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Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
The Big Squeeze: An Accordion Festival
ROLAND FR-8X V-ACCORDION Update
Joey Miskulin New CD
William Schimmel to Perform at William Paterson University
Roberta Cantow's documentary "A Word" to be Released Soon
Cory Pesaturo Updates
En Canto in Seattle Performance
Brooklyn Accordion Club Presents "Take Apart Your Accordion"
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert Honors Carmen Carrozza Nov. 2
First Annual Accordion Commotion Day on November 8th in NH
Slavic Soul Party! Performs in NYC on November 20 and 21
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Bud and Linda Gramer Perform for the LIAA
Celebrate Accordion Day at the Acme Accordion School
Future events |
Nick Ariondo in Concert on November 19 in California
November 16th: Accordion and Violin Duo Peter DiBono and Harriet Newhart
Accordion Clinic by Mario Pedone and Nick Ballarini in Texas
Highlights |
Editor's Noteby Rita Barnea |
 There is always something new, exciting, and interesting happening in the accordion world. The 2014 Coupe Mondiale is presently taking place in Austria. We wish our USA and Canadian participants good luck. They are already winners having competed for the honor of representing their country. CIA winners will be announced in the December USA news.In the USA news you can read about upcoming artists, new CD's, and fascinating stories about people who, while not professional musicians, find that playing the accordion is a wonderful experience. Please continue to send your comments and ideas to Ritabelll@aol.com Happy Thanksgiving to All! |
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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The Big Squeeze: An Accordion Festivalby Rita Barnea |
 Video of Julien LabroThe Big Squeeze Concert takes place on Saturday, November 1, 8:PM at Hill Auditorium, 825 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109 The concert features the Accordion Virtuosi of Russia with Yuri Smirnov as artistic director and conductor. Performers include Julien Labro (bandoneón and accordina) with the Spektral String Quartet; Irish Duo: John Williams (button accordion and concertina) and Liz Carroll (fiddle); and Alexander Sevastian (bayan). The accordion takes center stage with this festival showcasing a broad spectrum of performance styles and sounds that contribute to the instrument’s virtually ubiquitous position throughout global music. This UMS-exclusive concert is co-curated by Julien Labro (of Hot Club of Detroit), a "fleet fingered accordionist who straddles the past-present fault line in particuarly alluring fashion." (Detroit Free Press) Representing the accordion on a grand scale, the Accordion Virtuosi of Russia features a 35-member orchestra of accordions of all sizes, performing popular Russian classical music arrangements. Julien Labro forms a unique collaboration with Chicago’s contemporary classical Spektral Quartet, presenting rarely performed works on the bandoneón and accordina (sister instruments of the accordion) by Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, and Nuevo Tango composer Diego Schissi. "[The Spektral Quartet is] leading the charge toward progressive, high-caliber contemporary classical music." (Chicago Reader) Be prepared to be blown out of your seat by Russian accordion wizard Alexander Sevastian, who "masters the accordion with the most absolute swiftness" (La Press - Montreal). The Big Squeeze also features the Irish Duo: John Williams and Liz Carroll. Concertina master John Williams comes from a long line of Irish musicians with roots in County Clare; he joins National Heritage Fellow Liz Carroll to conjure lively jigs with the Irish Duo. “The depth of Williams’ gifts as an artist and musician are awesome. His playing seems to come from beyond him, as if the accordion is playing him instead of the other way around.” (Irish American Post) For further information on this event: trender@umich.eduAPO |
ROLAND FR-8X V-ACCORDION Updateby Rita Barnea |
