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Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
World Premiere of New Composition by Leonard (Lenny) Stack
Dr. William Schimmel Concert Schedule
Django Reinhardt Festival at Birdland in New York
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Presentation to Museo Internazionale della Fisarmonica di Castelfidardo, Italy
US Representatives Prominent at Coupe Mondiale - Scotland
Future events |
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert
Cherish the Ladies in Concert
Welcome to the Skinny in 2009
NAA Announces 2009 Convention Dates and new USA Network
Guy Klucevsek to Perform in Forth Worth, Texas
Highlights |
Welcome to Rita Davidson, new USA News Editor and Producerby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
 AccordionUSA would like to extend a warm welcome to the new news editor, coordinator and producer Rita Davidson from New Jersey, who will take over as Editor and Producer beginning with her first publication on December 1st, 2008.After almost 10 years of producing the AccordionUSA news as a free service to the accordion community, this will be my last publication. I would like to thank all those that have supported and contributed to the site during this time, allowing readers to enjoy news and information about a broad spectrum of accordion events happening across the United States. Your new editor/producer, Rita Davidson (pictured right performing in New York City) is an accomplished accordionist and music teacher. She teaches PreK to Grade 5 vocal music in the West Orange, NJ public schools where she uses her accordion in her music classes and programs every day! She is an honors graduate of the University of Connecticut and is on the Governing Board of the American Accordionists' Association. Rita has been attending Accordion Festivals in the past few years where she judges and also gives workshops and concerts on the Life and Music of Eugene Ettore with whom she studied for many years. She also has a Klezmer group which entertains throughout the metropolitan area. To coincide with the transition in editors, we have also taken the opportunity to update the format of the site, allowing for easier production and updating, such as that now found on the main Accordions Worldwide International News pages. This update will take place during the latter part of November, to allow for the new system to be fully in place for Rita's first publication in December. To submit news for publication in December, please contact Rita Davidson at: Ritabelll@aol.com or by cell phone: 201-675-4861. Thanks again, and I look forward to joining you in following the news online! |
World Premiere of New Composition by Leonard (Lenny) Stackby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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 The new work 'Film Noir: City at Night' by Los Angeles based composer Leonard Stack was given its World Premiere performance by the 150 strong CIA World Accordion Orchestra II under the direction of Joan C. Sommers at the recent 61st Coupe Mondiale festival held in Glasgow, Scotland.The programmatic idea is of a dark deserted street at night where menace lurks anywhere. The second theme announces a "floozy" sauntering in. The middle section increases in tension and violence as all sorts of mayhem occurs. Finally the main theme is recapitulated and it ends with a quiet ominousness. This music is reminiscent of the film noir movies of the late 1940's and early 1950's. Leonard (Lenny) Stack, a native of Los Angeles, is a highly successful composer, arranger, musical director and conductor. He won an Emmy for arranging and an Emmy nomination as musical director for his work in television specials. He is a member of ASCAP and the Television Academy and holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition. Artists such as Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick have recorded his songs and his musical scores have been used in many feature films and movies made for TV. The lengthy list of Leonard Stack's publications includes classical compositions for various ensembles as well as his Big Band Jazz originals; all have been performed frequently. His first work for Accordion Orchestra, 'Lest we Forget' was given its World Premiere performance by the first World Accordion Orchestra held in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary Coupe Mondiale in Alexandria, VA (Washington DC) in August of 2007. Commissioned by the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Orchestra, 'Lest we Forget' was also premiered under the direction of Joan C. Sommers. The CIA World Accordion Orchestra II also performed other works conducted by well known United Kingdom conductors Ronnie Brown, Brian Laurie, Graham Laurie, and Elaine Beecham - pictured above. |
