Take a musical trip around the globe when the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra brings its latest show to Geelong.
Music From Around the World collects the music of a host of nations and cultures, from South America to Japan and Yugoslavia.
The ensemble, which has been bringing mandolin music to audiences for more than half a century, also features mandolas, mandocellos, guitars and double bass, as well as guest solo spots from rising star clarinettist Anna Yamzaki and conductor Juliette Maxwell on the accordion.
Geelong’s Donna Kerslake, who leads the orchestra’s guitar section, joined the ensemble as a child.
“My mother was from Holland; she played mandolin and joined the orchestra, so I started playing guitar at the age of nine,” she said.
“I’ve been playing ever since with the orchestra. My husband does too, he learned as a child in the UK.
“We come from all over the place, we’re quite multicultural. We have amateur musicians as well as professional musicians, we have doctors, lawyers, architects, housewives and students. So it’s really quite a nice community orchestra, it’s like a big family.”
Kerslake said it was “terrific” to be able to perform with the orchestra in her home town.
“I love the gigs in Geelong because all my friends and work buddies come,” she said.
“I work in aged care so I’ve got a busload of residents coming, and they’re all very excited. This concert has been handpicked for Geelong… it will be a really nice, joyous afternoon of music.”
The Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra is at Wesley Uniting Church on Sunday, June 15 from 2.30pm. Visit trybooking.com/events/landing/1397560 for tickets and more information.
