Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra
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The 2023 Season is Coming

3/14/2023

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We're excited for the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra's upcoming 2023 season. Our new rotation features a new episode of "100 years ago mandolin orchestras were crazy about...", primieres from three local composers and counting, a trip around the world with stops in the Phillipines and Egypt, and of course a tune or two from the Beatles.
Join us at either of our first two performances at
  • Edinborough Park in Edina on April 16th from 6-7pm,
  • or Thompson Park Activity Center in West Saint Paul April 19th from 1-2pm. (Dessert provided, reservations required before April 14.)
Keep an eye on our schedule at our homepage or subscribe to our newsletter.
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Mandolins in the Garden at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

7/7/2022

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The Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra is excited about our upcoming concert at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on July 17th.  We'll perform at the Ordway Picnic Shelter from 1:30 - 3 pm.

The setlist will feature music by mandolinist, composer and Minnesotan Peter Ostroushko of Prairie Home Companion fame. In addition to works by Peter, we’re featuring a new composition by our composer-in-residence, Sherry Ladig. Her "Waltz for Peter Ostroushko" is a lovely tune.  The setlist also includes work by our very own Ben Gieseke-- a local to the Chaska area. He’s a fantastic player and we’re excited to share his composition, “Defiant.”​

There is a fee to enter the Arboretum, so plan to take in the lovely walking paths and gardens either before or after the concert. You can purchase tickets to the Arboretum online at https://arb.umn.edu, or call (612) 301-6775.

Hope to see you there!
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April 2022

4/11/2022

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Thrilled to be back to somewhat normal performances. So far this year, the MMO has performed at Eagle Crest senior living facility and the Landmark Center in St Paul to a large, enthusiastic crowd!

We’re looking forward to performing at Summerwood senior living facility in Plymouth and great performances at various outdoor locales this summer.

Our theme this year is music composed by, arranged by and written in memory of our favorite famous mandolinist from northeast Minneapolis, Peter Ostroushko of Prairie Home Companion fame. We premiered a new work in his honor at the Landmark Center — "Waltz for Peter Ostroushko" — by our composer-in-residence Sherry Ladig. It is a lovely tune.

Another premiere at Sunday's concert was composed by the orchestra's very own Ben Gieseke. Called "Defiant," it is an energetic audience pleaser. We are thankful for Ben's talents!
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In May, we’re heading to Decorah, Iowa to perform at a musical memorial for composer John Goodin. The community of mandolin orchestras will miss him dearly.

We have exciting outdoor events again this summer (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Richfield Bandshell, Loring Park Arts Festival and Centennial Lakes). 

For dates, check our Calendar. We are always adding events to our calendar.  You can also subscribe to our Newsletter for updates to your email inbox.

As always, we encourage anyone who plays one of our instruments (mandolin, mandola/octave mandolin, mandocello, guitar or bass) who is interested to attend a rehearsal. If you like what we do, come back and you're in! No auditions. Check our rehearsal schedule. If we're not performing, we're likely rehearsing, so come join us!
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August 2021

9/10/2021

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We emerged from our pandemic pause with four August performances and two premieres.

Thanks to our fans for showing up in droves cheering us on through ur public shows at Centennial Lakes Park in Edina, the Lake Harriet Bandshell, and the Dock and Paddle at the Como Lake Pavilion.  Seeing couples and children dancing to our music validates hours of rehearsal.
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The staff of Friendship Village generously hosted us at the very end of August.  Our audience there always greets the end of the performance with cheer and questions about our instruments, music, and performance history.
This August we were fortunate to premiere two new works, The Gloria Suite by Sherry Ladig and The Raven by Benjamin Gieseke.  Sherry has graciously penned music for us to play each year for many years. This year's opus honors her late sister Gloria depicting her humor and love of music and dance. You can view our distanced recordings the suite on our samples page.

You probably recognize the composer of the Raven from the front row of our first mandolin section.  The Raven is Ben's first orchestral composition and it sounds like the prelude of something big.  The piece builds in layers providing a minor-key landscape of things to come.  Listen for the eerie harmonics from the seconds.
While we have few shows left this year, we've already begun working on new material for next season's rotation.  Sherry has even hinted about a theme for an upcoming work....

Sign up to our newsletter to hear about our upcoming shows.  Drop us a note if you're interested in playing music with us.
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Rehearsals Resume!

6/8/2021

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15 months later, we're back playing again.  It's the same time, 7pm, though not without some controversy and consideration, but at a new location!

Barring further disaster, we'll be here for the summer, but Allison has leads on a new permanent rehearsal location.
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June 7 rehearsal will be indoors

6/7/2021

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​Hi everyone - we can fit the whole orchestra in the living room of the building at Valentine by moving the furniture away to another room, so rather than suffer in the heat we can enjoy the AC indoors.

​Please still plan to bring your own stool or chair, remove your shoes at the door, and please wear a mask as a courtesy in case of ongoing pandemic concerns or vulnerabilities.

The entrance is up the stairs on the left side of the building.
​
See you soon!

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Mandolin orchestra rehearsal June 7

5/14/2021

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The first full mandolin orchestra rehearsal of 2021 is scheduled for Monday, June 7, 7:00 pm, outdoors at 2412 West Valentine Avenue in Saint Paul.  Take your own chair.  If it's raining on June 7, the rehearsal will be on June 8 instead.  We'll play music from the summer concert set lists.
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Gloria Rêverie: new parts for flute, m1, m2, mc, g

5/11/2021

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Lon made new parts for the Glora Suite Rêverie for flute, mandolin 1, mandolin 2, mandocello, and guitar.  The new parts are in Dropbox and have files names that include "gloria-8."  Please update your notebooks with the new parts if you play one of those instruments.
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Summer concert repertoire practice files

4/30/2021

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​Lon has been populating the Dropbox 2021 season "videos" folder with play-along files for people to use when practicing at home.  The folder has 14 ".web" files, mostly links to YouTube videos.  For the other pieces in the summer repertoire, the guide tracks we used in making videos are good for play-along practice.

Since we're not all able to meet in person, yet, those practice files, along with small regional rehearsals, will help us get ready for the August concerts.

If you have any questions about the music, send them to Lon.
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For Sale: The Loar Honey Creek LM-310F F-Style Mandolin $325

4/14/2021

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This is an excellent beginner mandolin or for those times when you don't want to risk your more expensive instrument. I bought it less than 2 years ago and it's in 'like-new' condition - has had only very light use, not a mark or a scratch on it. I also had new strings put on it and a setup done last year. Included in the deal is an Alpine Boulder gig bag (retail $70)

Here's the manufacturer description.

If you are interested, want to see more pictures, or take it home for a spin please send an email to: joybous@gmail.com

Thanks, Joy

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    Check out our public-facing blog, especially if you're a player wishing to post about MMO.

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