Our friend (and occasional correspondent) Tara Linhardt has asked us to remind everyone about the Guinness World Record attempt for Largest Mandolin Ensemble, set to be held during the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, VA in August.
Regular readers may recall that Tara organized an attempt at Galax back in 2012, which was successful with a total of 389 mando-pickers, beating the previous record held by a German ensemble. Then a group from Crete took the title with 414, and Tara is determined to bring it home to Galax this year.
The attempt will be made on Tuesday, August 4, and the limiting factor is more likely to be the number of mandolins available than the number of willing players. So Tara is asking that everyone planning to be at Galax for the week please bring along an extra mandolin or two. They don’t need to be high grade instruments, just solid enough to either pick out a simple melody, or chord in tune.
Even if you don’t play at all, having a mandolin in tow will allow someone else to play it for the record attempt. Ask your friends if you can borrow theirs if they won’t be attending, and drag it along to Felts Park.
You don’t have to be a skilled or experienced mandolinist to take part, either. All participants must simply be able to play a simple version of the following four tunes:
- Soldier’s Joy (D)
- Angeline The Baker (D)
- Cripple Creek (A)
- Old Joe Clark (A)
Admission for Tuesday is just $6, and any help in breaking the established record will be greatly appreciated. Registration for the record attempt will begin at 1:00 p.m., with the actual proceedings starting at 2:00.
A Facebook page has been established as a point of communications about the Guinness attempt.
Tell a friend, and bring a mandolin!