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 Sean Montgomery, Roland Europe V-Accordion Product Manager (picture right) writes: "Roland is pleased to announce a significant ‘Version 2’ system update for their flagship FR-8X V-Accordion. This free, user-installable upgrade adds many new improvements and enhancements designed to make the FR-8x even more versatile in any musical situation. Based on user feedback, the new features include new drum and orchestral parameters, improved control of audio files, more Looper functionality, and new Orchestral Chord “voicing” capabilities. Uwe Steger will officially launch the Version 2.0 update in a dedicated workshop on Saturday November 1, 2014, as part of the 67th Coupe Mondiale in Salzburg, Austria. This workshop will be available to view online at the Coupe Mondiale website from 4:PM CET. Since the revolutionary V-Accordion launched in 2004, Roland has introduced many digital accordions culminating with the current FR-8x launched in 2013. Roland has recently announced a manufacturing agreement with FATAR Srl that will ensure that production of the V-Accordion range remains in Italy. A dedicated team of Roland staff based at FATAR, together with FATAR’s world-renowned craftsmanship and quality standards, will ensure that Roland remains dedicated to the ongoing development of these specialized instruments. About Roland Corporation: Roland Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processors, and multimedia products. With more than 40 years of musical instrument development, Roland sets the standard in music technology for the world to follow. For more information, visit RolandUS.com or see your local Roland dealer. |
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Joey Miskulin New CDby Rita Barnea |
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| Joey Miskulin's "The Other Side of the Fence" CD was recently released. Joey Miskulin is a producer, in-demand studio musician, and member of Grammy-award winning group Riders In The Sky. Over 5 decades, he has collaborated with a range of artists from U2 to Roy Rogers, from Paul McCartney to Frank Yankovic, and many more. Joey's music has garnished audio and video recordings, movie tracks and live performances for a wide range of artists—from U2 to Roy Rogers. In addition, his company— MusicWagon—has produced multiple Grammy-award winning albums for Walt Disney Records, music for Disney-Pixar’s Oscar-winning short animation “For The Birds,” and orchestrated many wide-reaching music projects. As a child in Chicago, Joey displayed early signs of musical prodigy, spontaneously showing an interest in the accordion by the time he was four, was performing professionally by age 11, and had his first recording produced by Roman Possedi at 12. A year later, Joey met Frankie Yankovic, forming a personal and professional relationship with the man known as "America's Polka King" that would last a lifetime. He toured with Yankovic as his featured accordionist for years, and continued writing and arranging songs, and producing Frank's recordings until Yankovic's death in 1998. In the 1990s, Joey rejoined Riders In The Sky, and tours with them today as "Joey the CowPolka King," in addition to ongoing producing, writing, and recording projects. For further information: joey@musicwagon.com |
William Schimmel to Perform at William Paterson Universityby Rita Barnea |
 Dr. William Schimmel will be the guest artist on the New Music Series at the Shea Center of William Paterson University of New Jersey on November 10, 2014 at 7:30 PM. Dr. Schimmel will perform with the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble with Peter Jarvis as Director. The program includes: 1."The Paha Sapa Give-Back (1993)" by Jerome Kitzke. It is composed for percussion quartet, piano and vocals. Drum Set and Vocals: Patrick Lapinski, Steven Nowakowski, Zach Doyle, David Endean Piano and Vocals: Travis Salim Conductor and Vocals: Peter Jarvis 2."Concerto for Accordion and Mallets (2014)" by William Schimmel 1. Burlesque 2. And the Day Passed – And the Twilight Came – John Whittier 3. Call/Response: A Closer Walk performed by the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble John Ferrari, Peter Jarvis Payton MacDonald, Gary Van Dyke. 3."Traffic Signals (2014) " by Gene Pritsker, composed for accordion and vibraphone. William Schimmel is a virtuoso accordionist, author, philosopher and composer. He is one of the principle architects in the tango revival in America, the resurgence of the accordion and the philosophy of Musical Reality (composition with pre-existing music). He received his diploma from the Neupauer Conservatory of Music and his BM, MS and DMA degrees from the Juilliard School. He has taught at the Juilliard School, Brooklyn College CUNY, Upsala College, New School University, Neupauer Conservatory (dean) and has lectured on accordion related subjects at Princeton, Columbia, Brandeis, University of Missouri, Duke University, Manhattan School of Music, the Graduate Center CUNY, Santa Clara University, The Janacek Conservatory in Ostrava, Czech Republic and at Microsoft. He has performed with virtually every major symphony orchestra in America (and the Kirov ) including a longstanding relationship with the Minnesota Orchestra, as well as virtually every chamber music group in New York including Ensemble Sospeso and the Odeon Jazz Ensemble. Pop star colleagues range from Sting to Tom Waits, who has made the legendary statement: Bill Schimmel doesn't play the accordion, he is the accordion. He is founder of the Tango Project. He is on the board of the AAA. For further information: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
