Events • In Concert • Workshops

CMSA convention 2012

By Marilynn | Published: August 12, 2012

The Classical Mandolin Society of America 2012 convention will be held in Minneapolis MN, and Marilynn will be performing, giving workshops, and coaching the mandola section of the CMSA all-attendee orchestra. Sign up online at the link above.

Posted August 12th, 2012

Events • In Concert • Of Note

Momento Rio Bandolim

By Marilynn | Published: September 12, 2011

Marilynn will be traveling to Rio to perform and give a lecture at this international mandolin event. Her lecture is Saturday, November 12, and her concert, with guitarist Fabio Nin, is Sunday, November 13. More information is available here.

Posted September 12th, 2011

Welcome to Marilynn’s webpage!

By Marilynn | Published: October 1, 2010

Mandolinist, recording artist, music professor, and author Marilynn Mair has created a website with a rich mix of content for you to explore. You can buy her CDs, ask her a question, attend or book her next concert, or simply enjoy some great photos of Brazil. This website holds resources for professionals, students, fans – so click and enjoy!

Posted October 1st, 2010

A New Look

By Marilynn | Published: October 1, 2010

Longtime readers will notice our page has a new format. Thanks to Alex & Brinsley, of BAD Design, who updated the architecture and content. We’ve made the menu more user-friendly while preserving all the content from the old site. And there are many new features:
“Ask Marilynn” archives Marilynn’s answers to mandolin questions from readers. Read and add your own comments & questions.
“Of Note” adds news items each week. You can click to access full article, read back items, and leave your comments.
Marilynn’s Brazil travel logs have been uploaded, complete with photos of her life in Rio.
Downloadable pdfs of sheetmusic have been added to many of Marilynn’s Mandolin & Choro articles, so you can immediately apply what you read.
A new live mp3 page archives recordings from Marilynn’s past concerts.
What do you think? Leave a comment on this post to let us know how you like the new features.

Posted October 1st, 2010

Meu Bandolim ~ a personal tribute to Rio

By Marilynn | Published: September 30, 2010

Marilynn’s newest CD is an all-Brazilian project. It’s getting great reviews, and a couple of Marilynn’s original Choro featured on the CD starting to be played at rodas in Rio! “Joyous uptempo numbers are followed by rich meditative slower tunes… Marilynn’s own composition “Isso” (“That’s It”) is, to my ears, one of her finest recordings.” (John Goodin, The Mandolin Journal) Read more or buy a copy here!

Posted September 30th, 2010

AMGuSS at SummerKeys

By Marilynn | Published: September 29, 2010

For the first time this year, Marilynn is offering a Mandolin & Guitar Consort Week at SummerKeys, in scenic Lubec, Maine. From July 11-15, 2011, mandolinists, guitarists, and mandolin family instruments will gather for a week of study and performance. Sign up at the SummerKeys website, and download the flyer AMGuSS_SummerKeys_2011. Enrollment is limited, so sign up soon!

Posted September 29th, 2010

Rave review for Enigmatica’s The Blue House!

By Marilynn | Published: September 18, 2010

The most recent issue of Mandolin Magazine has a glowing review for Enigmatica’s new CD, “The Blue House”.  An exerpt: “The sound of Enigmatica can be described as sparkling, effervescent, fluid, precise, and joyous. The clarity of line they achieve is breathtaking, completely the equal of any string quartet or chamber ensemble playing today.” Read the full review and buy it now. Here is one of the tunes posted on       Mandolin Cafe.

Posted September 18th, 2010

    • “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…” – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.” – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.” – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    • “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.” — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)

    • “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.” – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    • “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity…It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.” – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.” – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)

    • Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time. – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita” — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    • “Mair is unstoppable…capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.” – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)