The Mandolin Symposium Philosophy

The Mandolin Symposium – Our First Decade!

This year we’re celebrating our 10th year at the Mandolin Symposium — bringing together mandolin masters and students from all over the world for a unique and exciting musical experience. Our purpose is to expose mandolin players at every level to the diversity of repertoire and technique that has developed here in America and throughout the world.

The Mandolin Symposium bridges the gap between the traditional folk music approach to learning and more systematic methods of studying the wide range of mandolin styles found in today’s musical landscape. For nearly a decade, our students’ quest for mandolin knowledge has inspired us to offer new and exciting challenges each year. Our curriculum covers in-depth explorations of various mandolin styles, including Bluegrass, Jazz and Swing, Classical, Celtic, Latin and Dawg music.

Our Instructors

We are pleased to, once again, have a stellar line-up of instructors. In addition to founding directors David Grisman and Mike Marshall, we are joined by Adam Steffey (9-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year), Don Stiernberg (Jazz and Swing maestro), and Chris Acquivella (Classical instructor extraordinaire). We’re also excited to have Don Julin, author of “Mandolin for Dummies,” who will preside over classes for beginners. And this year we will again feature special guest instructors — Marla Fibish (Celtic), Frank Solivan (Contemporary Bluegrass), Eric Thompson (Old Time and Blues), and Radim Zenkl (International) who will join us for part of the week. Other guest mandolinists will be added as they become available.

Our Curriculum

Each day begins with a Music Appreciation session that explores the history, the players and the roots of contemporary mandolin music and styles. Next, two periods of electives are offered for players of all styles and levels. Instructors lead ensembles, which rehearse daily in the final period for a possible performance on the last evening. David Grisman and Mike Marshall will also arrange two pieces for the Symposium orchestra (all students and instructors), which will also rehearse during part of this last period. Nightly performances by various instructors and supervised late night jams round out each mandolin-filled day.

The Mandolin Symposium provides a well-rounded program for all styles, levels and interests. Students come away inspired with an overview of the current state of the art of the mandolin as well as the history of this most glorious of instruments. We hope you’ll join us for another exciting symposium!

The Mandolin Symposium is held on the beautiful campus of the University of California, Santa Cruz, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Registration Costs includes tuition, campus housing, and all meals.