MMO website

I notice the new MMO group picture on the website, but where is the old one? Can it be put on an archived page, or the photos page? There are other group photos on that page, older than the 2007 group photo page. I hope so!

Providence MO: I am the Walrus

Here's a YouTube video of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra playing "I am the Walrus," as arranged by Bob Margo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdmMi1uu0ZQ

Good arrangement, well played.

MMO on Radio

Phil Nussbaum has a very complimentary piece in this month's MBOTMA Magazine on the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra. The article also gives the air date for the interview with Lon and playing some of the pieces recorded last spring. The MMO piece will be aired on KBEM (88.5 FM) Radio on 9 Jan 2010 during the 11:30 A.M 1/2 hour of the Blue Grass Review.

Music at the Baha'i Center Sunday

There is a regular 2nd Sunday musical devotional at the Baha'i Center. This month (**December 13 at 5:30 pm**) will be doing Christmas music. Everyone is invited to come to play instruments, sing or listen. Some of the MMO Christmas Group will be performing a couple of tunes. There will be a potluck dinner afterward for anyone who wants to take part. Hope you can make it!

Dave

How Do Strings Wear?

Fascinating e-mail from Tony Anthonisen - bluegrass jammer / organizer (if you want to get on his e-mail list, see below; he passes along announcements about selling instruments, upcoming concerts, etc. - no forwards):
--------------------------------------------------------------

Jammers,

Check out this fascinating thread with pictures at 200x magnification of string wear on a 8 week old set of EXP17s. Very interesting. From Flatpick-L http://tinyurl.com/yzprtl3

Tony

Tony Anthonisen
Realtor
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612-743-7555

HomesByTonyA@comcast.net
www.HomesByTonyA.com

Nov 23 at 4820 Elliot

Our rehearsal on November 23 will be at 4820 Elliot Avenue South in Minneapolis. It's eleven blocks south and one block east of our usual location.

Anitra's Dance - the Clif's notes to the story

So, I spent some time with the score for Anitra’s Dance. Wow, what a simple piece! I wrote up an analysis of the score (boring) and then put it aside.

Last night I woke up at 4:00 AM and rather than think about work, I came up with a story for Anitra and her Dance.

Anitra - a fetching 17 year old, decides, upon the urging of her handsome fiance, to sneak out and meet him one night.

The first part, introducing the theme with repeat, is Anitra happily sneaking out of the house, to great success.

Then we get into the 2nd part. Here, Anitra is out of doors. She realizes that it’s cold and shivers.

She goes forth, expecting to find her fiance, (A section), but getting a little anxious. She hear’s an echo to her steps/dance (mandola).

In the B section, she’s frightened - someone is following her (we hear him creeping in the mandola section as the echo)

At the divisi at measure 69, they encounter each other, but she runs away and we repeat the 2nd part.

Same thing second time around but at 69, she recognizes him and there’s a nice reunion going to the 2nd ending. We end with a minor chord rather than a major as foreshadowing of their ongoing relationship. Is he a bit of a sadist? Who’s to know!!!

CMG Rehearsal Time Change: 11/7 at 6:30 PM

We had some conflicts with the 2PM time, so we've moved to 6:30 PM

Same location:

404 Washington Ave N #210
Minneapolis MN

nothin' could be finer

Pardon me, Boys, but don't you LOVE the Chattanooga Choo Choo?

I listened to this about 8 times and have been humming it all day :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQybKMXL-k

And if you want the long version, including moves that likely inspired the king of pop, check this out (watch for hints of break dancing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIQq1j1-AQU&feature=related

string changing

How often do you change your mandolin strings? I have heard that guitar strings should be changed after every 40 hours of playing. Maybe like most, I go a long time before changing my strings.
Also, doesn't it take awhile for strings to "break in" and it's therefore not recommended to change them right before a performance?
Also, what type of strings for which sound?