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Would you like the beautiful sound of a live mandolin orchestra for your
function?
The Munier Mandolin Orchestra is available!
Please contact
Charles Dugan
for booking information!
Meanwhile, please enjoy a selection from our library
of downloadable recordings!
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Announcing Munier's First New Recording in 40 Years!
Click on the picture above to buy our NEW CD!
Here's a sample track:
Play Sample Track
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For more than half a century, the Munier Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra has promoted classical mandolin music
in the City of Brotherly Love. The Munier Orchestra was established in 1957, when two smaller ensembles - one
from South Philly and one from Northeast Philly - united under the baton of Dr. Joseph Tiracchia. Tiracchia had
a direct link with the Golden Age of the classical mandolin. His father was a student and personal acquaintance
of the two foremost mandolin virtuosos and composers of that era: Raffaele Calace and Carlo Munier, for whom the
orchestra is named.
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For more than three decades, the Munier Orchestra flourished under the leadership of Tiracchia. The orchestra
produced three LP recordings featuring a diverse musical selection, ranging from the virtuosic compositions of
Munier and Calace to traditional Italian favorites, many of which were arranged for the orchestra by Tiracchia.
As one of the foremost regional ambassadors of the Italian-American cultural tradition, the Munier Orchestra
maintained a high profile. In 1976, Munier played a role in the nation's Bicentennial Celebration, performing
in concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra to celebrate the city's musical heritage.
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When Dr. Tiracchia passed away in 1990, Chris Ianni - a mandolin and mandola virtuoso and charter member of
Munier - assumed the baton. Ianni led the group until his death in 2007. Robert Henry served as Munier's conductor
from 2007 until 2011. Mark Linkins currently serves as Munier's musical director.
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Across the decades, the Munier Orchestra has had the privilege of hosting concert performances with the prominent
international mandolin soloists of the day, including Howard Frye, Guiseppe Annedda, Carlo de Filippis, and, most
recently, Chris Acquavella.
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While the Munier Orchestra respects and honors its ethnic Italian origins, the ensemble is currently expanding
its repertoire to celebrate the role of the mandolin (and other plucked string instruments) across diverse cultural
traditions, from Brazilian choro to American Bluegrass.
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The Munier Orchestra is proud to count two charter members - Vince Varano and Elaine Peden - among its current membership.
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