It was on 10 April 1980 when the "Mülheimer Zupforchester" (MZO) was founded by a group of young mandolin and guitar players to interpret modern and historical plucking music appropriately. The aim was to present the results of intensive rehearsing to the general public.

The MZO has always stressed well-founded musical-technical education of the players to reach a versatile interpretation of the works. From the beginning, the education and support of young people was an important duty.

Following a request by the MZO, the subject "Mandolin" was established at the school of music in Mülheim. Since then, qualified members of the MZO have been teaching at this school so that a good cooperation is always guaranteed.

In addition to the musical aims, the members of the orchestra regularly organise tours and various events.

The MZO, which has become well-known to the general public because of TV and radio broadcasts, has succeeded in many competitions of string orchestras. It was, for example, elected the best orchestra of North Rhine Westphalia several times, won nationwide and even international competitions.

In the course of the town's cultural events there are regular concerts. Because of concerts together with the "Collegium Musicum" of Opole/Poland (one of Mülheim's twin towns) and the "Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra" of Australia, the MZO became equally known abroad.

In Europe, the MZO's audience has enjoyed concerts in Switzerland, Poland, France, Italy and the Netherlands just as in different German towns so much, that the orchestra was invited to give further concerts.

The placing of an commissioned composition to the Estonian Raimo Kangro was very important for the artistic work of the MZO. This artist represents the same postmodern style as the even better known Estonian Arvo Pärt.

When Kangro's "Clicking Symphony" was performed in May 1994 for the first time, the audience waxed enthusiastic.