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Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
Reminder: 2022 AAA Festival Virtual Competitions
UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble Concerts
2022 ATG Festival in Lisle, Illinois
Rita Davidson Barnea is the New AAA Secretary
A World of Accordions Museum Hosts World Accordion Day and Willard A. Palmer Festival - USA
Petosa Celebrates 100 Years with Release of “Petosa Accordions, An American Accordion Story”
Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration June 16-19: Info/Schedule
CIA President Mirco Patarini in Concert at ATG Festival
June is National Accordion Awareness Month
Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival Presents Michael Bridge
Stas Venglevski in Concert at July ATG Festival
Canadian Premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s “Accordion Concerto” Performed by Michael Bridge
Michael Arnon's 31st Annual Crawfish Festival is On Again!
Eddie Monteiro and Warren Vache Perform at Shanghai Jazz on June 8
Murl Allen Sanders to Perform at 2022 ATG Festival
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Pioneer Women of the AAA, Alice "Essie" Bradshaw Armstrong (1917 - 2018) - considered the "Sweetheart of the Accordion" in the early years of the AAA
Musical Friends Celebrate Guy Klucevsek's 75th Birthday
The Accordion: A Possible Treatment for Dementia?
Results: Online Accordion Star International Competition 2022
Dr.William Schimmel to Perform at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Heyni Solera: Finalist in the 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competition
Sam Reider Premieres New Concerto for Accordion
Alex Roitman is a Finalist for 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competition
Beverley Fess Performs for the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in June
Not Just Oompah! Features Alex Meixner and Lori Brook in Live Concert/Workshop
Creosote in Summer Accordion Festivals
Bonnie Birch and Fortissimo Play for LIAC
Sergei and Maria Teleshev Perform at Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration and Cotati
ATG Online Student Recital on June 5
Megumi Hada: NASA Scientist, Accordionist, and Composer
Tom Torriglia Releases New Album “Limoncello Time”
Accordion Lovers! Almost Fifty Years of Love!
Celebrating 50 Years of Accordion Music
Future events |
45th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Dominic Karcic and Gina Haver at La Villini
Finalists Announced for 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competition in August
Cotati Festival August 20-21 in California
NorthEast Squeeze-In 2022: September 16-18
Highlights |
Editor's Noteby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 June is National Accordion Awareness Month. National Accordion Awareness Month was established in 1989 to help spread the word about the resurgence in popularity in the accordion and to educate people about the accordion. AWW certainly educates and entertains the world about the accordion all year long!National Accordion Awareness Month activities can include: 1. Buy an accordion. What better way to honor this instrument than to permanently bring one into your life? Research the best and most affordable accordions and treat yourself to a wonderful instrument. Worried about the space it might take? No time to learn this instrument? Do a good deed and give it to someone who appreciates music, or donate it to your local music class. Send a little music/joy out into the world. 2. Take accordion lessons. Take lessons in person or online. 3. Support accordion players. Honor those who have put in the work, attend their concerts in person, or watch them play online. Purchase their music/albums from online platforms, etc. Share your discovery with the world and help spread awareness about the accordion. Interesting fact: A renewed interest in grassroots regional musical styles, such as Zydeco, Cajun and Tejano, have resulted in the rediscovery and recent rise in popularity of the accordion in the U.S. The June news includes videos, books and information on accordion happenings many of which are now live. There are many special reports and videos on World Accordion Day (WAD) which was May 6, 2022. You can view concerts from around the world just by clicking on the links in the articles. Please send all comments to Ritabelll@aol.com Enjoy! |
Reminder: 2022 AAA Festival Virtual Competitionsby Frank Busso, Jr., Director of Ernest Deffner, Inc., USA Distributor for Pigini |
 American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Contest Chairperson Frank Busso Jr. (picture right) invites accordionists from all corners of the world, to enter and enjoy participating in the 2022 AAA Festival Virtual Competitions.Categories include Standard & Open solos, Standard & Open duets, and Open Ensembles & Bands. Contestants in Standard categories must choose a selection from the Standard music list. All other categories are Open, which means you can play anything you wish, except in the Ethnic, Pop, and Jazz categories, where the style of music is designated. Download the virtual competition Rules, Categories and Required Composition List at: 2022Rules&Entry.pdf Entry Forms Due Date is August 1, 2022. Video Submissions Due Date is August 15, 2022. For any enquiries, please contact Frank Busso Jr. Contest Chairperson, at frank@bussomusic.com |
UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble Concertsby Kevin Friedrich |
 The University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Ensemble will present two performances in Kansas City on June 11th at the Swan Dive Event Center at Vivilore Restaurant in Independence, Missouri at 3:00 pm and on June 12th, 2022 at the Kansas City United Church of Christ Social Hall at 2:00 PM.All players are alumni of the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and former members of the renowned UMKC Accordion Orchestra. The players make their living in various careers, but each have remained devoted to promoting the accordion and its varied repertoire, which includes transcriptions, commissions and other original works. They have recently performed in Chicago, San Francisco, Kansas City, the 80th Anniversary of the AAA in Alexandria, VA. and in Superior, WI at the World of Accordions Museum. In addition, they have participated in the USA contributions to previous World Accordion Day events, when videos of their performances were broadcast during the live presentations. The UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble performs under the direction of Joan C. Sommers who both conducts and also plays as a member of the ensemble on certain pieces. Joan C. Sommers was awarded the title of Professor Emerita upon her retirement from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music (USA), where she established and taught the accordion degree program for forty years. She has arranged innumerable works for both Accordion Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble over many years, works that have been performed around the globe. She has held numerous positions in several music organizations, including the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) and the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA – IMC-UNESCO) where she was recently awarded lifetime Honorary Membership. Today she enjoys performing with fellow accordionists in duo, with other instrumentalists, with the (UMKC) Community Accordion Ensemble and as guest Conductor with various orchestras around the world including leading the magnificent "World Accordion Orchestra XI" in Shenzhen, China on August 18, 2019. The Concerts are Free Admission with donations greatly appreciated. For more information please contact: joansommers@kc.rr.com |
2022 ATG Festival in Lisle, Illinoisby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Plan to attend the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival from July 20-24, 2022 in Lisle, Chicago. It will be an event with something for everyone, from an accordion petting zoo to many superb virtuosos and concerts of different types, as listed on the poster above. You still have time to register and choose the activities you wish to attend. See you there! For further information: Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) |
Rita Davidson Barnea is the New AAA Secretaryby Harley Jones |
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 At the May 10, 2022 American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Board meeting, Rita Davidson Barnea, was appointed the Secretary of the AAA. The position was open due to the resignation of Rachel Quirbach for personal reasons.Rita has been a member of the AAA Board since 2001. Additionally, for over 14 years, Rita has served as the National Editor of this publication, www.accordionusa.com, covering accordion events, artists, concerts, etc. which take place on the North American continent. Rita welcomes accordion news, photos, and information for the USA News. Email her at: ritabelll@aol.com She presents workshops and concerts on the "Life and Music of Eugene Ettore" ”The Use of the Accordion in the Teaching of Music in School”, and "How to Organize a Children's Birthday Party" centered around the use of the accordion. Rita has also performed in recitals, concerts, workshops, and at accordion festivals throughout the US. Rita retired from a 30 year career as a public school music teacher in West Orange, New Jersey where she used her accordion every day in the classroom and as an accompaniment for concerts and programs. Her principals appreciated her portability as a music teacher where classes were conducted in the cafeteria, outdoors, and on upper floors in the building. Her red accordion covered in stickers was loved by her students who all wanted to carry it for her from class to class! Rita continues to be involved in interesting accordion activities: Rita had the opportunity to perform with the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra at the United Nations several years ago in New York City where she premiered New Zealand composer, Gary Daverne’s “Concert Waltz for Accordion and Strings.” She also performed Eugene Ettore’s “Manhattan Concerto” with two symphony orchestras. Rita said, “I feel very honored that I was given the opportunity to perform his concerto with an orchestra. I have always felt that his music is orchestral in nature, not only bringing out the unique characteristics of the accordion, but also demonstrating that his compositions definitely lend themselves to orchestral arrangements. This is something that I would like to see happen in the future.” Eugene Ettore was one of the first proponents of the use of the “Power of Positive Thinking” with his students. While preparing for competitions or concerts, he would teach me techniques of relaxation and focus by the use of several powerful statements to be said before performance. Here are two of them: 1. I play with confidence, determination, and accuracy. 2. I recollect easily and at will. (This statement also applied in taking tests in school,) I found these statement/mantras to be extremely helpful in reducing anxiety and assisting in total focus on learning and performance. I use them even today. Rita, as National Editor of www.accordionusa.com for almost 15 years shares these fascinating statistics: Rita has produced over 175 monthly issues of www.accordionusa.com Her 14 plus years as editor includes over 5,250 individual articles. With 175 publications and about 70,000 page views per month, that equals 12,250,000 page views over 14 years since Rita began serving as Editor. Rita is the creator and curator of the Eugene Ettore Memorial Website, which contains photos, articles, and other valuable information about Eugene Ettore, prominent accordionist and composer. It also contains links to her performances, pdf’s of his music, and information on how to obtain his compositions. http://www.accordions.com/memorials/mem/ettore_eugene/ Her “Music of Eugene Ettore” album is now a free download at: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/eTracks/inform/davidson/index.htm For further information: Ritabelll@aol.com |
A World of Accordions Museum Hosts World Accordion Day and Willard A. Palmer Festival - USAby Dr. Helmi Harrington, Curator, A World of Accordions Museum, USA |
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 Video: Video starts at 3:10 'Meet the Family' of instruments from A World of Accordions Museum by Kevin Friedrich, assisted by Jane Christison.A World of Accordions Museum celebrated their annual World Accordion Day and Dr. Willard Palmer Festival in Superior, Wisconsin from May 6th to 8th, 2022. Featuring Concerts, Lectures, a Festival Orchestra, Two Polka Services and several social events, the festival was hailed a tremendous success, bringing in both live and online audiences. Featured guests included the Mayor of Superior, Jim Paine, Museum President and curator Helmi Harrington, Ph. D., (picture right) Dr. Mike Middleton (both solo and with the Middletones), CIA Ambassador and Museum VP Kevin Friedrich, Dee Langley (both solo and with the Masked Accordion Ensemble), Joanna Arnold Darrow, Jazzlynne Skye, John Scaffeo, Mary Kay and Katherine Archuletta, William Popp, Accordion Concertina Music and Friends Accordion Band conducted by Tracey Gibbens, Hostfest Ensemble and Dr. Craig Funderburg. Visitors to the World Accordion Day and Palmer Fests were treated to an array of activities showcasing the diversity of the accordion, an introduction to the extensive Alain Papineau collection donation, as well as guided tours of the Museum displaying more than 1,400 instruments tracing the evolution of the accordion from 1829 to today. View full three day event report, pictures and videos at: 2022USA-WAD |
