The Sarasota Mandolin Orchestra (SMO) consists of 14-members and plays music arranged for 1st and 2nd mandolin, mandola, mando-cello, guitar, bass dorma, percussion and voice. Led by Music Director Joseph Spinella, the SMO's repertoire focuses on the best in traditional mandolin orchestra music (waltzes, tangos, marches and polkas) plus light classical, modern, Italian and Latin numbers.

Members of the SMO span various age groups, come from all walks of life and enjoy diverse occupations. Yet, they are bound together by a desire to promote the mandolin and to keep traditional music alive.

“Mandolin orchestras have been quite popular in Europe, especially Italy. So this program that we have planned for the Italian Club of Venice is full of traditional pieces written specifically for plucked-instrument orchestras,” explains Joseph Spinella, the conductor since 2010.

In addition to conducting, Spinella also performs a few songs, such as “Funiculi Funicula” and the perennial favorite, “O Sole Mio,” as part of the show.

The Italian American Club of Venice is proud to have Maestro Joseph Spinella back again for this season. Spinella is a classically trained tenor soloist and performer, offering a diversified repertoire including opera, classical crossover, musical theater, light jazz and romantic songs. He is a tenor of the millenium and is best known for his charismatic live performances.

His current album, Spinella Tenor of Illusions, is available on both Amazon.com and iTunes. Backed by the Emmy-award winning, Macedonia Radio Symphony Orchestra, this all-Italian album contains 13 songs and displays Spinella's mastery of bell'arte del canto.

Additionally, Spinella premiered his classical music and magic show, illusionAria™, last March and is preparing for tour. The music was orchestrated with the Emmy-awarding Macedonia Radio Symphony; and music from the show can be found in the album ‘Tenor of Illusions,’ which is available on Amazon and iTunes.

“It’s a bit of multi-tasking,” Spinella says, “rehearsing illusionAria and working with the Sarasota Mandolin Orchestra, but it is very energizing at the same time. The gentle tones from the strings actually support and highlight the voice. Audiences seem to enjoy this interplay of singer, conductor and orchestra; so we make it fun.”

“One of my goals is to keep this traditional music alive and introduce the mandolin orchestra to new generations of audiences,” he continues laughingly. “So, I am posting to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest all the time.”

The Italian American Club of Venice looks forward to sponsoring this mandolin orchestra concert as part of their mission and goals. In addition to their charitable acts and community support, the club wants to foster and encourage knowledge of the language, art, culture and history of Italy, and to foster an understanding of that cultural heritage in our country. This is the fourth year that the Italian American Club of Venice has sponsored this program.

The Italian American Club is located at 1375 Ringling Dr, Venice, FL. The concert starts at 7 pm.