The CMSA Commissioning Project

In 2021 the CMSA Board embarked on a commissioning project with the intention of collaborating with artists to create new and varied works for mandolin ensembles to further foster inclusive environments, both for members of plucked-string orchestras and their audiences.  We shared our goals with composers with diverse backgrounds and approaches to composition in order to produce novel compositions for mandolin ensembles.

Chamber music for the mandolin extends back to the Baroque era and includes a rich repertoire of works for mandolin and guitar. The 20th century saw an expansion of the types of works for mandolin as the family of mandolin instruments diversified to include the mandola and mandocello. Today, mandolin orchestras can be found across the globe in Germany, Japan, Australia and the United States. In addition, various plucked folkloric ensembles of instruments have strong cultural associations such as Russian balalaika and domra ensembles, Spanish bandurria ensembles, and ensembles performing Filipino rondalla music.  It is not uncommon for these ensembles to incorporate solo instruments or voice, or other instruments such as percussion.

Our intent is that the composers who chose to join us in this project will use their own compositional voice and create works for mandolin orchestra or chamber ensembles that might include electronics, other instruments or aspects of world music or jazz.  We encouraged our partner composers not to focus on virtuosic works, but rather music that is playable by mandolinists of modest ability. 

The resulting commissions further broaden the music for mandolin ensembles with works from composers from varied backgrounds and with innovative approaches to composition.  Furthermore, we believe the commissions demonstrate the who, how, where, and why the CMSA community plays music.

Please join us in the musical mission by studying and performing some of the works below that CMSA has commissioned.