Dr. William Schimmel Concert Scheduleby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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| On October 4th, 11th and 18th, Dr. William Schimmel performed to sold out houses in performances of Edith Piaf songs at New York's Metropolitan Room, one of Manhattan's upscale cabarets. The featured vocalist was Gay Marshall. The performances also acted as CD release events, celebrating the release of Gay Marshall's new recording of the songs of Piaf. On October 15, William Schimmel performed live to the Interactive video: Kid Billy - with his wife, Micki Goodman who made and directed the video. The video features a story and music by Dr Schimmel and a dance by Micki. The video was edited by Deborah Magocsi. He also performed Pietro Deiro's Atonal Studies and did a new cover version for bass accordion and vocals of Henry Cowell's Iridescent Rondo. These performances were part of the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) concert at the Graduate Center CUNY. On November 13, 15 and 16, William Schimmel will perform in Marie Galante by Kurt Weill at the Florence Gould Hall/French Alliance. On November 19, William Schimmel will be a guest alumni artist at The Juilliard School in a performance of Alexander Shchetynsky's Chamber Concerto for 13 instrumentalists. Joel Sachs will conduct The New Juilliard Ensemble. Dr. Schimmel was one of the original members of the Juilliard Ensemble when it was initially founded back in 1967 by Dennis Russel Davis and Luciano Berio. The performance will take place at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Lincoln Center. Dr Schimmel is no stranger to the music of Alexander Shchetnysky. He gave the New York Premiere of Mr. Shchetnsky's Sonata for Accordion in new re-mix version back in 1999 at New York University. Dr Schimmel and Micki Goodman's videos can be seen and heard on the William Schimmel website. They are as follows: Kid Billy - also on youtube, Scarlatti Was Here - also on youtube, A Brief History of Plaid - also on dailymotion and Zen and the Art of the Foxtrot - also on dailymotion. |
Django Reinhardt Festival at Birdland in New Yorkby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
  Two of Jazz's finest accordionists Ludovic Beier and Julien Labro will be appearing as part of the upcoming Jazz festival being held in New York.The ninth Django Reinhardt Festival at the Birdland in New York will feature "The Young Lions of Gypsy Jazz" including Samson Schmitt (France), Andreas Oberg (Sweden) November 4-6 only, Ludovic Beier (France), Jean Baptiste Schmitt "Bronson" (France, the brother of Samson), Kruno Spisic (Philadelphia), Timbo (France - violin), Brian Torff , Music Director (from the US - bass) plus: The Hot Club of Detroit (November 7-9 only). Special Guests include: Joel Frahm (November 4 and 8), Howard Levy (November 5), Wycliffe Gordon (November 6), Edmar Castaneda (November 7), David Langlois (November 9). The concerts run Tuesday through Sunday, November 4 - 9 at 8:30 PM & 11 PM with tickets priced at $35 for General Admission and $45 for Orchestra seating. The spirit of Django lives on in New York, returning to Birdland for it's ninth year! Excitement over the music of the legendary French gypsy jazz guitarist has grown immeasurably since Producers Pat Philips & Ettore Stratta founded the Django Reinhardt NY Festival in 2000. Combining the best players from Europe with some of America's finest jazz artists, a unique atmosphere of virtuosity and fun pervades Birdland for one week only! Reinhardt, a musical genius born to gypsy parents, was a virtuoso on the six-string banjo while still in his teens. In 1931, he heard the music of Louis Armstrong, an experienced than inspired and shaped the future of his music. By the time of his death twenty-two years later, Reinhardt had single-handedly redirected the course of jazz guitar. |
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USAby Heather Masefield, Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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  I am writing this on the plane flying internationally to Las Vegas for the Octoberfest Las Vegas International from 15th to 18th October at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. Paul Betken & Jerry Cigler are newly added to a great line up of stars (list below) with lots of great seats still available! Want to hop a plane to come and enjoy this exciting festival? Newsletter (picture right) with full information: 2018LVACnews.pdf Picture left: Event organizer Paul Pasquali The lineup starts with visionary accordionist Cory Pesaturo and bookends with a grand finale starring Grayson Masefield and the International Accordion Orchestra under the direction of the legendary Prof. Joan Sommers. You can register online at www.AccordionStars.com or contact Paul Pasquali, event organizer, by phone at 1-800-472-1695 or (801) 485-5840, email: paul@accordioninfo.com. |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