Roberta Cantow's documentary "A Word" to be Released Soonby Rita Barnea |
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 "The A Word: Accordions Live and Kickin" is a new documentary on the accordion. The trailer will be released very soon.According to its creator, filmmaker Roberta Cantow, it is "a film about a maligned musical instrument. For some, it is the forbidden one. For others in the know, there has been an explosion of interest over it and its many faces and facets.Let the accordion music story begin!" Roberta welcomes your "liking" the film's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheAWordDocumentary?ref=hl "The A Word a film by Roberta Cantow" For further information: rcantow@originaldigital.net |
Cory Pesaturo Updatesby Rita Barnea |
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 Accordionist Cory Pesaturo will present a Large Scale TED Talk on November 15, 2014 in Boston. He also recently performed with Wynton Marsalis at an impromptu jam session at Wynton Marsalis' house on his birthday. See photo.Cory's accomplishments include: - World Digital Accordion Champion (Coupe Mondiale) - World Acoustic Accordion Champion (Primus Ikaalinen) *First Person to ever win World Championships on Digital, Acoustic, and Jazz Accordion Upcoming Shows: October 31 to November 2, 2014 at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Chan's Jazz on December 6, 2014 at 8:PM in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. For the 10th Time, Cory will have an All-Star Jazz Concert with Bob Gullotti, John Almark and Marty Ballou. Special Guests as always. For further information: cory.pesaturo@gmail.com, |
En Canto in Seattle Performanceby Rita Barnea |
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| En Canto, will perform on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 9:PM at the Royal Room in Seattle, Washington. This will be En Canto's last show before they embark on a three-week trip to Brazil! Tickets are $10 at the door. En Canto brings the lively, danceable rhythms of Brazil (forró, baião, choro, samba) to clubs, special events, & private parties! En Canto brings you music as rich and varied as the people and places of Brazil: forró and baião from the northeast, bossa nova and choro from Rio, and sambas from every city and town. These lively, danceable rhythms and exotic melodies get everyone onto the dance floor, while the occasional slower tune (such as Tom Jobim’s "Falando de Amor") evokes the romantic mood of saudade (longing). Led by Brazilian-born vocalist Adriana Giordano, this septet combines consummate musicianship with an infectious sense of fun and rhythm, delighting everyone from the discriminating jazz aficionado to the three-year-old who just wants to dance! For the past several years, En Canto has brought their unique sound to a variety of festivals and venues, including all-ages interactive shows, corporate events, private parties, outdoor festivals, and a regular monthly show at one of Seattle’s emerging new live music venues, The Royal Room, where they pack the venue to capacity. Individually, each band member of packs a punch: Vocalist Adriana Giordano leads her own jazz quartet and is one of the most in-demand singers in the Northwest. Accordionist Jamie Maschler has won several national and international accordion competitions for jazz, classical, and original compositions, and is high demand in all musical genres. Flutist Meese Agrawal has also won national and international competitions. Clarinetist Rosalynn De Roos founded the Brazilian choro (vintage jazz) quartet, ChoroLoco, and produces musical events, along with bringing her brilliant solo riffs to En Canto. Michael Withey has a long career in jazz and rhythm and blues as pianist. Adam Kozie (drums) and Martin Strand (bass), both recent graduates of Cornish College of the Arts, are both involved in multiple music projects. A unique member of Seattle’s music scene because she has played accordion since the age of four. Jamie Maschler graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a Bachelors in Music and has won several national and international accordion competitions for jazz, classical, and original compositions. She has performed as a featured soloist at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. She has also recorded at some of the top studios in Seattle, including London Bridge, Avast, Elliott Bay Recording Company, and Clatter and Din. Ms. Maschler now works at Petosa Accordions, the last accordion manufacturer in the United States, while pursuing a very active career in Seattle and the greater Northwest area. For additional information and a calendar of upcoming events: encantobrazil@gmail.com |
