“Contemporary classical music for plucked string instruments, reflecting folk, jazz and world music influences”
In 2013 the American guitarist/ mandolinist/ conductor Mark Davis formed a ground-breaking new group of professional musicians to perform original contemporary music for plucked strings. The 7-member New American Mandolin Ensemble is comprised of three mandolins, two classical guitars, ‘liuto cantabile’ and string bass. While the New American Mandolin Ensemble champions the best of international composers for this medium, the group has a special interest in promoting works from the USA, as well as works reflecting jazz, folk and world influences.
"The New American Mandolin Ensemble shines a fresh light on the Mandolin Orchestra tradition…the group plays wonderful new music…will no doubt become a standard [for] the mandolin groups of tomorrow”.
- American mandolin superstar Mike Marshall
NAME has been acknowledged by the international mandolin community to be the premiere American mandolin ensemble. NAME has not only performed throughout New England, but was featured at the 2014 Annual Convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America, and was chosen to perform at the opening ceremonies of the Eurofestival Zupfmusik in Bruchsal, Germany, during NAME's 2014 European tour.
“The music is played so fresh and I love the natural sense of groove that this group has. Beautiful playing - very exciting!”
- Caterina Lichtenberg, Professor of Mandolin, Koln/Wuppertal, DE
The members of the New American Mandolin Ensemble are all involved professionally in some aspect of plucked strings, including teaching, conducting, performing, arranging or composing. Mr. Davis says about the group: “The members of NAME share a common passion for this new plucked string repertoire; our goal is to perform it with classical nuance coupled with the energy of a rock band!”
The repertoire of the New American Mandolin Ensemble consists of original works by the leading contemporary composers for plucked strings, many of which were written especially for the ensemble. These composers include C. Acquavella, C. Assad, J. Bartlema, Jim ten Bosk, R. Charlton, O. Hartford, V. Kioulaphides, A. Kruisbrink, Y. Kuwahara, E. Macadam-Somer, C. Mandonico, M.Nix, E. Stopler, and F. Wallace. They also perform arrangements of diverse modern repertoire, including works by Gismonti, Jobim, Kaufman, and Piazzolla.
"The New American Mandolin Ensemble lives up to its NAME! The group's concert performance at the 2014 CMSA convention was one of the best I have ever heard. Brilliant and beautiful contemporary compositions performed by extraordinary musicians with finesse, power and heart. Don't miss a chance to hear this group in person! "
- John Goodin – composer, mandolinist, Luther College
To learn more about our members, our music, and what we do, please check out the rest of our website, or contact us. We hope to see you at a concert soon!
In 2013 the American guitarist/ mandolinist/ conductor Mark Davis formed a ground-breaking new group of professional musicians to perform original contemporary music for plucked strings. The 7-member New American Mandolin Ensemble is comprised of three mandolins, two classical guitars, ‘liuto cantabile’ and string bass. While the New American Mandolin Ensemble champions the best of international composers for this medium, the group has a special interest in promoting works from the USA, as well as works reflecting jazz, folk and world influences.
"The New American Mandolin Ensemble shines a fresh light on the Mandolin Orchestra tradition…the group plays wonderful new music…will no doubt become a standard [for] the mandolin groups of tomorrow”.
- American mandolin superstar Mike Marshall
NAME has been acknowledged by the international mandolin community to be the premiere American mandolin ensemble. NAME has not only performed throughout New England, but was featured at the 2014 Annual Convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America, and was chosen to perform at the opening ceremonies of the Eurofestival Zupfmusik in Bruchsal, Germany, during NAME's 2014 European tour.
“The music is played so fresh and I love the natural sense of groove that this group has. Beautiful playing - very exciting!”
- Caterina Lichtenberg, Professor of Mandolin, Koln/Wuppertal, DE
The members of the New American Mandolin Ensemble are all involved professionally in some aspect of plucked strings, including teaching, conducting, performing, arranging or composing. Mr. Davis says about the group: “The members of NAME share a common passion for this new plucked string repertoire; our goal is to perform it with classical nuance coupled with the energy of a rock band!”
The repertoire of the New American Mandolin Ensemble consists of original works by the leading contemporary composers for plucked strings, many of which were written especially for the ensemble. These composers include C. Acquavella, C. Assad, J. Bartlema, Jim ten Bosk, R. Charlton, O. Hartford, V. Kioulaphides, A. Kruisbrink, Y. Kuwahara, E. Macadam-Somer, C. Mandonico, M.Nix, E. Stopler, and F. Wallace. They also perform arrangements of diverse modern repertoire, including works by Gismonti, Jobim, Kaufman, and Piazzolla.
"The New American Mandolin Ensemble lives up to its NAME! The group's concert performance at the 2014 CMSA convention was one of the best I have ever heard. Brilliant and beautiful contemporary compositions performed by extraordinary musicians with finesse, power and heart. Don't miss a chance to hear this group in person! "
- John Goodin – composer, mandolinist, Luther College
To learn more about our members, our music, and what we do, please check out the rest of our website, or contact us. We hope to see you at a concert soon!