Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra Performs 77th Annual Spring Concert

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

On May 6, the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Enrico Granafei, performed its 77th Annual Spring Concert "Folk Music Around the World." The audience in Bloomfield Middle School was treated to a delightful musical tour that included music from the countries of Albania, Israel, Italy, Greece, Japan, Peu, Phillipines, and Wales. New arrangements by orchestra members Raul Abbad Huaman, mandolin, and Wilbur Lewis, mandola, were debuted. Also, the orchestra was pleased to have its unique and rare Gibson mandobass, originally purchased by the orchestra in 2002, return to the stage since its last appearance in 2012. The concert was dedicated in memory of previous Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra Conductor Gabriel L. Nevola, who passed away in July 2017, and to Alay Philippine Performing Arts Rondalla conductor Bayani Mendoza de Leon, who passed away in September 2013. Mr. Mendoza de Leon's library of close to 600 arrangements, was recently donated by former APPAR member Mrs. Ameurfina Nazario, a resident of Morristown, NJ, to the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra.

The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra's upcoming appearances will include, the Township of Bloomfield's Art in the Garden at Pulaski Park on June 9 from 4:30 to 5:30 PM, and a free concert for the Bloomfield Public Library on October 6 at 1 PM. For additional information on the orchestra's other upcoming performances, workshop, and classes, please write to bmomandolin@gmail.com or call Orchestra President Kristine Massari at 973-444-0357. New members are welcome, especially for lower strings. Ability to read music is required. The orchestra rehearses at Bloomfield Middle School on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 PM during the months of September through May.

Donations to the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra are used to pay for arrangements of pieces and purchase of music, concert expenses, and workshops. Donations may be sent payable to the Bloomfield Federation of Music c/o Elfrieda Fenton, 12 Hyde Road, Bloomfield, NJ 07003, and are tax deductible. We wish to thank the community for its continued support of our orchestra!

Photos courtesy of John Meixner

PHOTO #1

Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra Members

Row 1 (L-R): Gail Sample, flute, Ameurfina Nazario, Mandolin I, Barbara Bivin, Principal Mandolin II, Kristine Massari, President and Principal Mandolin I, Sharman Nittoli, Mandolin II, Jan Kiley, Mandolin II, and Annamaria Menconi, Principal Mandola. Not pictured Carol Franz, Mandolin II.

Row 2 (L-R): Mark Sample, Mandolin I, Robert Hess, Mandolin I, Dr. Phil Jasper, Mandolin I, Franco Di Gangi, Concertmaster, Maestro Enrico Granafei, Raul Abbad Huaman, Mandolin I, Wilbur Lewis, Mandola, David Bauer, Assistant Conductor and Principal Mandocello, Edward Hanrahan, Principal Guitar, and Ben Larkey, Principal Mandobass.

PHOTO #2

Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra Maestro Enrico Granafei and Orchestra President Kristine Massari, pose with orchestra member Ben Larkey and the orchestra's unique and rare 1920s era Gibson mandobass. Currently, the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra is the only orchestra of its kind in the state of New Jersey to concertize with a mandobass. Mr. Larkey is a resident of Caldwell, New Jersey and also plays guitar with the group.

PHOTO #3

The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra's 77th Annual Spring Concert, "Folk Music from Around the World," was dedicated in memory of previous Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra Conductor Gabriel L. Nevola, who passed away in July 2017, and to Alay Philippine Performing Arts Rondalla conductor Bayani Mendoza de Leon, who passed away in September 2013. Mr. Mendoza de Leon's library of close to 600 arrangements, was recently donated by former APPAR member Mrs. Ameurfina Nazario, a resident of Morristown, NJ, to the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra. Pictured are Mrs. Nazario with Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra Maestro Enrico Granafei and Orchestra President Kristine Massari.

PHOTO #4

The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra's 77th Annual Spring Concert, "Folk Music from Around the World," featured the debut of arrangements by orchestra members Raul Abbad and Wilbur Lewis. Pictured are Mr. Lewis, mandola, with Orchestra Maestro Enrico Granafei and Orchestra President Kristine Massari. Congratulations to Mr. Lewis on his first season with the BMO!

PHOTO #5

Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra's Principal Mandola Player and Corresponding Secretary/Publicist Annamaria Menconi, marked the completion of her 20th Season with the BMO, at the orchestra's 77th Spring Concert, Folk Music from Around the World. The Clifton native is seen here, posed with her rare circa 1917 Gibson mandola, in sunburst finish.

Photos Courtesy of John Meixner

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