The Accordion Events page has been newly updated and renamed as it now includes competitions and festivals and other accordion events held annually or every 2, 3, 4 or 5 years. If your event is not listed or you know of a regular festival or competition or other accordion event not listed, please email news@accordions.com

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• 2001 New England Music Competition and Festival - USA
• Conservatory Concerts - Lithuania
• Forro Concerts - Brazil
• Premiere of New Work by British Composer - England
• 7th International Casarza Ligure Competition - Italy
• Swap Tours USA
• International Folk Instruments Festival & Competition - Russia
• Lips Masterclass at Royal Academy of Music - England
• A "Jewel" Turns Twenty - Italy
• Take a Break - Japan
• Literature Gala with Lydie Auvray as Musical Guest - Germany
• Successful Radio Interview for Sundequist & Farmen - England
• Rainbow's End Concerts - New Zealand
• Houston International Festival - USA
• 34th International Competition - France
• Are You in this Photo?
• Fund Raising Concert - Australia
• Jazz Competition - USA
• Accordion and Bayan Competition - Ukraine
• Accord'Ance Performs at Novellara Theatre - Italy
• Olympic Café Accordion Concerts - France
• New Jazz Recording - USA
• New Sites
• Antique Accordion Information
• Accordion Information Required

The 2001 New England Music Competition and Festival begins today and will run until April 8th at the Marriott Hotel, Newton, Massachusetts organized by the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts

Over 1200 contestants will take part in competitions for accordion, drum, guitar, keyboard, piano, and voice with solo, duet and ensemble categories as well as a "Battle of the Bands" division with over US$3,000.00 in prizes awarded to winners throughout the weekend.

The competition is open to competitors up to the age of 22 who are students of ATAM teacher members. For further details email: deedee@rositalee.com

Accordionist Raimondas Sviackevicius will perform a program of Scarlatti sonatas, two works with a cellist, and Prealudium & Fugue in Fis-moll (Bach) at the Kaunas Conservatory on April 11th. The following week (18th) Raimondas will play the same program at the Siauliai Conservatory. Both of these concerts will include a performance by guest accordionist Andrius Balachovicius, who will play works by Scarlatti, Zubitsky, Semionov, Precz and Tamulionis.

Raimondas is currently studying at The Royal Conservatory in The Hague (Netherlands) in the class of well known accordionist Professor Friedrich Lips. For further concert details email: sviaraim@takas.lt

Contributed by Teotônio Barbosa de Santana

The AABB (The Brazilian Bank´s Club) has organized a series of forró concerts in Salvador during April. The first will take place on the 20th by popular accordionist Paraiba do Acordeon followed by a concert on the 27th by the band "Gilton e Banda Mistura Fina" (which includes accordionist Féu). The group will perform with forró vocalist Adélmário Coelho. For further details email: teotonio@sefaz.ba.gov.br

David Farmer has performed a string of recent solo recitals in the London area and on March 22nd, gave the world premiere of a new work by British composer Andrew Poppy entitled "Weighing the Measure" for accordion, bass clarinet and tape. David was also recently the guest soloist in the first televised performance of Karl Jenkins' "Adiemus IV" in St Davids Hall, Cardiff. David was invited to feature on the album "Adiemus IV" by the composer in January 2000 and has already performed the work in London's Royal Albert Hall alongside Irish piper Davy Spilain and jazz guitarist Martin Taylor.

The 7th International Casarza Ligure Competition will be held from June 2nd to 9th in Casarza Ligure, Genoa for accordion, keyboard, organ, guitar, wind and stringed instruments. Accordion categories include Classical Accordions (standard and free basses) and Folk Accordions for a variety of age groups. The closing date for entries is April 29th 2001. For further details please email: patrizia@rainbownet.it

Contributed by Kirsi Kisner

Popular group Swap will tour the USA during April, beginning in Charlottesville on the 6th. Further concerts will be held in Floyd, Charleston, Somerville, Montague Center, Greenfield, Portland, Eau Claire and Barron.

