Residents of Bridgetown and surrounds can expect a very different musical experience when the West Australian Mandolin Orchestra visits next month.
The orchestra, which last year celebrated its 40th year of making music, will perform at the Bridgetown Repertory Theatre on Saturday, March 11.
Over the years, the self-funded community ensemble has made a point of visiting country centres to enable those living outside the Perth metropolitan area to enjoy its unique repertoire.
These have included Geraldton, Busselton, Margaret River, Bunbury, Toodyay, Northam, York, Albany and, last year, Mukinbudin.
Many of the orchestra members have been overseas participating in international mandolin festivals and they are expected to do so again in 2018.
Organisers say residents of Bridgetown and surrounds will be able to hear a concert with a “very eclectic range of pieces”.
These include ragtime and contemporary works.
Nearly all of the orchestra’s repertoire is music written specifically for its instruments.
In fact, the orchestra prides itself on boasting a library of over 600 scores.
Two soloists will feature in the Bridgetown program.
David Clarke, formerly of Port Hedland, will play several works on mandolin with guitar accompaniment.
Kathryn Kenny will sing a medley of Australian folk songs in a work entitled A Dark History.
Some Greek, Spanish and Eastern European works will fill in the colourful program.
Tickets available at the visitor centre and at the door.
