As a mandolin instructor and musician in the Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra, Carol was hoping to add a few area string players to the orchestra. Violin players, former high school music students, beginner musicians. Any level would do. And since a few South Hills musicians had recently joined the orchestra, if word continued to spread, possibly a few others would learn about the local orchestra.
Our mandolin orchestra is planning a St. Patrick's Day program at Friendship Village in Upper St. Clair, Carol mentioned to me. Will you have time to stop by to hear at least a few of our selections?
Since new programs always intrigue me, I agreed without hesitation. A quick update to my calendar and on March 17 I headed to the retirement community in Upper St. Clair. Wearing my green, of course.
A group of about a dozen or so mandolin players was what I expected. What a surprise to see 35 men, women and teens making up a full string orchestra: mandolins replacing violins, mandola instead of viola, mandocello replacing cello and a mandobass in place of upright bass. Adding to the rhythm, guitar players completed the ensemble. All under the direction of World Master Folk Musician Charley Rappaport.
The Irish Jig and other musical scores from Ireland were on the St. Patrick's Day program. The lively music brought plenty of smiles throughout the standing room-only crowd. The evening was definitely ending on a happy note. The sounds were so delightful that I even stayed for refreshments.
Trained as a classical violin player, Carol Palmer is also the mandolin instructor for Calliope, Pittsburgh's Folk Music Society and a board member of the Pittsburgh Mandolin Society.
A few years ago, she purchased a mandolin as a gift for her husband, Mark. He had never played a musical instrument but she hoped the mandolin would keep him busy while he recovered from a broken leg and arm. It became a great tool for physical therapy as he quickly learned to play. So much so that he is now a member of the orchestra.
"I inherited my mother's mandolin," said Jan Thomas of Bridgeville. "My grandfather purchased it for her in 1923 for $16. When arthritis prevented Mother from playing, she passed the mandolin on to me. I like the fast tempo of the gypsy music. To me it's the happiest sound."
"When my daughter began taking violin lessons, I started playing the mandolin," said Brad Vaughan of Mt. Lebanon. I like the bluegrass sound. In my younger days I learned to play the trombone and other brass and even the guitar."
Pittsburgh's Mandolin Orchestra had its start about five years ago with five musicians. Now 50 mandolin players, ages 12 to 88, make up the group. Three married couples, a grandfather and granddaughter and two teenage brothers from Russia share their talents in the orchestra. A Spring Concert and German Feast is planned at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1 at the Teutonia Mannerchor German Club on Pittsburgh's North Side.
To learn more about the orchestra or hosting a concert, call 412-257-0670.