The Concordia Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble comprises about twenty players of mandolin, mandola and guitar. There is also one mandocello and two bass players in the ensemble.

Membership of the ensemble includes both professional and amateur musicians, with a common love of playing plucked instruments together. With no outside funding, the ensemble operates through the voluntary work of its members, committee and their families and friends.

Concordia has been performing since 1978. Its first conductor was the prominent guitarist, John Griffiths, now the head of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music. In 1984, Concordia, under the direction of Frank Mazzitelli, toured Italy, giving concerts in the central and northern cities.

Concordia produced its first CD, ‘Salut d’Amour’ in 1996, followed by ‘Eclectic Collection’ in 1998, ‘Forgotten Dreams’ in 2002 and ‘Flight’ in 2005.
Concordia’s most recent CD is ‘Ringing the Strings’ featuring many new compositions and arrangements by our resident composer, Michelle Nelson.
Concordia performs about five times a year at many venues around Melbourne and regional Victoria. The ensemble’s repertoire includes classical, contemporary and popular music.

We rehearse every Wednesday night in East Malvern and new members are very welcome.