Still Going Strong!

David T. Evans, who had been a member of the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra since 1984, succeeded Benjamin Durant as director on short notice in 1986. He has conducted the orchestra ever since. Mr. Evans has played the mandolin since 1974. He studied classical guitar and music education at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.

The orchestra has grown in size and matured musically under Mr. Evans' leadership, and it has received many favorable reviews of its performances in recent years. Since 1994 Italian-born soprano Beatrice Gilbert has contributed her show-stopping vocal talents to the orchestra's performances.

The current BMO is very fortunate to count among its members a handful of professional musicians who add immeasurably to the orchestra's stature. Their contributions include composing original pieces for the orchestra, arranging and orchestrating pieces for mandolin orchestra and performing as soloists or as members of smaller mandolin ensembles.