February 2015 • Volume XXXII #1 2015 CMSA Convention Update by Joel Hobbs Have you marked your calendar for October 14-18th Many of you will be arriving via Austin’s Bergstrom 2015? We are looking forward to seeing old friends and International Airport, where you can enjoy famous making new ones at the upcoming 29th Annual CMSA Salt Lick Bar-B-Que and live music. Served by over a Convention in Austin Texas. We are prepping to make dozen airlines, there are over 150 daily departures to 44 this convention fun and rewarding for you. destinations. We recommend you book your flight early for the best price and availability– October is peak travel The freshly refurbished season. Holiday Inn–Austin Midtown will be Our first exciting our comfortable and announcement convenient home for regarding the line-up the week. Check out is that Dr. Jim Bates their website (www. has confirmed that hiausmid.com) to he will be returning learn more about as Conductor of the their comprehensive En Masse Orchestra. amenities, including If you enjoy Jim’s photos of guest rooms talent and leadership and ample common as much as I do, that space. should be all you need to know to book With onsite dining your tickets now! I options including the look forward to more Red Pepper Café, announcements to you won’t have to leave come as we confirm the hotel, though we what I’m sure will be a do recommend you Austin Mandolin Orchestra stellar line-up of guest check out some of the artists and workshop excellent restaurants facilitators. in the neighborhood. A short walk away, the freshly- baked Naan bread at Taj Palace is about as good as it Austin Texas–the City of the Violet Crown–awaits! We gets. Or you could opt for a heaping portion of Cajun hope that you will join us here for a week of creativity, delicacies at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. Or try learning and camaraderie. the Shrimp and Grits with a house beer at Black Star Pub and Brewery, the world’s first cooperatively- Feel free to contact Joane Rylander, our Host Committee owned and worker self-managed brewpub. We’re Chair or me, if you have any questions or suggestions preparing a visitor’s guide to help you take advantage of ([email protected]). the unique services and amenities in our community. Classical Mandolin Society of America Editor’s Note Officers: Greetings, Sue Lesser & Susan McLaughlin, Co-Presidents ‘17 Lou Chouinard, Treasurer ‘17 David Betts, Secretary ‘17 I would like to congratulate our new CMSA Co- Presidents Sue Lesser and Susan McLaughlin Board of Directors: and thank them for Jim Bates ‘15 Dave Cohen ‘16 Victoria Gleicher ‘15 Antonina Nigrelli ‘17 taking on their new John Goodin ‘15 Michael Tognetti ‘17 leadership roles, please Lucille Bjorneby ‘16 Robert Margo ‘17 see their message on Kevin Metzger ‘16 the adjacent page. I would also like to thank Jackie Zito, Mandolin Journal Editor Robert Margo, Review Editor new CMSA board David Betts, Membership Director member Bob Margo for his outstanding Honorary Board of Directors: contributions to the Hisao Itoh Keith Harris Mandolin Journal. Andre St. Clivier Ken Tanioka Gertrud Weyhofen Michael Troster In addition to the interesting articles sent in by CMSA members, this issue features part one of a Past Presidents: superb article by the German mandolinist Salima Norman Levine (1987 - 1989), founder CMSA Ben Guigui “The Mandolin in a Cultural Context” on Antonina Nigrelli (1990 - 1996) Michael Schroeder (1997 - 2002) pages 14 - 16. Bruce Graybill (2003 - 2007) Lou Chouinard (2008 - 2014) Hope you all enjoy reading your February editon of the Mandolin Journal. Thanks to everyone who The Mandolin Journal is published quarterly (February, May, contributed. August, November) and sent as part of membership in the CMSA. Individual and household memberships are available. Individual: $35; Household membership: $35 plus $10 for each additional membership The deadline for the May Journal is April 1st. Please in a household. Orchestra subscriptions are accepted only for foreign email submissions to me at orchestras. Dues should be sent to CMSA, 3925 30th Avenue South, [email protected]. Minneapolis, MN 55406-3108. Advertisement Rates: $60 per full page, $30 per half page, $17.50 per quarter page. Ads should be grayscale/black & white and in pdf or jpeg format. Please email ads to the editor at [email protected]. Sincerely, Send payment to CMSA, 3925 30th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55406-3108. Jackie Zito Back Issues of the CMSA Newsletter of last year are available for $3.00 each. As long as copies last, our introductory issue of 1986 is $1.00 each. We invite suggestions and written contributions to the Newsletter please email them to [email protected]. All material (items, notes, editorials and