61st Coupe Mondiale in Glasgow, Scotlandby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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 Following on the tremendous success of the 2007 60th Anniversary Coupe Mondiale in the United States jointly hosted by the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) and the American Accordionists' Association (AAA), the 61st CIA Coupe Mondiale in Scotland attracted record attendance. Contestants and delegates from more than 30 nations gathered for this annual event of the Confédération International des Accordéonistes (CIA), this year hosted by the CIA Member the National Accordion Organization of the United Kingdom (NAO).The Coupe Mondiale was won by Uladzislau Plihauka from Belarus with other winners being: Junior Coupe Mondiale - Momir Novakovic (Serbia), International Competition for Piano Accordion - Marko Miletic (Serbia), Virtuoso Entertainment - Eduard Akhanov (Russia), Junior Virtuoso Entertainment - Benoit Nortier (France) and the International Competition for Chamber Music - Yulia Amerikova and Alexander Selivanov (Russia). The Best New Original Work was won by Viatcheslav Semionov (Caprice No. 3 ‘Polar Lights) in classical and by Dimitri Saussard (Le Valseur Rou) in Virtuoso. Delegates attended the 120th General Assembly, while representatives of the four long standing competitions of CMA, Klingenthal International Accordion Competition, Castelfidardo and CIA held a historical first ever meeting, in a show of solidarity towards the future of the accordion and the young artists that are competing Internationally. 2008 Coupe Mondiale Organizer and 2008 CIA Honorary Vice President Anna Bodell and NAO Chairperson Graham Laurie concluded the spectacular weeklong event by the traditional handing over of the organizer’s responsibilities to Team New Zealand as they prepare for the 2009 Coupe Mondiale in Auckland, from August 25-29th, 2009, before inviting attendees to enjoy the traditional Scottish Ceilidh dance hosted by accordionist Gary Blair. For a detailed report on each day’s activities of the event, please visit the Coupe Mondiale website. |
Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Presentation to Museo Internazionale della Fisarmonica di Castelfidardo, Italyby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
 In support of the CIA International Museum Cooperation, Vincenzo Canali (President) and Mr. Beniamino Bugiolacchi (Director) of the Museo Internazionale della Fisarmonica di Castelfidardo, Italy traveled to Scotland to attend the CIA event and to officially receive some items of the late Anthony Galla-Rini including a manuscript of the Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, pictures and a baton on behalf of the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG). The presentation was worded as follows:Concerto No. 1 in G minor (1941) - Composed by Anthony Galla-Rini (born January 18, 1904; died July 30, 2006). This original copy of the Concerto was among the personal effects of Maestro Anthony Galla-Rini upon his death at the age of 102 years and 6 months. It is presented, along with one of the batons used by Anthony Galla-Rini, to the Museo Internazionale della fisarmonica di Castelfidardo (Italy) on permanent loan by his son, Ronald, and the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG), of which Maestro Galla-Rini was one of the Original Founders and President Emeritus. The two photos presented show Anthony Galla-Rini as both the Performer and the Conductor, two roles which he relished and excelled in throughout his lifetime. He was a professional accordionist, a prolific arranger for the accordion soloist and orchestra, and above all, a consummate musician. Joan Cochran Sommers, ATG President, Glasgow, Scotland – October 25, 2008. Pictured above making the presentation is Joan C. Sommers, ATG President with CIA President Kevin Friedrich. |
US Representatives Prominent at Coupe Mondiale - Scotlandby Harley Jones |
