About the Mandolin:
In Western North Carolina, the mandolin is probably best known as a bluegrass instrument. One of the goals of my trio, Musica Nostra, is to present the mandolin in other settings, including reprising its American heyday in the early 20th Century. Full mandolin orchestras, with mandolins, mandolas, mando-cellos, guitars, and basses or mando-basses were popular, playing a wide range of music from popular American songs of the day, to classical pieces including opera themes, to traditional music of Italy, Latin America, and the Mediterranean region.
Left to Right: 1912 Gibson F-4 mandolin, 1909 Gibson A4 mandolin, 1910 Gibson H-1 mandola, 1913 Gibson K-1 Mando-cello
An early mandolin orchestra