The group, which includes Karen Tweed (accordion), Ian Carr, Chris Wood and Andy Cutting will also perform a free concert with the Nyckelharpa Orchestra at the Chicago Cultural Center on April 18th. For further information email: kirsi@noside.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The International Festival & Competition for Folk Instruments Peter and Paul Harmonicas Assembly will be held from April 21st to 28th in St. Petersburg. The event is for both professionals and amateurs with no age limitation (children, teenagers and adults). Musicians of all free reed instruments (harmonica, piano and button accordions, concertinas, bandoneons etc.) will be welcome to perform a variety of music such as folk, popular, jazz and modern music, including alternative forms. For further information email: defo@au.ru

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

Friedrich Lips had an interesting masterclass last week at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was invited by Professor Owen Murray to teach his class not only in modern accordion techniques but also concerning new literature for accordion and chamber music. As Lips is constantly working with different instrumentalists he has experience in many aspects of contemporary music. This information was very useful to the accordion students.

Contributed by Mirco Soprani, City Hall Councillor in charge of Cultural Activities

On May 9th 2001 the Castelfidardo Museum will celebrate its twentieth birthday. The event will be marked by the presentation of an homage to the accordion by Tonino Guerra, a great poet and author of several screenplays who still works alongside directors of international renown and who is famous for his partnership with Federico Fellini (which produced such masterpieces as the Academy Award winner "Amarcord"). Guerra's imagination and creativity has now produced a tribute to the accordion and to the town of Castelfidardo in the form of a limited edition etching.

Contributed by Toru Katou

On April 8th, the annual "Chotto-Hitoiki (take a break) concert will be held at the Kokubunji Izumi Hall, Tokyo. For further details, phone Mr Matsuoka +81 42-341-5525

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

During the "Lit. Cologne" Gala event which took place in the "Philharmonie" in Cologne on March 21st, Lydie Auvray managed once again to amaze her international audience, which included representatives from sport, politics and the cultural sector. Present was also the well-know Austrian actress and artist Senta Berger, who interpreted a critical version of the German anthem on stage with Lydie and Elke Heidenreich.

Contributed by Heather Smith

The Kingston upon Hull Accordion Club presented a concert on March 20th, featuring Scandinavian accordionists Jorgen Sundequist and Oivind Farmen. The evening's entertainment began with a performance by the club ensemble, who played "World's Fair March" (Charles Nunzio), "Janita" (tango) and "Spanish Eyes" followed by 10 year old John Cleland who played two pieces. John's teacher Heather Smith then played duets with another of her students, Colin Milner. Guests Jorgen and Oivind completed the successful program.

Prior to this concert, Jorgen & Oivind were invited to the BBC Radio Humberside studios, for an interview with presenter Steve Massam, who asked them to play two pieces of music live. Their performance of a Frosini composition and a beautiful Russian folk song greatly impressed the studio team and can only help in the promotion of the accordion.

Contributed by Christine Adams

On April 1st the North Shore and West Auckland Accordion Orchestras once again entertained at the Rainbow's End Fun Park in Manukau, Auckland. This concert has proved such a success with orchestra members and the public that it is now an annual event. The enthusiastic crowd enjoyed a variety of solo and group performances. Excited performers (aged from 6 to 76) also enjoyed a day of exhilarating rides at the fun park!

The Houston International Festival will take place in Downtown Houston, Texas from April 20th to 29th. The event will include nine stages with over 1,500 national and international performers entertaining the crowd with a variety of music such as blues, celtic, country, rock, tejano and zydeco.

Performers include "Cerronato" (with accordionist Michael Maddux) playing "La Gota Fria", "Pedazo De Acordeón" and other pieces on April 21st, Nathan Williams & The Zydeco Cha Chas (April 21st), Buckwheat Zydeco (April 22nd), Sharon Shannon (April 22nd), accordionist Keith Frank & Soileau Zydeco Band (April 22nd), Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys (April 28th) and Flaco Jimenez (April 29th). For further details email: mike_maddux@rocketmail.com

Contributed by Guy Vivier

The closing date for entries in the 34th International Competition in Argenteuil is April 22nd. The competition is for accordion, piano, synthesizer and guitar. Prizes will include the first "Guy Vivier Special Prize" and 27000 French Francs in prize money. The event will be held from May 24th to 27th. Jury members include Wu Shouzhi, Li Cong, Guan Keya, Zheng Shenglie, Guo Yu Guang, Fu Yong, Genc Tuqiki, Guy Vivier, Yu Jiqing and Wang Dan. Guest artists include Ivar Thoresen Dagenborg and Ottar Johansen (Norway). For more information email Guy Vivier at: Guy.vivier2@libertysurf.fr

