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U.S. National Accordion News - 01-Apr-2010
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Highlights

Editor’s Note
Grayson Masefield Tour Dates and Concert Information
Grayson Masefield to Perform in Kansas City on April 18th
World Accordion Day is May 6th!
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
American Accordionists’ Association Festival from July 14-18
Dee Langley Performs with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
2010 ATG 70th Anniversary Celebration July 21-25, 2010
Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund Event on May 2nd in New York
New Work by Karen Fremar Premiers on April 11th
Grayson Masefield in Concert on May 1st in Silver Spring, Maryland
Julien Labro performs with Symphony Orchestra
Julien Labro performs with Symphony Orchestra
Lidia Kaminska to Perform “Rhapsody in Blue” with Orchestra

Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc.

National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention, Dallas
Kevin Friedrich Presents Concert in New Zealand
Dr. William Schimmel, Coffee and Tango
Mario Pedone Releases 3 New CD's
Piano Teachers Meet the Accordion in Kansas
Sign Up for the July 2010 AAA Seminars Moderated by Dr.William Schimmel
Cynthia Cross – what happens when you don’t tell someone they can’t do something?

Future events

Grayson Masefield in Concert on April 24 in NY
Stas Venglevski to Perform in Benefit Concert
48th Annual New England Music Competition and Festival
Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts Hosts Free Roland Accordion Concert
Bruce Gassman to Perform for the WMAS on April 18th
Cory Pesaturo in Jazz Concerts
The Accordion Pops Orchestra Presents Concert on May 2

Over 2,100 titles of eSheet music, sent to you by email, secure server bank online payment

CD Reviews

Jane Christison Releases New Children’s CD

Highlights

Accordion Repairs Made Easy by John Reuther

Editor’s Note

by Rita Barnea

April is an amazing month for the accordion world! As you read the April USA news, you will see a wonderful selection of accordion events.

Make sure you attend at least one of Grayson Masefield’s concerts……..each one to be a unique, memorable, and enjoyable program. He will be traveling throughout the USA to present his programs. Be there!

The accordion world has something for everyone…………jazz, orchestras, premieres of new works{Karen Fremar}, seminars, conventions, festivals…….and more! Read this month’s news to find out.

Remember that World Accordion Day is approaching………register your accordion event!
Spring is here to enjoy……………….and so is the accordion!!!!

The Ins and Outs of the Accordion by famous accordion repairer and tuner Thierry Benetoux

Grayson Masefield Tour Dates and Concert Information

by Rita Barnea

1. Sunday, April 11, 2010 -Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM), Boston

2. Sunday, April 18, 2010- Unity on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Missouri For more information: vivant@vivantsound.com

3. Saturday, April 24, 2010- 8 PM at the Ann Goodman recital Hall at Kaufman Center, 129 West 67th Street, New York. Tickets are $25/ person; Students and seniors are $20. For more information: aaa1938@aol.com or 203-335-2045

4. Sunday, April 25, 2010 - Connecticut Accordion Association, Connecticut. More info: 203-335-2045

5. Tuesday, April 27, 2010- Mt.Vernon Senior Citizens Center at the Armory. For further information: call Dr.Sal Febbraio 914-664-2455

6. Thursday April 29th, concert, Fairhaven Community Center, Sykesville, Maryland. Sponsored by Joan Grauman and Stella Allison, Private event.

7. Saturday, May 1, 2010 - Concert, Silver Spring, MD sponsored by Dan & Joan Grauman.For further information: joangrauman@comcast.net

8. Sunday, May 2, 2010- Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Dinner, New York. For further information: drjciccone@aol.com

To arrange additional concert dates, please contact concert organizer, Faithe Deffner via e-mail: fdeffner@aol.com or the AAA office at AAA1938@aol.com.

Grayson Masefield to Perform in Kansas City on April 18th

by Rita Barnea

Vivant! and World Champion Accordionist, Grayson Masefield of New Zealand, will appear in a joint concert at Unity on the Plaza. This will be Masefield’s only performance in the Midwest on his United States tour and his only appearance with the popular Midwest group, Vivant!

The highly anticipated concert will have something for everyone who appreciates great musical artistry and virtuosic and entertaining accordion at its best. Vivant! will be releasing its second album, Whatever You Do, loaded with commercially interesting works, both originals and covers and Masefield will be releasing his new solo album filled with his dazzling technique and musical artistry. A CD signing event will immediately follow the concert.

All kinds of interesting music for the accordion played by great accordionists will be featured at the Vivant! ~ Grayson Masefield Concert Celebration in Kansas City . Just to drop a few composer’s names—Mozart ~ Richard ~ Semionov ~ Angelis ~ Piazzolla ~ Fremar ~ Otis Redding. That’s right—Otis Redding! In this concert, Mozart will meet Motown. Tango will meet rhythm and blues. CIA Entertainment Champion Masefield will meet CIA Entertainment Champion Fremar. Serious classical concert accordion will meet rocking original accordion. New Zealand will meet Kansas City . It will be fun!

Vivant! members in attached photo:
Vivant! (L-R) Gail Overly, Karen Fremar, Dee Sligar, Sarrah Cantrell, Janne Silfverberg, Julie Silfverberg (seated).

Vivant! and Grayson Masefield will perform in concert on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Unity on the Plaza, 707 West 47th Street, Kansas City, MO. Tickets are $10.00 per person, $5.00 for students with ID. Children 12 and under are free. Free parking is located in the multi-level lot on the west side adjacent to Unity on 47th Street.

For more information about the event go to www.vivantsound.com

World Accordion Day is May 6th!

by Rita Barnea

The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) is pleased to welcome you to World Accordion Day.

Join us during the Month of May, when the CIA will celebrate May 6th, the day the accordion was patented in 1829. Following the successful launching of World Accordion Day in 2009, the CIA will coordinate an annual worldwide celebration, in a unified global crusade to promote the diversity of the accordion and the outstanding artists that play it.

We invite you to join our international tribute to the accordion by holding an accordion event in honor of World Accordion Day on or close to May 6th.

World Accordion Day is a unique opportunity to promote public awareness of the accordion, an instrument without boundaries, one that spans all cultures and musical genres. From a solo performance to a Concerto with a 100 piece Symphony Orchestra, from a Duet or Trio to a 40 piece Accordion Orchestra, from the majestic sounds of the handmade acoustic reeds to the latest in Digital Technology, from newly commissioned original works to dazzling transcriptions of the classics, from Classical to Jazz, from Ethnic to Pop, from the pit orchestra in a Broadway Show to the background music in a TV Commercial, from Tchaikovsky to Gubaidulina, from the tiny diatonic instruments to the multi octave concert models, from the shelves of a Museum to center stage at Carnegie Hall, from private Music Studios to the World's most esteemed Conservatories, there is no limit to where one might find the accordion, or have the opportunity to enjoy the variety of ways in which it is utilized.

Our first World Accordion Day held on 6th May 2009, marked the 180th birthday of the accordion. Please join us for this annual celebration, as accordionists from around the world pay homage to our wonderful instrument. This global event will serve as an exciting means of bringing us together in our efforts to promote and elevate the awareness and status of the accordion!

Please register your World Accordion Day event here so that we can unite in our campaign to promote accordion excellence.

World Accordion Day at a Glance:

What: World Accordion Day
When: 6th May (Concerts and events during the month of May may be dedicated to May 6th)
Why: a unified global effort to celebrate and promote the Accordion
Where: World Wide!
Contact: Harley Jones - CIA Public Relations Officer e-mail: harleyaccordion@yahoo.com

Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA

by Heather Masefield, Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association

I am writing this on the plane flying internationally to Las Vegas for the Octoberfest Las Vegas International from 15th to 18th October at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.

Paul Betken & Jerry Cigler are newly added to a great line up of stars (list below) with lots of great seats still available! Want to hop a plane to come and enjoy this exciting festival?

Newsletter (picture right) with full information: 2018LVACnews.pdf
Picture left: Event organizer Paul Pasquali

The lineup starts with visionary accordionist Cory Pesaturo and bookends with a grand finale starring Grayson Masefield and the International Accordion Orchestra under the direction of the legendary Prof. Joan Sommers.

