The Spanish Students, a group of five guitars, nine mandolins and a violin, gave several highly acclaimed performances in Canada in 1880 and 1882. They appeared on stage in picturesque costumes, offering a show in which curiosity gave way to unreserved admiration.

Towards the end of the 19th century in Montreal, Sir Wilfrid and Zoé Laurier were part of a social circle of musicians and artists. Playing an active role in the development of the French-Canadian musical movement, the Lauriers supported artistic initiatives such as the Cercle Mélodique, a mandolin orchestra composed exclusively of women under the direction of W. Gagnon.

When the mandolin isn't taught in a convent or college, we have to rely on the initiative of a network of private teachers who advertise extensively in newspapers. Public events for teachers and their students are numerous, with performances in salons, at fairs or during the intermissions of plays.