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Petosa Celebrates 100 Years with Release of “Petosa Accordions, An American Accordion Story”by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 The Petosa Accordion Company based in Washington state celebrates 100 years in business with the recent publication of their new book, “Petosa Accordions, 1922-2022, An American Accordion Story.” This beautiful book celebrates the remarkable legacy of four generations of the Carlo Petosa family of Seattle, highly skilled Italian-American artisans who have been hand-making and importing accordions for one-hundred years.The family’s fulfillment of the American Dream is a footnote in the history of the contemporary accordion, whose development began in Europe in the 1800s. The “squeezebox” came to America with European immigrants, found a place on the Vaudeville stage, and enjoyed a wave of growing popularity in the first half of the twentieth century – until the arrival of rock ‘n’ roll caused the accordion’s “fall from grace.” The instrument was down but not out, however, and has made a steady comeback. Through it all, Petosa Accordions has survived and innovated while adjusting to cultural shifts and doubling down on its commitment to make and import accordions of superb quality. Joe Petosa, Jr. is the third generation owner of one of the few surviving accordion companies in the USA. They are proud to have provided accordions for many well known musicians over the years including Clifton Chenier known as the “King of Zydeco.” Carlo Petosa, originally from Italy, was the founder of the Petosa Company. He began making the accordion in his basement in 1922. He learned how to make accordions by being an apprentice at the Guerrini Accordion Company in San Francisco. In the early 1900’s the accordion was gaining popularity aided by the flamboyant Guido Deiro who married the actress, Mae West. In the late 1940s, an “American Idol”-like contest that drew over 10,000 hopeful musicians was won by Dick Continuo known as “The Valentino of the Accordion” because of his style and flashy playing of his Petosa accordion. Today, Joe’s two year old son, Jack Petosa, represents the fifth generation of the Petosa family involved in the accordion business. The Petosa accordions were built in Seattle, Washington until 1945 by Carlo and his son, Joseph, Joe Jr.’s father. Demand increased and it was difficult to find well trained and skilled craftsman so the family partnered with a factory in Castelfidardo, Italy. About 25 expert Italian craftsmen built the instruments to Petosa’s design and specifications — an arrangement that continues to this day. All the customization is done in Lynnwood, Washington. Petosa’s best-known customer today might be former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselić, who played accordion in the grunge band’s “MTV Unplugged” session and features it in his own group, Giants in the Trees. “An American Accordion Story” Published by American Accordion Press Limited First Edition, signed & numbered, $35 Coffee Table format, 128 pages, hardbound, 380+ photos Available in June 2022 How to reserve a copy. Preorder online now from Petosa Accordions Inc.at www.petosa.com |
Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration June 16-19: Info/Scheduleby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| The Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in Washington, sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society, returns to it normal format from June 16 - 19, 2022. There will be amazing performers who will demonstrate the versatility of the accordion in many genres including: Sergei Teleshev and daughter Maria, Northwest Accordionaires, Kevin Solecki, Beverley Fess, Creosote, Richard Noel, Barry Smith, Bonnie Birch and Fortissimo!, Zydeco Lowdown and more! Plan to attend the workshops where you will learn techniques to develop your musical skills. The Gazebo Ensemble will also perform on Friday and Saturday. You can obtain the ensemble music on the LIAC website. According to Doris Osgood: There are two versions of the Ensemble gig book. One is the more complex version prepared in 2020; the other is a new “lead sheet” version that is simplified. The two options should work well. Print out the music as soon as you can and begin preparing. (Music will not be provided on site) The 2020 version prepared by Toby Hanson and Lyle Schaefer has not changed. If you have that already, you’re set. A Thursday rehearsal for those able to attend will be scheduled. That will be printed in the LIAC program. Be sure to bring your own music and music stand to the gazebo for performances. Players will bring out extra chairs at the gazebo and will restore them after the program. For public performances at the gazebo and grange prepare Bavarian/ethnic/audience friendly music for your performances downtown. Bavarian/ethnic attire would be great! You cannot sign up on line; you can see what opportunities are available. The gazebo, grange, competition/workshop schedules are posted on the celebration web site: www.accordioncelebration.org. After reviewing those schedules, contact Doris Osgood for times that will fit your plans. Doris will schedule the performers and the roster will be updated online regularly. To sign up for performance contact: dorisosgood@frontier.com or 503-357-0417. Folding chairs are provided at the gazebo, but bring your own music stand if you need one. Remember, the performance schedule at the gazebo is tight. Time your program and be ready to roll when you are scheduled. Tardiness does not mean you will have your full 15 minutes; the next player will be “on” as scheduled. The last date to schedule performances via email and phone will be June 13. See Doris in person in Leavenworth after that. There will be an opportunity to perform at the Gingerbread Factory on Friday and Saturday as we have in years past. The sign up for that will take place at the gazebo beginning on Thursday. It’s a fun venue and everyone who played there last year had a wonderful time. For those participating in competition, artistry or in evaluation, bring any “special” equipment you may need for your performance, like a music stand or stool. There are folding chairs on stage at the festhalle, gazebo and at the grange. Volunteers are greatly appreciated and this is an important part of the celebration. Participate in the competition, workshops, concerts, parade and volunteer for a shift or two. Check the volunteer schedule to see what times and venues are available. Invest yourself in the accordion celebration! Contact Kathleen Falco to indicate the times you’d be available to work: kathleen.falco@yahoo.com (208-610-8426) The parade will be close to the lunch hour on Saturday during the celebration. The time will be posted and printed in the festival schedule. The music is Leavenworth friendly; most will be in the key of C. Most years there is only time to walk down the street playing Happy Wanderer, Edelweiss at the gazebo with singing, the Beer Barrel a time or two, and then off the gazebo marching back to the festhalle! Come to the Festhalle about 15 minutes before parade time for a brief rehearsal and marching orders from parademeister, Greg Perry. Everyone is welcome to join in. Remember to check the web site regularly for updates. The schedules are subject to change. This is our first year back as “normal” and adjustments may be necessary that can’t be foreseen now. Doris will have the “official” gazebo schedule on site at the gazebo. Do not rely upon old data for the accurate schedule. 2022 Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration Combined Schedule – Festhalle, Grange, Gazebo: 2202LeavenworthSchedule.pdf |
CIA President Mirco Patarini in Concert at ATG Festivalby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| CIA President Mirco Patarini will perform in concert at the 2022 ATG Festival in Lisle, Illinois on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 7:30 PM. On Friday, July 22, 2022 at 9:30 AM Mirco will present a workshop, “The Future of the Accordion World.” Mirco Patarini, from Spoleto (Italy), began studying music in 1978 at the CDMI (Centro Didattico Musicale Italiano) in Spoleto. In the same year he began to participate in various national competitions, ranking in the first places. In 1981 he ranked first in the Italian Pre-Championship of Castelfidardo, obtaining the right to access the 31st CMA Accordion World Trophy, where he was the youngest participant. Between 1983 and 1985 he won the Italian Pre-Championship three times, so that he could participate in International competitions in Caracas (Venezuela), Caldas de Rahina (Portugal), and La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland), where he obtained the 1st prize. His concert activity ranges from classical repertoire to modern music; from acoustic to electronic and MIDI accordion; from solo performance to concerts for accordion and Symphony Orchestra, in 69 countries around the world. His career boasts many important collaborations with famous artists such as Luciano Pavarotti and Nicola Piovani in the most prestigious theaters in the world. He was the General Music Manager in the Bontempi-Farfisa Group for many years, actively participating in the design, marketing and distribution of Bontempi Musical toys, Farfisa amateur, professional keyboards and synthesizers; and Furnstein, Furstenberg, Hermann and Anelli acoustic pianos. He is the President of “Scandalli Accordions” company, one of the historical and very prestigious accordion factories. In January 2006 he founded, together with Gianluca Bibiani, the publishing company “Ars Spoletium”, of which he is President. In September 2007 they aquired the historic music magazine “Strumenti e Musica” (founded in 1948 by Bio Boccosi) restarting its publication and transforming into an International bilingual publication. Since 2007 he has been the Artistic Director of the IAC (Italian Accordion Culture) association, Italian Premier Voting Member of the CIA. For numerous years he has been the Italian juror for the CIA Coupe Mondiale. Since 2008 he has been the founder and Artistic Director of the Instruments & Music Festival of Spoleto and in 2011 he was the Artistic Director and organizer of the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Spoleto. In 2014 he was elected President of the Music Committee of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes IMC-UNESCO and in 2017, he was elected as the organization’s overall President, being re-elected in 2021 to serve a second term. In 2017 he was the Artistic Director and organizer of the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Osimo (Italy) and since 2018 he serves as Guest Professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. |
June is National Accordion Awareness Monthby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Celebrate National Accordion Awareness Day this June to give this accordion its well deserved appreciation. This celebration has a specific purpose — to educate people about the accordion and acknowledge its contribution to music. The accordion (also called the ‘concertina’) has been featured in many classical and modern musical works, from jazz and zydeco to folk, gospel, and blues. The oldest name for the accordion is derived from the Greek word ‘harmonikos’, which means ‘harmonic’ or ‘musical’. It goes by many names across the world — ‘Akkerdeon’ in Germany, ‘Fiarmonica’ in Italy, ‘Bayan’ in Russia, ‘Sun-Fin-Chin’ in China, ‘Harmonium’ in Pakistan, and ‘Trekspill’ in Norway. But it is commonly just called ‘accordion’ in many countries. The invention of this instrument is a subject of much debate among researchers. Some credit Austria as its birthplace, others think it was invented in Berlin. What researchers do know is that the accordion spread around the globe because of European immigration into other countries. This accordion entered into popular music in the 19th century, with many accordionists including five players — Pietro Frosini, brothers Count Guido Deiro and Pietro Deiro, Slovenian brothers Vilko Ovsenik and Slavko Avsenik, and Charles Magnante — becoming major influences during this period. While vaudeville theatres closed during the Great Depression, accordionists performed for and taught via the radio. The rise of rock and roll finally caused the decline of accordions in popular music, but the instrument has since been revived, with multiple musicians like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and others using the accordion in their songs. Did you know that the accordion is the official instrument of San Francisco since 1990? Accordionist Tom Torriglia is responsible for making June “National Accordion Awareness Month,” and campaigned to make the accordion San Francisco’s official instrument. How did he make the case to get the piano accordion named the official instrument of San Francisco? Tom shares, “In 1989, I met San Francisco Supervisor Willie Kennedy at an event, told her of my intent to make the accordion the official instrument and asked her how to go about that and would she help me.She guided me through the process. The first step was to write a support paper talking about the history of the accordion in San Francisco and how the piano accordion got its start here and why it should be the city’s official instrument. After reading the piece I wrote, she felt my request had merit and she then introduced a measure to the full Board of Supervisors asking that the accordion be named the city’s official instrument. The supervisors then held a public hearing on the issue. A lot of people showed up to City Hall to speak for and against.The Board of Supervisors passed the measure and the measure then went to the mayor’s office for his signature. Realizing what a hot-button issue this was, the mayor, Art Agnos, decided not to act and the measure became officially approved by default. How to celebrate National Accordion Awareness Month? Consider attending a live or Zoom concert or festival purchase an accordion album on streaming platforms including Amazon, Spotify, Apple, etc. Watch an accordion event on Facebook or other social media and donate to the accordionist, treat yourself to an accordion and lessons, visit the New England Accordion Museum in Connecticut, A World of Accordions Museum in Wisconsin or other accordion museums in your area. Read the AWW accordion news publications each week/month to learn about what is happening with accordionists around the world. Join an accordion organization/club such as ATG or AAA or one of many groups around the country where you will meet interesting people who share a common love for the accordion. Read what happened on World Accordion Day on May 6th. WAD What did you do to celebrate? Email: Ritabelll@aol.com |
Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival Presents Michael Bridgeby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) present Michael Bridge, renowned acoustic and digital accordionist from Toronto, Canada. He will perform at the 2022 ATG Festival in Chicago Western Suburbs July 20-23, 2022 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Accordionists & Teachers Guild International. He will present a workshop, “Digital Accordion and Percussion” on Thursday, July 21, 2022. Michael’s concert takes place on Friday, July 22, 22 at 7:30 PM at Wheaton College.Michael Bridge is a 21st-century musical maverick - toppling popular expectations of what it is to be a professional accordionist. He’s a virtuoso performer on both the acoustic accordion and its 21st Century cousin, the digital accordion - an extraordinary piece of technological wizardry that imitates the sound of just about any instrument you can imagine. His concerts capture the energy and panache of stadium rock with the elegance and discipline of chamber music. It all began when Bridge was five and growing up in Calgary. His mom bought him a $5 accordion at a garage sale and Michael was hooked. Since then he has won numerous competitions in Canada and abroad and was named one of CBC’s 30 under 30 classical musicians. He gives over 100 concerts a year as a soloist and as a member of both the “Bridge & Wolak” duo and “Ladom Ensemble”. He offers lectures and master classes around the world, recently became a Rebanks Fellows at the Glenn Gould School, and received his Doctorate in Performance from the University of Toronto. Bridge & Wolak also give back through an on-line Music Mentorship Program. After performing hundreds of concerts in schools, they are determined to build more meaningful relationships with musically inclined teens. Michael embraces a musical aesthetic that is alternatively irreverent, deadly serious, meticulously prepared and completely in-the-moment. He’s at home with jazz, folk and classical music. He’s premiered 53 new works. If pushed, he’ll say he likes Baroque music best because of its unforgiving demand for clarity of intent and execution.Ultimately, he aims to make your world more bearable, beautiful and human – even if only for the length of a concert. The Festival registration form and hotel information, for members and for nonmembers, can be found at www.atgaccordions.com . For further information: michael@michaelbridgemusic.com |
