Fretworks Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra
The brainchild of the critically acclaimed classical guitarist and banjo and lute performer Douglas Back, Fretworks Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra was the first public-school-affiliated mandolin youth ensemble in America. The orchestra, based in Montgomery, Alabama, consisted of an ever morphing lineup of 13-18 year olds over several years who represented the most talented musicians at the Baldwin Arts and Academic Magnet School as well as talented alumni. The ensemble utilized several unconventional instruments including the mandola, mandocello, classical banjo, tenor banjo, and octave mandolin in addition to the more conventional mandolin and classical guitar. Due to their unique position as a one-of-a-kind ensemble and through the careful guidance of Back, the group achieved moderate success and notoriety in the mandolin and classical guitar worlds and regularly performed at music festivals around the country. In addition to such performances, Fretworks also recorded a total of three albums over the course of its life including El Cumbanchero, Cathedral Hill, and a self titled CD released in 2003 featuring a suite composed by the composer John Goodin as well as a "Divertimento for Mandolin Orchestra" composed by Lynette Morse, both of which being specifically written for the group. Perhaps, however, the most notable achievement attained by the ensemble was the 2003 performance on the National Public Radio show From the Top which introduced Fretworks to a national radio audience of roughly 25 million people. That show is still in syndication on public radio today. Fretworks is still going strong and has since added 4 and 5 string banjos into the mix of instruments.
Performers
The lineup from the latest album (self-titled) is as follows:
1st Mandolin
Robert Thornhill - Concertmaster
Aaron Shows
James Nichols
2nd Mandolin
Morgan Dowdy - Principal
Taylor Hall
Joey Nelson
Mandola
Logan Yates - Principal
Collin Taylor
Joey McElvy
Wilson Franklin
Mandocello
Collin Taylor
Guitar
Mark Edwards - Principal
Joel Littlepage
Ruddy Thompson
Scott Redding
Travis Manuel
Plectrum Banjo
Joey McElvy
Contrabass Guitar
Alesia Davidson
Percussion
Aaron Shows - Drums
Joel Littlepage - Egg Shaker