 Attending the CIA 120th General Assembly of Delegates for the United States were:Joan Sommers (Delegate for the United States, Vice Chairperson of the CIA Music Committee, Vice Chairperson of the Advancement and Development Committee, Member of the International Jury and International guest conductor of the CIA World Accordion Orchestra II); Faithe Deffner (Delegate for the United States and VIP guest as 2007 Coupe Mondiale Organizer, member of the Calculation Committee for the CIA Competition results); Mary Tokarski (Delegate for the United States and member of the International Jury, member of the CIA World Accordion Orchestra II); Kevin Friedrich (CIA President and Concert Master of the CIA World Accordion Orchestra II). |
Future events |
Joe Natoli Represents the USA in Roland Rome Finalsby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
 Former United States accordion Champion and current US Roland Champion Joseph Natoli will travel to Rome, Italy as part of an all expenses paid trip to take part in the second annual Roland International Accordion Competition.Joe Natoli lives in Central Ohio with his wife Giovanna, and has been a performer and advocate of the accordion since age seven. Joe started his studies with prominent Ohio accordion teacher, the late Mickey Bisilia of Youngstown, Ohio and continued studies with Joseph Macerollo at the University of Toronto in Canada. Joe has written many pieces for the accordion in all compositional styles and also maintains a music publishing web site, where he supports and distributes the works of other composers as well. Joe has worked in the IT industry for the last 25 years and is currently employed as a IT Director in the financial industry. His program for the USA competition was as follows: Die Spieluhr - Carl Hines, Someone to Watch Over Me - George Gershwin and Donkey Serenade - Rudolf Friml. |
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concertby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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| The Accordion Pops Orchestra under the direction of Danny Desiderio will perform on Sunday November 16, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 W. Hamilton Street, in Allentown, PA in a concert sponsored by MunOpCo Music Theatre of Allentown. Tickets are $15.00 in advance or $18.00 at the door. The orchestra's roots can be traced to 1970, when it was organized by the Accordion Teachers' Association of New Jersey. Over the next ten years it performed at various community functions throughout the state under the direction of its first conductor, Dr. Jacob Neupauer of Philadelphia. In 1980 the orchestra members took a leave of absence, but four years later the membership was reorganized under the direction of the late Eugene Ettore of Livingston, New Jersey. In 1985, Daniel Desiderio was invited to act as a guest conductor of the orchestra and a few years later the A.T.A. of NJ appointed him as conductor in residence. The name of the orchestra was formally changed to the Accordion Pops Orchestra and its membership was expanded beyond the original members from New Jersey to include performers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island. The only professional accordion orchestra of its kind on the East Coast, the group consists entirely of accordions plus percussion instruments. In addition, the orchestra often accompanies guest soloists such as pianists, tenors, etc. Utilizing scores from a full symphonic orchestra, the players are normally divided into four sections that provide melody and harmony. In addition, the orchestra utilizes a single bass accordion with special reeds tuned to reach a lower octave. This accordion can be recognized by the audience because it is the only one with a right-hand keyboard but no left-hand bass buttons. (Incidentally, even though all of the other instruments have bass buttons, with the exception of solo performances no one uses them while playing in the orchestra). The resulting sound is unique; a common reaction from people attending one of our concerts for the first time is, "I can't believe what I just heard could come from accordions alone. |
Cherish the Ladies in Concertby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
