August 2016 • Volume XXXIII #3 2016 Convention Update by Lyndon Laminack & Mark Linkins Preparation continues for the 2016 convention at Valley members. Relatively few CMSA members perform as solo Forge. The members of the host committee, along with artists, but many do perform as members of orchestras the members of both host ensembles – the Munier and smaller ensembles. Ensemble performance offers Orchestra and the Philadelphia Mandolin Ensemble – its own challenges and rewards. Whether performing look forward to greeting attendees at the Welcome Party in a conducted or conductor-less ensemble, players on the evening of November 2. The party will include light must constantly be aware of issues related to blending, tapas-style fare and a cash bar. It is an opportunity to balance, and working together – both within and across connect with old friends and make new acquaintances. the sections of the ensemble – to interpret and give shape The host committee is very pleased to announce that to the music.” the Harrisburg Mandolin Ensemble (HMO) will provide musical entertainment for the Welcome Party. A Conference workshops will provide a rich opportunity “classico” configuration, HMO performs on only mandolin for attendees to hear and learn from the members of the family instruments (including mandobass). Drawing MMQ, composer-in-residence Neil Gladd, and various upon diverse musical backgrounds, the members of HMO CMSA presenters. Additionally, several workshops will perform a very eclectic repertoire. Within a single set, you offer opportunities to learn from Philadelphia-based are likely to hear pieces from artists as diverse as Django performing artists with unique musical backgrounds. Reinhardt, Bill Monroe, Sidney Bechet, Andy Statman, Here we highlight just two of these workshop presenters: Dave Apollon, the Beatles, and Miles Davis. Pat Mercuri and Joe Todaro. What’s New This Year? Patrick Mercuri, one of the Philadelphia area’s most versatile free-lance musicians, will present a workshop This year’s theme – the art of ensemble performance – entitled “The Mandolin in Symphony, Opera, and Ballet,” represents a bit of a departure from previous convention drawing on his long experience performing mandolin and themes. This theme guided the selection of ensembles, other fretted instrument parts both locally and on tour for rather than individual musicians, as featured guest The Philadelphia Orchestra, The New York Philharmonic, artists. Additionally, many of the workshop topics were Orchestra 2001, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The New also selected to shine a light on the issues specific to York City Ballet, and Opera Philadelphia. Pat has also ensemble performance. For example, the members of appeared as a mandolin soloist with the Concerto Soloists the Modern Mandolin Quartet (MMQ), the featured of Philadelphia and the Amerita Chamber Players. He will guest artists, will offer their own insights on ensemble discuss repertoire and equipment, as well as the logistics performance within the intimacy of a quartet setting. At of playing mandolin in both large and small professional the other end of the spectrum, Pat Mercuri (see below) ensembles. He will also share visuals of mandolin parts will discuss his experiences playing mandolin within the and orchestra scores, recorded excerpts, and anecdotes largest of ensemble settings, the symphony orchestra. from his lengthy career. According to Mark Linkins, conductor of the Munier Another unique workshop offering this year, led by Mandolin Orchestra and head of the convention host guitarist Joe Todaro, will focus on the traditional committee, “Our goal was to select a conference theme rhythms of the Andes, including the countries of Bolivia, that was most relevant to the majority of CMSA Chile, Peru, Argentina and Ecuador. Joe will explain and (continued on page 4) Classical Mandolin Society of America Editor’s Note Officers: Sue Lesser & Susan McLaughlin, Co-Presidents ‘17 Lou Chouinard, Treasurer ‘17 Greetings, David Betts, Secretary ‘17 Thanks to everyone who Board of Directors: contributed to this issue of Lucille Bjorneby ‘16 Robert Margo ‘17 the Mandolin Journal! Kevin Metzger ‘16 Jim Bates ‘18 Dave Cohen ‘16 Victoria Gleicher ‘18 We are introducing a Antonina Nigrelli ‘17 Fred Pike ‘18 new column in this issue Michael Tognetti ‘17 called “Orchestra News” please see pages 12-13. If you have any news about Jackie Zito, Mandolin Journal Editor Robert Margo, Review Editor your orchestra that you would like to share with David Betts, Membership Director the membership please send it to me. Keep in mind that the Mandolin Journal is published four times a Honorary Board of Directors: year - February, May, August, and November. Time Hisao Itoh Keith Harris sensitive items may not be published before your Gertrud Weyhofen Ken Tanioka events. Michael Troster In honor of our convention host city, the featured Past Presidents: sheet music in this issue’s is Sousa’s “Liberty Bell Norman Levine (1987 - 1989), founder CMSA Antonina Nigrelli (1990 - 1996) March”, enjoy! Michael Schroeder (1997 - 2002) Bruce Graybill (2003 - 2007) Since the convention is in early November, the Lou Chouinard (2008 - 2014) deadline for the next issue of the Mandolin Journal will be November 15th for convention related articles The Mandolin Journal is published quarterly (February, May, and October 15th and for non-convention related August, November) and sent as part of membership in the CMSA. articles. This will move the release date back to Individual and household memberships are available. Individual: $35; Household membership: $35 plus $10 for each additional membership December. Please email submissions to me at in a household. Orchestra subscriptions are accepted only for foreign [email protected]. orchestras. Dues should be sent to CMSA, 3925 30th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55406-3108. Sincerely, Advertisement Rates: $60 per full page, $30 per half page, $17.50 per Jackie Zito quarter page. Ads should be grayscale/black & white and in pdf or jpeg format. Please email ads to the editor at [email protected]. Send payment to CMSA, 3925 30th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55406-3108. 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 Convention News.. ..............................................................1,4-5 Basics Under the Microscope pt.2.....................................14-15 Presidents’ Message..................................................................3 Aonzo Manhattan Workshop...............................................16-18 Scholarship for 2nd Mandolin Players........................................3 Aonzo Workshop Moves to Milwaukee....................................19 Workshops at CMSA Philadelphia..............................................5 Concert Links Italian Mandolin and Russian Domra..................21 Sheet Music: Liberty Bell March.................................................6 Feature Review: The Mandolin, A History............................22-23 New Webmaster for CMSA........................................................7 Desert Island Discs Volume 1...........................................24-25 Composer’s Corner: Connor Richard.......................................8-9 Which Finger......................................................................26-29 Call for Scores..........................................................................10 Teachers..................................................................................31 Orchestra News..................................................................12-13 2 Presidents’ Message We’ve just read the Convention article submission from Throughout the convention, we’ll observe ensembles Lyndon Laminack and Mark Linkins . and we’re so at every turn: at our Welcome Party, throughout the excited for the Philadelphia convention! The unique daytime event and at all our evening concerts. Several theme of this year’s CMSA’s convention is a platform ensembles are also coming forward to sign up for Open Mic. that allows us to nurture and grow the fine tradition of Each performance will present us with new possibilities mandolin ensembles and orchestras. and inspire us to expand the horizons of our home orchestras. And of course, let’s not forget the En Masse The majority of CMSA members belong to an ensemble experience! The repertoire has been selected and under or orchestra of some kind. And as we know, playing as Jim Bates’ baton we will deliver an exceptional ensemble part of a group, and making it the best it can be, requires performance. Yes, Philadelphia promises to expose CMSA different skills and knowledge than playing as a soloist. members to so many unique and interesting things! This Convention in Philadelphia will be a rare opportunity to immerse ourselves in many aspects of sustaining a We know from experience that both of us will return home successful ensemble. infused with an enthusiasm that will be felt across our entire orchestra. We hope that you and your orchestra Reading Lyndon & Mark’s descriptions, it’s easy to will also make the