Editors Note
The Coupe Mondiale International Competition began on October 24th in London, England organised by the NAO. Accordions Worldwide currently has daily reports on this event. A full list of all contestants in all classes and lists of music that they are performing is also online. Results will be published at the end of the event on Saturday night GMT time and be online for all to see then.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

Over 8,000 musicians, accordionists and 6 million visitors took part in the 169th Munich Oktoberfest in early October. Events included a variety of beer tents and foods, carousels, roller coasters and an exciting program of entertainment including the "Oktoberfest Folklore International". This event saw over 600 musicians (including accordionists) entertain at a Costume Procession at the Auditorium des ICM der Messe München (Munich Trade Fair Centre). The world famous "Riflemen's Parade" included over 7,000 musicians, "troops" in historical uniforms, marching bands, riflemen, thoroughbred horses and floats displaying typical local traditions, that took part in a 7 kilometre procession through the streets of the city centre.

The final event was an "Open-Air Oktoberfest Music Concert" held on the steps of the Bavaria statue, where over 400 musicians took part.

Contributed by Li Cong

They call him the "Accordion Poet", and he played a one hour impromptu performance in Shanghai Square, a big shopping mall in Shanghai on October 12th. The accordionist was 73 year old Gervasio Marcosignori.

Marcosignori was born in Castelfidardo, Italy and by the age of 15 was already giving concert tours around Europe. After a performance at the British Royal Celebration Hall, the press called him the "Accordion Poet".

During this month's trip to Shanghai, he was accompanied by the Italian Marche Region Council Delegation. His performance included pieces played on the MIDI accordion such as "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and "Dark Eyes". Shanghai's major newspaper "Xinming Evening", the "Jiefang Daily" and Shanghai TV reported this performance.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Paolo Picchio, artistic director of the recent "Città di Castelfidardo" International Competition, is very pleased with the outcome of the 26th edition of the event. The participants themselves were particularly impressed with the work of the jury (which had to admit a great number of candidates to the second round of the various sections due to the very high standard of the entries), whose members were praised for their commitment and impartiality. Picchio reminded the audience during his speech at the award ceremony, that the competition rules prevented individual jurors from adjudicating the performances of their own students, thus further ensuring the fairness of the process. The organisers were also pleased with the success of the evening concerts and afternoon conferences.

Contributed by Jane Berkovitz

On November 11th the "Norwegian Majesty" cruise ship will leave San Juan, Puerto Rico on a seven day cruise with over 2,000 passengers aboard. The Accordion Association of Puerto Rico will play several concerts aboard the ship and will also play informally in various locations. The orchestra consists of ten accordionists and three percussionists. Their program includes a variety of Hispanic music, an Italian medley and some international favorites such as "Orpheus in the Underworld" (Jacques Offenbach) and "Syncopated Clock" (Leroy Anderson). They will also get an early start to the Christmas season with a medley of Christmas songs.

The ship will visit St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Croix. For further details email: janeberkovitz@msn.com

Contributed by Daire Bracken

Irish group "Slide", which features Aogán Lynch (concertina & whistles) will perform at the Copenhagen Irish Festival on November 3rd. The festival, which runs from the 1st to 4th, will also include performance by "Danu" (with accordionist Brendan McCarthy) and "Providence" (Mícheál O'Raghallaigh - accordion and concertina). For festival details email Janne Rødshagen at: janne@irishfestival.dk

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

During the "October in Normandy" festival on October 20th (directed by Philippe Danel) accordionist Pascal Contet gave a recital of works by Serre, Marc Monnet and "Dinosauros" (Arne Nordheim).

The concert included special three-dimensional lighting effects by Francoise Bolognini. These included a film video, which screened during the piece by Marc Monnet, while a video camera was shooting images of the public. The accordion was also accompanied by a sound track composed by Pascal Contet. This was a different and exceptional show!

Contributed by Séan Minnie

Three Boer music branches will host popular concertina meetings in South Africa on November 3rd. The West Rand Branch will meet at the Roodepoort Town hall, while the Bloemfontein Branch will meet at the Posduif Hall. The Goudveld Branch will hold their gathering at the Flamingo Hall in Welkom. For meeting details email: sminnie@mweb.co.za

"Flashback - 5 Years Ago"

National Music Week Performance - USA

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association

The 73rd annual observance of National Music Week provided a public concert opportunity for a group of Connecticut accordionists who played a benefit performance for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the North Haven Middle School.

Founded in 1993, the ensemble, "Bellows Inc" played music from "Fiddler" and "Oklahoma" as well as Vivaldi and Chopin, plus contemporary works such as "Jazz Burlesque" (Gary Daverne), "The Rooster" (Joseph Biviano) and "Manhattan Concerto" (Eugene Ettore). Ensemble members are Mary Tokarski (former AAA United States Accordion Champion), Linda Soley Reed, Cheryl Dias Kohler, Julie Cardona, Walter Kasprzyk, Marilyn Cross and Sany Vasmatics. For further details see Past News.

Canadian band "Mad Pudding" (which includes accordionist Amy Stephen) began a tour of Belgium and the Netherlands on October 18th, performing at the Papenstraattheater in Zwolle, in Zevenaar, Sevenum, Ingelmunster (Belgium) and Texel. Further concerts will be held at the Wateringen Folk Club in Wateringen (October 26th) and at the Podium Gigant in Apeldoorn (27th). For details email: madpud@istar.ca

An "Accordion Rendezvous" will be held at the Saengerhalle in New Braunfels, Texas on October 27th from 1pm to 1am. The event is a benefit to raise funds for the New Braunfels Museum of Art and Music. Performers include "Bradley J Williams and the Gulf Coast Playboys" and "Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones".