Stas Venglevski in Concert at July ATG Festivalby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Stas Venglevski will share his talents at the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival in Lisle, Illinois on Saturday, 7:30 PM, at Wheaton College. Do not miss his performance! His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stanislav, "Stas," Venglevski, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the Bayan. A two-time first prize winner of Bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova, Stas is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed Russian Bayanist, Friedrich Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the United States. Stas is an Accordionist, a Musician, an Arranger, an Entertainer and a Teacher. Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen and with Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Companion Show. Additionally, he has performed with symphony orchestras throughout the United States. 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 the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra; has done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced 15 acclaimed albums including a transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for Bayan as well as one of original compositions. He has published several books of original compositions. Stas founded Accordion XXI Century Series in 2010 so that the Midwest audiences can experience the amazing range of the Accordion and Bayan by bringing gifted artists from all over the world. In a concert setting, these gifted musicians share their skills and cultures to provide the audience with a unique musical experience. The performances feature the Accordion or Bayan in solo presentation and, when possible, in concert with other instruments. The brilliant artistry and musical virtuosity of Stas afford an expanded dimension in music and an innovative musical adventure to the audience. Beyond his artistry he is a consummate entertainer capable of engaging any audience. Recently Stas performed the Anthony Galla-Rini “Concerto #2” with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Daniel Boico. Stas also presented the World Premiere of a new piece, an accordion solo by Mayako Kubo itled “Footprints”, composed and dedicated to Stas. For more information: meghada33@gmail.com |
Canadian Premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s “Accordion Concerto” Performed by Michael Bridgeby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
  Accordionist Michael Bridge will perform at the “Esprit Live 2022” concert held at the Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada on June 9th, 2022 at 8:PM, with a pre-concert talk at 7:PM. The event will feature the Canadian premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s accordion concerto “Fachwerk”, with the Esprit Orchestra conducted by Alex Pauk. The concerto is scored for accordion soloist, string orchestra, and percussion and has been performed hundreds of times around the world, but not yet in Canada. The work was recorded by Friedrich Lips Catalog CD027 Fachwerk | Kapote.Michael shares, “I believe Fachwerk (2009) is among the best and most exciting works that exist for accordion today. The concerto is scored for accordion solist, string orchestra, and percussion. It has been performed hundreds of times around the world, but not yet in Canada. Preparing this concerto became a deep personal passion. In September 2021, I travelled to Iceland to hear Geir Draugsvoll (for whom it was written) rehearse and perform the concerto with the Iceland Symphony. He was very generous; we had all our meals together that week, and he shared the story of Fachwerk with me, including his 30-year history with the composer, the evolution of the cadenza, and his experiences performing it—now over 50 times. Sofia Gubaidulina, one of the world’s foremost living composers, has written 14 works for accordion from solo sonatas to concerti. She was born in the Tatar Republic of the U.S.S.R. but has resided in Hamburg since 1992. Her music is deeply linked to her spirituality and, in the case of Fachwerk, the structure of the accordion itself.” Fachwerk literally means “Wooden Scaffolding” and refers to a style of German architecture where the structural wooden beams are exposed and the joints are visible, forming crosses. The modern concert accordion has several button layouts on one instrument; Gubaidulina’s idea was for the accordionist to play the same button sequence with both hands, but on different button systems so that the mirrored actions produce different tones. Gubaidulina then found an ingenious way to turn this concept into a beautiful cadenza, by locating starting points for each hand that, when layered, sound haunting, austere, and sublime. Hence, she recounts, “The accordion itself wrote the cadenza,” from which the entire concerto blossomed”. The concert program will also include “Sanctuary” by Alison Yun-Fei Jiang and “Polaris” by Thomas Adès. For more information: michael@michaelbridgemusic.com Picture below: CD Friedrich Lips Catalog CD027 Fachwerk | Kapote. |
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Michael Arnon's 31st Annual Crawfish Festival is On Again!by Rita Barnea |
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 Be sure to make your plans to include the Michael Arnone Crawdad Festival on June 3-5, 2022. There will be Cajun, Zydeco, Delta Blues, New Orleans R&B, Gospel, Funk and Brass on 4 Stages. Headliners include: Pine Leaf Boys,Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish, Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bonerama, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Amanda Shaw, Ally Venable, Honey Island Swamp Band, Pine Leaf Boys, Flow Tribe, Jonathon Long, Elektric Voodoo, Erica Falls, Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys, Terry and The Zydeco Bad Boys, The Iceman Special, Soul Project NOLA, Jesse Lege and Bayou Brew, Big Mamou, United By Music, USA Blues Gospel Show and Cold Hill. Many of the groups have excellent accordionists.What started as a small crawfish boil for 70 people homesick for boiled crawfish in 1989, has turned into Michael Arnone's 31st Annual Crawfish Fest June 3-5, 2022. It features the best music and food that Louisiana and New Orleans has to offer. Cajun, Zydeco, Delta Blues, New Orleans R&B, Brass, Gospel and Jazz on 3 Stages. Visit the stage schedule to see your personal must see’s. The Crawfish Fest will open soon to purchase all 2022 Crawfish Fest Single Day, 2 Day Combo, Group, onsite 4 day/3 nights Camping/ Admission, and King Crawfish Krewe Tickets (main stage pit passes) There is a $10 per online transaction fee. Tickets will also be available at the door for $45 per day (under 14 free with parent) on Saturday and Sunday only. Order Michael Arnone's Jambalaya Mix in our online store. Enjoy Boiled Crawfish, Pork Sausage/Chicken Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee, Alligator Sausage, Po-boys (oyster,shrimp and catfish), Char Grilled Oysters, Southern Fried Chicken and the other great dishes on our Menu for $14.00 or less per dish. Driving Directions are easy. Free Cajun/Zydeco Dance Lessons. The festival is less than 1 hr from NYC. No comfort pets, Service animals trained for a specific task only. Free Parking. Tickets already purchased will be honored in 2022. The Ticket Barcode remains the same. Gates open 10:30 AM Saturday and Sunday; Show 11:30 AM -6:30 PM. On-site Camping is located on the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ. Camper checkin is on 10:AM Friday. For further information: michael@crawfishfest.com |
Eddie Monteiro and Warren Vache Perform at Shanghai Jazz on June 8by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
  Accordionist Eddie Monteiro will perform with trumpet player, Warren Vache on June 8, 2022 at 7:PM at Shanghai Restaurant and Jazz Club, 24 Main Street,Madison, NJ, 07940. They will be joined by joined by Earl Sauls on bass and Vinnie Corrao on guitar.About Warren Vache: ”In Vaché, jazz has found a creator whose prodigious, hard-earned skills enable him to craft swinging performances of beauty, emotion and surprise." Warren is a tremendous trumpet and cornet player and, with his acerbic wit between songs he keeps the entertainment rolling. Eddie Monteiro is an internationally recognized jazz musician and educator with 30 years of musical performance in classical, jazz, dance, theater, cabaret and choral ensembles. He is well known for his harmonic skills and talent. He won several accordion championships as a youth and was also the youngest honoree elected to the American Accordionist’s Hall of Fame. He was a member of Bobb Rosengarden, Skitch Henderson, Peter Duchin, Ray Bloch, Michael Lanin and Marty Ames orchestras. Eddie performs in the New York Metropolitan area and worldwide. Monteiro shares that the instrument itself has often been misrepresented. “The accordion has been maligned far too often in the numerous jokes and cartoons,” he said. “The Lawrence Welk image with Myron Floren showed the accordion but in a somewhat 'corny' musical idiom. In addition, I think there are many accordionists who have continued to play at less than professional level. Others are just so outlandish in their presentations that people take note and think they're great. The accordion, far too often, isn't played for the public in a very positive way.” Eddie Monteiro was a featured member of the pit orchestra on stage in Broadway revival performance of "Carnival" and "Evita" and recording of radio and television jingles for Sesame Street, General Foods, Colgate Palmolive, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bennigan’s Restaurants, Pontiac and more. Lead artist of innumerable society bands performing throughout the world at social events, political gatherings and corporation conventions. Eddie recently retired as the Music Teacher, Choral Director, Vocal and Instrumental Music Director for the Ann Street Elementary School. Eddie Monteiro has performed at Jazz Festivals throughout the world. National performances include the JVC Jazz Festival and the Toyota Jazz Festival in New York City, Salishan Jazz Festival and the Centrum Jazz Festival both in Washington. Internationally Eddie was a guest at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, the Jakarta Jazz Festival in Indonesia, Sea Jazz Festival in Helsinki, the Norwegian National Accordion Competition, Sweden's Annual Accordion Festival in Ransatter and in January of 2000 Eddie closed the Jazz In El Tambo Festival in Punta del Esta, Uruguay performing with Paquito D'Rivera, Leny Andrade, John Patitucci and Benny Golson. He has conducted workshops and seminars at the Manhattan School of Music, Kansas City Jazz Workshop, Artists in Jazz at Pace University, Topeka Jazz Workshop and a Harmony & Improvisation Clinic in Norway. His numerous recordings include Double Standards, The Real Thing, A Perfect Match (with Nancy Marano featuring Gerry Mulligan, Roger Kellaway and Claudio Roditi), Under Paris Skies (with Karen Akers), A Walk on the Wilde Side (with Ronny Whyte), Jazz Influence and Arkadia Jazz All Stars: Thank You John! (a tribute to John Coltrane) and was featured on the album with the vocal group ‘String Of Pearls’. His work has also included numerous jingles for Colgate-Palmolive, Budweiser, General Motors, Folonari Wines, General Foods a soundtrack recording with Marvin Hamlisch and an appearance on the film ‘Mortal Thoughts’ with Bruce Willis. A graduate of NYU with a B.S. in Music Education, Eddie studied accordion with Charles Nunzio, (one of the founding members of the American Accordionists’ Association), piano with Madame Olga Van Till and advanced harmony studies with Marty Holmes.Eddie is a member of the AAA Governing Board and is a Certified Teacher Member of AAA as well as a member of Music Educators' National Conference, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Technology Institute for Music Educators, National Education Association, Jazz Educators Association the Sommelier Institute and is an Amateur Radio General Class Operator. A member of pit orchestras on stage in Broadway revival performances of both "Evita" and "Carnival" he has recorded radio and television jingles for Sesame Street, General Foods, Pontiac, Colgate, Palmolive, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bennigan's Restaurants and more. Lead artist of innumerable society bands performing throughout the world at social events, political gatherings and corporation conventions, Eddie has done it all! Eddie Monteiro has performed at Jazz Festivals throughout the world. National performances include the JVC Jazz Festival and the Toyota Jazz Festival in New York City, Salishan Jazz Festival and the Centrum Jazz Festival both in Washington. Internationally Eddie was a guest at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, the Jakarta Jazz Festival in Indonesia, Sea Jazz Festival in Helsinki, the Norwegian National Accordion Competition, Sweden's Annual Accordion Festival in Ransatter and in January of 2000 Eddie closed the Jazz In El Tambo Festival in Punta del Esta, Uruguay performing with Paquito D'Rivera, Leny Andrade, John Patitucci and Benny Golson. He has conducted workshops and seminars at the Manhattan School of Music, Kansas City Jazz Workshop, Artists in Jazz at Pace University, Topeka Jazz Workshop and a Harmony & Improvisation Clinic in Norway. His numerous recordings include Double Standards, The Real Thing, A Perfect Match (with Nancy Marano featuring Gerry Mulligan, Roger Kellaway and Claudio Roditi), Under Paris Skies (with Karen Akers), A Walk on the Wilde Side (with Ronny Whyte), Jazz Influence and Arkadia Jazz All Stars: Thank You John! (a tribute to John Coltrane) and was featured on the album with the vocal group ‘String Of Pearls’. The Shanghai Jazz is a jazz club/restaurant with an Oriental influence. The focus here is mainly on three things, namely, the food, music and lovely atmosphere. It serves excellent Asian varieties, the chefs also include seasonal menu with flavors and veggies as per the season; every dish is prepared with utmost care and served in huge portions. Shanghai Jazz also has a bar that features wines, beers and cool cocktails. As far as music is concerned, the restaurant hosts live music concerts sans any extra cover charge. You can also hire this establishment for private events and celebrations; off-site catering services are also offered. I have been there many times. The entertainment, food, and service is always consistently superior. No music charge, $25 food and drink minimum, performance begins at 7:PM. Reservations are strongly recommended. Phone: (973) 822-2899 For further information about Eddie Monteiro: chordean.changes@gmail.com |
