Marilynn on Mandolin #14 ~ Jan/Feb 2006

By Marilynn | Published: February 11, 2006

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Happy New Year! February seems to be National Mandolin Month at my house, and I’m excited to be playing 4 very cool events with 4 very different line-ups. For details, check the concert schedule.

Wednesday, February 1st: I’ll be performing @ Berkelee with the New England Mandolin Ensemble. August Waters, John Mcgann. Jim Dalton, and Mitch Nelin are 4 of my favorite players, and it’s a treat to join them on mandolin & mandola. Paulo Sa will also be making an appearance that night, as he’s in town early for the

Mandolin World Summit, Sunday, February 5th: I am thrilled that Paulo and Radim Zenkl are joining me @ Roger Williams University for workshops on Brazilian & Czechoslovakian music, and a 2:30 concert of solos, duos, and trios. These men are awesome mandolinists, and we’ve been burning up the cyber-waves sending arrangements back and forth. It’s our first and, given travel logistics, probably our only trio gig. I’m also pleased that my nephew Robert will join us on bass for a couple of tunes. The event ends in plenty of time for football enthusiasts to catch the Superbowl, and there are rumors of a great jam at my house afterwards. Local players email me for more info. This is truly not to be missed.

February 11th: Adam Larrabee & I are taking our duo on the road to Dayton, Ohio, at the invitation of the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra, for a concert and workshops. The program ranges from Scarlatti to Pixinguinha, with Adam alternating between guitar, mandocello, and mandolin. Reserve your seat here:

February 26th : Guitarist Bob Martel and I are presenting a program “Choro do Brasil” for the Providence Athenaeum’s “Salon” series. Music, conversation, wine, for members and guests. So, join the series looks great!

COVER GIRL

Yep, that would be me. I was on the cover of the November/December issue of “All Frets” magazine, with a well-written interview inside. They let me put the whole thing up on my webpage, so you can read it even if you don’t subscribe.

AMGuSS 2006 IS COMING

and this year it’s later than usual – June 26th to July 2nd – and of course will be the best yet! This is the monumental decade-ending 1986 – 2006 edition, so be sure to save the dates. We’ll be sending the flyers out soon � just waiting for housing rates – so if you’re not on the mailing list email Registrar Ralph Costanza . I expect the flyers, online application, and guest artist info to be ready early in February. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 who wants to apply for the Hibbard Perry Memorial Scholarship should email Ralph for details.

THE NORMAN LEVINE MANDOLIN TEACHER’S SCHOLARSHIP

I am pleased to announce a new tuition scholarship available to mandolin teachers who wish to attend AMGuSS. Named for the beloved founder of the Classical Mandolin Society of America, head of the Plucked String Foundation (that funds our student scholarships), and one of the hardest working supporters of mandolin education in America, this scholarship begins in 2006 & will be awarded annually to the mandolin teacher who best demonstrates how their attendance at AMGuSS will improve their teaching and benefit their students. This scholarship is funded by friends and fans of Norman, and is dedicated to him with our grateful thanks for all he has done for the mandolin in America. Email Registrar Ralph Costanza for application details.

ARTICLES

Mandolin Magazine should be out soon with my column on music of the Romantic Era, including a solo mandolin arrangement of Edward MacDowell’s beautiful “To a Wild Rose.” CMSA’s Mandolin Journal is stuck in a production detour, so my “Teachers’ Spotlight” column is still waiting for release � stay tuned.

PROJECTS

The mandolin method is progressing again, I’m pleased to say. It’s big job, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Stay tuned for updates.

FEEDBACK?

I’d love to hear from you. If you know anyone who would like to get this update, have them send me their email. And thanks for reading! The next issue of “MARILYNN ON MANDOLIN” will be out in March 2006. Enigmatica has some gigs coming up this spring, and I’ll have more details on AMGuSS. Until then, stay warm, and I hope to see you at one of the February events!

-mm

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    • “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)