Oregon Mandolin Orchestra

The orchestra was started in January 2010 by Brian and Elizabeth Oberlin.[1] It was the first such orchestra in Oregon since the Portland Mandophonic Orchestra stopped performing in 2001.[2] OMO was founded during a revival of mandolin orchestras, which had once been widespread across the United States.[3][4]

Brian Oberlin is a mandolinist and music teacher who serves as the musical director, while his then wife Elizabeth was the executive director.[1][5] Brian also started the River of the West Mandolin Camp.[6] Elizabeth, an attorney by profession, organized the orchestra while Brian recruited members.[1] The orchestra performed its first concert on April 9, 2010, at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in downtown Hillsboro.[7] One of the first members of the new group was Bill Jordens, who had been a member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra in Wisconsin.[1]

OMO's April 2011 concert featured works by Antonio Vivaldi and was held at The Old Church in Portland.[1] 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.[8] At the time of the concert, the orchestra had grown to 24 members.[8]

The group received a grant from the Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council in 2011[9] and again in 2013.[10] The funds come from the City of Hillsboro's Parks and Recreation Department.[9] By the September 2011 concert, the group had grown to about 30 members, with the concert again held at the Walters Cultural Arts Center.[11] The group also gained sponsorships at that time from The Hillsboro Argus, KUIK, and Tuality Healthcare, among others.[11] Oregon Mandolin Orchestra’s 2011 holiday concert in December featured a Brazilian Choro duo as well as a selected portion of the Nutcracker Suite.[12] At the time, it was the only mandolin orchestra in Oregon.[12] OMO's Fall 2013 concert in Hillsboro featured Evan Marshall,[13] while the December 2013 concert featured holiday music.[14]

The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra is modeled after similar orchestras that were popular in the United States during the late 19th century.[12] The orchestra features mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, and string basses.[1] The approximately 30-piece group presents about four concerts each year across the Portland area.[2]

• Classical Mandolin Society of America
• Priere Musicale