Murl Allen Sanders to Perform at 2022 ATG Festivalby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Accordionist Murl Allen Sanders will be a featured performer at the 2022 ATG Festival in Lisle, Chicago. Murl will present his workshop “Being the Accordionist in an Ensemble” on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 3:PM at the Hyatt Hotel. He will perform at the Evening Concert on Thursday, July 21,2022 at Wheaton College. Murl Allen Sanders is a musician, composer, teacher and recording artist living in Seattle. Excerpts from ATG website: Murl has worked in the USA, Canada, England, Brazil and Japan with such diverse artists as Chuck Berry, Etta James, Il Divo, Glenn Yarbrough, Seattle Symphony, accordion virtuosi Frank Marocco, Chico Chagas, Stas Venglevski, Alex Meixner, Gary Blair and Cory Pesaturo, Leroy Bell, Peter Duchin, Alarm Will Sound, Seattle Modern Orchestra, Cascade Symphony, Everett Philarmonic, Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers, The Von Trapp Children, Theodore Bikel, Leslie Gore, Barbara Lamb, Susan Pascal, Warren Rand, Pearl Django, Michael Tomlinson and Kelly Harland, among many others. Murl teaches piano and accordion privately and is also adjunct faculty at Cornish College of the Arts and Shoreline College in Seattle. He has received two grants from The Seattle Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs to compose “She Blows Hot and Cold” for chorus and symphony orchestra in 2010 and “Accordion Concerto #2” in 2007, both pieces performed by Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers. His “Accordion Concerto #1”, a commission from Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers, premiered in 2003. Murl received a 2010 and 2009 ASCAP plus award for his concert compositions from The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Recent appearances: Bellevue Jazz and Blues Festival 2021, 2022 LeRoy Bell 2020 SanFrancisco Accordion Club 2019 Seattle Symphony “Music Beyond Borders” Concert 2017 Deep Squeeze Accordion Festival 2019, Port Townsend, WA Leavenworth International Accordion Festival 2018 Accordionists and Teachers Guild Festival, Chicago 2018 International Festival Da Sanfona, Juazeiro, Brazil 2016 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil with Chico Chagas Earshot Jazz Festival Milwaukee Accordion Club & Chicago Accordion Club Alarm Will Sound Seattle Modern Orchestra Northwest Film Forum Murl’s discography: “Guides and Spirits” 1981, “Soon” 1991, “New Romance and Doing All Right” 1996 “Can You Dance To It?” 2000, “Accordion Concerto #1” 2003 “Murl’s Holiday Favorites” 2009, “Stories of Lucile” 2012 |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
More 2022 World Accordion Day (WAD) Reports Onlineby Harley Jones |
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 There are more reports and video online which you can view at: World Accordion Day (WAD)Enjoy the worldwide WAD celebrations. |
Pioneer Women of the AAA, Alice "Essie" Bradshaw Armstrong (1917 - 2018) - considered the "Sweetheart of the Accordion" in the early years of the AAAby Joan Grauman, AAA Historian |
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  It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to write about this incredible woman who spent her entire life playing, selling, teaching and promoting the accordion. The most incredible thing is that, although Essie was very much involved when the AAA was founded in 1938, and worked closely with many of the founders of the AAA, we really did not know of her existence — until recently. I am ever so grateful for Essie’s daughter Kathy Marcus’ persistence in locating me, telling me all about her mother, and sending me so many delightful and insightful papers and photos about her mother’s early years in the New York area accordion world. Alice "Essie" Bradshaw was born in Chinook, Montana, May 8, 1917. The family moved to Spokane, Washington a few years later. Essie began studying the piano and the piano accordion as a young child in Spokane. After graduating from high school in 1935, she became well-known in Spokane as an accordion soloist, playing at many prestigious social events. In 1936, Essie flew to New York City to study at Juilliard School of Music. She quickly became an accordionist on the the National Broadcasting Company (NBC radio) staff in NYC, and she worked at the H. Selmer and Excelsior Accordion Company. Soon, after meeting Joe Biviano at the radio station, Essie became an accordion instructor at the Joe Biviano School of Music on West 48th St., in NYC. Joe and his then partner Gene von Hallberg made Essie the Assistant Director of the school. In the 1930s, women were not usually placed in the foreground in the world of the popular new instrument: the accordion. While you may never find old radio photos featuring Essie, which is surprising as she was a very beautiful young woman, Essie was very respected and loved by her colleagues. I now have a collection of wonderful promotional photos of the well-known accordionists who wrote to Essie on their photos. Johnny Serry referred to Essie as "Sweet Stuff". Joe Biviano wrote, "….our most capable and charming assistant". The excellent duo of brothers Anthony and Dominic Mecca wrote, "…our dear friend and 'Sweetheart of the accordion'". Brothers John and Charles Magnante each wrote: "The First Lady of the Accordion" (John), and "to a FINE accordionist and great teacher!" (Charles). The first meeting of the AAA was held on March 9, 1938. At the second meeting, held on April 9, 1938, Essie was presented with the second Certificate of Membership in the AAA (see photograph of this certificate). It was signed by two of the founders, Sam Rowland and the first AAA President, Pietro Deiro, Sr. Essie worked for Selmer/Excelsior and she may have been the person who who convinced many of the famous NY teachers and performers to buy the “rocker switch” Excelsiors (which she is also wearing in the above picture) in the late 1930s. Essie AAA pin above left. Not many AAA pins exist today and this AAA pin owned by Essie may be the earliest surviving AAA pin, gifted to her daughter Kathy. In 1940, Essie performed at Carnegie Chamber Music Hall at the Joe Biviano School of Music’s student recital. Charles Magnante arranged the G Minor Fugue, by JS Bach, for four accordions so the four teachers could perform together: Joe Biviano, Gene von Hallberg, Alice "Essie" Bradshaw and John Magnante. Essie continued to teach at the Biviano studio until 1943 when she married and returned to Spokane, Washington. Upon her return to Spokane, Essie went back to her name Alice. Alice Bradshaw Armstrong never stopped playing or teaching music. In her later years, after retiring from the Hoffman Music Company in Spokane, Alice and her husband, John B. Armstrong moved to South Hill, Washington where she became involved in a choir. This choir, a traveling ministry, performed in every state and made several trips to Europe. Alice "Essie" played her accordion all over the world with this choir. She was also a member of the Spokane Accordion Ensemble, under the direction of Ilmar Kuljus, during the 1990s. Sadly, Alice developed Alzheimer’s and eventually had no memories of the beautiful life she had led. "She taught my brother and me to be strong and caring people", her proud daughter Kathy said. Alice "Essie" Bradshaw Armstrong died at the age of 100 1/2 in Kettle Falls, WA on February 19, 2018. |
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Musical Friends Celebrate Guy Klucevsek's 75th Birthdayby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 On Saturday, May 14, 2022 a concert was presented for Guy Klucevsek in celebration of his 75th birthday at Roulette in Brooklyn, New York. Having retired from the concert stage in 2019, Klucevsek is proud to hand over the performances in this program of solos, duets, and quartets to a distinguished cast of musicians he has worked with over many years and, in some cases, decades: Todd Reynolds, violin, Jenny Lin, piano, and accordionists the Bachtopus ensemble (Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka, Jeanne Velonis), Alan Bern (doubling piano), Will Holshouser and Nathan Koci.The pieces Klucevsek selected represent 40+ years of his composing, from Oscillation No. 2 for piano (1980), through The Grass, It Is Blue (Ain’t Nothin’ But a Polka) (1986), Flying Vegetables of the Apocalypse (1988), Eleven Large Lobsters Loose in the Lobby (1991) and Bar Talk (1998) (in memory of Béla Bartók), up to pieces from the 21st century, including seven World Premieres. Musicians included: Alan Bern, accordion and piano Bachtopus Accordion Ensemble (Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka and Jeanne Velonis) Will Holshouser, accordion Nathan Koci, accordion Jenny Lin, piano Todd Reynolds, violin It was an evening of admiration and love, expressed by his musical friends performing his music. Guy’s friend, Cheryl Tan, said, “Memorable night at Roulette — a concert honoring my dear dear friend and Headlands Center for the Arts mate, the accordion composer Guy Klucevsek, to mark his 75th birthday. Musicians flew in from all over (Berlin!) to perform his pieces — and they were all so moving, witty and just beautiful. For one piece there were seven accordions (plus a piano and violin) on stage. And I loved the “Eleven Large Lobsters Loose in the Lobby” piece, which featured the Bachtopus ensemble clacking the keys on their accordions, thumping the instruments and stomping their feet — the sounds of crustacean mayhem. Bravo, dear Guy, and thank you for all the music, light and laughter you bring to the world. We love you to bits.” Todd Reynolds, violinist and good friend of Guy, shares, “This man. This man right here. This man at 75, surrounded by his friends playing his music. A master of melody, a master of rhythm, a master of accordion, and a man and musician I've had the great fortune to play with for many years now.” For more information: gklucevsek@mac.com Photo left: Guy, his wife Jan, and cousin Frankie |
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The Accordion: A Possible Treatment for Dementia?by Paul Ramunni |
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 We opened The New England Accordion Connection & Museum Co. here in North Canaan CT in the Fall of 2011. Since then, we have had a great variety of visitors, accordion enthusiasts, and most interestingly, folks who have never had any personal connection with an accordion. There have been many wonderful exchanges of musical experiences, stories and genuine appreciation for the beauty and craftsmanship of each accordion on display. But every so often, something very special and extraordinary has been happening. Recently, a man in his 60's brought his wife in to see our collection. She looked to be about the same age as her husband but seemed lost and not very interested in what was on display. While keeping a close eye on her, he quietly and sadly explained that she was dealing with the early onset of Alzheimer's disease. He then asked if I could play a song or two for them. Almost immediately, the music caused a notable change in her demeanor. She came over to me while I played, and she smiled, giggled a little, and then began to dance by herself around the room. I watched as the music seemed to transform this lady into another person, or perhaps, someone she used to be. And then it happened...her husband had been standing off to the side out of her line of sight, and she now noticed him. She paused in her dancing and breaking into a huge smile, she ran to him and they embraced one another kissing and hugging. He was crying. She now recognized him for who he was, and they began to dance together. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life. All the effort and cost of putting this museum together was worth it for this moment alone. And this was not the first time I had this kind of a reaction to our museum and music. I first encountered this kind of phenomenon not very long after we opened our museum. One Saturday, there were a number of folks in our main museum room all at one time. An older couple came in and while the lady was preoccupied viewing the collection, her husband seemed lost and unsure of what he was supposed to be doing. He looked uncomfortable and I could see that he would rather be somewhere else. I began playing “Moonlight Serenade” by Glen Miller. People paused to listen, including this fellow. His demeanor changed when the music began, and he stared at my accordion for some time. He then went off to where his wife was reading something. After several unsuccessful attempts of trying to get her to turn toward him, she finally relented, and they began to dance to the music. Everyone in the room applauded them when the music was over. He got embarrassed and quickly left. His wife was slowly following him. But then she stopped, turned, and came closer to me. With tears in her eyes, she thanked me and said, “You know, my husband has dementia and hasn’t danced with me in over 30 years. This was very, very special. Thank you so much.” I was happy that I could be a catalyst for their experience. But as I thought about this later, I realized how powerful the combination of memories and music is for some folks. It is so powerful that it can change a relationship hampered by dementia in a matter of minutes, even if its lasting effects are only temporary. Since then, other similar events have taken place in our facility. I think it is time to look further and deeper into this phenomenon. Music Therapy is nothing new in the world of music from a medical perspective. There are numerous programs available in various places around the world that treat different forms of dementia with music. But I think the accordion may be particularly well suited for yielding the best results. That can have enormous implications for the future of the accordion. The following reasons are some of my thoughts on this matter: 1. Accordions reached the peak of their popularity in the 1900 to 1960 time period with many millions being manufactured. Consequently, more people were likely to hear an accordion being played as they were growing up as compared to other instruments. It would mean that more pleasant memories were experienced and associated with the sound of accordion music. Those memories would be locked in peoples’ minds just waiting to be accessed and remembered. Hearing an accordion’s sound later in life could be the trigger that opens their minds and memories. That would give the accordion a better chance of producing desired results if used in treating various forms of dementia, especially Alzheimers. 