| Fretworks Mandolin And Guitar Orchestra |
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Information AboutFretworks Mandolin And Guitar Orchestra |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT FRETWORKS MANDOLIN AND GUITAR ORCHESTRA | |
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The brainchild of the critically acclaimed classical guitarist and banjo and lute performer Douglas Back, Fretworks Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra was the first public-school-affiliated mandolin youth ensemble in America. The orchestra, based in Montgomery, Alabama, consisted of an ever morphing lineup of 13-18 year olds over several years who represented the most talented musicians at the Baldwin Arts and Academic Magnet School as well as talented alumni. The ensemble utilized several unconventional instruments including the Mandola , Mandocello , classical Banjo , tenor Banjo , and Octave Mandolin in addition to the more conventional Mandolin and Classical Guitar . Due to their unique position as a one-of-a-kind ensemble and through the careful guidance of Back, the group achieved moderate success and notoriety in the mandolin and classical guitar worlds and regularly performed at music festivals around the country. In addition to such performances, Fretworks also recorded a total of three albums over the course of its life including ''El Cumbanchero'', ''Cathedral Hill'', and a self titled CD released in 2003 featuring a suite composed by the composer John Goodin as well as a "Divertimento for Mandolin Orchestra" composed by Lynette Morse, both of which being specifically written for the group. Perhaps, however, the most notable achievement attained by the ensemble was the 2003 performance on the National Public Radio show From The Top which introduced Fretworks to a national radio audience of roughly 25 million people. That show is still in syndication on public radio today. Fretworks is still going strong and has since added 4 and 5 string banjos into the mix of instruments. PERFORMERS The lineup from the latest album (self-titled) is as follows: ''1st Mandolin'' Robert Thornhill - Concertmaster Aaron Shows James Nichols ''2nd Mandolin'' Morgan Dowdy - Principal Taylor Hall Joey Nelson ''Mandola'' Logan Yates - Principal Collin Taylor Joey McElvy Wilson Franklin ''Mandocello'' Collin Taylor ''Guitar'' Mark Edwards - Principal Joel Littlepage Ruddy Thompson Scott Redding Travis Manuel ''Plectrum Banjo'' Joey McElvy ''Contrabass Guitar'' Alesia Davidson ''Percussion'' Aaron Shows - Drums Joel Littlepage - Egg Shaker EXTERNAL LINKS
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