaps with some echoes of their cultural heritage. Is there anyone who can help...

Hmm, I wondered why my ears were burning (pleasantly)! Thank you Kristin and Victor for your kind words regarding my little waltz, which only grew into a full-fledged mandolin ensemble piece at the...

Wonderful story, Victor - and it reminds of one summer when I was a staff musician at Pinewoods, a summer retreat in Massachusetts for enthusiasts of Anglo/American folk dance. During one of my free...

So, I'm watching the last contestant on American Idol tonight doing "I Go to Pieces", when my wife says, "Is that a ukulele?" I look more closely and see that the singer, Lilly Scott, is...

My ears were burning - luckily I came to the message board and found out why! Thanks to all for your kind remarks re the BMQ. We had a great time playing at Strathmore on Sunday for an enthusiastic...

Charles - Hello from the mandolist and arranger of the Baltimore Mandolin Quartet. You can hear our performance of Waltz for Diane on the classical mp3 page here at the cafe. If you're interested in...

Hello all - I'm hoping some of you might be able to help me find appropriate repertoire for a concert the Baltimore Mandolin Quartet is taking part in. It's billed as a concert for peace, Middle...

Once again I was sorry that my symphony schedule didn't allow me to attend the convention, but was pleased that I could be there in spirit via my arrangement of Destiny Waltz. Does anyone have...

Yes, that's your basic G C D alright. Nice tune -sounds like something that would easily translate to mandolin and guitar, or mandolin and mandocello, or two mandolins, or pretty much anything.

49.5 cm is a long vibrating string length even for an "octave" mandola. That, and the fact that it was referred to as a baritone mandola makes me wonder if it was some sort of cello/dola hybrid meant...

Not to toot my own horn, Dan, but I'd be happy to send you my own "Waltz for Diane", which has been taught and performed by Carlo Aonzo (possibly at the aforementioned barge concert). It began as a...

Hello all - thought you might like to know about a site that is auctioning off a large collection of sundry bowlbacks to support a local hospice. #The seller's name is Chris Logan, and the site is at...

Hello all - I know this is short notice, even for the few of you who live near Baltimore, but I'm pleased to announce that the Baltimore Mandolin Quartet is giving a lecture/concert at Baltimore's...

I'm interested as well - it would be worth a trip from Baltimore if it's happening during one of the two weekends I have available in January. Tell us more!

Jonathan

I was at a concert given by mulit-instrumentalist Ken Bloom years ago. After he finished a piece on the concert zither I asked if he could play "Tales from the Vienna Woods", a waltz by Strauss with...

I happen to own a couple of vintage Sousa march arrangements for mandolin and piano. There are almost no double stops, and the only thing mandolinistic about them is the indications of where to...

Fliss's tale of premature applause will resonate with most experienced musicians, I fear. There are pieces in the orchestral repertoire which seem to end with a bang before the last note, and I'm not...

Welcome to the Japanese bowlback club, Michael. I bought a new Fujimaru mandola in Tokyo in 2002 while there on business, and have been very happy with it. Their instruments pay respectful homage to...

The BMQ will next be performing "Hues" on June 23rd at Penn Alps, a concert series in scenic western Maryland. #I realize that's not more convenient for you, Victor, but it's about 3 hours closer...

Thanks so much, Jim - wish I could have been there. You have Carlo to thank for the fact that the arrangement got done at all!

Jonathan

Glad to hear Carlo and Rene's "Water Music" went well. Did they play Waltz for Diane as an encore? I finally finished the duo arrangement last week at Carlo's urging.
I suppose Carlo will be...

Wow - mandolin and accordion in an orchestra concert? My hat is way, way off to Orchestra Seattle! Although I must admit - I recently got to play banjo on an orchestral version of the "Charleston"...

Victor - I neglected to mention that your Hues of Dusk went very well at our concert on Sunday. When you are playing a very quiet piece and there's not a sound from the audience, except a quiet...

Thanks for the kind words, Brian - I'm sorry we didn't get to meet you after the concert. I hope we'll agree with your musical assessment after seeing the video that was made (from the front row,...