2. In our collection, there is the inevitable “antique smell” that comes from placing many accordions in one room. That too is something that can trigger a memory from a person’s past. It contributes to the person’s overall experience and helps them in recalling feelings and events. I’ve heard that comment from numerous visitors. 3. When people enter our museum, they are immediately standing in a room with over 400+ accordions neatly arranged on shelves and on tables before them. This visual sensory experience always shocks and surprises them, gets their attention, and causes them to look forward with greater anticipation for further pleasant experiences. 4. At this point, people begin to realize that they are seeing something special. I think it is this feeling of wonder and amazement that helps to open up the receptors in their mind as their interest grows and they anticipate more surprises to come. Within minutes, people come in and the surprise at what they see encourages them to immediately tell me a special accordion memory or story from many years ago. Now we quickly begin to have access to their memories. 5. Our brains have memory receptors for sounds, and the sound of an accordion is unique and distinctive. Many folks call it a happy sound. That makes it more adaptable to attaching itself to events that are occurring in someone’s life. I believe it makes it easier to recall that memory at a later date. 6. Over the years since its first production, the accordion was usually played at celebrations and, in general, when folks wanted to have a good time. The desirable memories created and imprinted in our brains are ones that we are happy to periodically revisit and remember. That tends to make them easier to recall. In a way, dementia clouds and blocks the memory function. Once a signal or sound is heard that our minds find to be desirable, it’s easier for a person to work through or around that blockage. The accordion seems to have that advantage over many other instruments. 7. There is also the historical significance of the accordion. Because so many (in the millions) were made in the first half of the 20th century, many lives were impacted. Consequently, the instrument became an important part of our entertainment and family life. I have often described the accordion to visitors as memory boxes because they helped make the memories that people carry throughout their lives. The accordion reached its peak of popularity during the first half of the 20th century and as such it brought folks together at a time when our country, and for that matter the rest of the world, was experiencing great stress from wars and economic depression. People had to come together to overcome these challenges in order to survive. The accordion was a positive help in promoting unity. One comment that I have heard from many visitors to our museum is how beautiful each accordion appears. The craftsmanship, design, ingenuity, and the big sound that comes from these instruments are amazing. These facts all help our brain in remembering the people and events in our lives while the music was being played. They truly are beautiful instruments and works of art. Of course, the music itself becomes the obvious crowning touch and helps us complete the memory. The accordion has such versatility that any kind of music can be played on it. Its portability also means that it can be taken anywhere and easily made available to enhance and become part of the memory. For all these reasons, we now have an instrument that possibly can become a major resource in helping folks as they work to break free from the debilitating and confining effects of Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. Here at our accordion museum and shop, we are beginning to focus our efforts and programs to not only bring the accordion to current generations, but to also apply its unique characteristics to helping people who are memory challenged. It thrills me to think that the accordion, with all of its considerable abilities to entertain, can now be used to medically treat and possibly help heal and restore peoples’ memory functions. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions, stories, and experiences you can give us as we move forward on this project. Email: ramunni@comcast.net Paul Ramunni Director of The New England Accordion Connection & Museum Co. 75 Main Street, North Canaan, CT. 06018 Books by Angelo Paul Ramunni: "Pocket Cross Miracles, Stories of Hope, Healing and Encouragement" "God Loves U-Turns, Our Last Chance to Make it Right“ "Rich Catholic, Poor Catholic, The Road to Grace" "Accordion Stories from the Heart” All books are available for sale on Amazon |
Results: Online Accordion Star International Competition 2022by Christine Johnstone |
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| Video: Results for Accordion Star International Competition Categories 5 (16 & under), 6 (19 and Under) and 7 (19-36). The online Accordion Star International Competition 2022 was held last weekend from May 17th to 22nd. Competitors of all ages and levels from the USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, China, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Moldova, Norway, Sweden, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Croatia, Poland, Austria, Israel, Spain, India, Bulgaria, South Africa took part in 13 different categories. Further results are available on social media platforms. |
Dr.William Schimmel to Perform at the New York Public Library for the Performing Artsby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Dr. William Schimmel will perform in person at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on Thu, Jun 16, 2022, 6:00 PM EDT. In 2019, Dr. William Schimmel curated a six-day residency, Accordion Mixology, at the Library for the Performing Arts. Now he's back with a concert showing the accordion's melodic dimension. With his distinguished associates, there will be new takes on Schubert from the accordions' point of view and other pieces Schubert, we feel, would have loved. Come and hear the accordion as a lyrical, sentient being.Performers for this program include: * Dan Cooper * Corn Mo * Brian Dewan * Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig * Will Holshouser * William Komaiko * Dr. Denise Koncelik * Erica Mancini * Dr. Robert Young McMahan William Schimmel holds BM, MS and DMA degrees, with a doctorate from the Juilliard School. He performed with virtually every ensemble in New York, from the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center, many contemporary ensembles, and on Broadway as well as on numerous European tours. His Tango Project albums have reached #1 on the Billboard charts along with Stereo Review Album of the Year and Grammy nominations. He has performed in many movie soundtracks, and can be seen and heard in Scent of a Woman starring Al Pacino. His current album, The Theater of the Accordion features trumpeter Wynton Marsalas and has reached #2 on the Amazon charts. He has performed with rock stars as diverse as Sting and Tom Waits who stated: “Bill Schimmel doesn’t play the Accordion, He IS the Accordion.” Dr. Schimmel resides in Manhattan with his wife, Micki Goodman, a dancer/choreographer and video artist. Together they have produced numerous videos that can be seen and heard on YouTube. Dr. Schimmel’s works are currently being archived at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. As of March 14, the Library encourages mask wearing in all public spaces. For further information: accordionbill@gmail.com |
Heyni Solera: Finalist in the 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competitionby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Video: “Flores Negras”Música: Francisco De Caro. Letra: Mario César Gomila. Arreglo: Astor Piazzolla. Desgrabación: Santiago Segret Audiovisual: Jay Beaven Heyni Soloera has been selected as a finalist in the 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competition which will be held in Stowe, Vermont, USA from August 14th to 21st, 2022 as a part of the 2022 Stowe Tango Music Festival. Praised for her “soulful bandoneón” (Washington Classical Review), Heyni Solera is a sought after bandoneonist in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Solera has enjoyed a career in the US and abroad playing with performances in Argentina, Canada and Australia collaborating with prominent musicians in the tango music scene. Heyni regularly performs with the Da Capo Tango Orchestra, which focuses on playing danceable tangos and is part of the cello/bandoneon duo, Arco & Aire, with cellist Maxfield Wollam-Fisher. She is also the bandoneonist of Solidaridad Tango Orquesta which focuses on female tango musicians in a typically male dominated genre. As a scholar, she received her Master of Music degree in Ethnomusicology at the University of Maryland, College Park. She has developed the lectures A GPS for Tango Listening: What Makes Tango a Tango? and Today’s Woman in Tango: Carving Out Spaces amongst others. Past projects include playing in the orchestra of the highly praised IN Series production of Le Cabaret de Carmen at Source Theatre in Washington, D.C. and at Baltimore Theatre Project in Baltimore, Maryland. Solera’s current and future projects include “Today’s Tango with Heyni”, a mini-series that features today’s contemporary tango musicians throughout the world, the EP album Overture, an original contemporary tango recording project with Arco & Aire, and a bandoneón duo album dedicated to J.S. Bach to was recorded in Argentina. Heyni shares, “May 28, 2022 was the date of my debut with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra (PASO) at the The Kennedy Center. I got to play beautiful music with amazing musicians while surrounded by friends and family who made the trip to DC. I really can't ask for more.” It is the first orchestra in the nation to focus solely on Latin American music, the Pan American Symphony Orchestra highlights a variety of music from Latin America and showcases new Latino music talent. The Pan American Symphony Orchestra is the first orchestra in the nation to focus solely on Latin American music, the Pan American Symphony (PASO) combines artistic excellence with educational initiatives for the greater arts community. PASO was founded over 25 years ago by dynamic Argentine conductor and musician, Sergio Alessandro Buslje, with the objective of bringing Latin American symphonic music to Washington, DC area concert halls. Maestro Buslje had performed standard classical music for many years but noticed a gap in the area’s cultural offerings—Latin American culture was not being fully represented in area performances, and our Latin American neighbors to the South possess a treasure trove of symphonic works by talented composers that begged to be showcased. Heyni’s new album "Bach en Bandoneón." can be found on Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp. Heyni shares,”"Bach en Bandoneón" has been released. I don't really have the words to express how happy I am to see this be out in the world. What it really comes down to is this: This whole journey with the bandoneon came out of love, this album is the result of that love, and I hope dear listener that you can hear that and love it too.” For the album: Bandoneonists/arrangers/composers/producers: Rodrigo Avalos and Heyni Solera; Mixing Engineer: Juan Belvis; Mastering Engineer: Ariel Gato; Album cover: Nacho Vidal; Recorded at the Iglesia de la Congregación Evangélica Alemana de Buenos Aires on December 11th and 18th, 2021. For anyone living near Champaign, IL you will have an opportunity to hear the album live along with tango duos at the historic the Chapel of St. John the Divine on June 4, 2022. Future performances include: June 4, 2022: Bach and the Bandoneon: Tango Meets Classical 7:30 PM, Champaign, IL, Chapel of St. John the Divine June 5, 2022: Queertango@Lit with the Avalos Solera Duo Champaign, IL, The Literary June 10, 2022: Solidaridad Tango: Los Clásicos with Orquesta Solidaridad Tango and Valeria Matzner 7:PM, Toronto, The Heliconian Club June 11, 2022: Bach en Bandoneón with Heyni Solera and Rodrigo Avalos 3:PM, Toronto, The Heliconian Club June 18, 2022: Workshop: Everything You Need To Know About The Bandoneon 1:30 PM, Charlotte, Midwood International & Cultural Center June 19, 2022: Workshop: Everything You Need To Know About The Bandoneon 12:45 PM, Charlotte, Midwood International & Cultural Center June 19, 2022: Solidaridad Tango Orchestra and Arco & Aire at Tango for Musicians at Reed College 3:PM, Portland, OR, Reed College August 5, 2022: La Nuestra Tango Festival with Orchestra Solidaridad Tango Brooklyn, NY, La Nuestra Tango Festival August 19, 2022:Stowe Tango Orchestra 12:00 am, Stowe, VT, Stowe Tango Music Festival For further information: hys4@georgetown.edu |
Sam Reider Premieres New Concerto for Accordionby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Video: Sam Reider and the Human Hands play "Coyoacan." Original music and arrangement by Sam Reider (2019). Inspired by a recent trip to the beautiful neighborhood of Coyoacan in Mexico City. Sam Reider - accordion Eddie Barbash - alto saxophone Alex Hargreaves - violin Dominick Leslie - mandolin Roy Williams - guitar Dave Speranza - bass Recorded live to tape at the Creamery Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn; Engineering by Quinn McCarthy; Film by Jon Seale and Mason Jar Productions; Mixing and mastering by Brendan Muldowney Sam Reider, accordionist, composer, pianist premiered his “Concerto for Accordion” on May 15, 2022 in San Francisco where it was successfully presented and enthusiastically received. Sam Reider shares, “As many of you know, for the last two years I’ve been pursing a graduate degree in composition. For my culminating project I've been hard at work composing a Concerto for Accordion. Next week I'm finally going to be performing this piece with the help of the incredible Del Sol Quartet. The piece is bright, colorful and a lot of fun to play. It draws on various types of accordion folk music and explores some unique sonic textures with accordion + strings. Obviously, this is not your typical combination of instruments—it's a big experiment and I'm really excited to see how it turns out!” Sam Reider is a pianist, accordionist, composer, and educator from San Francisco, California. Excerpts from his website: His work brings together various streams of American music, from jazz and folk tunes to popular song and contemporary composition. Reider first learned to play the piano from his father, a musical theater composer. In high school, Reider studied jazz, performed around the country with other young musicians, and was featured on Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz” on NPR. At Columbia University in New York City, he majored in American Studies and fell in love with folk music. While writing his thesis comparing the songwriting of Woody Guthrie and Ira Gershwin, Reider picked up an old accordion and began learning bluegrass and old-time tunes. This set him off on a journey that has taken him from back porches and dive bars to concert halls and major festivals all around the world. Representing the U.S. Department of State as a musical ambassador, Sam has