The 1930s and 1940s

The Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra flourished until 1929, when it lapsed into a period of inactivity. This was most likely due to a combination of the Great Depression and the unfortunate waning of interest in the mandolin in general throughout the country.

But in 1938 Conrad Gebelein started up the orchestra again. Some of the members of this new BMO had previously played in a mandolin orchestra that Mr. Gebelein directed at a Baltimore girls' school. This now smaller BMO gave concerts in Baltimore in 1940 and 1941. Mr. Gebelein's Hawaiian Troupe still played with the orchestra, and concerts continued to feature varied solo performances.

After the United States entered World War II in December 1941 the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra disbanded again, and Mr. Gebelein did not attempt to revive it after the war. He had many other music-related responsibilities, which included serving as music director at Johns Hopkins University, conducting a full-fledged civic symphony orchestra in Baltimore and teaching at his two music studios.

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