Welcome to Marilynn’s webpage!

By Marilynn | Published: October 17, 2024

For over four decades Marilynn Mair has played music across the globe, released two dozen solo and ensemble recordings, published four method books, written countless columns, and taught as a Professor of Music at Roger Williams University. She has dedicated herself to establishing the mandolin as an instrument of importance, for her lifetime and the future. Learn from her journey here. para portugues… Read More »

Posted October 17th, 2024

Events • In Concert

Enigmatica takes the stage!

By Marilynn | Published: October 17, 2024

Enigmatica will once again be performing as part of the amazing “Bach to the Future” 12-hour marathon that begins on Friday, November 1, from 7:00 PM and runs until 7:00 AM on Saturday, November 2. Featuring music written by or inspired by Bach. When we have a performing slot I’ll post the time (we’ll definitely be before 9:00 PM), but the whole show is amazing! More Info

Enigmatica will also give our annual December concert at the wonderful intimate concert hall of the Bay Springs Community Center in Barrington, Rhode Island on Sunday December 8 at 2:00 PM. Info here.

Come join us to hear tunes from our CDs and music for the winter holidays. And you can pick up some CDs at special concert discount prices for holiday giving!

Posted October 17th, 2024

Enigmatica’s new CD gets rave review!

By Marilynn | Published: August 2, 2024

Read the review of Enigmatica’s new CD, The Road Less Traveled, in the August issue of the CMSA’s Mandolin Journal!

Posted August 2nd, 2024

Great reviews for my newest book and CD!

By Marilynn | Published: February 5, 2024

The Classical Mandolin Society of America’s Journal just came out, and I’m the Featured Review! (Click for the full review) It ends with the quote:

“Marilynn Mair is truly a master of “silver linings.” I believe that it is only a matter of time until Mair’s collections – Nocturnes for Vincent, Etudes en couleurs, and Fantasia in dialogue –become part of the plucked string canon.”

Nice to have my compositions recognized and appreciated!

Posted February 5th, 2024

AMGuSS 2024 is in the books!

By Marilynn | Published: January 12, 2024

We will soon know the dates for AMGuSS 2025. This will be our penultimate year! You’ll find more information on the week, and our great faculty HERE.

I’ll let ypou know when Registration is open. Enrollment is limited to 35 students, so once we give the word — don’t delay!

Posted January 12th, 2024

YouTube Live: AMGuSS w/ Choro das 3 in 2023

By Marilynn | Published: September 1, 2023

Choro das 3 were our AMGuSS Guest Artists in 2023. During the week they included many of us in their weekly YouTube Live broadcast. After AMGuSS they stayed with me for a bit and included Paul and me in the next week’s broadcast. You can see those two weeks here: AMGuSS w/ Choro das 3 and Choro das 3 at Marilynn’s. The AMGuSS one gives an interesting look at the small ensemble choro groups and some folks from the open mic and the late-night jams. Enjoy!

Posted September 1st, 2023

Marilynn’s new book is out ~ print and digital!

By Marilynn | Published: May 18, 2023

Order your copy from Mel Bay, here!

In this 3rd volume of The Complete Mandolinist series, Marilynn Mair presents over 60 of her original compositions, works for mandolin solo and duo, mandolin with guitar, Choro leadsheets, and mandolin ensembles.

Pieces range from moderate to advanced, with most lying between those two parameters. Marilynn’s works show her original compositional style: lively, quirky, heartfelt, and colorful. Years of performing, recording, and arranging give her pieces a classical feel but with a modern twist. Check out the new fun music on the block! The book also includes download of over an hour of Marilynn’s performances.

Posted May 18th, 2023

Silver Lining & Natural History for sale

By Marilynn | Published: October 25, 2022

You can now buy Marilynn’s new CD and Enigmatica’s new CD right from this page! Click on the icons in the right-hand column to take you to the track listings, listening samples, and purchasing link.

Posted October 25th, 2022

6 on Bandcamp

By Marilynn | Published: October 10, 2022

I’ve now got all 6 of my solo CDs up on Bandcamp. Check it out! If you live outside the USA, this is where you can order a CD. If you prefer to download the music rather than buy an actual CD, that can happen on Bandcamp. You can even get a discount to download all 6! You can also listen to the CDs there.

Posted October 10th, 2022

Enigmatica – check out the update!

By Marilynn | Published: September 21, 2022

Enigmatica has a new look and has increased from 8 to 9 players, adding a 7-string guitar. Check out the page update here!

 

Posted September 21st, 2022

    • “Smudging the lines between folk and classical is an intrepid endeavor… Mair’s a superb mandolin player who has brought the instrument to unexpected places…” – Jim Macnie, The Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair has always had the keen ability to balance classical mandolin traditions and repertoire, while constantly breaking new musical ground…a superb and versatile mandolinist and composer.” – – Butch Baldassari, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Mair travels by mandolin to Brazil and brilliance… her commitment to the music shines through.” – Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal

    • “Stepping back to the 18th-century masterworks gave her the opportunity to highlight her technique with a fresh light… her playing is thoughtful, vibrant and a delight to listen to.” — Terence Pender, Mandolin Quarterly (USA)

    • “She’s a fabulous player with a wonderfully clear and lyrical sound.” – The Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

    • “Mair displays an exceptionally gifted approach to this music, using her formidable mandolin technique with grace and sensitivity… It’s the next best thing to a trip to Rio.” – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair performs Brazilian mandolin music… she plays the mandolin as an instrument for all occasions.” – Vaughn Watson, The Providence Journal (USA)

    • “Bring a talented ensemble of gifted musicians together playing some of the great concertos and chamber music pieces of the 1700s, present the extraordinary classical mandolinist Marilynn Mair front and center, and you have a rare combination of the right musicians performing the right music at the right time.” – David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair é uma bandolinista americana de formação erudita” — Paulo Eduardo Neves, Agenda do Samba Choro (Brasil)

    • “Mair is unstoppable… capable of evoking any landscape, past or present, you’d care to conjure.” – Mike Caito, Providence Phoenix (USA)

    • “Marilynn Mair on mandolin…touches the deepest and most engaging reaches of the ancient and passionate ‘Latin soul’.” – Carlos Agudelo, Billboard Magazine

    • “A lovely concert! We estimate your spell-bound and enthusiastic audience at close to 1800 people…” – Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors (USA)

    • “The final repeat of the melody transmitted a strong feeling of peace and tenderness that escaped no one in the audience. It is this sensitivity and subtleness that characterized the overall performance.” – Brian Hodel, Guitar Review (USA)

    • “A brilliant concert from beginning to end…The performance was extraordinary.” – La Rioja (Spain)

    • “A sparkling concert… absolutely brilliant!” – Guitar Magazine (England)

    • “Marilynn Mair acquits herself very well indeed, a most accomplished player, able to deal with the many intricacies the repertoire demands of her.” – Chris Kilvington, Classical Guitar (England)

    • “Marilynn Mair lives up to her reputation as an excellent mandolinist, with clear tone, a beautiful tremolo, and creative expressiveness.” – Zupfmusik Magazin (Germany)