travelled to China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Estonia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, carrying his accordion on his back and collaborating with international artists. Folk songs and stories from these travels serve as inspiration for many of the compositions on Reider’s first record, Too Hot to Sleep (2018), which features the Human Hands, a “staggeringly virtuosic” (RnR Magazine) ensemble of acoustic musicians originally based in Brooklyn, NY. Irresistible melodies, fiery improvisation and otherworldly sounds collide in what Songlines Magazine dubbed a "mash-up of the Klezmatics, Quintette du Hot Club de France and the Punch Brothers.” Following the release of Too Hot to Sleep", the Human Hands appeared at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Savannah Music Festival, Celtic Connections, and live on the BBC. Reider’s second release, The Human Hands EP (2020), reflects his evolving experimentation with classical form: a piano prelude, a trio sonata for accordion, violin, and octave-mandolin, and folk-infused works for 6 and 7-piece ensemble. The Human Hands include saxophonist Eddie Barbash (Jon Batiste and Stay Human), violinist Alex Hargreaves (Turtle Island Quartet, Live From Here), mandolinist Dominick Leslie (Hawktail, Ricky Skaggs), guitarist Roy Williams, and bassist Dave Speranza. Cross-cultural collaboration plays a vital role in Reider’s creative practice. His most recent project, a collaboration with Venezuelan artist Jorge Glem, puts the accordion in musical conversation with the cuatro. After meeting Glem at a house party in 2017, Reider began taking the train from Brooklyn to visit Glem at his apartment in the Bronx. Over the course of several years of performing, teaching, and travelling together, they developed a strong friendship and a unique repertoire of music. In January of 2020, they recorded an album exploring common ground between Venezuelan and American traditional music. Reider has performed and recorded with a wide range of other artists including Grammy-nominated mandolinist Sierra Hull, legendary jazz composer David Amram, classical violinist Tessa Lark, Paquito D’Rivera, Jon Batiste and Stay Human, CDZA, T-Pain, Nellie McKay, Ranger Doug, Phoebe Hunt, the Brother Brothers, and many more. A passionate educator, Reider has led performance-based workshops for thousands of students around the world. These programs use American traditional music as a lens to explore important topics in cultural history and social justice. As part of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz for Young People program, Reider has led educational performances at K-12 public schools in New York City, New Orleans, Chicago, Washington D.C., Memphis, Nashville, and Providence. A mainstay on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop, Reider develops and teaches courses every summer for middle and high school students about composition, theory, and American music. Reider moved home to San Francisco in late 2019, where he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in composition at San Francisco State University. Future 2022 performances include: July 20 Wednesday:Caroga Arts Collective @ 8:PM; Caroga Lake, NY, United States July 22 Friday: Petrichor Record Release @ 8:PM; New York, NY Nov. 9 Wednesday: Brooklyn Cumanà Record Release @ 7:PM; New York, NY For more information: sam@samreidermusic.com |
Alex Roitman is a Finalist for 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competitionby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Video: “La última curda”Composer: Aníbal Troilo Arranged by: Rodolfo Mederos Alex Roitman has been named as a finalist for the 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competition which will be held in Stowe, Vermont, USA from August 14th to 21st, 2022 as a part of the 2022 Stowe Tango Music Festival. Alex also recently released “Tango Arrangements for Solo Bandoneon” Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Alex Roitman began playing the piano when he was seven years old. He has studied accordion with Peter DiBono, San Francisco's premier accordionist. During his accordion years, he enjoyed playing Klezmer, Italian, French musette and Russian music. His playing has been featured in Pure Piaf, a musical about the life of Edith Piaf. Mr. Roitman's passion for Argentine Tango led him to study the bandoneon, first on his own, then with Ville Hiltula, and finally with Hector Del Curto. As a bandoneonist, he performed locally in San Francisco with his band Tangonero. He is also a member of a Stowe Tango Music Festival tango orchestra, and a bronze medalist in the 2018 and 2019 Che Bandoneon International Competition. Mr. Roitman shared the stage with legendary tango musicians as Victor Lavallen, Horacio Cabarcos, Pablo Estigarribia, Jose Colangelo, Pablo Agri, Nicolas Ledesma, Humberto Ridolfi, Julio Pane and Nestor Marconi, as well as the members of Héctor Del Curto's quintet. In addition to his bandoneon work, Mr. Roitman has composed several tango pieces, made original arrangements and continues to work on transcribing and arranging great tango music of the past. In the fall of 2020, he relocated to the East Coast, and is currently performing with Boston Tango Orchestra as well as forming his own group ARTE in Sarasota, FL. "Tango Arrangements for Solo Bandoneon" is a collection of seven tango arrangements: Aníbal Troilo, Lágrimas de arrabal, Gigoló, Chau Paris, La beba, Maipo, Amurado. Some of these are reductions of orchestral versions, and others are completely original arrangements from the start. The book is an attempt to find a good balance between expressiveness and simplicity, with the focus on a tanguero feeling.The book is available for sale, both as a paperback and an eBook (PDF). For further information: alex@roitman.org   |
Beverley Fess Performs for the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in Juneby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Beverley Fess will perform for the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in Washington, sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society from June 16 - 19, 2022.Beverley Fess is a Master accordion and piano teacher from Okotoks, Alberta, Canada. Classically trained, she started playing the accordion at age 6, was teaching by age 14 and conducting by age 17. She competed extensively and has had many award-winning students and ensembles. Besides teaching and performing, Bev is the conductor of the Spokane Accordion Ensemble. Beverley is very proud of helping develop Michael Bridge to international competition level. She has trained teachers, adjudicated at accordion music festivals, served as conductor of several accordion ensembles and orchestras, served as a music examiner, sat on the executive committees of several accordion associations and runs frequent workshops. She is a founding member and current board member of the Accordion Association of Calgary, member of numerous other accordion associations and a current board member of the ATG. Bev has dedicated most of her life to music education and promoting the accordion. Beverley recently celebrated 50 years of accordion teaching. In recognition of her time and dedication to the instrument was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Accordions & Teachers Guild International in 2016 and was awarded the Art Van Damme Education Award at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention also in 2016. |
Not Just Oompah! Features Alex Meixner and Lori Brook in Live Concert/Workshopby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
  Not Just Oompah! (NJO) is pleased to announce a special Summer Live event in Austin, Texas with Lori Brooke presenting Western Swing workshop and Alex Meixner presenting Polka Magic workshop on June 25-26, 2022. In addition, Lori Brooke will also be presenting a zoom workshop series on Western Swing June 27-29, 2022.Details for this event are in the attached PDF, including hotel information, registration/payment and details about the daily schedule. NJO is also offering a Youth Scholarship to a young accordionist age 18 or younger. Application is online for this Scholarship Award to attend the live event in Austin Texas on June 25-26, 2022. All important information and artist bios are attached: NJOBrookMeixner.pdf Photo of Alex Meixner credit: Jeff Fasano |
Creosote in Summer Accordion Festivalsby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Video: Creosote, Jamie Maschler and Gabe Hall- Rodrigues, play Snarky Puppy's “Semente” off the Culcha Volcha Record at Petosa Accordions in Seattle, WA. Recorded with Harmonik Microphone system. Filmed by Steve Gute and Alexander Carter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECteW078Hic&t=12s Creosote will perform for the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in Washington, sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society from June 16 - 19, 2022. They will also perform at the Cotati Festival in August. Creosote is the accordion duo of Jamie Maschler and Gabriel Hall-Rodrigues based out of Seattle, WA. Together they play a dynamic array of original and world music. Maschler and Rodrigues are both seasoned musicians and have individually and collectively mastered their craft of performing, composing and arranging on the accordion. Expect to hear elegant and clever arrangements of new and old Brazilian and world music. Jamie is based in Seattle, WA where she studied accordion under three-time Latin Grammy Nominee Jovino Santos Neto at Cornish College of the Arts. Brazilian culture inspires her current projects; Seattle’s only forró band - En Canto, and accordion duo with Gabe-Hall Rodrigues - Creosote. Gabe Hall-Rodrigues is an Arizona-native accordionist, pianist and vocalist currently residing in Seattle, WA. He began playing the piano at age 7 and quickly realized his love for music and performing. In 2010, after only studying the accordion for a year, Gabe won the American Accordionists’ Association’s Virtuoso Solo Competition. For further information: jamie.maschler@gmail.com |
Bonnie Birch and Fortissimo Play for LIACby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Bonnie Birch and Fortissimo will perform for the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in Washington, sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society from June 16 - 19, 2022. Bonnie grew up surrounded by Italian relatives. Her maternal grandparents (Abramo and Adele Pennacchi) settled in Black Diamond, WA in 1909 from Garfagnana, Italy. When Bonnie first heard the accordion at the age of 6, she immediately knew she had to have an accordion. The next day, her father went out and got her first accordion from the Stancato accordion school. Italian music always came naturally to her.Fortissimo! consists of Bonnie (and fellow musicians) and one or more opera singers usually tenors and baritone. They perform Neopolitan classics and other tunes which were popular during the early wave of Italian immigration. Performing at LIAC this year will be tenor extraordinaire Stephen Wall. Stephen is a classically trained tenor and veteran Seattle Opera performer (where he also works as chorus personnel coordinator). At the beginning of the covid pandemic, Stephen began giving short concerts from his front yard for the Ballard neighborhood. Soon he became known as “The Ballard Opera Man” and has been featured on King TV and The Seattle Times. You can see more about Stephen on his Ballard Opera Man Facebook page. For more information: bonniebirch@msn.com |
Sergei and Maria Teleshev Perform at Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration and Cotatiby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Video: Sergei shares, “We were getting a lot of questions about the music used for the competition videos. It was "Dance Prelude No.5" by Witold Lutoslawski played by Duo TWO ACCORDIONS (Maria & Sergei Teleshev). Here is the recording from our recent concert in Eugene, OR. Sergei and Maria Teleshev known as "Two Accordions", will perform for the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration in Washington, sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society from June 16 - 19, 2022 and also for the Cotati Festival in California in August. Family Duo “Two Accordions” is a unique collaboration between father and daughter, both renowned musicians from Eugene, Oregon. Their versatility, world class musicianship, creativity, in addition to unforgettable stage presence and finesse make their show a “must see”. Both of them are World Accordion Champions, the winners of International Accordion Competitions in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and France. Maria Telesheva was six years old when she started to play the accordion. Maria’s teacher is her father, Sergei Teleshev. Two months after Maria started playing, she won her first International Competition. Since then, she has won several International Competitions in the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, and Belarus. Maria’s talent is not limited to her exceptional duet and solo accordion performances. She’s also a talented singer. She sings in both Russian and English. In November 2021, Maria got the title "Prodigy of the Year" and was selected to grace the cover of the "Accordion Stars Illustrated" Magazine, Time Press, New York (December/January Issue). Mario is now 14 years old and in 8th grade. Classically trained at the Academy of Music in Voronezh, Russia, Sergei Teleshev is a winner of many International Accordion Competitions and the US V-Accordion Champion of 2013. Being founding member and accordion player of Trio Voronezh (Russia/USA), Classic Klezmer Trio (Sweden), Valinor Quartet (USA/UK), East-West International Project (USA/Japan), Sergei & Nati (USA/Russia) and Duo Two Accordions (USA), he collaborates with many internationally recognized artists, ensembles, and orchestras, composing and arranging music, participates in recording projects of different genres. Sergei is a jury member at International accordion competitions in Russia, Canada, USA, France, Italy. He is also the Founder and President of the Accordion Star International Competition and Festival based in the USA. Sergei is alsoproviding online accordion lessons, master classes and educational school programs. For more information: steleshev@yahoo.com |
ATG Online Student Recital on June 5by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 The ATG (Accordionists and Teachers Guild, Intl.) presents an online student recital on Sunday, June 5,2022 at 3:PM Central Standard Time.Students who will perform include: Julie and Michael, Amanda Balcom, Brandy DePhillip, Elayne Dogged, Siyuan Dpnnelly, Alexander French, Peter Gresser, Ken Hodina, Anand Joseph, Colin Kennedy, Emily Nguyen, Logan Sharp, Rochelle Thompson and Infinity and Quasar Thomson. A link will be available on the ATG website prior to the event. |
