Louisville Mandolin Orchestra

Louisville, KY

CMSA Convention Hosts in 1990, 1997, 2006

The Louisville Mandolin Orchestra was organized in 1988 by Michael Schroeder to offer Louisville, Kentucky area musicians an opportunity to participate in an orchestral ensemble of plucked instruments. Jim Bates has been conducting the orchestra since our founding.

The Louisville Mandolin Orchestra (LMO) has achieved a wide reputation during its brief existence. The LMO has appeared on the Lonesome Pine Series of the Kentucky Center for the Arts as part of a program called "Mando Magnificat." This show has been televised in a worldwide market. In addition, "Mando Magnificat" has been added to the permanent collection of The Smithsonian, making the LMO the first mandolin orchestra to be included in the Smithsonian.

Besides numerous appearances in the region, the LMO has participated in international festivals in Germany and France. In 1994 the LMO became the first American mandolin orchestra to be invited to the Bundesmusikfest held in Germany every four years. The LMO received high critical acclaim for its performances at that prestigious festival. In 1995, the LMO was invited to participate in another international festival held in Remiremont, France. Other countries participating in that festival included Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Russia.

It is the intention of the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra to continue to serve the Louisville community by providing a musical outlet for amateur musicians of the area, by furthering efforts toward spreading our music around the world, and by bringing the world's best mandolinists and guitarists to Louisville audiences.