The Louisville Mandolin Orchestra
After its formation in the summer of 1988, the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra quickly found itself on the stage of the Kentucky Center for the Arts, and the group has not slowed down since.
In its 10 years together, the group has toured Europe and this year was nominated for a Pulitzer prize for a composition composed by National Endowment for the Arts composer in residence Paul Johnson.
The group came together after mandolinist Michael Schroeder had the idea of reviving the tradition of the ``mandolin clubs'' that had thrived in the early years of this century in Louisville and elsewhere.
Jim Bates became the group's conductor. He serves as music director of the Louisville Youth Orchestra and bass instructor at the University of Louisville. In 1995, Bates joined the faculty of the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts as string coordinator.
With him at the helm, the group found itself performing a few months after forming in the opening concert of the Lonesome Pine Special Concert Series with the likes of mandolin stars Sam Bush (of Newgrass Revival fame), Mike Marshall and The Modern Mandolin Quartet.
In 1994 Bates presented a workshop at the Bundes Deutscher Zupfmusicker Fest in Germany and led the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra in much acclaimed performances in that country. In 1995, Bates and the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra participated in an International Mandolin Orchestra Festival in Remiremont, France.
In 1996, the orchestra was invited to an international festival in La Coruna, Spain. In 1997, they stayed at home and made a recording, ``Folkworks.'' Recently, they recorded on a compact disc with The Advocate Brass Band. The disc will be available at the festival.
In 1997, the orchestra hosted the national convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America. They brought in performing virtuosos from Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union.