Megumi Hada: NASA Scientist, Accordionist, and Composerby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Video: “The Moon”Composed by Megumi Hada Bayan performance by Stas Venglevski Video by Mark and Karen Ward Megrim’s Book/CD #4 “The Moon” for solo accordion has recently been released. The book contains 16 songs which are easy listening and each has a story to tell. Megumi (Meg) Hada was born in Japan, studied science and received a Ph.D. in Biology at Kobe University. She worked at several universities in Japan as an assistant professor and research scientist. She moved to the USA in 2001 to work at Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY. In 2004 she moved to Houston TX to work at NASA Johnson Space Center. Megumi began studying the piano accordion in 2012 after she met Shelia Lee in her Pasadena (near Houston) TX accordion shop. Meg studied with Shelia and Mario Pedone for 3 years. Receiving a scholarship to attend the 2015 Silver Fall Accordion Camp in Oregon opened the door to the accordion world and a turning point for her. After being inspired by many accomplished accordionists and instructors at Silver Falls, she started attending many accordion events such as NAA, AAA, ATG Cotati and Las Vegas International Convention. Meg specialized in playing tango music and is an accomplished tango dancer as well. Currently she studies under Stas Venglevski and Mary Tokarski. Meg is an organizer of the Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat. She also promotes accordion concerts and workshops in Houston. Meg began composing for accordion in November, 2021, having been inspired by an online workshop, “Introduction to Composing for Accordion” by Guy Klucevsek. She has released 4 books of her compositions in various style, including waltzes, tangos, marches and more introspective pieces based on classical music models. Each book is accompanied by a CD recording of the pieces by Stas Venglevski. Meg shares her thoughts, “Playing accordion is a meditation for me. It helped me to go through my difficult time in my life, losing my dance partner and life partner. Now the accordion is my dance partner. I can express my emotions through the accordion.” Meg’s thoughts on composing, “My teacher, Stas Venglevski, tells me that everybody can compose and create their own music., But I thought composing music was only for people with a musical education, which did not apply to me. In November 2020, I participated in a 30-min Zoom workshop “Introduction to Composing Music on and for the Accordion” by Guy Klucevsek. I never wrote a note before this workshop. I was inspired by this workshop and that very night, I wrote my first composition, “Spring Wind.” I was so elated and amused with composing process that the following week I wrote 10 more songs. Stas taught me how to use music notation software, and with his guidance I wrote more and more. I have created more than 100 compositions,released four books and accompanying CDs (performed by Stas Venglevski) of my original works for solo accordion. My 5th book/CD are in progres. My inspiration for composing music is linked to emotions. I have visual images of scenarios in my life affected by emotions, happiness, sadness, pain, anger, emptiness….. Like writing poetry, I write music. With the image and emotion, some small phrase comes to mind; I start with a small phrase.” For further information on purchasing her books and CD’s: meghada33@gmail.com |
Tom Torriglia Releases New Album “Limoncello Time”by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Accordionist/composer Tom Torriglia has released a new album, “Limoncello Time.” Tom shares, “What time is it? Why, of course, It's limoncello time!! “Limoncello Time” is the name of my new album that coincidentally contains the whimsical and reggae-flavored The Limoncello Song, co-written by myself and Those Darn Accordions' maestro of musical mischief, Paul Rogers. After countless hours of brainstorming with the album's bassist and marketing director, Mary Keydash, we felt this name captured the spirit of the entire album - and with other fun songs including “Gelato Joe”, “I’m Zeneize”, and “The Pinocchio Song”, it's easy to see why. Principal recording was done in Genova and more recording and mixing in San Francisco. Look for a June release to all the usual streaming platforms.”Tom Torriglia is a multi-Grammy-nominated songwriter, musical entertainer and president of both Festa Records and Pierce-Beach Publishing. Excerpts from his website: Tom has been delighting audiences with his music since 1969. Tom primarily plays the accordion, but can also play piano, keyboards, bass and guitar. Tom performs with an Italian-American band (Bella Ciao), and has performed with an oldies band (Gold Lame'), a wedding band (Stardust), a 10-piece accordion band (Those Darn Accordions) and a traditional polka band (The Squeegees). Tom composes Italian-American music - a musical genre that he has been trying to re-invigorate over the past 20 years. Tom has recorded four albums ("Legends of the Italian Lounge", "Festivus Italiano", "La Lanterna" and "Antipasto Rock") that contain many new classic Italian-American songs. Tom's "The Pasta Song" was re-recorded and used for three straight years in a Carrabba's Restaurant national TV commercial. Another one of his many food-related songs, "The Cannoli Song", can be heard at the website of the Brooklyn Cannoli Company. Over the years, he has also written and recorded rock, pop, polka and even Christmas songs! Tom came up with the idea and spearheaded the effort to make the accordion San Francisco's official musical instrument. The measure passed in 1990. Tom is the sponsor of National Accordion Awareness Month (NAAM) which is June. Tom's efforts in promoting the accordion have seen him featured in People Magazine, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and countless other newspapers both domestically and internationally; and TV stations/programs including ESPN, Good Morning America, NBC, CBS, CNN, etc. On a non-musical note, Tom is a total grammar geek; adjunct professor of American business English; business ESL instructor; author of the Nighttime, Good-Time Guide to San Francisco (1988,1990); founder of the National Association for Good Grammar (NAGG) and chief of the grammar police in San Francisco. Tom was born in San Francisco and is of northern-Italian (Ligurian) descent. He holds dual citizenship with both the United States and Italy and currently lives in Genova, Italy. Since 2000, Tom Torriglia has been performing with Bella Ciao, hot retro Italian and Italian-American hits including “Tu Vuo' Fa l'Americano”, “Nessuno”, “It Had Better Be Tonight”, and “Mambo Italiano” - as well as the most popular Italian-American hits of today including first-ballot Grammy-nominated songs “Blue Italian Skies' and “ Mambiambo”; “The Pasta Song”, "Monica from Monaco" and more, in a fun-filled, all-ages show. Bella Ciao has played both the Italian National Anthem and American National Anthem at a major league baseball park. In 2007, they played the American National Anthem the night Barry Bonds broke the all-time home-run record. Bella Ciao has performed numerous times at the Cotati Accordion festival, San Jose Italian festival, San Francisco Italian festival and more. Out-of-state appearances include the Reno Italian Festival, Virginia Beach (VA) Italian festival and Portland Italian festival. For further information: tom.torriglia@yahoo.it |
Accordion Lovers! Almost Fifty Years of Love!by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 I have always had great admiration for people who develop life long hobbies, whatever they may be. Of course, I am interested in musicians who have played the accordion for fifty or more years! What made you love the accordion so much that you still play it today. Any kind of accordion: keyboard, button, bayan, diatonic etc.For those of you who are wondering? YES! I am a proud member of the "50 plus Accordion Club"! I am so very grateful to my parents for introducing me to the accordion which has had a lasting positive effect on me for my entire life! I cannot imagine a day without playing or listening to accordion music. I am sure that many of you also feel similarly. Tell me about it!! AWW wants your story!!! No matter what your level of skill is, I am interested. I am working on a project to learn about the thoughts of people with life long commitment to the accordion. I will include an article about my findings in a future publication of www.accordionusa.com news. Would you like to contribute your story to this worthwhile project? We are interested in hearing about your musical background specifically pertaining to your experiences with the accordion. OK. If it is not exactly 50 years, that is OK too. The point is that you devoted much of your life to playing, learning and loving the accordion! Would you like to contribute your story to this worthwhile project? Former AAA President Mary Tokarski has contributed the first article which is included immediately after this one. Please send your info including photos of you with your accordion over the years. Maximum of 3 photos, please. You may include one or two video links of your performance either solo or in an ensemble. Please send the info to me at: Ritabelll@aol.com Please use these questions as a guideline to write your story of the accordion’s influence in your life: Q. Why do you love playing the accordion and why is it such a great thing in your life? Q. Is there any teacher or artist to whom you would like to pay particular tribute, for their inspirational effect on your musical career. Q How long have you been playing accordion? Q What got you started playing the accordion? Who were your teachers? Q. What role did your parents or family members play in your early music education? Q. What are your earliest memories of performing? Q. When were your first professional concerts (if you had them) ? Q. Or, when do you remember your first public performance? Q. How has your musical career impacted on your personal life? Q. How has your playing the accordion affected people in your life? Q. Who are your favorite musicians and musical groups? Which musicians or musical groups of today or the past do you like and why?" Q. What are your favorite types of music? Q . List some of your most interesting and important performances. Q. Describe your most "unusual" or "humorous" performance situations? Q. What other interests and hobbies besides music do you have? Q. What do you regard as your greatest achievement? What musical achievements are you most proud of? Q. What musical advice do you have for aspiring accordionists/musicians/composers? Q. How does the use of the accordion enhance your compositions (if you compose) or why do you use the accordion? Q. Any accordionist you admire or recommend we listen to? ... no obligation to answer if you are uncomfortable with the question. Q. What kind of creative patterns, routines, or rituals do you have in practicing your instrument/instruments? Q. What's the best advice you received about playing music/accordion? Q. Any thoughts which you would like to share with www.accordionusa.com readers about you, your future aspirations, thoughts on the future of the accordion? Q. Please include your education credentials: College degree, honors, rewards, etc.... Q. Was your family musical and did your parents play an important part in your early music education? Q. Is there any teacher (teachers) or artist to whom you would like to pay particular tribute, for their inspirational effect on your musical career or enjoyment of playing the accordion? Thank you again!! I am looking forward to hearing from you! Submit all info to: Ritabelll@aol.com |
Celebrating 50 Years of Accordion Musicby Mary Tokarski |
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 I started playing the accordion at the ripe old age of 7. I will not divulge my age at the moment, but needless to say, I have played for all of my life, and well over 50 years. It all started when my half-brother Michael Fernino offered my sister Julie and I accordion lessons (Julie was a year younger than me – 5 at the time). Julie immediately said yes, but I decided it looked like too much work and declined. About a year later, when Julie would have a good lesson Mike would give her money to get an ice cream cone on her way home from the lesson, and I rethought my position on the lessons. Yes, the ice cream cones really hit home for me! I worked really hard to catch up to Julie – after all, she was my little sister and I couldn’t have her playing more than me. Music has been an incredible experience for me. The accordion was quite popular when I was young, and lots of children took lessons making the studio experience feel more like a family than an individual task. We had ensemble and band rehearsals every week lasting a minimum of 2-3 hours each and all our “partners in crime” became our musical family. We traveled together to competitions and performances all over Connecticut and most of the United States. Great memories!!! Every time we would come home from a competition, our elementary school teachers would ask us to play for the students . . . usually we played in EVERY room in the school separately. The experience was incredible and so appreciated by the teachers and students. Our first professional concert was as an ensemble for the Titano Accordion Company Grand Concert in New York City – I think I was around 11 or 12. We had made quite a mark at the competitions for our excellent performances in the ensemble category, so it was quite an honor for us. The girls dressed in blue gowns (Julie, me and our friend Terry Prestiano) and the boys were all decked out too (Mike Hamulak and Frank Baranowski). We performed Antonio Vivaldi’s Sonata in Re and Preludio by Johann Sebastian Bach alongside Bill Palmer and Bill Hughes. An amazing experience for such a young group. I won the Connecticut State Championship at age 13 performing an arrangement of George Bizet’s Carmen Fantasie. That began a continuous participation in the U.S. Championship Competitions for many years. Each time playing in the elimination round, being chosen to play in the semi-finals, and eventually taking the championships . . . Julie did it 3 times, I did it twice. That of course meant that we would represent the U.S. and the AAA for the Coupe Mondiale World Championships in various countries . . . Julie went to England, Holland and represented the U.S. in New York City – I participated in Belgium and France. What a great way to experience the world. Helping others to learn the accordion was a natural goal for me. I enjoyed helping others to learn, understand, and appreciate music, and started teaching actual students at age 15. Have been doing it ever since . . . no time off for good behavior! Dedicating my entire life to helping others learn good accordion skills seemed to “fit” for me. Presenting workshops, master classes, and individual lessons has kept me busy and getting to see many countries around the world. I have also enjoyed being an adjudicator at countless events and festivals, and getting to watch some of the competitors actually grow in age and musicianship over the years. One of the joys of my music was touring China with the Mantovani Orchestra as the accordionist. A delightful and rewarding experience! I