Brooklyn Accordion Club Presents "Take Apart Your Accordion"by Rita Barnea |
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| Save the date for the November meeting of the Brooklyn Accordion Club which takes place on Sunday, November 9th, 2-4 PM at 61 Local (61 Bergen Street, Brooklyn). The suggested donation is 1-3 dollars (pay what you can!) Mike Bulboff from Liberty Bellows in Philadelphia, PA. will present a workshop "Take Apart Your Accordion! An introduction to the inner working of an accordion and how to repair common problems". The Top 10 Accordion Fixes Every Accordionist Should Know: 1. Level a treble key that is too high or too low 2. Reset or replace a loose treble pad 3. Fix a sticky or slow treble key 4. Block and unblock the bass for safe shipping 5. Straighten a bent bass button 6. Repair small air leaks 7. Replace a bass strap 8. Fix a reed that is not playing 9. Replace a problematic reed valve 10. Tighten loose reed blocks Don't miss this great opportunity to learn about the mechanics of an accordion! Mike Bulboff, with a background in keyboard, began playing the accordion at the age of 17. It became a hobby which led to starting his business, Liberty Bellows in 2009. Mike says he likes the accordion because "The accordion is an instrument you really connect with: You wear it, you feel the reeds moving and you become part of it." Mike is a Princeton alumnus and received his Master's Degree from the Wharton School of Business. You are invited to play at this event. Beginners and first timers are welcome. If interested in performing a piece or two at the meeting, please email:brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com Founded in 2013, the Brooklyn Accordion Club aims to build a community of accordion players of all levels and admirers in the heart of Brooklyn. To contact Mike Bulboff: web@libertybellows.com For further information on the BAC: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert Honors Carmen Carrozza Nov. 2by Rita Barnea |
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 Tickets are still available for the Accordion Pops Orchestra's tribute to Carmen Carrozza. The event takes place on Sunday, November 2nd, 2014 at 2:PM at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, 88 Route 173, Hampton, New Jersey 08827. Al Terzo is the conductor of the APO.Norwegian concert accordionist Havard Svensrud will perform. Andrea Maurer, virtuoso flautist will also perform with the APO. Lenny Feldmann will be the commentator and Master of Ceremonies. Born on 29 January 1974 in Modum in Buskerud, Norway, Håvard has established himself as a professional performer of both classical and traditional entertainment music. Educated in music at Barratt Dues Musikkinstitutt in Oslo with the accordion as main instrument, Håvard is the winner of various competitions, such as categories in the Norwegian Accordion Championships in 1992, 1993 and 1994, as well as in the Nordic final of Frosini Grand Prix in 1993 and the Vivian Vivio Memorial Entertainment Competition hosted by the American Accordionists Association in the United States. Håvard Svendsrud has been in great demand as an accordionist for more than 10 years, and has frequently performed on radio and television, as a soloist and as a group musician. He has contributed to, and released, several recordings. His performances included an appearance as one of the guest artists during Oslo's 1000-year jubilee in 2000. In addition to his solo work, on several occasions he has also appeared with different orchestras, including the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and Forsvarets Musikkorps. He accordion career has also included work in the theaters, among them Nationaltheatret in Oslo, and he has contributed to performances such as Spelemann på taket and Tolvskillingsoperaen. Håvard has also worked to commission several pieces including among them Belgprisen (1992), Ticon-Prisen (2000) and Henschiens ærespris (2002). Håvard Svendsrud was appointed ”cultural ambassador” for the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, involving a long-term commitment in Venezuela in 1995. He has also toured with his own concert program in the USA, Iceland, Finland, Italy, England and throughout Scandinavia. Today Håvard Svendsrud works as a freelance musician, both solo and with fellow musicians Tor Bekkelund, guitar and Kay Hartvigsen, bass. The price for the dinner and concert is $50. For tickets and further information: Rosemarie Cavanaugh Phone: 732-257-8198 For further information on Havard Svendsrud email: Karen@hsvendsrud.com For more information on the Accordion Pops Orchestra emai: Alterzo@hotmail.com |
