Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra

The Friends of the Cranford Public Library are very pleased to welcome back the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra. The Orchestra is currently celebrating its 74th season. The origins of the Orchestra go back to 1941, when a group of six New Jersey musicians met in the backroom of a barbershop to discuss their dream of forming a mandolin orchestra. In 1945 they formed the Orange and Vicinities Mandolin Society, under the direction of Elia Ciricillo; in the 1960s, members of four different mandolin orchestras merged to form the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra. The Orchestra is made up of volunteer musicians from northern and central New Jersey and is the last one of its kind in the state. Admission to the program is free and all are welcome.