 The popular US based group 'Cherish the Ladies' will be performing several times in November.Formed in 1985 and named after a well-known jig, this 6-woman New York- Irish band are regular performers on the US East Coast. They have also toured worldwide and released three albums. Their playing is strongly based on traditional dance music with a rich sound from a variety of instruments and songs featuring the vibrant voice of Cathie Ryan (now replaced by Aoife Clancy). They are usually accompanied by set dancers whose percussive footwork adds audibly as well as visually to the performance. "Cherish the Ladies has been a leading group in the Irish traditional world for more than a decade... it is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do." - The Boston Globe When describing Cherish the Ladies, the critics say it best - "It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn't enjoy what they do," The Boston Globe, "An astonishing array of virtuosity," The Washington Post, "Expands the annals of Irish music in America...the music is passionate, tender and rambunctious," New York Times - and for the past eighteen years, Cherish the Ladies have proven themselves worthy to live up to these accolades and in doing so have become one of the most engaging ensembles in the history of Irish music. They have grown from a one-time concert concept to an Irish traditional music sensation, literally the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music. Organized by folklorist/musician Mick Moloney and sponsored by the Ethnic Folk Arts Center and the National Endowment for the Arts, they began as a concert series featuring the brightest lights in Irish traditional music. Taking their name from the name of a traditional Irish jig, the group initially won recognition as the first and only all-women traditional Irish band. In a relatively short time, they soon established themselves as musicians and performers without peer and have won many thousands of listeners and fans of their music. With their unique spectacular blend of virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture and puts it forth in an immensely humorous and entertaining package. The past years have seen the group traveling all over North and South America, the United Kingdom and Europe, Australia and New Zealand performing in the finest concert halls and international festivals. They are equally at home in front of a symphony orchestra, a performing arts center, a folk festival or even the White House. They have been named Best Musical Group of the Year by the BBC, Entertainment Group of the Year by the Irish Voice Newspaper, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's International Group of the Year Award at the Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and voted the Top North American Celtic act by NPR Radio's "Thistle and Shamrock." They have shared the stage with such noted entertainers as James Taylor, Joan Baez, Emmy Lou Harris, The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, The Chieftains and dozens of symphony orchestras. The "Celtic Album," their collaboration with the Boston Pops Symphony led to a 1999 Grammy nomination. The Ladies have recorded ten highly acclaimed albums. Their quintessential holiday album "On Christmas Night" was released to rave reviews and was chosen as one of the top Christmas Albums of the Year by New York Times, Washington Post, The Village Voice and many other nationally syndicated Newspapers. Cherish the Ladies have appeared on CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, Evening at Pops, C-Span, PBS and National Public Radio in the United States and on BBC and RTE radio and television overseas. At the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, they were chosen to represent Irish music and culture at the Official Cultural Olympiad. The girls continue to blaze forward and continue to enchant audiences worldwide. November Concerts include: 11/05/08 Okoboji, Iowa - The Lakes Arts Center, Lauridsen Theatre 11/06/08 Iowa City, IA - University of Iowa, Hancher Auditorium with An Irish Homecoming Concert 11/07/08 Iowa City, IA - University of Iowa, Hancher Auditorium with An Irish Homecoming Concert SOLD OUT 11/09/08 Burlington, Iowa - Memorial Auditorium 11/10/08 Fond Du Lac, WI - Fond Du Lac Performing Arts Center 11/13/08 Bartlesville, Oklahoma - Performing Arts Center at the Bartlesville Community Center 11/15/08 Ogallala, Nebraska - High School Lecture Hall 11/16/08 Glenwood Springs, Colorado - Mountain View Church 11/18/08 Rapid City, South Dakota - Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Fine Arts Theatre 11/20/08 Willmar, Minnesota - Willmar Education and Arts Center, The Performing Arts Theater 11/22/08 Calicoon, NY - The Villa Roma Irish Weekend 11/29/08 Syracuse, NY - Mulroy Civic Center with the Syracuse Symphony |
Welcome to the Skinny in 2009by Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