First Annual Accordion Commotion Day on November 8th in NHby Rita Barnea |
  Accordion Commotion Day takes place at Accordion Connection LLC, 136 Route 106, Gilmanton, New Hampshire on Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 10:AM to 5:PM.Listen, learn and be inspired by the concerts, workshops, and jam session taking place. Featured artist, Gary Morin, will present two workshops and tow concerts. Bring your accordion for his interactive workshop. the jam session with NH Accordion Association will begin at 3:30 PM and end at 5:PM. Learn about wet and dry tuning from Arthur Welch, owner of the Accordion Connection. Free accordion appraisal service will be provided. Only $10.00 per person which includes lunch buffet plus open jam session. Admission is free for current NHAA members. For registration and further information: 1-800-328-5227 or accman@accordionconnection.com |
Slavic Soul Party! Performs in NYC on November 20 and 21by Rita Barnea |
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| Slavic Soul Party! plays their version of the "Far East Suite" by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn on November 20 & 21, 2014, in New York City. FACT: This has only happened twice before in NYC, and both performances sold out. There will be 4 shows, at 8:PM and 10:PM on both Nov 20 and 21, in the slightly grimy and entirely awesome backroom of Barbès. Only 45 tickets will be sold for each show. $12.00 per ticket. Slavic Soul Party is an American Balkan brass/jazz band. They are based in Brooklyn,New York City. Their style of brass band music includes gypsy music, klezmer, funk, and New Orleans jazz influences. As of 2013 Slavic Soul Party have played a weekly Tuesday night gig at the Park Slope bar Barbes for more than 10 years! Slavic Soul Party! re-imagines Duke Ellington's iconic "Far East Suite" as an East European brass band discovering an exotic American sound, reversing the "exotic tinge" and reveling in this subtle, funky, and brilliant music. Ellington's suite was inspired by an extensive State Department tour which was cut short – they didn't make it to the "Far East" – and serves as a perfect foil for SSP!'s blend of East European, Romani, and American sounds. This is a rare performance of SSP!'s entire Ellington program, and the sets will be recorded for a live album. SSP! includes Ben Holmes and John Carlson (trumpet), Oscar Noriega (sax/clarinet), Jacob Garchik and Brian Drye (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Peter Stan (accordion), Matt Moran and a soon-to-announced new percussionist (bubanj/snare/darabouka) Press Comments: "Slavic Soul Party! offers a gutpunch to preconceptions about traditional music, world music, pop music, dance music, but I'll tell you, this is one gutpunch you'll enjoy." NPR's All Things Considered "Of all the NYC dance bands that draw on Eastern European music, Slavic Soul Party! is the coolest." TimeOut NY "A great time." NY Times For further information: info@slavicsoulparty.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordion Player Seeks His Link to City's Pastby Rita Barnea |
 By Marisa Lagos San Francisco Chronicle, Saturday, September 27, 2014:Ernie Ogren was 10 years old when he stood on Treasure Island along with 999 other accordion players and serenaded their audience at the 1939-40 Golden Gate International Exposition. Somewhere, a picture of that 1,000-member band, which played together just that once, exists. And Ogren, now 84, is on a mission to find it. Ogren was among several dozen people who gathered Saturday morning to view archival photos of the fair presented by Jean Moulin, curator of the century-old Moulin Studios — a photographic archive and stock studio created by three generations of the Moulin family. At a lecture hosted by the Treasure Island Museum Association, Jean Moulin showed photos of the exposition, also known as the World’s Fair, beginning with aerial shots of the island being created by the Army Corps of Engineers. Her presentation included photos of Eleanor Roosevelt and California Gov. Frank Merriam, of the Miss America pageant hosted there, and numerous shots of the impressive artwork that decorated the fair, most of which has been destroyed. If anyone has any information about this photo contact: Pam Tom at accordionpam@gmail.com. Photo: Aerial view from east to west across the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in 1939. Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library |