You can register online at www.AccordionStars.com or contact Paul Pasquali, event organizer, by phone at 1-800-472-1695 or (801) 485-5840, email: paul@accordioninfo.com.

Footer Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival

American Accordionists’ Association Festival from July 14-18

by Rita Barnea

American Accordionists' Association announces that the 2010 AAA Festival will be held at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg, PA from July 14-18 2010. Performances will take place at Hershey Park.

There will be many exciting and fun filled events taking place at the AAA Festival this year including a Press and Squeeze Party on Wednesday evening, a massed band performance at Hershey Park on Thursday followed by a cabaret night on Thursday evening. The Luncheon Concert is scheduled for Friday and the breakfast/meeting on Sunday morning. Performers and workshops leaders will be announced soon.
Read Overview 2010

On Friday morning a unique program will take place: A children’s program with an accordion “petting zoo” and a presentation of the book, “An Accordion! What Is That?” by Karen Malan-Uribe, Joan Grauman and Mary Tokarski. This is the first time that an accordion “petting zoo” will be part of the festival activities. Mary will read the book and perform. Joan will distribute crayons and colored pictures of Buzz Treble, the bee guide in the book. Karen will talk about the creation of the book. Following will be the “petting zoo” in which the children will be able to hold and play a 12 bass accordion!

The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) is delighted to announce that Dr.Emilian Badea will conduct this year’s festival orchestra on Saturday evening, July 17. The orchestra is open to all registered participants and will rehearse at the Festival. There will also be a Junior Orchestra this year for younger performers who may have not had the experience of playing in a group. This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of an accordion orchestra! Music for the Festival Orchestra, Junior Orchestra, and Massed Band will be available online very soon.

Accordionist, bassoonist, musicologist, conductor and educator, Dr. Emilian Badea is a member of the National Music Honor Society “Pi Kappa Lambda”, the International Double Reed Society, the American Accordionists’ Association and the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts. He is on the music faculty of the University of Massachusetts. New School of Music Cambridge and Bookline Music School and maintains his music studio in Natick, MA.

Several important competitions will take place during the festival including: The 2010 Maddalena Belfiore Entertainment Competition for Female Accordionists Competition) the 2010 Elsie Bennett Composition Competition; the 2010 Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Competition; and the 2010 Digital Accordion Competition Rules.

For hotel information: www.sheraton.com/harrsiburg 717-564-5511. Please mention American Accordionists’ Association to get the special room rate: $109 for single, double, triple, and quad.
For further information read Overview 2010 or view the AAA website or email: aaa1938@aol.com

Gary Dahl eSheet music, sent by email, secure bank server system

Dee Langley Performs with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

by Rita Barnea

Donato Cabrera, Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, will make his St.Paul Chamber Orchestra debut conducting two pieces by the composer, Thomas Adès. One of the Adès compositions, Chamber Symphony for 15 Players, Opus 2, features the accordion played by Dee Langley. The performances are April 2 & 3, 8 PM at the Ordway Theater, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Donato Cabrera joined the San Francisco Symphony in 2009 as Assistant Conductor and Wattis Foundation Music Director of the Youth Orchestra. He made his San Francisco Symphony debut in April 2009, when he stepped in on short notice to lead the Orchestra in a program of Mozart and the Mussorgsky-Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition. This season, Mr. Cabrera leads the Orchestra in performances accompanying Charlie Chaplin's film The Gold Rush; during the summer, he will conduct concerts for the Summer & the Symphony series. Mr. Cabrera also conducts the Orchestra in Concerts for Kids, Adventures in Music, and Music for Families concerts, in addition to leading SFS Youth Orchestra rehearsals and concerts.

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, now in its 51st season, is the nation’s only full-time professional chamber orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. In collaboration with four Artistic Partners – Roberto Abbado, Douglas Boyd, Dawn Upshaw and Christian Zacharias – the 35 virtuoso musicians present more than 150 concerts and educational programs each year, and are regularly heard on public radio’s Performance Today which reaches 1,101,000 listeners each week on 242 stations, and SymphonyCast reaching 218,100 listeners each week on 104 stations. The SPCO has released 67 recordings, commissioned 127 new works, and performed the world premiere of 49 additional compositions. The SPCO has earned the distinction of 14 ASCAP awards for adventurous programming. Renowned for its artistic excellence and remarkable versatility of musical styles, the SPCO tours nationally and internationally, including performances in premier venues in Europe, Asia and South America. Launched in 1995, the SPCO’s award-winning CONNECT education program reaches 5,000 students annually in 16 Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools.
The following text, mentioning the role of the accordion in the composition, is from the program notes from SPCO:

“Fractured jazz sonorities predominate in the first movement, with pizzicato bass, muted trumpet, and sinuous licks from the basset and bass clarinets. The airy second movement begins with a low rumble of notes from the prepared piano, a sound that cycles repeatedly underneath the hovering upper layers. The accordion makes a tentative entrance, but soon the music accelerates into the flowing triplets and swoops of the third section; this breaks off suddenly at the climax, leaving only the quiet wheezing of the accordion to start the final slow section. Ghostly blooms from the strings and deep responses from the clarinets spin out to a whispered conclusion.”

Dee Langley specializes in both solo and ensemble work on the accordion and has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Ancia Quartet, Minnesota Sinfonia, Minneapolis Philharmonic and Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra. She is currently the President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International and event coordinator for the NE Accordion Festival. Dee lives in NE Minneapolis and teaches music privately.

For further information: Dee Langley, squeezermn@yahoo.com

2010 ATG 70th Anniversary Celebration July 21-25, 2010

by Rita Barnea

The 2010 ATG 70th Anniversary Celebration and Anthony Galla-Rini International Competition for Classical Accordion will be held at the Hilton Santa Clara in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, from July 21-25, 2010.

The ATG has some special events planned this year, one is a spectacular outdoor performance in California's Great America Amusement Park on Saturday, July 24.

2009 Coupe Mondiale V-Accordion Champion, Cory Pesaturo, will be joining the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International to help celebrate the ATG’s 70th Anniversary in Santa Clara (San Francisco Bay Area), California. Cory Pesaturo, is a graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of music in Boston, MA, where he was the first musician ever to major and graduate on the accordion. Pesaturo’s extensive resume includes several appearances at the White House for President and Mrs. Clinton being the youngest person ever to play for a State Dinner. His performances are spectacular.

Because this is the ATG's 70th Anniversary celebration, there will be many amazing events, such as Professional Symposium where you will hear the finest accordionists that are out making a living and promoting the accordion. These fine musicians are comfortable both on a concert stage and a restaurant, you might hear them on a commercial or as a member of a band on the radio. They will answer your questions on how they improvise, write music, and get gis.

In order to get to know fellow accordionists there will be a Club Room for members and friends of all the accordion clubs from across the nation.

The Anthony Galla-Rini Classical Accordion Competition, which takes place on Thursday and Friday of the Festival, will be held during the festival with competitors from around the world. Total prize money is almost $10,000! Viewing of the competition is open to the public.The entry form and fee must be received no later than 10 June, 2010. You can find it on the ATG web site. Please complete and mail it to: Joan C. Sommers, ATG Festival Committee, 2312 W. 71 Terrace, Prairie Village, KS 66208-3322 USA

Sightseeing day is Wednesday, July 21 in San Francisco. Further information will be posted on the ATG website as the schedule and artists are set or visit the ATG on Facebook!

The final day of the festival will start with a spectacular outdoor performance in California's Great America Amusement Park on Saturday, July 24. The park is very excited to have the ATG Accordion Festival Orchestra (open to everyone) presented on the front stage, an event sure to be remembered!

The hotel has given the ATG an excellent price of only $99, taxes are low (under 7%) and there's free parking! A very economical California vacation at a Hilton Hotel with accordion friends! The best airport to fly into is SJC (San Jose International). A reasonably priced shuttle to the hotel is available.

Accordions, Sightseeing in San Francisco, Hilton Amenities, California’s Great America, friends old and new from around the world...wonderful memories to create!

Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International
July 21-25, San Francisco Bay Area, California
Hilton Santa Clara
Hotel Reservation tele: 1-408-330-0001
Be sure to mention the ATG to be included in the festival, booking through Expedia or other discount services means you miss out on some activities made possible by being part of the ATG Hilton block of rooms.

Complete information will be posted on the ATG website as it is finalized: www.accordions.com/atg/ or visit us on Facebook or contact Dee Langley: squeezermn@yahoo.com

James O'Brien eSheet music, emailed to you, secure bank server

Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund Event on May 2nd in New York

by Rita Barnea

The American Accordionists’ Association Proudly presents their 8th Annual Afternoon of Music, Food, and Fun to benefit the Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund for the advancement of promising young accordionists. You are invited to attend on Sunday, May 2nd from 12 Noon until 5 PM at the Magnanini Farm Winery, 172 Strawbridge Rd., Walkill, NY. Phone number: 845-895-2767

The afternoon will feature traditional Valtaro music with guest artists: Mario Tacca, International Vocal Artist Mary Mancini, Frank Toscano, Frank Carozza, Dominic karcic, Ray Oreggia, The Busso Trio, Emilio magnotta, Anita and Bob Siarkowski, Beverly Robers, Robert Young McMahan, and The Connecticut Accordion Orchestra conducted by Linda Soley Reed.

There will be a special performance by the 2009 Coupe Mondiale winner, New Zealand virtuoso Grayson Masefield. Do not miss this event!! See the Grayson's Fan Club for video of his performance, the most recent receiving a standing ovation in Lithuania.

Reserve Now! Your donation of $65.00 per person includes wine tasting at 12 noon, complete dinner and entertainment. Please RSVP on or before April 15.

For further information: Dr. Joseph Ciccone: Drjciccone@aol.com or phone: 914-238-0041

The Art of Playing the Accordion Artistically by Friedrich Lips

New Work by Karen Fremar Premiers on April 11th

by Rita Barnea

Karen Fremar,Sarrah Cantrell, Janne Silfverberg

“Sterling Illusions”, a new work by Karen Fremar, will be premiered during the Senior Trombone Recital of Janne Silfverberg on Sunday, April 11th. Silfverberg is a Trombone Performance Major at the Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri at Kansas City and also performs with Fremar in the music group, Vivant!

As the son of well-known US accordionists, Julie and Juha Silfverberg, Janne has always had an appreciation of the accordion and wanted to feature a new work on his recital that expanded the repertoire for the trombone and utilized the accordion. He commissioned Fremar to compose a work for the unique combination of trombone, vibraphone and accordion.

Conservatory Percussion Major, Sarrah Cantrell, will perform the vibraphone part and is shown here in rehearsal with Karen Fremar and Janne Silfverberg as they prepare the new work. The accordion will figure prominently on Silfverberg’s recital. He also plans to play a composition based on a Finnish folk tune written by Juha Silfverberg for accordion and trombone. His father will perform the work with him on the accordion.

For further information: kfremar@att.net

Grayson Masefield in Concert on May 1st in Silver Spring, Maryland

by Rita Barnea

International Accordion Champion, Grayson Masefield will present a concert on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Masonic Temple, 410 University Blvd West. Silver Spring, MD. Admission will be $12 and children under twelve will be $6.00. A reception will follow the concert.

This personable 22 year old New Zealander has recently burst forth as a musical phenomenon and has established himself as a brilliant accordionist. Grayson has taken top titles for the astounding musical prowess he demonstrates with his instrument in serious classics as well as crossover music styles. His accordion boasts the ability to bypass the conventional pre-set chords and offers the complete range of single bass notes enabling the artist to perform accurate renditions of any music style including classics.

Grayson took top honors as the foremost accordionist in both classical and entertainment categories in the 2009 Coupe Mondiale{Accordion World Cup}. These outstanding performances followed his first place award at the Primus Ikaalinen International TV Competition in Finland and preceded his acclaimed appearance with an electronic accordion. No other accordionist has ever taken such an array of titles by mastering this wide range of musical performance styles.

For tickets and additional information please contact Joan Grauman at 301-806- 5998 or joangrauman@comcast.net.

Larry Malmberg eSheet music, sent by email, secure bank server

Julien Labro performs with Symphony Orchestra

by Rita Barnea

The Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert "Shall We Dance," will take place at 3 PM on April 3rd, at the Lake Shore Presbyterian Church, 27801 Jefferson, north of 11 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores. The performance features Julien Labro and his bandoneon.

Recipient of a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies (2007) and in Music Composition (2010), Labro's current musical activities include performances at numerous jazz venues and festivals with innovative groups like the "Frank Vignola Ensemble", "Jazz Wagon", "The Oblivion Project", and the "Hot Club of Detroit".

Classically, Labro has also been a guest artist of several symphonies and chamber ensembles. Labro has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and has performed in France, Italy, Slovenia, Andorra, Portugal, Germany, Croatia, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Recently, Julien has shared the stage with artists such as Joao Gilberto, Bucky Pizzarelli, Tommy Emmanuel, James Carter, Frank Vignola, Anat Cohen, Howard Alden, Joel Frahm, and Jason Vieaux.

Promoted on numerous radios and televisions in the United States and Europe, Labro has played and been interviewed on Radio France, Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on NPR, WEMU, WILL, WRCJ, WDET-Detroit's Ed Love and Martin BanDycke Shows, WFJ-AM's Mitch Albom Show and Fox-Detroit News.On a creative level, Labro has been enlisted as an arranger for several professional ensembles, most recently for Ensemble Vivant of Toronto, led by international pianist Catherine Wilson.

Upcoming performances include:
April 10, Cape Cod Symph. Orchestra,Yarmouth Port MA
April 12, McKinley Presbyterian Church, Champaign, IL.
April 21, Orchestra Hall, Detroit, MI
April 22, Detroit Institute of the Arts, Detroit, Michigan
April 25, Baker's Keyboard Lound, Detroit, Michigan
May 5, Night Town, Cleveland, Ohio

For tickets, visit Gifts Afloat at 10 Mile Road and Jefferson,
Phone (586) 933-0088, or lscso.org.

Gary Daverne CD's and eSheet music available online

Julien Labro performs with Symphony Orchestra

by Rita Barnea

Lidia Kaminska to Perform “Rhapsody in Blue” with Orchestra

by Rita Barnea

Lidia Kaminska, 2009 recipient of the Philadelphia Musical Fund Society's Career Advancement Award will perform in a rare accordion performance of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”.

Award-winning Philadelphia accordionist, Lidia Kaminska will perform with the Philadelphia Classical Symphony under the baton of Artistic Director Karl Middleman in a program influenced by Jazz Age Paris. The program is entitled “Rhapsody in Paris”, a musical program celebrating the influence of Jazz Age Paris on American composers. Although rare in current times, accordion performances of Gershwin's classic were common in the 1920's and 30's. The concert will take place on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.

C.F. Chang, Principal Violist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, will perform as soloist for Darius Milhaud's Concerto #1 for Viola and Chamber Orchestra in a program that also includes the Philadelphia premiere of Paul Bowles' Sinfonietta for Chamber Orchestra, George Gershwin's Lullaby, and Charles Tomlinson Griffes' Three Tone Pictures.

Philadelphia Magazine has said that Kaminska "transforms the accordion into a massive force -- more pipe organ than squeezebox -- and burns through [classical repertoire] with virtuosic speed and technique." Kaminska is a frequent soloist internationally, including in her native Poland. She performed recently with Placido Domingo, and currently tours with Canada's world famous Cirque de Soleil.

Artistic Director, Karl Middleman, based “Rhapsody in Pari”s on the significant influence Jazz Age Paris had on American music. Scores of American composers fled to Paris for inspiration in the 1920's. George Gershwin himself spent time studying music in Paris at that time. Middleman is also premiering his own arrangement of Gershwin's Lullaby, a youthful work for string quartet by the then 25-year-old composer. The delightful, seven-minute Lullaby was re-discovered by the Juilliard String Quartet in the 1960's.

