Oregon Mandolin Orchestra

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Oregon Mandolin Orchestra
Mandolin orchestra
Oregon Mandolin Orchestra logo.png
Founded2010 (2010)
LocationPortland, Oregon, United States
Music directorChristian McKee[citation needed]
Websitewww.oregonmandolinorchestra.org

Oregon Mandolin Orchestra (OMO) is an all-volunteer community orchestra based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2010, the OMO consists of about 30 members and has been led by music director Christian McKee since April 2017.

History[]

The orchestra was started in January 2010 by Brian and Elizabeth Oberlin.[1] It was the first such orchestra in Oregon since the Portland Mandophonic Orchestra stopped performing in 2001.[2] OMO was founded during a revival of mandolin orchestras, which had once been widespread across the United States.[3][4]

Brian Oberlin is a mandolinist and music teacher who serves as the musical director, while his then wife Elizabeth was the executive director.[1][5] Brian also started the River of the West Mandolin Camp.[6] Elizabeth, an attorney by profession, organized the orchestra while Brian recruited members.[1] The orchestra performed its first concert on April 9, 2010, at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in downtown Hillsboro.[7] One of the first members of the new group was Bill Jordens, who had been a member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra in Wisconsin.[1]

OMO's April 2011 concert featured works by Antonio Vivaldi and was held at The Old Church in Portland.[1] The group's May 2011 concert included a version of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir", as well a pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn, among others.[8] At the time of the concert, the orchestra had grown to 24 members.[8]

The group received a grant from the Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council in 2011[9] and again in 2013.[10] The funds come from the City of Hillsboro's Parks and Recreation Department.[9] By the September 2011 concert, the group had grown to about 30 members, with the concert again held at the Walters Cultural Arts Center.[11] The group also gained sponsorships at that time from The Hillsboro Argus, KUIK, and Tuality Healthcare, among others.[11] Oregon Mandolin Orchestra’s 2011 holiday concert in December featured a Brazilian Choro duo as well as a selected portion of the Nutcracker Suite.[12] At the time, it was the only mandolin orchestra in Oregon.[12] OMO's Fall 2013 concert in Hillsboro featured Evan Marshall,[13] while the December 2013 concert featured holiday music.[14]

Description[]

The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra is modeled after similar orchestras that were popular in the United States during the late 19th century.[12] The orchestra features mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, and string basses.[1] The approximately 30-piece group presents about four concerts each year across the Portland area.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Bella, Rick (April 1, 2011). "Mandophiles play on in Hillsboro: The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra keeps a lost art alive and tackles a wide variety of music". The Oregonian.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Smith, Taylor (October 15, 2013). "Brian Oberlin conducting the Hillsboro-based Oregon Mandolin Orchestra. The orchestra will be performing their fall concert on Friday, Oct. 25". The Oregonian.
  3. ^ Bernstein, Matthew (December 17, 2014). "Music on the Street talks with Brian Oberlin of the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra". Oregon Music News. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  4. ^ Miller, Jennifer (May 29, 2014). "With a Little Bit of Pluck, a Mandolin Orchestra Revives". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  5. ^ Sproles, Michael (December 14, 2016). "It's all about the MANDOLIN". Hillsboro Tribune. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Mandolin virtuosos to perform". Forks Forum. November 13, 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Mandolin Orchestra sets Hillsboro concert". The Hillsboro Argus. March 26, 2010.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Oregon Mandolin Orchestra sets concert". The Hillsboro Argus. May 6, 2011.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council Announces 2011-12 Community Arts & Culture Grant Recipients". OregonLive. June 16, 2011.
  10. ^ "2013-14 Community Arts & Culture Grants Awarded in Hillsboro". OregonLive. May 28, 2013.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Mandolin Orchestra sets Sept. 16 Hillsboro show". The Hillsboro Argus. September 9, 2011.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Oregon Mandolin Orchestra tunes up for Dec. 16 concert". The Hillsboro Argus. December 9, 2011.
  13. ^ "Orchestra performs". Hillsboro Tribune. October 25, 2013.
  14. ^ Haugen, Stephanie (December 13, 2013). "Art Briefs". Hillsboro Tribune.

External links[]

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