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A standing room only crowd filled the Lawrence Arts Center on April 4, to witness 56 mandolin players from eight states participate in the Mandofest Orchestra as part of Mandofest '99.

What began as a small local concert in 1991 is gaining national recognition in the mandolin community. The focus of past Mandofest concerts was the phenomenal wealth of mandolin talent in the Lawrence and greater Kansas City area. However, this year we were delighted to welcome as part of the festivities the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra conducted by Jim Bates. Besides providing a delightful performance, members of the orchestra participated along with community players and filled the Mandofest Orchestra to a record number.



Other performers included retro/country mandolinist Cory Willis, the Uptown Mandolin Quartet performing a Jeff Dearinger original composition, and Bruce Graybill who performed three virtuoso selections for mandolin, both solo and with piano accompaniment. The Mandofest Orchestra selections were arranged by Jeff Dearinger who also served as conductor.

While orchestra members travelled great distances to participate in the festivities, many out-of-state players met and rehearsed collectively for the first time at the afternoon rehearsal the day of the concert. All participants were provided with sheet music and a midi tape with their part brought to the front 90 days in advance of the concert. Three weekend rehearsals were held for local players prior to the concert. Orchestra selections included a six-movement set of Bartok's Romanian Folk Dances, a Beatles tune, two compositions by the Irish harpist Turlough O'Carolan, and a waltz from local guitarist Bill Crahan entitled "A Place in the Heart."

Each performer was well received but one of the biggest ovations of the evening was the pre-concert announcement that Mandofest 2000 (April 8, 2000 -- a Saturday) would move to nearby Liberty Hall in historic downtown Lawrence. This turn-of-the-century opera house seats approximately 650 and the motto of next year's concert is "Fill Liberty Hall!"

Mandofest is sponsored by CMSA board members Jeff and Beth Dearinger of the Uptown Mandolin Quartet and CMSA webmaster Scott Tichenor and his wife Annie. For additional information contact the Dearingers at uptownmq@cjnetworks.com.