Founded in 1993 by Karl Middleman, the Philadelphia Classical Symphony is a 20-member professional chamber orchestra committed to making concert-going exciting again by discovering new interactive ways to tell the history of music to today's audiences. Recognizing the orchestra's unique approach, the Classical Symphony has received recent grants from the Pew Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts and has received the Best of Philly Award from Philadelphia Magazine.

The program will take place at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103Tickets $25 and $15; For tickets call 215-228-2224.

For further information: Jane Stojak, janestojak@gmail.com

Amy Jo Sawyer CD titled According to Amy

Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc.

National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention, Dallas

by Laura Niland, President of the San Antonio Accordion Association

This year’s National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention was held in Dallas, Texas March 11th to13 th 2010 at the Westin Hotel. NAA 2010 Report

The theme this year was “Accordions in Action” with the event started by energetic President of NAA, Norman Seaton co-chairperson Greg Klugiewicz, and dedictated to Ron Lankford, Roland Products representative and avid supporter of accordion.

A report of the NAA Convention is online: NAA 2010 Report

Kevin Friedrich Presents Concert in New Zealand

by Rita Barnea

On Thursday, March 18th, Former CIA President Kevin Friedrich performed a concert at the Mangawhai Club to over a hundred enthusiastic seaside residents at the Mangawhai Club in New Zealand. Kevin Friedrich performed a variety program including marches, accordion novelties, show pieces, ragtime, and light classics for the Kaipara District Council hosted concert which was attended by the Kaipara Mayor and Mayoress Neil and Catherine Tiller. Kevin also included used instruments from the Accordion Gems exhibition at the Dargaville Museum, demonstrating two of the accordions.

Kevin raised quite a laugh when he pulled out the 45 year old “Tiger” model accordion as the concert venue is at the golf course. See picture. After the concert, morning tea was served & many people took the opportunity to personally thank Kevin before the Mayor hosted Kevin to lunch.

The President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) - IMC-UNESCO, New Zealand born Kevin Friedrich, completed two very successful terms as President and retired from the position at the August 2009 Coupe Mondiale in Auckland, New Zealand. Kevin received four prestigious awards at the Coupe Mondiale 2009 in Auckland New Zealand including the NZAA Merit Award, the AAA Award for Kevin’s work as CIA President for the past 8 years, the ATG Award for the valued term of his CIA Presidency, and the CIA Merit Award to commemorate the ending of his term as President.

During his Presidency, Kevin Friedrich has also been active in New Zealand and is the key person behind the Dargaville Museum presenting 'Accordion Gems' by Kevin Friedrich, A Master Collection of Accordions through Time. This excellent exhibition has been strongly supported by the people of the Dargaville region where Kevin Friedrich was born and bought up, until going to the USA at 18 where he finished his accordion degrees and became the President of the ATG and a member of the CIA Executive. Most recently, Kevin Friedrich performed Gem of the Kaipara composed by Gary Daverne, with the ASO to commemorate World Accordion Day on May 6, 2009. In fact, Kevin inaugurated World Accordion Day with this special concert.

Born and raised near Dargaville, New Zealand, Kevin began playing the accordion at the age of nine. Mesmerized by the visual appeal and unique sound of the accordion during a performance of the Ben Emmett Accordion Orchestra (BEA), Kevin took advantage of group lessons being offered by the late Ben and Doreen Emmett at the Dargaville Primary School where weekly accordion lessons and accordion hire cost 50 cents each. From this initial dollar a week investment, Kevin progressed quickly through the ranks, and after the passing of Mr. Ben Emmett in December 1976, Kevin began the weekly six hour round trip drive to Auckland to study with the late Mr. Alan Jones and son Harley.

After earning the title of New Zealand Solo Accordion Champion for two years, and representing New Zealand at the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) World Championships three times (the last time attaining 5th place) Kevin moved to the United States to study accordion with Joan C. Sommers at the University of Missouri, Kansas City where he obtained his Bachelor of Music. Kevin has also competed in competitions such as Klingenthal in Germany as well as competitions hosted by the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International and the American Accordionists' Association.

In addition to the piano accordion, Kevin has also mastered the Bayan (Button accordion), and it is with this instrument that he furthered his studies at the Conservatoire Paul Dukas in Paris, France studying with CIA World Accordion Champion, Max Bonnay. He has also participated in Master Classes with the famous Russian accordionist Friedrich Lips.

Kevin has performed in concert, on radio and on television in many countries as a soloist, with Symphony Orchestra and as a member of The International Trio, the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (formerly the North Shore Accordion Orchestra) and the Musicale Accordion Orchestra from Auckland, New Zealand and as concert master of the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Accordion Orchestra.

After serving as a Vice-President for eight years, Kevin was re-elected to his second four year term as President of the Confédération Internationale Des Accordéonistes (CIA), the umbrella organization for member National Accordion Associations worldwide. Since the CIA (member of the International Music Council, IMC-UNESCO) formed in 1935, this is the first time ever that a non-European has held this title and only the 3rd President elected in more than 40 years, with the last President having held office for over 20 years. Hosting the annual World Accordion Championships, the CIA meets twice a year in various countries around the world.

Acknowledging the ability of the Internet to keep accordionists in touch with each other and informed of worldwide activities, his association with the World Wide Web included producing the United States National Accordion News and being the USA Manager for Accordions Worldwide, the largest accordion site on the Internet.

On two occasions, Kevin was invited by the Finnish Ministry of Culture to travel to Finland to report on the Sata-Häme Soi Accordion Festival in Ikaalinen, Finland which attracts some 35,000 attendees from around the world. Additionaly, he has been invited to adjudicate and appear at International accordion Festivals, Competitions and TV Productions in various countries around the world including the 2006 Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival in China and the Norske Trekkspilleres Landsforbund (NTL) National Festival held in Bodø, Norway.

Kevin currently makes his home in New York City where he has lived since 1989. His accordion activities also include serving on the Board of Directors for both the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) and the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG).

For further info: Kevinfriedrich@hotmail.com

Dr. William Schimmel, Coffee and Tango

by Dr. William Schimmel

Dr. William Schimmel and his group, The Tango Project is featured on the new Tango CD available at all Starbucks Coffee locations. The Track, Por Una Cazeza, is taken from their first Nonesuch recording: The Tango Project, which reached No 1 on the Billboard Charts, won the Stereo Review Album of the Year Award, recevied numerous Grammy nominations and was featured in the film Scent of a Woman (along with the band onscreen) for which Al Pacino received an Oscar. It also was featured in True Lies, Sex and the City, All the Kings Men,The Medium (TV) and So You think you can Dance (TV). The title of this new CD is Tango Variations and in addition to the Tango Project, it also contains selections by Gideon Kremer, Astor Piazzolla, The Gotan Project and more.

On March 15, Dr. Schimmel premiered his new score, I was Drunk that Day, at the Cell Theatre in Manhattan. The score was part of a new play of the same title based on short stories by Chekhov compiled, adapted and directed by Darrel Larson.

On March 26, he performed in Anthony Cornicello’s Spiral Jetty for Accordion, Violin, Cello and Electronics at the Electro-Acoustical Music festival at the Graduate Center CUNY. On April 8, 9, 10 and 11, he will be the featured accordionist in the limited run Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Anyone can Whistle. It is part of the Encore series at New York’s City Center. The series was designed to give Broadway shows a second hearing after an initial run. Anyone can Whistle opened on Broadway in 1964. The performances are also in honor of Sondheim’s 80th birthday.

On April 22, He will join New York City Opera star Lauren Flannigan in an evening of music devoted to the Weimar Republic. The performance will be at Café Sabarsky which is part of the Neue Gallery, an art gallery devoted to Weimar related topics. They will perform works by Kurt Weill, Mischa Spoilansky and others. On May 27, He will perfrom Eric Salzman’s Opium Song at Galapagos in the Dumbo section of Manhattan

For more information: billschimmel@billschimmel.com

Mario Pedone Releases 3 New CD's

by Rita Barnea

Mario Pedone has released three new CD’s : “Latin Music, Mario’s Compositions”, “Tango,Polkas, Waltzes, Schottis, Mario’s Compositions”, and “The Great Polka, Mario’s Compositions”.