thoroughly enjoy a challenge, which is why I have always preferred classical and semi-classical genres of music – including the accordion standards by Deiro, Frosini, Ettore and so many more. Even as a teenager I resisted playing the pop music of the day. It simply didn’t challenge me in any way and I became bored with it quickly. There were so many great accordionists that I looked up to in my formative years. Artists were easily accessible and we went to many, many concerts in the day. Charles Magnante, Carmen Carrozza, Dan Desiderio, Eugene Ettore, Palmer/Hughes, Maddalena Belfiore, Joe Biviano, Anthony GallaRini, Joan Cochran, Tony Dannon, Pietro Deiro, Jr., Art Van Damme, Andy Arcari, Leon Sash and the list goes on and on. As I matured into a young adult all these people became my personal friends. Although we have lost a majority of them, they hold a special place in my heart and memories. Especially my dear friends Carmen Carrozza, Bill Palmer, and Tony Ettore. We would sometimes sit for hours discussing music (and life) experiences, helping me to keep my own concerns and goals intact and headed in the right direction. There are so many precious memories of these people as artists and adjudicators. They always had lots of encouraging comments on the score sheets returned after the competitions. I was not privileged to attend a university when I graduated high school since I started teaching right after graduation. My education was elevated with the addition of tutelage by Dr. Asher Zlotnik as a youngster. Mike became good friends with Asher. He spent many hours at our school, with both Julie and I as his private students. We learned an abundance of advanced theory so early in life that the lack of the university experience really didn’t affect my teaching skills. In fact, I think it made me much more aware of the research and analytical skills necessary to be a successful teacher. The thing that I am most proud of in my life are the hundreds and hundreds (maybe even thousands) of students that I have helped over time. Searching for the reasons behind all the trouble spots and finding solutions for them has truly brought great joy to my life. Many thanks to the accordion . . . and the music . . . for a life like no other. Photo of Mary and Julie as CT Representatives to US Championship Photo up: Mary and Julie in the 1960’s |
Future events |
The 2022 Accordion Seminars - Dr. William Schimmel, Curatorby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 The 2022 Accordion Seminars presented by Dr. William Schimmel are scheduled for July 29, 30 and 31, 2022. This will be the 28th year. And like the last two years, they will be virtual. The Seminars will be presented by a new organization, The Accordion Global Association. The theme is: “Too Much Information”, “Too Little Time”, “But We Do It Anyway”. Here is a list of topics that will be presented at the Master Classes - more to follow: In your face, Out of your face,The New Professional,The Vague Panther - dealing with navigation of rough waters, The technique of ideas,The technique of chops,Ideas and chops,The Accordion as Homing Pigeon, Accordi yoga, Zen Phrasing revisited, Accordio meditation, De stressing with your accordion, Fun with a purpose, Fun with a porpose, Hard work - with payoff (instant gratification), Hard work with delayed payoff (the art of patience), Contraction and release, Aught Culture and Reverse Irony, New works, Old works - new angles, Nothing new, but how we look at it, The Accordion as Smile - La - Phone, Morality and the Accordion. For information and reservations - 212 876 0827 - cell 917 498 6823 $150 - Entire Weekend $25 per Master Class from 3-4:PM $30 per Concert from 4-5:PM Payment by check to: Dr. William Schimmel 345 E 85th St 4RE New York, NY 10028 The distinguished list of participants include: MIcki Goodman, Paul Stein, Dr. Robert Young Mc Mahan, Will Holshouser, Godfrey Nelson, Lorraine Nelson Wolf, Dr. Denise Koncelik, The Main Squeeze Orchestra, Doug Makofka, Jeanne Velonis, Sari Kalin, Brian Dewan, Robert Duncan, Mayumi Miyaoka, Corn Mo, Erica Marie Mancini, Mary Spencer Knapp, Benjamin Ickies, Dan Cooper,Peter Flint, William Komaiko, Dr, Hugo Goldenzweig, Gene Pritsker, Peter Jarvis, Bachtopus, David First, Lauren Flanigan, Bob Goldberg, Carl Riehl, Rita Davidson Barnea. For more information and reservations - 212 876 0827 - cell 917 498 6823 Email: accordionbill@gmail.com |
45th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festivalby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 The 2022 Vancouver Folk Music Festival will be held at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from July 15th to 17th, 2022. In honor of Earth Day, festival organizers are committed to ensuring they get closer each year to being a zero waste festival and have an amazing team of volunteers who ensure their recycling programs and site clean up run smoothly.Performers include: The Bros. Landreth, Robben Ford Music, Frazey Ford, Taj Mahal,Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Asleep at the Wheel, Allison Russell, The New Pornographers, SG̲aanaG̲wa (Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson), Shovels and Rope, Alejandro Escovedo, and Five Alarm Funk. The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is a not for profit society building a world where folk music culture thrives. Already known around the world for the quality of its programming, friendly ambiance and beautiful park setting, the 2022 Vancouver Folk Music Festival will be another year of exciting, eclectic and diverse music for all ages. Tickets are now on sale. For more information: info@thefestival.bc.ca |
Dominic Karcic and Gina Haver at La Villiniby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Accordionist Dominc Karcic and singer Gina Haver will entertain on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 6:PM for an enchanted evening of music, song, and fine dining at La Villini Restaurant, 288 Larkfield Road, East Northport, NY 11731, (631) 261 – 6344Dominic will also entertain for Bastille Day festivities including great food, great wine and great accordion music on July 14 and July 15, 2022 6:30 PM at La Baraka Restaurant, 255-09 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY 11362-1461, (718) 428-1461), Reservations are necessary. “French cuisine with a touch of North Africa” Dominic founded the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) The wide spread success of LIAA events has endeared it to accordionists and accordion music lovers from all over the New York Metro area and has made it (LIAA) and its events the “Voice of the Accordion on Long Island.” He also created and performs with various singers in a program titled "From Broadway to the Met” which features the music of the American Song Book and Opera. For more information: Dkarcic10@gmail.Com |
Finalists Announced for 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competition in Augustby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 The 2022 Che Bandoneon International Competition will be held in Stowe, Vermont, USA from August 14th to 21st, 2022 as a part of the 2022 Stowe Tango Music Festival.Che Bandoneon competition finalists are: Leonel Gasso (Uruguay) Alex Roitman (USA) Sinai Rim (South Korea) Heyni Solera (USA) The Competition is open to bandoneon players of all nationalities who must be at least 18 years of age by August 1st, 2022. Events timeline: • August 8th: Tango Academy and Bandoneon Workshop (All finalists will receive full Scholarship to the workshop) • August 14th: Finalists join 2022 Stowe Tango Music Festival • August 21st: Finals and Award Ceremony. Contestants will perform their solo and the orchestral works. For details email: stowetangomusicfestival@gmail.com  |
Cotati Festival August 20-21 in Californiaby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Tickets are now on sale for the 31st annual, multicultural, nonprofit, Cotati accordion Festival taking place August 20 & 21 in La Plaza Park in downtown Cotati, Ca. Music at the festival will range from Conjunto, folk, jazz, Irish, Venezuelan, rock, classical, zydeco, western & more. The event will include a Jam Tent, a Zydeco Dance Party, a Student Stage, the Ray's Deli Stage, and two main stages, along with over 60 vendors including crafts, accordions, food, wine and beer. Performers include: the long awaited return of Alex Meixner; Cory Pesaturo, Ginny Mac, the rocking Mad Maggies; Motordude Zydeco, Matthias Matzke of Germany; Sergei and Maria Teleshev, the international duo of Sam Reider and Jorge Glem and the Free Reeds featuring Rob Curto and Corey Purcell and more. Tickets prices: $19.00for one day ticket purchased in advance. $28.00for two day ticket purchased in advance. $23.00for a one day ticket at the gate. $32.00for a two day ticket at the gate. $17.00 for one day senior discounted ticket purchased in advance. $21.00 for one day senior discounted ticket purchased at the gate. All the proceeds go to local nonprofit youth organizations, funding their music programs and outdoor education. If you sign up as a volunteer you will receive a weekend pass to the festival, along with a ticket to the hospitality tent. |
NorthEast Squeeze-In 2022: September 16-18by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Registration is now open for the NorthEast Squeeze from September 16-18, 2022. This year’s NESI at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield, CT. Wisdom House. Everything is in 2 adjacent buildings: the Main Building and the Farmhouse. Both contain bedrooms and meeting rooms as well as several porches. There is a large auditorium suitable for the concert and contra dance in the main building. There are many heated, well-ventilated indoor spaces for workshops and jamming that offer excellent sound separation and comfortable seating. Responsible consumption of your own alcohol is permitted.There are gardens and other outdoor spaces in their well-kept grounds. Topsmead State Forest is within walking distance and offers many natural trails. (Admission is free.) FAQ about NESI: 1. What workshops are offered?: This is a free-form gathering that evolves throughout the weekend. People post workshop offerings on the Big Board located in the registration room. People also post requests for things they hope someone else might agree to lead. Some “workshops” are really tune swaps, often focused on a particular genre, such as Morris tunes or Scandinavian waltzes. Some are for specific instruments, such as Hayden duet concertinas. Sometimes there is a “slow jam” for people who are just learning the tunes or their instrument. There is usually one that is a rehearsal for the pick-up band that plays for Saturday night’s contra dance, and that may happen just for fun even if we don’t have a dance. If you have a request or if you want to find out if there is interest in a workshop you’d like to offer, you can post it on Si-Talk ahead of the weekend. 2. Do I have to go to the workshops?: Definitely not. Some people never go to any and just join in the many jam sessions that spring up in every available corner. This is a weekend for fun and camaraderie, and nothing is required except your presence. I’m a first-timer. 3. Can I offer a workshop?: Of course. All you have to do is post it on the Big Board in the registration room. Write a brief description on a post-it (provided on the table) and put it in an available location and time slot on the schedule on the bulletin board. You don’t necessarily need to be a teacher – you might just want to be a facilitator for something that interests you, such as an Irish tune seisiún. Post it, and they will probably come. 4. There's something I'd like to learn; will there be a workshop for that?: If what you want is not listed on the Big Board, you can post a request there. It’s quite possible that someone will decide to lead such a workshop or offer to give you some one-on-one help. You could also post a request ahead of time on Si-Talk. 5. I don’t play a free-reed instrument yet, but I’m interested in starting. Will there be anything for me to do?: Absolutely. First, you’ll be able to hear, see, and try out everything from big piano accordions down to a 20-key Anglo concertina. You’ll be able to find people who will talk with you about what they play and why. You’ll hear all kinds of music being played on free-reed instruments and consider which ones seem to relate best to your own musical interests. You might be able to find a teacher who lives in your area. Some workshops are quite suitable for absolute beginners. This is an excellent way to take the first steps toward becoming a player. 6. I have a free-reed instrument that needs to be fixed. Is there someone there that can help?: You can ask around -- many attendees are quite knowledgeable about instrument repair. 7. My partner plays the fiddle (guitar, ocarina, nose flute, etc.) – can they take part?: For workshops, it would be good manners to ask the workshop leader. Generally, there will be no objection as long as your partner is aware that the activity is primarily for the free-reeders and is probably not the time to ask for advice on bowing technique. Finding a jam session to join is often a better option. All instruments are welcome in those, and they happen just about continuously. 8. Should my non-playing partner/spouse come along?:If your partner likes music, there is a lot to listen to, and some non-players decide to take up an instrument after a weekend of free-reed saturation. There are lovely grounds for walking onsite, and Topsmead State Forest is about a mile away. The Young Player Award provides full registration for accommodation in our least-expensive 2-person housing, including meals, for the upcoming NESI event. If the award winner is under 18, we will also provide the same accommodation for the required accompanying adult. The NESI Young Player Award is intended to find and encourage a young player who demonstrates a growing interest and engagement in music with a free-reed instrument. Commitment to becoming a better player is the primary criterion for selection. Advanced proficiency on the applicant’s instrument is not required. The applicant must: * be 25 or under by Sept. 1 of the year of the NESI event for which the award is given; * be a player of concertina, button accordion, or piano accordion * be identified in writing by a teacher or other adult free-reed player as serious about his/her advancement as a player of his/her instrument * if under 18, be accompanied to the event by a responsible adult who will remain on site for the duration of the event Applications must be submitted by June 30th. All applications will be reviewed by an individual or committee comprised of or appointed by the NESI organizers. One applicant will be selected and notified no later than July 5th of the current year. The award winner must confirm his/her intention to accept the award by July 31st, or another winner will be selected. Please note that all participants must be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination as defined by the CDC. For information on registration and more: lynnh1947@gmail.com |