Oregon Mandolin Orchestra (OMO) is an all-volunteer community orchestra based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2010, the OMO consists of about 30 members and has been led by music director Christian McKee since April 2017.[1]
| Oregon Mandolin Orchestra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Short name | OMO |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Music director | Christian McKee |
| Website | oregonmandolinorchestra.org |
History edit
The orchestra was started in January 2010 by Brian and Elizabeth Oberlin.[2] It was the first such orchestra in Oregon since the Portland Mandophonic Orchestra stopped performing in 2001.[3] OMO was founded during a revival of mandolin orchestras, which had once been widespread across the United States.[4][5]
Brian Oberlin is a mandolinist and music teacher who serves as the musical director, while his then wife Elizabeth was the executive director.[2][6] Brian also started the River of the West Mandolin Camp.[7] Elizabeth, an attorney by profession, organized the orchestra while Brian recruited members.[2] The orchestra performed its first concert on April 9, 2010, at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in downtown Hillsboro.[8] One of the first members of the new group was Bill Jordens, who had been a member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra in Wisconsin.[2]
OMO's April 2011 concert featured works by Antonio Vivaldi and was held at The Old Church in Portland.[2] The group's May 2011 concert included a version of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir", as well a pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn, among others.[9] At the time of the concert, the orchestra had grown to 24 members.[9]
The group received a grant from the Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council in 2011[10] and again in 2013.[11] The funds come from the City of Hillsboro's Parks and Recreation Department.[10] By the September 2011 concert, the group had grown to about 30 members, with the concert again held at the Walters Cultural Arts Center.[12] The group also gained sponsorships at that time from The Hillsboro Argus, KUIK, and Tuality Healthcare, among others.[12] Oregon Mandolin Orchestra's 2011 holiday concert in December featured a Brazilian Choro duo as well as a selected portion of the Nutcracker Suite.[13] At the time, it was the only mandolin orchestra in Oregon.[13] OMO's Fall 2013 concert in Hillsboro featured Evan Marshall,[14] while the December 2013 concert featured holiday music.[15]
Description edit
The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra is modeled after similar orchestras that were popular in the United States during the late 19th century.[13] The orchestra features mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, and string basses.[2] The approximately 30-piece group presents about four concerts each year across the Portland area.[3]
References edit
- ^ "Oregon Mandolin Orchestra's New Music Director...a Man on a Mission". Oregon Mandolin Orchestra. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Bella, Rick (April 1, 2011). "Mandophiles play on in Hillsboro: The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra keeps a lost art alive and tackles a wide variety of music". The Oregonian.
- ^ a b Smith, Taylor (October 15, 2013). "Brian Oberlin conducting the Hillsboro-based Oregon Mandolin Orchestra. The orchestra will be performing their fall concert on Friday, Oct. 25". The Oregonian.
- ^ Bernstein, Matthew (December 17, 2014). "Music on the Street talks with Brian Oberlin of the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra". Oregon Music News. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ Miller, Jennifer (May 29, 2014). "With a Little Bit of Pluck, a Mandolin Orchestra Revives". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ Sproles, Michael (December 14, 2016). "It's all about the Mandolin". Hillsboro Tribune. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "Mandolin virtuosos to perform". Forks Forum. November 13, 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ "Mandolin Orchestra sets Hillsboro concert". The Hillsboro Argus. March 26, 2010.
- ^ a b "Oregon Mandolin Orchestra sets concert". The Hillsboro Argus. May 6, 2011.
- ^ a b "Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council Announces 2011-12 Community Arts & Culture Grant Recipients". OregonLive. June 16, 2011.
- ^ "2013-14 Community Arts & Culture Grants Awarded in Hillsboro". OregonLive. May 28, 2013.
- ^ a b "Mandolin Orchestra sets Sept. 16 Hillsboro show". The Hillsboro Argus. September 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Oregon Mandolin Orchestra tunes up for Dec. 16 concert". The Hillsboro Argus. December 9, 2011.
- ^ "Orchestra performs". Hillsboro Tribune. October 25, 2013.
- ^ Haugen, Stephanie (December 13, 2013). "Art Briefs". Hillsboro Tribune.