Mario is well-known in music circles. He is an accomplished accordionist and keyboardist who plays every style of music including jazz, Latin, European, country, folk, big band, traditional and much more.

Mario was a member of the Valencia Accordion Club and Co-founder of the Orquesta Latina .Together with the famous Spanish singer, Esteban Abarca, the Orquesta Latina performed across Venezuela. He has performed professionally in many countries including Colombia, Venezuela, Sweden, Italy and Canada.

Mario has his own recording studio in Sugar Land, TX were he has arranged and recorded hundreds of tunes including many of his own compositions. He also produces CDs and background music for other musicians and singers. Mario founded the Fort Bend County Accordion Club.
Mario Pedone was born in Valenzano, a small town near Bari in Southern, Italy. In order to improve the family's financial situation, they immigrated to Valencia, Venezuela in 1959. Mario's older brother Ludovico had begun to study the accordion and Mario was always watching him hoping that one day he also would play this wonderful Instrument. He persistently begged his father to let him start accordion lessons too and eventually succeeded.

His first teacher was Franco Cupertino a great professional accordion player. Mario devoted at least 4 to 5 hours per day for practicing the accordion. After a few years Professor Miguel Casas Auge from Spain the Founder of the Valencia Accordion Club and the conductor of the Valencia Symphony Orquesta assumed Mario's accordion education. He was followed by Professor Roberto Ruscitti, a renowned classical accordionist who provided his education for the next 7 years.

In 1972, Mario graduated as a Concertista from the School Academia de Acordeon Smith, directed by Roberto Ruscitti. In March 1974 he earned a Cum Laude diploma in accordion from the same school. In 1976 he graduated with a degree as Professor of Accordion. After graduation Mario founded his own accordion school, Academia Latina de Acordeon where he had over 125 students. Most of his former students are now playing professionally.

In 1981 in search for better future, Mario moved to Sugar Land, Texas USA with his wife, Marbella, and two children. He has performed professionally in many Countries including Colombia, Venezuela, Sweden, Italy and Canada. Mario has his own recording studio in Sugar Land, TX were he has arranged and recorded hundreds of tunes including many of his own compositions. His musical range includes, but is not limited to Classical, Latin, European, American Standards. In 2002 and 2003 Mario was invited to perform in the famous Accordion Festival celebrated in Ransäter, Sweden and now Mario’s composition " Bergen’s Polka " is well known in the Scandinavian Countries. Others performance venues include: San Antonio Accordion Club in Texas, special performance sponsored by Jack Stankus in Austin, TX, Arizona Accordion Club, Accordion Smash in Orlando, FL, Oklahoma Accordion Club. He recently performed at the 2010 NAA Festival in Dallas.

Mario's Performance schedule is:
April 3 - Zin Dancing Club, Houston Texas
April 4 - Easter Concert Iglesia Biblica Cristiana in Katy Texas
April 6 Swethwater Country Club, Sugar land, Texas
April 10 Zin Dancing Club - Houston Texas
April 17 Zin Dancing Club Houston Texas
April 19 Arizona Accordion Club
April 24 Zin Dancing Club Houston Texas
April 30 Nanaimo BC, Canada

May 10 Seattle Accordion Club
May 12 Duo with Bonnie Birch in Seattle, WA
May 15 - 22 - and 29 Zin dancing Club
May 22 Concert in Galveston Texas
All Month of June Friday and Saturday Private parties in Houston, Texas
July 3 - 10 and 17 Zin Dancing Club Houston, Texas
July 19 Chicago accordion club
July 18 Possible Polish american accordion Club in Chicago
July 24 and 31 Zin Dancing Club Houston Texas
August 7 and 8 Accordion Festival in New Hampshire

The cost of each CD is $15 which includes shipping.
For more information: Mario Pedone
Cell: 713-401-7933
E-mail: marioaccordion@gmail.com

The International Trio, CD Available online, secure server

Piano Teachers Meet the Accordion in Kansas

by Rita Barnea

Vivant! members Julie Silfverberg, Dee Sligar and Karen Fremar presented a workshop for the Federated Teachers of Music and Fine Arts of the Greater Kansas City Area on March 23rd.

The Vivanters presented several numbers to illustrate what music is possible on the accordion and explained the theoretical basis of the bass mechanism. In discussing the history of the accordion and its development, they demonstrated the Cheng and opened up a 120-bass instrument to show the inner workings of the instrument.

Then the real fun began, when five teachers were selected to put on 12-bass instruments and learn what it really feels like to play an accordion. These five esteemed piano instructors quickly dissolved into being like kids in a candy store. All at the workshop recognized how easy it would be to transfer the knowledge their piano students already have to the piano keyboard of the accordion. After only some brief training, the teachers had mastered the 12-bass buttonboard, and they were ready to perform a few numbers together.

All enjoyed the experience and came away with new found appreciation of the accordion. They were even discussing where they might buy an accordion and planning a future performance for their banquet meeting in May!!

Karen Fremar is the composer/arranger for Vivant! Karen is a member of ASCAP and also holds a Performance degree from UMKC in Accordion, as well as Masters and Doctorate degrees in Composition and Music Theory from UMKC and the University of Kansas. She won the United States Accordion Championship and a World Accordion Entertainment Championship title in Sweden. Karen has toured internationally playing accordion with several music groups and also played accordion with Pavarotti on his World Farewell Tour. An accomplished composer, Karen has written numerous compositions including the test pieces for the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Competition and most recently performed in New York City at Tavern on the Green premiering a piece commissioned by the American Accordion Association in honor of Faithe Deffner.

Julie Siflverberg grew up in Ft. Scott, Kansas. When Julie was 8, her mom came home one day and asked her if she would like to learn how to play the accordion. Julie said 'Sure!'..... a couple of years later, she added piano lessons. Margie Fremar was her teacher. Julie successfully participated in many music festivals. She was the Kansas Accordion Virtuoso Champion for three consecutive years. In 1980, Julie received her Bachelor of Music degree in Accordion at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, married Juha from Finland. Julie runs a very successful music studio in Overland Park, KS., where she teaches accordion and piano to students five years to adult. She was past president of both Federated Teachers of Fine Arts., Inc. and the Mid-America Music Association (M.A.M.A.)

Dee Sliger began studying the accordion at the UMKC Conservatory at the age of twelve. She continued studying accordion through college and now her music career is culminating with the Vivant! Adventure. Dee had the privilege of touring with a USO tour through Europe and the Azores, was a featured artist with the Young Audiences National Program, and played many gigs through the years.

For more photos and information about Vivant! please visit www.vivantsound.com.

Sign Up for the July 2010 AAA Seminars Moderated by Dr.William Schimmel

by Dr. William Schimmel

Dr. William Schimmel is the moderator/curator of the 2010 Seminars sponsored by the AAA on July 30, 31 and August 1 – 2010 at The Tenri Cultural Institute of New York, 43A West 13th St. between 5th and 6th Aves. The Master Classes take place at 3 PM. The Concerts are at 7 PM. The fee is $20 per Master Class , $25 per Concert, or $40 per day – includes Master Class and Concert. $110 for entire weekend.

First Opera experience: The Philadelphia Accordion Orchestra and The Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company conducted by Dr. Jacob C. Neupauer – LA TRAVIATA – selections – electrifying – heightened Reality. I loved it. I attended a performance of a full length staged opera later that year – hated every moment – flimsy orchestrations – no accordions - over the top singing – and loooooooooooong!

Vincent Persichetti was one of the first composers asked by the AAA to compose an accordion piece on commission – He declined stating: DON’T LIKE OPERA!

Walked into a restaurant in Turin, Italy – in the back room was a party – complete with glitter cat masks and a drunken painter named Molinari sketching the event. I walked over to a sparkling red accordion and played the Drinking Song from La Traviata – everyone joined in on cue. I left shortly afterwards. I went back the next night – I could not find the restaurant – Yes, I’m pretty sure it happened.

