Michigan Mandolin Orchestra Christmas Concert

Michigan Mandolin Orchestra

Led by Brian Oberlin, “Michigan’s Mandoliner,” the Michigan Mandolin Orchestra has been bringing its eclectic sound to venues across Michigan since 2019.

The MMO plays an incredibly diverse lineup including classical treasures, Italian and Irish folk songs, and an occasional rock anthem, as well as original compositions by Oberlin and orchestra members Bob Phillips and Fred Willson. Their repertoire includes everything from Schubert, Bach and Beethoven to Danny Elfman, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

The orchestra’s 14 members are professional musicians, music teachers, arrangers, composers, and musical hobbyists. They perform their music on mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, mandocellos, guitars and contrabass, with some orchestra members adept at several of the instruments.

The Michigan Mandolin Orchestra is part of a musical tradition that dates back to 1878, when a mandolin orchestra performed at the Paris World’s Fair and kicked off a global mandolin orchestra craze that lasted 40 years. Before the mandolin mania died out during the Jazz Age, there were hundreds of mandolin orchestras performing across the U.S.

Although the mandolin orchestra era has been largely forgotten, it has seen a resurgence in recent decades. The Michigan Mandolin Orchestra is one of more than 40 formal mandolin orchestras actively performing in the country.

12/13/2024 7:30 PM

Door Time: 7:00 PM

Other Showtimes

Join the Grand Rapids-based Michigan Mandolin Orchestra in their 6th season as they perform the 2024 Christmas Concert.  The MMO, a sixteen piece orchestra with mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, guitars and bass is led by Michigan’s mandoliner Brian Oberlin. A highlight of the concert is the second movement of Antonin Dvorak's String Quartet #12 and Leroy Anderson’s masterfully orchestrated medley, A Christmas Festival.  The orchestra will also delve into Christmas favorites that swing and sing-a-along like Jingle Bells and a medley of Vince Guaraldi as well as in-house arrangements from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra;  Christmas Eve and Wizards in Winter.  Like all MMO concerts, there will be plenty of music with smaller chamber groups and solo pieces by music director, Brian Oberlin.


Doors: 7:00PM | Show: 7:30PM

Location: Golden Age above Creston Taproom

PLEASE NOTE: Golden Age will offer full bar service, a limited appetizer menu, and concessions. Please allow extra time to eat full dinner service in our taproom before the show! Tickets at the door will be $25 + tax. 

Michigan Mandolin Orchestra

Led by Brian Oberlin, “Michigan’s Mandoliner,” the Michigan Mandolin Orchestra has been bringing its eclectic sound to venues across Michigan since 2019.

The MMO plays an incredibly diverse lineup including classical treasures, Italian and Irish folk songs, and an occasional rock anthem, as well as original compositions by Oberlin and orchestra members Bob Phillips and Fred Willson. Their repertoire includes everything from Schubert, Bach and Beethoven to Danny Elfman, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

The orchestra’s 14 members are professional musicians, music teachers, arrangers, composers, and musical hobbyists. They perform their music on mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, mandocellos, guitars and contrabass, with some orchestra members adept at several of the instruments.

The Michigan Mandolin Orchestra is part of a musical tradition that dates back to 1878, when a mandolin orchestra performed at the Paris World’s Fair and kicked off a global mandolin orchestra craze that lasted 40 years. Before the mandolin mania died out during the Jazz Age, there were hundreds of mandolin orchestras performing across the U.S.

Although the mandolin orchestra era has been largely forgotten, it has seen a resurgence in recent decades. The Michigan Mandolin Orchestra is one of more than 40 formal mandolin orchestras actively performing in the country.