The Museum is currently hosting an exhibit entitled Texas Accordion Legacy, "100 Years of Music and Community". For further details phone: +1 830 625-4255

Accordion Orchestra Workshop and Discussion - Germany

An Accordion Orchestra Workshop and Discussion will take place at the Musikakademie Alteglofsheim in Alteglofsheim, Bayern on November 1st. Elisabeth Glauber will lead a discussion on whether "Accordion orchestras are up-to-date or antiquated?"

Workshop lecturers include Stefan Hippe, Wolfgang Pfeffer, Bernd Maltry and Kurt Mass. For details email: elisabeth.glauber@t-online.de

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Russian accordionist Aidar Gainullin has won the third edition on the "Città di Lanciano" International Competition for concert soloists, an event which is gaining in importance every year. The Jury, headed by Vladimir Zubitsky and including Claudio Jacomucci, Sergej Voitenko, Paolo Picchio, Roman Jbanov, Alexander Dmitriev, Anatolij Gaissin, Gianluca Pica and Cesare Chiacchiaretta, awarded the first prize to Gainullin, a student of Friedrich Lips' and already a winner at Castelfidardo. Second prize was claimed by Alexander Snesar, while Sergej Tchirkov came third. The junior classical category was won by Ukrainian soloist Irina Serotjuk. The variety section was dominated by Italian candidates. Mauro Carra won the Senior category and Antonio Mancini the Junior one. This section of the competition was adjudicated by Isacco Comandini, Renzo Ruggieri and Mirco Patarini.

"Panacea", which includes Nada Lewis (accordion), Robin Petrie (hammered dulcimer) and Shira Kammen (violin) will play at a "Pre-Halloween Costume Party" (as "Vampirella & the Transylvanians"!!) at the "Albatross" in Berkeley on October 30th. The group play a mix of Bulgarian, Romanian, klezmer, antique French, Greek and other old world music. For details phone: +1 510 843-2473

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On October 28th the official Pigini Instrument handover to Lydie Auvray will take place in Cologne. Lydie is well known as a vocalist and musette player who often performs on TV and radio. Her new Jazz Star accordion is a very light instrument which is especially suitable for performances where the musician plays standing up.

Accordionist Xu Da Wei, Deputy Professor of the Music Department of Jilin Province Fine Art Conservatory, held a bayan concert at the Little Concert Hall, Shanghai Music Conservatory on October 9th. His program included classical and modern pieces such as works by Bach and Russian composer Chaikin. Over 200 people attended the concert including Zhu Zhongtang (Vice-Principle of the Shanghai Music Conservatory) and Li Cong (President of the Shanghai Accordion Association).

Xu has competed in many accordion competitions, and after graduating from the Jilin Province Art Academy, he was employed as an accordion teacher there. In 1999, Xu went to the Far East State Academy of Art in Russia to work on a postgraduate degree on Bayan Performance and Teaching Theory with tutor Professor Viatcheslav Semionov. During this time he was invited to adjudicate at the Russian International Accordion Competitions in 1999 and 2000.

Canadian accordionist Joseph Petric will take part in a "Weekend Accordion Series" hosted by the Music Gallery in Toronto from November 2nd to 4th that also features Guy Klucevsek (USA). The accordionists will present works for electronic and acoustic accordion including the world premieres of "Sonata" (Rose Bolton) and "Big Dipper" (Alcides Lanza), plus pieces by Randall Smith, Micheline Roi, Christos Hatzis, Serge Arcuri, and Larry Lake. Guy Klucevsek will also perform some of his own compositions, "Return of the Microids" and "Altered Landscapes. For further details email: jpetric@interlog.com

Contributed by Jutta Menn

Accordionist Viktor Romanko will tour Germany during November performing concerts in Marburg, Hamm Bockum, Betzdorf, Wesseling (Rheinland), Ispringen and Bad Berleburg. For further details email: JBMenn@gmx.de

Accordionist Dr William Schimmel will perform in "The Floating Box", a story set in Chinatown by Jason Kao Hwang. The show began on October 25th and will run until November 7th at the Asia Society in New York. For details email: GWILLIAMANDMICKI@aol.com

The "Euro Band Australia" (which includes accordionist Leo Karnauchow) performed several sets at the EuroFest Frenches Forest Festival held in Queensland recently. The event included a daily Grand Parade led by a pipe band and dance and music groups from many ethnic communities.

The Euro Band will also take part in an Oktoberfest in Canberra from October 26th to 28th. For further details email: interject@hotkey.net.au

Contributed by Olga Medyanik

A new CD entitled "Enfance pour la Vie" has been released with proceeds going to the charitable foundation providing medical aid to young children. Performers include young talents of Russia such as Yuri Medianik, who play works by Chopin, Shostakovich, Liszt Paganini and Moshkovsky. For details email: olik@ok.ru

The Center for the Arts at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, will present the world premiere of "Over There," by Ron Jenkins (Chairman and Artistic Director of Wesleyan's Theater Department). The play will show from November 2nd to 4th and relies on oral history to present the story of the migration of residents from Melilli, Sicily, to Middletown. Accordionist Matt Nozzolio of Connecticut will provide background music during scene transitions and will accompany several characters in their song presentations. The play's premiere is a culminating event of the Middletown's 350th anniversary celebrations. For details email: matt-nozzolio@home.com