Took a late night walk one evening in Williamsburg. I forget which Williamsburg – Virginia or Brooklyn?! As I approached a dark street I could see an old Rollo-plane ride staring at me. It was shut down for the night. It was some sort of block party, carnival or amusement park. In the distance I could see a shadowed figure strutting back and forth. Somehow, I wasn’t afraid. As I approached, He said he was a MUMMER. He was wearing an accordion but there was no sound. It’s my costume, he said – my accordion, that is. He fanned it out and in – expanding and contracting.

With the accordion, there’s no need for words, lyrics or voices for that matter. All one needs is Franz Von Suppe and an audience of one – YOU!

And now, the highlights of the weekend:
What better way to show the accordion’s Built in Ironic (in your face) Duality than with a performance of “Jesus G. Faust” and “Tango Mephisto” featuring King of Ragtime, Dr. Mark Birnbaum. Dr. Robert Young McMahan will take us through the history of the accordion concerto, which in reality, are more like mini-operas. He will also premiere his new yearly 12 tone work, composed for the occasion. the occasion. “Watchman/Newsman” is a short opera by Yours Truly - about a vicious murder and even more hideous punishment......Jimmy Breslin interviewed a gravedigger at the funeral of John F. Kennedy. Aside from the obvious Hamlet reference, the gravedigger is a perfect metaphor for the accordionist – gigging while digging. A new work entitled “Brezlin”, tells the story.

“La Traviaida” – an attempt to combine the two Verdi classics and to get to the essence in about 10 minutes. The accordion is the perfect force for compression of time, space and visual/sound drama. We’ll also do “Carmen” in about 4 – all of it. We’ll also do “L’odour d’espirt”, a fifty second reality on a Kurt Cobain masterpiece.

Seems like dark stuff: Anything light? Actually yes – and some of it funny. Paul Stein’s Political Satire stings, bites and at times even burns – and always laugh out loud funny. “The Tunnel of Light and Love”, a new interactive video work by the eminent choreographer,director and video artist Micki Goodman will explore the notion of nature, love and rebirth in a pastoral visual elegy – not operatic, but certainly dramatic and life affirming.“St. Mathew the Mummer” – St. Mathew’s Passion retold in a Mardi-Gras Style – in strutting upbeat tempos. Jazz Accordion great Will Holshouser will pull you in with his non-dramatic subtlety and elegance.“Opera Josephine” – a short opera about Josephine Baker through the eyes of The Pointer Sisters – devised from a segment of “Within the Context of No Context” by George W.S. Trow. Lee Mc Clure’s digital flute will dramatize any accordion moment. “Beyond Words” – a reality on Haydn and Gubaidulina, taking the notion of “Seven Words” to new heights – dedicated to the mummer, Joseph A. Ferko, who died seconds after accepting an award for 50 years of mummer service. His Seven Last Words were: “I hope to march fifty more years.”

Humorist, Ken Laufer, making us see and “Stars, Stripes, Scars and Scrapes Forever”. “Taking Stock – A series of Realities on Stockhausen” – including“Telemix”, which includes a rap on “Surfer Bird” by the “Trashmen”. A Visual and Sound installation: “Juilliard 1960’s to Early 70’s” showing present day realities and recreations on this famous school’s most Avant Garde period- through the eyes of an accordionist who was there to experience it: CIRCLES become SQUARES, NONO becomes YES/YES, ECLAT becomes ÉCLAIR, PITHOPRAKTA becomes PITHOKRAPTA and PATIENCE becomes LACK OF IT.

Concert Virtuoso Mary Tokarski – knowing the difference between Monteverdi and Montovani. “Missa Tantra” – showing the sensual side of the liturgical dimension. Godfrey Nelson and Lorraine Nelson Wolf – new age at its highest peak. Actress Kathleen Tipton charming us with penetrating words and gestures.
“Moritat Von Mackey Messian” – uniting Brecht, Weill and Bobby Darin as Mystics. Benjamin Ickies, the punk accordionist in your face – famous, infamous and just a dot.

“Sho West” – a work for (Japanese) sho, accordion and violin, uniting “Gagaku” with the great western violin concertos as well as Hillbilly ramblings – with Mr. and Ms. Fukui on Sho and Violin. Rock Artist John Foti – a jersey shore vibe – more Springsteen than Sopranos.“Expenses” – a work about life, death and taxes. Performance Artist Brian Dewan – the funniest person alive – and the nicest. “Kage/Urotrasho/Pera” - one big, long, continuous melody, a nonopera, uniting whitetrash and eurotrash cultures. Drone Artist David First plays a drone – an opera emerges.
“A First Avenue Opera”: An Opera designed just for you – with you playing the leading role - by simply walking – with or without an accordion. Sing Arias if you wish – make some up. Create your own walking tempos – speed up, slow down – the ultimate fitness experience. Find your personal Holy Grail. Post Bop artist Art Bailey performing quint – converter jazz in a new and exciting way. A.A.A. commissioned works to be announced. Cristina Speligene, solving design issues through the accordion. Marni Rice, Chansons/ edge/ grace. Doug and Diane Makofka – accordion/violin/ Von Knorr/Persichetti/ Shostakovich/beyond. Carl Riehl – the Riehl deal – when it comes to Glass and Satie. Ingrid Kvale – from Norway/ a singular sight and sound. Dr. Rocco Jerry – specializing in quintets – every part himself. Michael Century – a minimalist with heart and soul. Maverick Pianist Gary Klein, a rogue years before Palin. Martina Li – from China/maximalist/likes everything. Dr. Ronald Sarno – a writer/ bent toward Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and Limbo. Dave Soldier/ composer/ fights the good fight to the end. Famous Argentine pianist, Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig – Todo Tango/Brahms/ Chopin/Ginastera/Lanza and WS. Dramatic direction for entire weekend - Micki Goodman

For reservations: 212-876-0827 or
www.billschimmel.com or www.ameraccord.com Those wishing to “take the hot seat” should reserve early. Be part of this unique event!

Cynthia Cross – what happens when you don’t tell someone they can’t do something?

by James Pollara

Sometimes it isn’t about performances in Carnegie Hall. Sometimes it isn’t about winning the Coupe Mondiale or producing the CD that will change the accordion world forever. Sometimes it isn’t about arguing over the greatest accordionist of all time or assembling an accordion band with participants from all over the world.

Sometimes it is much more basic than all that. Sometimes it is about a very unique talent and the musical instrument that has the versatility to express that talent. Sometimes it is about the joy of playing your music for a local charity event for those who would choose to listen. And for some very special people, sometimes it is about doing something because no one ever convinced you that you couldn’t.

Cynthia Cross has been blind since birth, but it has been said that she brings a unique vision to those lucky enough to know her. She loves music, she loves to sing, and she loves the accordion. And though her blindness and a lack of understanding by certain members of society may suggest ‘rules’, her passion for music combined with a unique talent simply does not allow limitations and handicaps so often ingrained by teachers or the expectations of the accordion community.

Although she owns several accordions, Cynthia chose to play her 12-bass for this performance. She doesn’t understand why people say playing her 12-bass limits her. In fact, limitations sometimes result in a greater creative palate. A good example would be Copland’s piano pieces using only 5 notes. So the audience at the Lion’s Club benefit was treated to a variety of songs, each one a fresh creation, born from a true talent unlimited by rules. For me, the most fun were the Elvis songs – some of her favorites.

Shane, Cynthia’s biggest fan, was provided through the Lions Club’s Leader Dog program. She is a student of Dale Wise and is currently being coached by William Cosby.

Future events

Grayson Masefield in Concert on April 24 in NY

by Rita Barnea

Coupe Mondiale winner, Grayson Masefield will perform in a solo concert on April 24 at 8 PM in the Ann Goodman Recital Hall at Kaufman Center, 129 West 67th Street, NY.

Tickets are $25.00 per person. Students and seniors are $20.00. For tickets contact the American Accordionists' Association. Linda Soley Reed at 203-335-2045 or aaa1938@aol.com

Stas Venglevski to Perform in Benefit Concert

by Rita Barnea

Stas Venglevski headlines an all-star line-up of Russian entertainers including musicians, vocalists, and dancers in a Benefit Concert for the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church on Sunday, April 11, 2010, 3:00 p.m. This exciting gala will be held at the Miramar Theatre, 2844 North Oakland Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tickets (Advance $12, At the Door $15, Seniors & Students $10) can be obtained from Stas Venglevski 262-641-9056. Complimentary coffee and tea will be provided and an opportunity to purchase refreshments, with all profits to the benefit of the church.