 The American Accordionists' Association announces their 15th Master Class and Concert Series moderated by Dr. William Schimmel, will take place from July 24-26, 2009 in New York City.WELCOME HOME SKINNY! (almost)not(t)here. One point of view: The Accordion NEVER went out of favor. “Those Dark Days” NEVER HAPPENED. WHY? Accordionists were heard everywhere and everyplace – in movie soundtracks, concertos with major symphony orchestras, television, amateur talent shows, weddings, bars, bar mitzvahs, on recordings by The Beatles, The Young Rascals, The Beach Boys, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Billy Joel or if you were from Duluth Minnesota, accordions were playing polkas 24/7 and still are along with conjunto and acadian cultures. Back in the 40’s and 50’s, if you heard an accordion on the radio and it was dry tuned you’d say: that’s an EXCELSIOR! And if it were wet tuned, that’s a HOHNER! – or That’s Amore, Dean! No one ever cared WHO it was, as long as it was an accordion. What developed was an elite society of accordionists who flourished by disappearing BEHIND THE WALL – IN THE CREVISES – the forefront of “THE NEW ANONYMINITY” of today - preceding The Residents, The Blue Man Group or Peter Duchin and other service units that prided itself in its non-id/non-ego. There is no chicer dimension! - except Terminal Chic – so chic that you’re dead (ala Anna Nicole). SO, WELCOME TO OBLITERATION – THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IN ARTISTIC PERFECTION! GIGGING IS ART! EL-BLOTTO! Another point of view: The Accordion went OUT OF STYLE in and around 1958. Even though Bill Haley, Joey Dee and Connie Francis used it, it was unfashionable to play it or to be seen with it. This started in about 1956. Also Lawrence Welk came on TV and the new youth group, teenagers, had difficulty claiming the accordion as an instrument of anarchy - like the SKINNY Fender Stratocaster guitar. 1958! – ACCORDION EL ZIPPO! Still another point of view: Teenagers were dancing to Lawrence Welk on American Bandstand in 1960 – his hit song “CALCUTTA” TOPPED THE CHARTS – complete with a Myron Floren accordion solo. NO PROBLEM with the accordion. Actually, no one brought up the subject. Yes, another point to view: The accordion accompanied Elvis in the movie, G.I. blues: a rockin’ version of Tales of Hoffman and Wooden Heart (actually a German folk song). In the latter, Elvis actually sings in German and it was a minor hit. There are also photos of (SKINNY) Elvis wearing an accordion as well as John Lennon. Yet another point of view: The Accordion ACTUALLY went out of style in 1956, but it took two years to kick in. Young accordionists were taking it to parties and forming bands (combos) with the notion of the accordion becoming a “CHICK MAGNET”. It wasn’t. The Stratocaster won out. It was thin, electric and phallic. Another point of view: Ricky Nelson played and sang a duet with Laurie Kalin on guitars. It was at a teenage party on The Ozzie and Harriet Show in 1958. They played and sang “Just Because”, a famous Polka in Rock and Roll Style. FAT friend Wally remarked: If I knew they were going to play this, I would have brought my accordion. A friend remarked: Why? You can’t play it... and more points of view: Dick Contino made more appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show than Elvis and The Beatles combined. The accordion was featured weekly on The Lawrence Welk Show for thirty years and still to this day in reruns. One could always find a New Music/Avant Garde album that featured an accordion someplace. NO ACCORDION STARS – classical, Bruce S., jazz, Duran/Duran, country, Bruce H., Sheryl, cajun, Nirvana. Sinatra would go hear Joe Mooney sing and play his accordion. An infamous four piece combo including accordion would sometimes back up Sinatra in his intimate, private appearances. There were and still are PLENTY of stars. I can name about 100 – no Americans – maybe Pee Wee King, Phil Baker, Myron, Dick, Frank, Tony, Charlie, Danny, Carmen, Joe, Art, Will and the Brothers P and G. Don’t bother with star crap – I like the smell of the old accordion I picked up at a garage sale. It reminds me of my grandmother whom I never met. I heard that she made a mean paprika soup. This musty accordion smells like soup. Serve up the old Balkan/Croatian/Serbian/Franco/Russian/Ukranian blues. I SEE AND HEAR THE ACCORDION EVERYWHERE NOW! – even when and where there are no accordions. Not hearing the accordion because it is contributing to another composite sound or dimension making it THE RADIANT ACCORDION - Kurt Weill - Tangos - Tom Waits - Indie Bands - Berio - New Music Groups. WELCOME HOME SKINNY! – DISSAPEAR WITH US INTO THE WONDERFUL RADIANT ABYSS. RESURRECT WITH US INTO VISIBILITY/ INVISIBILITY. THE ACCORDION IS THE STAR! Yes, Madonna! – the * and yes, the ultimate Chick Magnet: virtual/dry/wet/mo/hyper/fire/free/standard/giants/button/key – RADIANT! (Micki Goodman)(Dr. Robert