When it comes to the mandolin, one usually think of the bluegrass, country and folk genre, but you might be surprised to learn that the mandolin has a long history as a classical instrument. Furthermore, mandolin orchestras (modelled after string orchestras, with mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, guitars, and string bass) were commonly seen in Rochester as early as 1890s. To continue this long standing tradition, the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra (RMO) would like to invite you to the 38th Annual Convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America (CMSA), October 30th through Saturday, November 2nd at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. There will be free concerts on October 31st November 1st, and November 2nd.
The earliest mandolin orchestra in Rochester was organized by Fred B. Crittenden in 1887, and gained widespread popularity with Martin E. Wollf as the music director. Wollf’s parents were Jewish immigrants from Germany and were one of the early settlers in Rochester. Along with his father, Elias Wollf, and brother, Abram Wollf, the Wollf family was prominent businessmen in Rochester. In 1888, Abram and Martin open the popular playhouse, the Lyceum Theatre, and would continuously sell out the annual anniversary concerts presented by the mandolin orchestra. Over its tenure (till around 1901), the mandolin orchestra performed in numerous places in the state of New York, with locations near and far from Rochester: Victor, Lima, Conesus Lake, Honeoye Falls, Palmyra, Spencerport, Brockport, Bergen, Leroy, Canandaigua, Dansville, Batavia, Niagara Falls, Medina, Mt. Morris, Seneca Falls, Syracuse, Savannah, Thousand Islands, and Glen Haven.
Between 1887 to 1920, there were numerous mentions of mandolin orchestras the papers, and among them, three female musicians and their groups enjoyed longevity and popularity: Nellie Wilder (years unknown, but she was mentioned in the papers between 1884 to 1906), commonly referred to as Ms. Wilder, was a music teacher who taught multiple instruments, as well as whistling “for those having the gift.” In addition, she stood apart from other instrumental teachers by offering classes in harmony and sight-reading. She was an “agent for the Gibson mandolin and guitar,” as well as the vice president of the New York State Music Teachers' Association of Monroe County.
Bertha Meyer Nelson (1876-1920) was the leader of the Cecilian Mandolin and Guitar Club. Meyer changed her tracks and started an all-female brass band in 1915, and within two years the band was “traveling South and West”. Last but not least, there is Arabella Krug (ca. 1868-1948); whose picture shown in the beginning of the article instigated the whole research. Krug was a native of Rochester, and studied piano, mandolin and guitar under E.H. Ferguson. Her rapid mastery of the stringed instruments led her to organize and lead a 40-piece mandolin and violin orchestra and performed throughout Rochester.
The mandolin fad faded in 1920s, but two forces remained strong. One of them was Don Santos. Santos came from Birkenhead, England to Rochester with his parents at the age of 2. As a young man, he toured the theatrical and resort circuits in Europe and South America on 8 trips. Prior to making his name as a banjo performer and teacher, he was a star mandolinist with Primrose and Wests Minstrels. He settled back in Rochester in early 1920s to establish the Don Santos School of Music, and 1926, established the Don Santos Publishing Company and specialized in music and instructions for fretted instruments. Don Santos was also the featured solo performer on radio station WHEC from 1929 to 1930 (one source says “for many years”). He was the president of the American Guild of Banjoists, Mandolinists and Guitarists in 1942. Don Santo’s biggest achievement was his annual concert at the Convention Hall. These concerts began in 1923 and continued until at least 1932. In 1930, the first American banjo band contest was inaugurated as part of the annual concert, and in 1931, the competition expanded to include prizes for mandolin orchestra, Spanish and Hawaiian guitar bands. These competitions drew participants and vendors from all over New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, Connecticut, and Canada.
The Ukrainian Mandolin Orchestra was a group established by Leo Sorochinsky. Sorochinsky was brought to Rochester in 1924 to direct the Ukrainian choral group, with the purpose to further spread the knowledge and appreciation of Ukrainian song and dance among the American population. The mandolin orchestra was a group directed at the youths, perhaps as a way to preserve their identity and cultural heritage. Under Sorochinsky’s leadership, the Ukrainian Mandolin Orchestra was a very successful group and performed for a wide variety of events: Ukrainian cultural events, citizen’s induction dinner, and community music festivals (often times with other ethnic groups). The Ukrainian Mandolin Orchestra frequently performed on WHAM, and there were records of the group performing in Auburn and Syracuse. The orchestra’s biggest achievement, however, might be winning the mandolin orchestra prize in the aforementioned Don Santos competition in 1931.
The current Rochester Mandolin Orchestra began as a monthly gathering at Bernunzio Uptown Music, and was established as a formal group in Fall 2019. The RMO performs a wide variety of musical styles, from classical compositions and movie themes, to arrangements of folk songs and big band jazz.
This year's convention will feature two CMSA commissions by award winning composers, Raven Chacon and Aftab Darvishi, and three virtuosi: Carlo Aonzo (Italy, mandolin), Rene Izquierdo (Cuba, classical guitar), and Charlotte Kaiser (Germany, mandolin). The final concert will feature the 100+ participants En Masse orchestra performing orchestral pieces. Here's a taste of what this giant orchestra sounds like!
Check out the full Classical Mandolin Society of America schedule here, including several free concerts open to the public. This is sure to be a one-of-a-kind musical experience!
About the author: As a guitarist, teacher, and an arranger, Ken Luk actively performs in different solo and chamber music settings. He is the cofounder of the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra in February 2019 and organizes monthly meetings for mandolinists and guitarists of the Greater Rochester Area and currently serves on the board of Classical Mandolin Society of America. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ken studied with Dr. Nicholas Goluses and finished his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music. As one of the cofounders of Rochester Classical Guitar, Ken organizes various events to promote classical guitar in the Greater Rochester Area. In additional to classical music, Ken has strong interests in and frequently performs music of Brazil, Indonesia, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe.
Ken Luk will be featured on Live from Hochstein playing classical mandolin on October 23rd, and you can hear him speak about the history of mandolin in Rochester at the Rochester Guitar Club on October 21st at 7pm, at Asbury First United Methodist Church (1050 East Ave).