Stas Venglevski was born in 1964 in the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union. When he was just five years old, he began studying the bayan (button accordion) with a friend of his father's. His first instrument was a quarter-size bayan with only a few buttons. In 1992 he entered the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and received a Master's Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed russian bayanist Friedrich Lips. He twice won First Prize in the bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova. In 1992 he emigrated to the United States.

Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the world. He performed the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Anthony Galla-Rini and also the world premiere of Bayan and Beyond, composed for Stas by Dan Lawitts. He is a regular participant of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced numerous recordings including transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for bayan as well as one of original compositions. He has published several books of original compositions.

Stas also performs as a member of the A Sta Sera Duo where he combines talents with accordionist, John Simkus, known primarily for his smooth jazz renditions. Their musical partnership has resulted in a unique repertoire and as a duo they have toured the United States and Europe extensively and collaborated on a CD of original compositions, Seasonings.
Stas is a past President of the prestigious Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) which was established in 1940 with the purpose of furthering the progress of the accordion by improving teaching standards, music, and all phases of music education.

For more information: shirlbarry@sbcglobal.net

48th Annual New England Music Competition and Festival

by Rita Barnea

The 48th annual New England Music Competition & Festival, sponsored by the Accordion Teachers Association of MA, will be held at the Boston Newton Marriott Hotel on April 9, 10, 11. All events are open to the public free of charge except the Awards Dinner which requires advance purchase of tickets. A program book of all events may be purchased in the lobby.

On Friday April 9, there will be accordion evaluations, Battle of the Bands, the New England Accordion Solo Competition and the New England Accordion Championship Competition. On Saturday April 10, there will be competitions, entertainment, accordion evaluations, and a “Song Writing Workshop” presented by Jay LaTulippe. Saturday evening activities will consist of awards in the Grand Ballroom, the Awards Banquet, and a teen dance open free of charge to contestants.

On Sunday April 11, Coupe Mondiale winner Grayson Masefield will present a concert at 1 PM. Do not miss his special performance.

Also on Sunday, there will be a sound recording workshop followed by the Festival Band Entertainment
including Stagecraft Band directed by Jay LaTulippe;The Springfield Accordion & Guitar Orchestra directed by Mike Falcetti;The 50 member Showstoppers Accordion Orchestra & Dancers directed by Rosita Lee Latulippe Awards in the Grand Ballroom will follow.

For further information please contact:
.Contest Co-Chairs: Peggy Falcetti email:peggy@falcettimusic.com : Roger LaTulippe: email: rositaleemusic@comcast.net

Sounding Out the Accordion by Thierry Benetoux

Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts Hosts Free Roland Accordion Concert

by Rita Barnea

The Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts is hosting a Roland Digital Accordion Free Concert sponsored by Roland Corp. USA. The date is Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Newton Marriott, Newton, Mass., Lexington Room.

The Event Chairman is Sam Falcetti. Several amazing accordionists will perform on the program: Danielle Renzi, the 2009 Youth Division Champion of the Roland Festival-Los Angeles and Cory Pesaturo, the 2009 Digital Accordion Champion, Coupe Mondiale, Auckland, New Zealand. Donald McMahon, Roland Artist and V Accordion Product Specialist will perform on the Roland V Accordion and answer your questions about the instrument.

There is free admission to the concert with limited seating. Please RSVP by calling 413-596-6940 or email peggyfalcetti@falcettimusic.com

Bruce Gassman to Perform for the WMAS on April 18th

by Rita Barnea

Guest artist Bruce Gassman will perform at the WMAS meeting on Sunday, April 18, 4 PM. The location of the concert is Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Virginia.

Bruce plays the accordion like no one else! He is a rock and roll accordionist specializing in 60’s music but he can play anything! He also presents workshops on 1960’s Rock N Roll. Mr. Gassman's has an extensive accordion background. He performed his first Senior Recital at age 11 and first guest appearance as soloist with a symphony orchestra at age 12. In 1961, Bruce won the National Boy's Club of America Music Scholarship Award and for the next 4 years he studied with Maestro Joseph Biviano of New York City (1961-65). Also in 1961, Bruce formed his first band, The Metrotones.

In 1962, at age 15, Bruce became the youngest member of the Accordion Symphony Society of NY, and at his first concert on December 2, of that year; they performed at Town Hall featuring the immortal Charles Magnante as guest soloist. Bruce also performed with the orchestra at the Singer Bowl - New York Worlds Fair on August 7, 1964.

While in college, (1965-69) and playing rock & roll, he toured the Mid-West with the Escorts, Doc & the MD's and The Broadway Clique. Once back East, and now playing a Hammond B-3 and Fender Rhodes piano, his 1969-70 Jersey Shore rock scene experience involved performances at many area night clubs including The Pandemonium, The Student Prince and The Upstage; jamming with stars such as James Cotton and B.B. King and several future stars including Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny. For the next three years, Bruce traveled throughout the North-East with the then famous cover band, Waterfront.

Returning to his accordion roots in 1974 and with electronic accordions becoming more current, he formed The Bruce Gassman Orchestra. For the next 18 years Bruce performed more than 100 annual engagements. In 1992 he stopped playing to focus on his family and his real estate career. After a 15 year sabbatical, Bruce knew it was time to "get back on the field". He now performs with Dan Desiderio and the Accordion Pops Orchestra, and in 2008 became the first accordionist ever to perform with Holiday Express, a group of 80 professional musicians and 600 volunteers who, from Thanksgiving till Christmas, bring the gift of human kindness to those less fortunate. In 2009, Holiday Express performed more than 50 shows at Developmental Centers, Psychiatric Hospitals and Children’s Special Schools. Bruce had the pleasure of playing at 25 of them.

In 2009, Mr. Gassman was a guest artist for the Connecticut Accordion Association, the Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers Guild and in July 2009 performed in Memphis at the AAA (American Accordionists Association) 70th Anniversary Festival. This past October he was one of the guest artists at the Las Vegas International Accordion Festival and has already been asked to return in November, 2010 to teach and perform. He performed at the NAA in Dallas and the MAMTG in NJ in March. He will perform for the AAA Annual Festival in Hershey, PA. in July. Later this year he will perform for the Arizona Accordion Club and hopes to add the LA Accordion Club and the 2011 NAMM.

You can occasionally catch him on weekends as a guest performer with local Jersey Shore Bands including Primitive Soul, Electric Boots, the Intentions and the Old #7 band. Bruce also provides music at private parties throughout New Jersey.

For further information: accordion2bruce@gmail.com

Cory Pesaturo in Jazz Concerts

by Rita Barnea

Cory Pesaturo will perform in a jazz concert on April 28th at Sculler’s Jazz Club in Boston, MA. sitting in with the Hot Club of Detroit. The show begins at 8 PM. Tickets are $20.00

More than seven decades after the innovations of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, featuring guitar virtuoso Django Reinhardt, combos called Hot Clubs carry on the gypsy jazz sound around the globe—in Tokyo, San Francisco, Seattle, Sweden, Norway, Austria, and many other locales. None, however, offers a fresher take on the tradition than does the Hot Club of Detroit, led by fast-fingered Reinhardt disciple Evan Perri.

The Hot Club of Detroit took first place in the 2004 Detroit International Jazz Festival competition and won the 2006 Detroit Music Awards as Outstanding Traditional Jazz Group. In 2007, the band swept the Detroit Music Awards, winning in the Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist, Best Independent Label Recording, Outstanding National Small Independent Label Recording, and Outstanding Video on a Limited Budget categories; Perri himself was named Best Jazz Instrumentalist. And, for the past five years, the quintet has hosted the annual Djangofest Detroit at various venues, including the Masonic Temple, where Reinhardt himself had appeared with Duke Ellington in 1946.

Cory will perform on May 1st at Chan's in Woonsocket, RI. at 8 PM. Tickets are $15.00. A Rhode Island and national institution since 1905, Chan's Fine Oriental Dining offers the best in Asian cuisine along with some of the most prominent jazz, blues and other musical acts in the world.

