How did it all begin? 

In 1941, a group of six musicians met in the backroom of a local barbershop to discuss their dream of forming a mandolin orchestra. However, their dreams were put aside as our nation prepared to fight in World War II. At the conclusion of the war in 1945, these music pioneers formed the Orange and Vicinities Mandolin Society, under the direction of Elia Ciricillo. In a few years, this group quickly expanded into a sixty-member orchestra.

At the same time, there were four smaller and actively concretizing mandolin ensembles located in the towns of Bloomfield, Montclair, Irvington, and Jersey City. Later on, the Bloomfield Recreation Commission offered free rehearsal space in the Bloomfield Civic Center to all of these New Jersey mandolin groups, which allowed them to artistically collaborate and to further their goal of re-popularizing mandolin playing in their home state.

During the 1950s and early 1960s, increasing losses of older members threatened the existence of the original four smaller mandolin ensembles. The remaining members of these groups decided to merge with the Orange and Vicinities Mandolin Society under the new name of the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra.

When the Bloomfield Recreation Commission decided to finance a novel non-profit performing arts organization called the Bloomfield Federation of Music, the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra joined the effort. The principle of the Federation is simple yet profound - to provide great musical opportunities for the community. Currently, The Federation offers membership in a symphony orchestra, youth band, civic band, civic chorus, and a mandolin orchestra. These groups come together to present a unique year round concert series for the Township of Bloomfield and attract local audience members from across the New York Metropolitan area. The Bloomfield Federation of Music is one of the largest community performing arts organizations in the State of New Jersey and the only "Federation of Music" to exist in the United States.

Since 1998, the Bloomfield Mandolin orchestra has experienced a resurgence of growth and today, the orchestra is comprised of thirty volunteer musicians from northern and central New Jersey and New York State. Current orchestra membership spans three generations and represents a vast cross section of backgrounds and careers.

Our oldest member, mandolinist, Peter Longo of West Orange, New Jersey, has been a member of the orchestra since its founding in 1941 and has assisted as conductor, arranger, and orchestra manager. Also, Mr. Longo has written several poems which he has read at milestone performances for the orchestra throughout the decades.

Our youngest member, Melina Murray, of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, is both an accomplished mandolinist and violinist. Melina is Maestro Emeritus Gabriel L. Nevola's protégé.

The orchestra members truly view themselves as a family and that feeling of camaraderie beautifully flows through all of its performances and touches audience members' hearts. Under Gabriel L. Nevola's direction for thirty seven years, the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra amassed an extensive repertoire, which includes traditional Italian and American songs, opera and Broadway selections, classical and jazz pieces, and original compositions. The orchestra has also received a dedicated work by Italian American composer Mario Grasso as well as works by Bloomfield, New Jersey composer Bill Simon. Conductor Gabriel L. Nevola specially arranged many musical selections, which are amongst his orchestra members' favorites.

The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra has been privileged to work with and to feature the greatest mandolin and guitar virtuosi of the twentieth century, including Tamara Volskaya, "The Paganini of the Domra," Anatoly Trofimov, bayanist, and the Russian Carnival Ensemble, Duo Capriccioso (Getrud Troster, mandolinist, and Michael Troster, guitarist), Carlo Aonzo, mandolinist, and Barry Mitterhoff, mandolinist.

The orchestra welcomes its new Maestro and looks forward to many successful and exciting future programs and collaborations. Special thanks to Tom Lleshaj and Daniele Brenca (see bios) for writing new arrangements especially for the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra and performing with the orchestra.

The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra is the last remaining of this genre in the state of New Jersey. The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra is dedicated to preserving the tradition of mandolin playing and welcomes players of all levels to join. Rehearsals, which are open to the public, take place every Tuesday evening from 7:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. in the basement of the Bloomfield Civic Center, located at 84 Broad Street.

Rehearsals start the first week of September and end the second week of May. In particular, the orchestra is looking for additional players of the lower instruments of the mandolin family (mandola and mandocello) and acoustic guitar. For more information on how to join the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra, please contact Maestro Enrico Granafei at enrimus@aol.com.

The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra is sponsored by the Bloomfield Federation of Music under the auspices of the Bloomfield Recreation Commission, Anthony Nesto, Director, and is a recognized member of the CSMA (Classical Mandolin Society of America).