Young Mc Mahan)(Paul Stein)(Marni Rice)(Dr. Mark Birnbaum)(John Foti) (Ken Laufer)(Doug Makovka)(Cristina Speligene)(Carl Riehl) (Dot) (Mary Tokarski) (David First) (David Stoler) (Rocco Jerry) (Benjamin Ickies)(John Presnell)(Brian Dewan)(Lee Mc Clure)(Faithe Deffner) (Linda Reed)(Kevin Friedrich)(Will Holshouser))(Dr. Marion Jacobson)(Jerome Jolles)(Art Bailey) (Liam Robinson) (Ingrid Kvale)(Kathleen Tipton)(Rachid Eladlouni)(Godfrey)(Lorraine)(Dr. Ron Sarno)(others)( )( )( -AND – (DR. William Schimmel – MODERATOR/CURATOR) WE’LL BE (almost)not(t)here – AT THE SEMINARS – OUR 15TH SMASH YEAR Tenri Cultural Institute 43 A W. 13th Street (btwn. 5/6th Ave.) Master Classes at 3 PM and Concerts at 7 PM. $20.00 per Master Class and $25.00 per concert or $40.00 per day, or $110 for entire weekend. For reservations and information, please phone: 212- 876-0827 or visit the American Accordionists' Association website. |
NAA Announces 2009 Convention Dates and new USA Networkby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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| The dates for the Dallas-based 2009 National Accordion Convention are March 11-15, 2009. National Accordion Association, Incorporated (NAA) officials are announcing a new accordion-related web site that will continue to be based on Accordions Worldwide. This new web site reflects the desires of NAA officials to become an Accordion Network by providing connectivity among the various regionally based accordion associations, societies, clubs, festivals, and other significant accordion-related events. When completed, the web site will provide links to various accordion activities throughout the USA and Canada. Currently the web site is very basic; however, NAA officials are receiving updates and will be revising the web site as recommended. Visit the new web site at http://NationalAccordion.org and send your recommendations by following the directions listed on the web site. The National Accordion Association (NAA) originated in 1986 under the direction of Norman and Sharon Seaton and many other dedicated accordionists. Immediately after forming, the Association had phenomenal growth and has maintained an impressive membership since that time. The NAA conducts the annual National Accordion Convention in the Dallas, Texas, area. The convention is known for introducing new ideas for the accordion world. The NAA was formerly known as the Texas Accordion Association (TAA), but shortly after forming, the TAA became nationally known. In 2005, Association officials upgraded the legal status to become known as the National Accordion Association. The new web site reflects the national influence of this organization and will remove the outdated image of “mostly Texas” from the minds of accordionists everywhere. Be a part of this new web site by reviewing the current material and adding your group, if it is not already there. For legal reasons, the Association reserves the right to refuse inappropriate entries without stating the reason. Hopefully, the web site will be completed by December 31, 2008. The NAA is looking for corporate sponsors for the new web site and the annual convention. |
Guy Klucevsek to Perform in Forth Worth, Texasby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
 On Saturday, November 8th, 2.00 PM, Guy Klucevsek will present a solo accordion recital of original works from his album ‘The Well-Tampered Accordion’ (Winter & Winter) at the Modern Art Museum, 3200 Darnell Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107.Accordionist Guy Klucevsek has created a unique repertoire for accordion through his own compositions and by commissioning many works from other composers. In this evening of original music, he will bring together many of the lively styles that are familiar from traditional music for accordion with a contemporary touch, adding new rhythms and harmonic variations. The centerpiece of composer/accordionist Guy Klucevsek’s new solo recording is a collection of 12 short pieces that consist of etudes, preludes, chorales, songs without words, dances and a fantasy. In his most ambitious solo composition to date, inspired by J. S. Bach’s “The Well-Tempered Klavier,” Klucevsek draws on all the elements of his previous music and ventures into new territory as well: hints of Bartok, Copland, Gottshalk, Eastern European folk music, Middle Eastern melodies and minimalism. Features “Accordion Misdemeanors,” which Klucevsek wrote to accompany E Annie Proulx’s novel Accordion Crimes, and “Four Portraits,” inspired by Michael Cunningham’s Pulitzer-winning novel The Hours. For further information e-mail: gklucevsek@si.rr.com |