Bud and Linda Gramer Perform for the LIAAby Rita Barnea |
 The Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) presents guest artists, German-American entertainers Bud and Linda Gramer on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 6:PM at La Villini Restaurant, 288 Larkfiedl Road, East Northport, NY Reservations are recommended: 631-261-6344 There will be no December meeting of the LIAA. Many thanks to all accordion loving friends who helped make 2014 another successful year for the accordion on Long Island. For further information on the Gramers: Bud_Linda_gramer@yahoo.com |
Celebrate Accordion Day at the Acme Accordion Schoolby Rita Barnea |
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| Come celebrate the joy of the accordion on Accordion Day. November is National Accordion Month. The public is invited to attend all events, free of charge as Acme Accordion School hosts the annual Accordion Day Events on ............... Sunday - November 9, 2014. 10:30 AM thru 3:00 PM Location: Acme Accordion School 322 Haddon Ave. Westmont (Haddon Township), NJ 08108 Admission: Free and Open to the Public Donation: Any free will donation will be graciously accepted and placed in the Acme Scholarship Fund. This is a family friendly event, great for all ages. Events begin at 10:30 AM where soloists may sign up to perform a solo or two until 11:30. 11:45 to 12:30 will be the setting up for the Accordion Day photo for all accordionists who wish to participate. Bring your accordion if possible. Our goal is 150 accordion players or more. All ages invited. Enjoy meeting new friends. Bring your family. The photo will be followed by a concert that will feature guest performers: Suzy Andrew will perform literature from the standard accordion repertoire, including the famous "Rhapsody in Blue". Dr. Lou Persic will perform popular standards for your listening pleasure. Joanna Darrow will perform music of Massenet, Frescobaldi and Rameau. The Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra will feature Annette Marinelli in one of the earliest accordion concertos written by Pietro Deiro Sr. Founded in 1948, the Acme Accordion School is home to the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra, accordion school, and Musik Garten, a music and art program, where children from birth to 6 years old can come to develop their sense of rhythm, coordination and social skills For more information: Joanna Darrow - 856-854-6628 acmeaccordionschoolmusikgarten@verizon.net |
Future events |
Accordion Pops Orchestra in Concertby Rita Barnea |
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Nick Ariondo in Concert on November 19 in Californiaby Rita Barnea |
 The Arcadia Library Foundation presents an evening of "dazzling virtuosity" by Nick Ariondo" at 7:PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.The Arcadia Public Library is located on 20 West Duarte Road, Arcadia, California. Accordionist / composer Nick Ariondo will perform original compositions and arrangements from Baroque to Jazz/Tango to Contemporary as a soloist and sometimes with guest artist Larry Hughes (clarinet and soprano sax). The concert will include a new rendition of Artie Shaw's "Clarinet Concerto" for clarinet & accordion. Free Admission: No reservations needed but seating limited to first 150 people - doors open 6:30 PM. For more information on this concert: 626-294-4808 Bio by Pat Salis: Nicholas S. Ariondo (Nick Ariondo), accordionist/composer/arranger/pianist, was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He received a Bachelor & Masters Degrees in Music Performance/Composition at California State Univ., Los Angeles, CA. His musical accomplishments include: ~ 25 ASCAP Awards ~ onstage performances with opera legend Placido Domingo ~ Double Grammy Award winner with Los Angeles Opera Orchestra ~ first American to receive Italy's Ancona/Castelfidardo Prize for chamber music ~ inclusion in International Who's Who in Music (14th Edition) Cambridge, England ~ 1990 Artists Fellowship Grant recipient (California Arts Council) ~ composer/arranger of numerous works cataloged with ACCO-Music Publishing and Publisher member of BMI. Nick's diverse musical background includes classical, jazz, gypsy to multi-ethnic world styles. As a musician, his accordion is heard on many a soundtrack for film and television -- as a composer/arranger, his arrangements of Russian folk music were featured in Warren Beatty's film "Love Affair" (1994, Warner Bros.). As a concert artist, Nick performs with orchestra, with his chamber ensemble and in solo recital throughout Southern California and abroad.Arcadia Public Library/Cay Mortenson Hall 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia, CA 91006, USA. For further information: accomusic@nickariondo.com |
