MMO - Mando Magnificat

In the Summer of 2008, members of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra were asked to be a part of a far-reaching mandolin event at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. There was going to be mandolin extravaganza in March of 2009 and we were on the guest-artist list. Richard Van Kleeck, the Director of Concert Activities at Northwestern University contacted our Music Director, Linda Binder, and asked if the MMO would like to be a part of the next Mando Magnificat. The invitation meant that the Orchestra would share a stage with Mike Marshall (the Big Trio), Caterina Lichtenberg (and Mirko Schrader), Sam Bush, and Donny Stiernberg (Don Stiernberg Trio).

We had done concerts with Mike on three different occasions, presented a concert with Caterina, and two of our members had studied mandolin with Don. None of the MMO's members had ever met the legendary, bluegrass giant, Sam Bush, but it sounded like a really good idea. The orchestra could not have been more excited about this opportunity.

Sincere thanks to Dale Kehoss for a majority of the photographs used on this page.

Pick-Staiger Hall

This composite photo is made up of a collection of pre-concert photos taken by Chicago photographer/musician Eric Futran. These pictures show some of the intensity, focus and excitement that took hold of the MMO during the early evening of March 7, 2009.

Don's trio started the program. Larry Harris on piano, Don Stiernberg and Jim Cox on Bass. Donny was the emcee for the program and his trio's performance set the tone for the evening. The messages were have fun, show unassailable musicianship, offer surprises and share the excitement of being involved in such a wonderfully musical event.

The sound check for Caterina Lichtenberg and Mirko Schrader went surprisingly well considering the drawn-out travel experience that they had earlier in the day. Nevertheless, their performance in the concert was exquisite, fluid and a classical thrill for the audience. The sound of Mirko's lute and Caterina's renaissance mandolin (plucked with a seagull quill) was remarkable.

A blistering display of speed and innovation by three great mandolinists. "Ralph's Banjo Special" had the audience bewildered, awestruck and delighted. There was considerable joy in the music. Mike, Sam and Donny stood on a mountain top with equal presence and wit in their playing.

Between sets, Ryan Hanley got to jam with his bluegrass hero Sam Bush. When it came time for the MMO to go on stage, it took some reminders to get Ryan back to membership in the MMO. It was one of those completely uplifting experiences.

The Mandolin Orchestra began their program with a favorite tune by Tommy Allen, "Evolution Rag." 1sts: Grant Ziolkowski, Ryan Hanley, James Stoeffel, Linda Binder (Dir), Mischa Litvin, Paul Ruppa - Bass: Jon Newcomb - Mandolas: Ruth Williams, Tom Gaudynski - Guitars: Scott Emmons, Jeff Binder - Mando-Cellos: Bill Rickards, Bill Foley, d'Andre Willis - 2nds: Shirlee Henningsen, Lisa Lyons, Dave Moynihan, Mary Kehoss, Laurie Asch, and Frank Ullenberg.

In the hours before the concert, Sam Bush, the Big Trio, the Don Stiernberg Trio, Caterina and Mirko and the MMO worked on our own Jeff Binder's arrangement of the Westphalia Waltz as a finale piece. The particulars of the piece regarding who took which improvisation where was set by Mike Marshall and our Director, Linda Binder. At the time of the finale, the concert had been going on for more than three and half hours. Much of the program had to do with note-speed and amazing technique. As a final piece, this slow composition laid the foundation for sweet and melodic improvisations and an excellent, fitting conclusion to a spectacular event. The trios, the duo and Sam rose to the occasion and the MMO presented a solid underpinning.

The concert ended with a lot of happy people.

Back in the green room, Linda and Don Stiernberg kept talking about music and relaxed with all the players from the program. Thank you Richard Van Kleeck and Northwestern University.