Save the date for the 2026 Mandolin Festival on March 6 – 8, 2026
Keeping this festival and the wonderful community David built over 20 years going is an act of love for him, done by and for each one of us. Whether you are new to the festival or a long-time picker, thanks so much for being a part of it. Saturday and Sunday’s two days of workshops start at 9:30 at the Concord NH Community Music School. There are classes each period for beginners to advanced levels, and each teacher will offer something for each level so you will get to be with every teacher by the end of the weekend.
INSTRUCTORS
We are excited to announce our 2026 lineup for the David Surette March Mandolin Festival!
Glen Loper is a mandolin and tenor banjo player and teacher living in Portland, ME. Best known in the contra dance world, Glen brings his lively and exuberant playing to dances, festivals, and camps across the Northeast and beyond with bands including Stomp Rocket and Frigate. He plays Irish, New England and Quebecois tunes and styles, among others. He also is a longtime teacher at Maine Fiddle Camp, where he and David Surette taught together and annually took over the stage for “Maine Mandolin Camp”! We’re thrilled to have Glen back at the festival again!
We’re so excited to have Chris Moore at the festival for the first time this year! Chris returned to his home state of Maine in 2013 to work as the Director of Music Education for 317 Main Community Music Center in Yarmouth. He plays and teaches a variety of music styles including traditional Shaker music, English country dance music, and bluegrass. Chris is also a songwriter whose songs have been recorded and performed by Adrienne Young, Mark Erelli, Rani Arbo, Dennis Brennan, Joe K. Walsh and others.
We have another wonderful new instructor this year in Noah Fishman! Noah is a performer, composer, and educator rooted in Maine. At home on a number of stringed instruments including mandolin, bass, and guitar, Noah is known for his instrumental creativity and fluid improvisation across folk, chamber, and jazz styles. Noah has played across the United States and Europe with his own projects and with bands like Frigg, Alisa Amador, and Mike Block Trio. He also writes music for film and television and teaches at music camps.
And lastly, we’re so thrilled to have our longtime friend Steve Roy back at the festival. A multi-instrumentalist who plays and teaches mandolin, bass, guitar, fiddle, and ukulele, Steve is fluent in a wide array of musical styles, including bluegrass, jazz, folk, jam, country, old-time, and rock. Steve is a member of Old Hat Stringband, and has been a sideman with many national and local acts. He regularly teaches at many music camps. Steve was one of David’s dearest friends and favorite musical collaborators, and we’re so glad he’s returning to the festival this year!
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, March 6 – David Surette Mandolin Festival Kickoff Concert at Kittery Dance Hall
Featuring Mandolin Festival Instructors with special guests Susie, Isa and Julianna Burke. https://www.thedancehallkittery.org/ (note: this is a separate ticket from Saturday and Sunday events at the Music School).
Saturday, March 7 – Participatory workshops and jams, 9:30 am-5:00pm
(all Saturday and Sunday events at the Concord Community Music School, Concord, NH)
Saturday, March 7 – David Surette Mandolin Festival Concert, 7:30pm
Featuring Mandolin Festival Instructors with special guests Susie Isa and Julianna Burke. Admission included for Festival participants; general admission tickets for others available for through the Music School. Tickets will be available for purchase in January 2026.
Sunday, March 8 – Workshops 9:30am-1:00pm
REGISTRATION for the weekend workshops will be available online in January 2026. For questions regarding registration, please contact us at 603-228-1196 or email Director of Student Services Nicole Laurin at nlaurin@ccmusicschool.org.
LODGING
Lodging is available at the Hampton Inn in Bow, New Hampshire, with a special festival rate of $94 per night. Please book by February 6, 2026 by using the following link: Book your group rate for Concord Community Music School Mandolin Festival
And as always, we will be offering the option to order a delicious lunch to be delivered to the school on Saturday for an additional fee. Coffee, tea and afternoon cookies will be freely provided.