November 16th: Accordion and Violin Duo Peter DiBono and Harriet Newhartby Rita Barnea |
 The San Francisco Accordion Club (SFAC) will feature accordionist Peter DiBono and violinist Harriet Newhart on November 16, 2014 at 2:PM at the Oyster Point Yacht Club, 911 Marina Blvd.,South San Francisco.Peter DiBono had an outstanding career as a police inspector with the SFPD. His outgoing creative side led him to become well known in San Francisco. Peter has played accordion for people of all backgrounds and callings including presidents, royalty, Supreme Court Justices, Hollywood actors and opera stars, to families who want something special to celebrate a milestone event in their lives. According to Peter, "It doesn't matter where I play or for whom... Playing music is such a joy both for me and my audience. Music is a way to communicate with one another, on a deeply personal level." Harriet Newhart along with her husband Byrne, has been delighting national and international audiences with their thirteen piece strolling orchestra, the San Francisco Starlite Strings, featuring the musical treasures of the American Song Book, Viennese Waltzes and Continental favorites. In 2015, the meeting dates the SFAC meetings will remain the 3rd Sunday of each month except for February, which is President’s Day. Please mark your calendars for these Sundays in 2015 for SFAC Club meetings: January 18, February 22. March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, no August, September 20, October 18, November 15, and December 20. For further information: info@sfaccordionclub.com |
Accordion Clinic by Mario Pedone and Nick Ballarini in Texasby Rita Barnea |
  The Texas Accordion Clinic will be held in New Braunfels, Texas at the TBarM Ranch from Dec. 11-15, 2014.At this event there will be nothing but fun, good food, good music….. five days of accordion and a great opportunity to learn and hear some of the greatest performers, composers, and teachers in the accordion world. Topic will include Embellishments, Technique, Computer Music/Writing, Bellows Technique Ala Tony Lovello, Delivering Your Message, Fake Books and Harmonizing. The accordion clinic features: Five Days, Participants Concerts, Solo performances daily, Study Groups/Bands of 4-6 people, Ballroom Dancing Every Night, Guest Artist Tony Lovello, Group Lessons, Workshops, Jam Sessions, Concerts Daily, Beautiful Learning Environment, Good Food and Drink, Impromptu Performances and much more! Nick Ballarini began accordion studies in Chicago at the ae of eight with Armando Pizzi, Antonio Rosanova who wrote Phil Baker Method Books, and Anthony Rizzo. At the age of 14, he could play note for note along with Dick Contino recordings and began to perform Professionally as a soloist at "Rany's on Miochigan Avenue". The US Navy with its School of Music, was an excellent place for Nick to hone his skills as an accordionist and pianist by playing in big bands combos and concert bands. After an honorable discharge, he resumed work in Chicago and began teaching accordion, piano, and organ. While teaching for Lyon and Healy, he began accordion studies with Leon Sash. Now residing in Dallas, Texas with his family, Nick plays for weddings, corporate events and jazz festivals as an accordionist/pianist and band leader including the Avignon Quintet and The Alpine Five. During Nick'es career, he has performed with many prominent musicians such as Lucian Pavarotti, Mel Torme, and the Chieftans. Nick's long term goals include recording and composition while he continues with his performances, accordion repair/restoration and sales. Mario Pedone is originally from a small town near Bari in Southern Italy. At the age of 8, Mario and his family moved to Valencia, Venzuela where he learned to play the accordion under the direction of several renowned professors, earning a degree as an accordion 'maestro'. He is a participant and director for several prestigious events and organizations, including his own school, Academia Latina de Acordeon. Mario has performed professionally in South America, Europe and Canada with an extensive repertoire of classical, Latin, European and American standards, as well as award-winning original compositions. The deadline for registration is November 25, 2014. Registration Form at: 2014Clinic For further information:Ballarini@sbcglobal.net |