Oregon Mandolin Orchestra (OMO) is an all-volunteer community orchestra based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2010, the OMO consists of about 30 members and has been led by music director Christian McKee since April 2017.[1]
History
The orchestra was started in January 2010 by Brian and Elizabeth Oberlin.[2] It was the first such orchestra in Oregon since the Portland Mandophonic Orchestra stopped performing in 2001.[3] OMO was founded during a revival of mandolin orchestras, which had once been widespread across the United States.[4][5]
Brian Oberlin is a mandolinist and music teacher who serves as the musical director, while his then wife Elizabeth was the executive director.[2][6] Brian also started the River of the West Mandolin Camp.[7] Elizabeth, an attorney by profession, organized the orchestra while Brian recruited members.[2] The orchestra performed its first concert on April 9, 2010, at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in downtown Hillsboro.[8] One of the first members of the new group was Bill Jordens, who had been a member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra in Wisconsin.[2]
The group received a grant from the Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council in 2011[10] and again in 2013.[11] The funds come from the City of Hillsboro's Parks and Recreation Department.[10] By the September 2011 concert, the group had grown to about 30 members, with the concert again held at the Walters Cultural Arts Center.[12] The group also gained sponsorships at that time from The Hillsboro Argus, KUIK, and Tuality Healthcare, among others.[12] Oregon Mandolin Orchestra's 2011 holiday concert in December featured a Brazilian Choro duo as well as a selected portion of the Nutcracker Suite.[13] At the time, it was the only mandolin orchestra in Oregon.[13] OMO's Fall 2013 concert in Hillsboro featured Evan Marshall,[14] while the December 2013 concert featured holiday music.[15]
Description
The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra is modeled after similar orchestras that were popular in the United States during the late 19th century.[13] The orchestra features mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, and string basses.[2] The approximately 30-piece group presents about four concerts each year across the Portland area.[3]