advertising) must be submitted by the deadline stated within the Newsletter. Items not received by the deadline will appear in subsequent issues. www.classicalmandolinsociety.org©2005 CONTENTS Austin Convention .....................................................................1 Austin Hotel Reservations.......................................................12 Presidents’ Message..................................................................3 The Mandolin in a Cultural Context......................................14-16 2015 Elections............................................................................3 NYMO at the Met.....................................................................17 Short Reviews.........................................................................4-5 The Power of Music..................................................................17 2014 Convention Financial Recap..............................................5 In Europe with NAME.........................................................18-21 Composer’s Corner.................................................................6-7 Bach on the Mandocello......................................................22-23 Bach on the Mandolin Part 2...................................................8-9 Philly Mando Tour....................................................................24 CMSA Scholarships....................................................................9 Which Finger............................................................................24 Mandolin Bridges......................................................................10 Munier CD...............................................................................25 Owen Hartford Wins Prize........................................................12 Teachers List...........................................................................27 2 Presidents’ Message 2015 will mark the beginning of a different look at the result, they were able to hire a professional conductor. In head of the CMSA leadership team. Elected to the position addition, she plays with the Seattle Mandolin Ensemble of President, we will have two experienced players from and directs the Seattle Mando for Kids program, which the Classical Mandolin Society’s Ranks. In a bold new was established three years ago. She also enjoys sailing move, the position of President will be held by two people, and is learning to read and write Literary Tibetan. Susan McLaughlin, of Regina, Sask., and Sue Lesser, from Seattle. Both of us have served as CMSA Board Our vision for the organization is to continue the work members, and have chaired very successful Conventions that was initiated under the expert leadership of Lou in our respective cities. In addition, we have also initiated Chouinard, and also move forward with innovation around Mando for Kids programs in our cities and are working to using technology to expand our membership, streamline increase the programs throughout the USA and Canada. communication and serve our mission. Susan McLaughlin brings a bevy of skills to the job, We will encourage member participation in decisionmaking acquired through motherhood, music and a multitude and will work toward transparent leadership and of Board activities. Susan has played balalaika and cooperation as we reach out to new and old members. domra, but has focused primarily on mandolin for the past 37 years. For good measure, she is also a classically We are excited about the upcoming Convention in Austin, trained double bassist. She is a founding member of Texas, and will be working closely with the committee the Regina Mandolin Orchestra (1988), established her members to assure you of a fantastic experience in own Mandolin Ensemble eight years ago, and recently October 2015. created a Mandolin-Guitar duo. Nurturing the newly formed Regina Mando For Kids program is her most recent passion. Since joining CMSA in 2001, Susan has benefitted tremendously from the mentorship provided by so many CMSA members. She looks forward to the next three years as an opportunity to give something back to the organization. Sue Lesser, has been a CMSA Member since 2005, and has played mandolin and mandola with the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra since 1996 and served as President of the Board of Directors, where she was instrumental in getting the SMO it’s non-profit status, and more secure funding. As a Sue Lesser Susan Mc Laughlin 2015 Elections by Lou Chouinard Your Nominating Committee – Dave Betts, Jonathan Antonina Nigrelli Rudie, Lucille Bjorneby, and Lou Chouinard, worked Michael Tognetti diligently since the Portland Convention to bring forth Robert Margo a slate of candidates for Officers and At-Large Board members. In addition, Susan