We are so excited to announce the David Surette Mandolin Festival at the Concord Community Music School on May 6 and 7, 2023. David Surette started the festival more than 20 years ago as a Saturday of workshops. It has since grown into a two-day event, with four teachers offering workshops, jam sessions, a popular Q & A roundtable, and a Saturday night concert. In addition, there is a Friday night concert with the same performers at The Dance Hall in Kittery, Maine.

We lost David in December of 2021. David was dubbed the festival’s Zen shepherd by instructor Will Patton, for his kind and steady hand, always leading without seeming to lead. We have renamed the gathering The David Surette Mandolin Festival in his honor. Over the years, this celebration has become a fun and supportive community of players, in large part thanks to David’s welcoming style. A collaborative spirit — between performers, Music School staff, participants and volunteers — has always pervaded the festival, inspired by David’s example.

So many wonderful instructors have come through over the years. As always, we have a fine line-up of teachers to carry you through many styles and levels of ability, whether you are a beginner or a more seasoned player.

Instructors for the 2023 David Surette Mandolin Festival 2023:
Californian Marla Fibish is known for her fluid and beautiful mandolin and mandola playing, in both her original tunes and those in the Irish repertoire.
Skip Gorman is one of the country’s leading teachers and players of Bill Monroe-style bluegrass mandolin, a masterful cowboy singer and fiddler.
Newfoundland native Keith Murphy is a treasure trove of songs and tunes of Eastern Canada, as well as original tunes, all played in his lyrical and rhythmic style.
Steve Roy plays in a wide variety of styles on mandolin, bass, guitar and ukulele. Drive, enthusiasm and improvisation are hallmarks of his playing.

David Surette’s wife and playing partner of 35 years Susie Burke and their daughters Isa and Julianna Burke are helping organize this event, will perform at both concerts and be there to lend a hand, musically and otherwise, throughout the weekend.

There will be workshops on Saturday and Sunday for all levels on things like specific styles and skills, waltzes, how to play tasty back-up songs, and more. As always, a set of group tunes will be sent out in advance for you to work on for us to play together. The Saturday concert is included with your fee for the weekend.

Saturday, May 6 – Participatory workshops and jams, 10:00 am-5:00pm