Geoff Levear has this photo of the Aldershot Accordion Club taken in England in 1938. In the front row right (sitting on the floor) is Peter Picket and behind him is his brother Ray Picket. Peter died as a teenager and Ray (who is 80) now lives in Toronto Canada. Do you recognize others in this photo or know "Where are they now". Please email Geoff at: Glevear@aol.com

Click on this picture to see a larger format

Contributed by Elizabeth Jones

The NSW Division of the Accordion Society of Australia will hold a fund raising concert on April 22nd at the Five Dock Memorial Bowling Club in Five Dock, NSW. The concert will feature the NSW State Orchestra, ACE and younger members of the orchestra. For further information email June Jones at: LIZJONES@bigpond.com.au

A Jazz Competition will be held in Boston, Massachusetts on April 19th. Jazz group "Querubin" which includes Victor Prieto (accordion), Santiago Greco (bass) and Ramon Rey (drums) will participate at the event. For further details phone: +1 617 723-5421

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The International Competition and Festival for Accordion and Bayan will begin on April 9th and run until April 14th in Lougansk. The event is organized by A. Chmykov, the Institute of Culture of Lougansk, the Philhamonic of Lougansk and the Accordion Association Unissou (France) Directed by Philippe Imbert.

The competition is open to all participants born after April 15th 1980 who will perform works by J. S. Bach and A. Chmykov as well as their own choice works.

Jury members include A. Thepaz (France), L. Charabrin (Ukraine), C. Rossi-Chmykov (Monte Carlo), A. Koriaghin (Ukraine), M. Boula (Belorus), N. Davidov (Ukraine), Y. Kalachnikov (Ukraine) and F. Lips (Russia). For further details phone/fax: +33 4 93012105

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Accord'Ance sextet will perform on April 7th 2001 at the city theatre in Novellara (Province of Reggio Emilia). The concert will also feature guitarist Giampaolo Bandini performing Double Concerto for Bandoneon and Guitar (A. Piazzolla) and Concerto de Aranquez (Rodrigo). For details email: accordance@virgilio.it

Contributed by Beatrice Fontaine

The Olympic Cafe in Paris will feature accordion performances this month beginning with MAM'S (Imaginary Folklores with Vivianne Arnoux on accordion) on April 11th. On the 12th and 19th the Raùl Barboza Trio will perform a concert entitled "Accordéon chamamé des Indiens Guarani" (Accordions blessed by the Guarani Indians). The following evening (20th) the Raùl Barboza Quartet (the Trio with harpist Javier Samundio) will perform. For further information email: accordeon2000@wanadoo.fr

Accordionist Joe Cerrito has just released a recording entitled "Dedication by Joe Cerrito" which includes jazz pieces with his trio and quartet (accordion, bass, drums and trumpet). Tracks by the trio include "Sonny Side", "Bernie's Tune" and "Take the A Train". The quartet performs "251" and "Scrapple from the Apple". For further details email: CerritoJoe@aol.com

http://www.accordions.com/wurzburger Information on Wurzburger Musikverlag music publishers in Germany

http://www.accordions.com/brogan Information on Shane Brogan, jazz accordionist from Scotland

http://www.accordions.com/marconi Updated information on Marconi snc accordion bellows manufacturers

http://www.accordions.com/accordance Updated information on the Accordion Sextet "Accord'Ance"

Louis and Penny Katz would like information on a 7/27 Serani Italia accordion, made in Italy. It is black with white trim and rhinestones. Email: Badkatz@aol.com

Sue Kershaw would like information on a Scandalli Scott Wood Six, which is red and white with a lot of diamante on it. This instrument may be an early 1900 model. Email: skershaw@ntlworld.com

Marylou Collamer would like details on the pictured antique accordion, possibly made in the early 1900's. It has mother of pearl keys. Email: martist@verizon.net

Bob and Candy would like information on an old wooden Royal accordion with 19 bass buttons and corresponding wooden keys that open when you push the buttons. The Bass has 4 metal levers in front and one in back and when you push them as you squeeze the bellows the sound comes out of the holes. Email: CANDACEMORAN@webtv.net

David Rose is looking for music by the accordion group "The Softones" which he believes is a Canadian group. If you can help please email: drose@sympatico.ca