AMGuSS

AMGuSS (The American Mandolin & Guitar Summer School) was founded in 1986 to promote the art of ensemble playing for the guitar and mandolin family. The idea was to combine classical study with an exploration of folk and world music in workshops, chamber ensembles and an all-school plucked-string orchestra. From Baroque ornamentation to Brazilian choro, AMGuSS was dedicated to broadening the musical horizons of its students.

One of the first American summer schools for mandolin & guitar, AMGuSS ran annually the last week in June every summer until 2009. In addition, frequent winter AMGuSS week-ends were held to continue the work of AMGO (The American Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra). All instruction was hands-on, with instructors working to develop students’ musicianship and artistic interpretation.

In 2010 the AMGuSS directors, Marilynn Main & Ralph Costanza, unhooked the summer school from its annual week, and reestablished the concept as “The American Mandolin & Guitar Suitcase Seminars,” a peripatetic music seminar. 2010 saw an AMGO week-end in Rhodel Island, and in 2011 AMGuSS is presenting a Mandolin & Guitar Consort week @ SummerKeys, in scenic Lubec, Maine, the week of July 11-15. Download the 2011 flyer for more information on how to sign up.  AMGuSS_SummerKeys_2011

    • “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)