2009 World Digital Accordion Champion Cory Pesaturo is a graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he was the first musician ever to major and graduate in the accordion. Upon winning the 2009 World Championship in New Zealand, he became the first American to win any World Accordion Championship in 25 years. 2009 was also a fantastic year for Pesaturo, as he won the 4 International
Competitions he entered. This included 2 International Jazz Accordion competitions. He also performed on five different continents including Japan, New Zealand and Tunisia, logging in over 100,000 miles for his 2009 travels.

Pesaturo's extensive resume includes appearances at the White House for President and Mrs. Clinton on four different occasions, starting at age 12. On one of those occasions, he became the youngest person ever to perform at a State Dinner. He is also featured in Mrs. Clinton’s book “An Invitation to the White House.” His friendship with the Clintons has continued, as the twelve letters and six more appearances since the White House days prove.

Cory is an accomplished musician and accordionist. A win in a concerto competition at the New England Conservatory of Music gave Pesaturo the rare opportunity to perform at the 2003 Christmas Pops Concert with the Brockton Symphony as a featured soloist. After Roland's V Accordion came on the the American scene, Cory was backed by the Roland Corperation to promote the instrument, as the new technological advances in the V Accordion could be of immense help in bringing back the popularity of the instrument. the accordion image.

Concerning his jazz side, Pesaturo has recently recorded two CDs with saxophone legend George Garzone and his famous band “The Fringe,” and has been performing with them in the Boston and Providence areas.

Pesaturo is also heavily involved with the weather and motor sportsworlds as well. From 2005 to 2006, he composed the Official list records set by the inconceivable record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, and has since made the 2007 and 2008 lists. He also writes reports on winter weather for the National Weather Service. Furthermore, his music is regularly played on Formula 1 broadcasts and he is currently working on a Formula 1 book that will change the way people look upon the sports history and its champions.

For further information:
corypesaturo@corypesaturo.com

The Accordion Pops Orchestra Presents Concert on May 2

by Rita Barnea

The Accordion Pops Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Desiderio is presenting two concerts.On Sunday May 2, 2010 at 3:00 PM, the orchestra will perform at the Shannondell at Valley Forge, 10000 Shannondell Drive, Audubon, PA. The concert is open to the public with prior arrangements. Please contact Rosemarie Cavanaugh at 732-257-8198 for details.

On Saturday June 5, 2010 at 7:30 PM, the Accordion Pops Orchestra will present a “Concert to Benefit the ALS Hope Foundation” at the Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA. This will be their fourth concert at Philadelphia's prestigious Kimmel Center (the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra). The program will include the world premiere of an original concerto composed and performed by conductor Maestro Desiderio accompanied by the orchestra. For further information, contact Rosemarie Cavanaugh at 732-257-8198 or the ALS Hope Foundation at 215-551-0967.

The Accordion Pops Orchestra’s roots can be traced to 1970's, when it was organized by the Accordion Teachers' Association of New Jersey. Over the next ten years it performed at various community functions throughout the state under the direction of its first conductor, Dr. Jacob Neupauer of Philadelphia. In 1980 the orchestra members took a leave of absence, but four years later the membership was reorganized under the direction of the late Eugene Ettore of Livingston, New Jersey. In 1985, Daniel Desiderio was invited to act as a guest conductor of the orchestra and a few years later the A.T.A. of NJ appointed him as conductor in residence. The name of the orchestra was formally changed to the Accordion Pops Orchestra and its membership was expanded beyond the original members from New Jersey to include performers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island.

The largest professional accordion orchestra of its kind on the East Coast, the group consists entirely of accordions plus percussion instruments. In addition, the orchestra often accompanies guest soloists including pianists and vocal artists. Utilizing scores from a full symphonic orchestra, the players are normally divided into four sections that provide melody and harmony. In addition, the orchestra utilizes a single bass accordion with special reeds tuned to reach a lower octave. This accordion can be recognized by the audience because it is the only one with a right-hand keyboard but no left-hand bass buttons. (Incidentally, even though all of the other instruments have bass buttons, with the exception of solo performances no one uses them while playing in the orchestra). The resulting sound is unique; a common reaction from people attending one of our concerts for the first time is, "I can't believe what I just heard could come from accordions alone!"

The orchestra also utilizes a midi accordion, which adds electronics to the acoustic accordion, allowing it to simulate the sound of literally hundreds of different instruments. These sounds are controlled from the accordion but produced in a separate midi module, which is attached to an amplified speaker. Much of the orchestra's music needs to be transcribed to accommodate the range of the accordion. While accordion transcriptions are sometimes available for symphonic pieces, most often they must be produced. The orchestra has drawn on the talents of the conductor and its members for this arduous task.

Most of the twenty-five plus members of the orchestra are professional musicians or teachers. Many are soloists in their own right. The orchestra performs a repertoire of light classical, Broadway, big band and popular music. It has entertained audiences at concert halls, county fairs, festivals, schools, and playhouses at many locations primarily in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Daniel J. Desiderio is one of the country’s foremost accordion artists. Well known in the accordion field for his compositions and arrangements, Mr. Desiderio has recorded on the Ampco and Cormark labels. He has performed in concerts throughout Europe and America, appearing at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Copenhagen’s Radio House, Munich’s Congress Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall and Town Hall, Philadelphia's Academy of Music, and the White House.

During his four-year military service, he was featured soloist with the Air Force Band and Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Accordionists Association, one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Accordion Teachers Association, and a member of the Accordion Teachers Association of New Jersey.

Mr. Desiderio began his formal musical training at the age of 9 under the late Pietro Deiro, Sr. He also studied arranging and composition with Dr. William Hoppich. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, he began his concert career at age 17.In addition to serving as conductor of the Accordion Pops Orchestra, Mr. Desiderio continues to perform in concerts and private affairs in the Philadelphia area. He also operates a music studio in Media, Pennsylvania where he teaches accordion and piano students.

To order their two CD’s, Please e mail: webmaster@accordionpops.com or call Rosemarie Cavanaugh at 732-257-8198

CD Reviews

Jane Christison Releases New Children’s CD

by Rita Barnea

Jane Christison has released a new CD, “ Come Sing Along with Janie Next Door”. She recently presented songs from the CD at the 2010 NAA Convention in Dallas, TX. She is the composer and lyricist for all the songs. Some of the songs on the CD are: “Can I Go Out and Play?”, “I’ve Got a Loose Tooth in My Head”, “I Had Beans Last Night”, and “I Love Playing Accordion”.

Jane Christison is an accomplished accordionist and entertainer, playing many styles of music, including pop, old standards, sing-along songs, polkas and music for special seasons and holidays. Once described by a talk show host as "like a ray of sunshine on stage," it doesn’t take long to notice Jane loves entertaining and meeting people.

As a member of USO Shows, she toured the Far East and entertained at military bases in Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam. A second USO tour took her to American bases in the Azores and Europe, bringing a touch of home to thousands of US military personnel. In addition, she has performed in other parts of the world such as Australia and New Zealand, the former Soviet Union, Scandinavia, and South America.

Jane studied serious accordion literature with Joan Cochran Sommers at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in accordion performance. Since graduating from college, Jane has kept very busy performing for corporate functions, country clubs, restaurants, casinos, trade shows, anniversary and birthday celebrations, and other special occasions. She has also been featured as a guest artist at accordion festivals around the country, presenting her workshops, "Playing the Accordion for Fun and Fame!" and "Squeezing Money Out of Your Accordion." Video versions of her workshops and other accordion videos are available through her company, Music With A Smile Productions, L.L.C.

The tunes on “Come Sing Along with Janie Next Door” are catchy, the lyrics easy to remember, and Jane’s enthusiasm for music is contagious! Elementary school children will be captivated by the fun and “get involved” mood created by Jane. I recommend this CD to parents, children, music teachers and elementary school teachers who want to create some lively and enjoyable moments for their students!

For further information and to order the CD please contact Jane Christison, 1-913-492-3883 or janec@musicwithasmile.com