Contributed by Paul Bryce

From November 13th to 16th in Caister, this year's festival included a wealth of talent from around the globe, concerts, busking sessions and trade stands. Over 800 people enjoyed concerts by local and international guest soloists and orchestras who performed a wide variety of music from Greece, Russia, Ireland, Scotland as well as jazz and classical pieces.

On the Saturday evening a popular concert was held followed by a Ceilidh with music by the Gary Blair Ceilidh Band, to which the enthusiastic crowd leapt up and danced their feet off! Giancarlo Caporelli and Roberto Enzo joined Gary and his Band for an impromptu performance.

Contributed by Sean Minnie

On December 5th the Karoo Branch of the Boer Music Club will hold a concertina meeting at the Town Hall in Jansenville, Grahamstown. For further information phone Hansie Erasmus + 27 49 836 0168.

New Years Eve celebrations will be held on December 31st by three music club branches including the Vaaldriehoek Old years dance, Goudveld Old years dance and Oudag Boer band Old years dance.

For further information email: sminnie@mweb.co.za

Contributed by Accordéon Magazine

On November 15th a second accordion masterclass took pace in Givet, in the French Ardennes, organised by Mrs Colette Cotelle (A.P.H. teacher). Ten participants aged from 7 to 22 years old enjoyed a class with Frédéric Deschamps, who spoke about interpretation, and stressed the direct relationship between the title of a piece and the way it should be played. The second part of the master class was devoted to the relationship between the technical construction of the accordion (air movement, vibrations of the reeds, etc.) and ways of controlling the sound.

The third, more relaxing section was the "stage preparation" of a group piece for a television recording for the program "Soufflet c'est jouer" on the France 3 Channel, including instrument position, looks, smiles and general behaviour.

Contributed by Marco Raicevic

Russian concert bayanist Vladimir Sidorov (currently residing in Montreal) will perform at the 3rd International Arts Festival "Russian Winter in Montreal", to be held from November 23rd to December 7th. Sidorov will be busy with many other performances leading up to Christmas.

For further information email: Raicevic@globalserve.net

Contributed by Heather Masefield

Melbourne accordionist Bernadette Conlon was recently awarded a grant of $5000 from the Australia Arts Council music fund. She is the first Australian accordionist to have ever made a successful application to the Arts Council. The grant will enable Bernadette to perform a new accordion concerto (composed by Michael Easton) in Australia at the 1999 Port Fairy Spring Music Festival with the State Orchestra of Victoria and at concerts overseas.

Bernadette plays the theme to end the popular Australian television series "SeaChange", busks regularly and performs at festivals and competitions in Australia and internationally.

Contributed by Vladimir Besfamilnov

The "Bayan Duo" of Vitaly Storozhuk and his teacher Youry Yakovenko have had several successful concerts in Ukraine recently. The duo was founded 10 years ago and during this time they have given many concerts throughout Russia, Ukraine and Europe. Their repertoire consists of classical music and original works. Local critics have published comments about the duo's performances such as "emotional", "virtuoso performances", "knowledge of style" and "individual manner of playing". What makes this duo unique is that the teacher and his student are equal partners in their performances.

Contributed by Kresten Storgaard

On December 3rd the KDN Cajun Band will perform at the "Sletten Kro" (Kro is Danish for inn) in Sletten. The 5 piece band includes accordionist and vocalist Karen Munkholm. They perform stirring Louisiana cajun rhythms at music spots in and around Copenhagen as well as at festivals such as Toender and Vordingborg.

Band members have made several trips to Louisiana, USA, attending work-shops with Cajun musicians in Lafayette.

Contributed by Li Cong

Shanghai television's top rated television show "Five Stars Big Contests" have announced the name of the show winner. Fang Ling, 11 year old accordionist won a cup and over US$1,000 after winning the weekly contest ten times.

Fang Ling has been playing the accordion for six years and practises daily for up to 2 hours. Her teacher, Wang Cong Yu (Shanghai University teacher) believes this consistency has helped her to win this and many other accordion competitions. Fang Ling is now the "Star of Shanghai" and recently performed a concert for over 500 people. Fang Ling represented China in the South Pacific Accordion Championships in New Zealand and the Australian International Championships in May this year.

Contributed by Terry Traub

The Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire (SRSNH) will hold their gala Concert on November 29th in New Hampshire. The next gathering will be held on Sunday December 27th at the Annichiarico Music Theater, New Hampshire. Interested accordionists are encouraged to attend.

For further information email: ttraub@world.std.com

Contributed by Christine Adams

On Thursday November 19th, Auckland accordionist Tracey Collins took part in the New Zealand TV program "Prime Living". Show host Alice Worseley interviewed Tracey, asking questions about her performances as an entertainer, the accordion she plays and her new CD "Bonjour Paris". Tracey played "Cubanola" and "Besame Mucho". Tracey has been invited back onto the show in early December to perform Christmas music.

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif

Trio Nata Bene (founded in 1993 by Vladimir Balik) was recently invited to perform four concerts in Puchenau (near Linz), Vienna, Neunkirchen and St. Andrä. After having won several prizes at international competitions in Germany, Italy and France, this trio is considered one of the better instrumental ensembles. Their program demonstrated their versatility by performing classical, ragtime, jazz, tango, Russian, Finnish and Greek music. They were very well received by the public and received standing ovations.

The Independent newspaper included an article recently about 63-year-old Argentinian bandoneon player Dino Saluzzi who teamed up with the Rosamunde Quartet from Europe. This intriguing mix of players have recently released an album of tango variations called "Kultrum" on the ECM Label. Saluzzi has been quoted as an "improviser who is used to flying by the seat of his pants, despite his background in classical music." By contrast, the Munich-based string quartet specialises in 20th century European classical music. The album was recorded in the monastery of St Gerold's in the foothills of the Austrian Tyrol.

Saluzzi has worked with Astor Piazzola, jazz saxophonist Gato Barbieri as well as other jazz musicians. Quartet member Anja Lechner saw Saluzzi play for the first time in 1984 at a tango concert in Munich and decided that she would love to perform with him one day.

Contributed by Vladimir Besfamilnov

A new book "The Founder of the All-Russia Orchestra in the Russian press of 1888-1917" was released by the St. Petersburg Art Union Ltd recently. The book is dedicated to the creative activity of the First All-Russian Folk Instruments Orchestra founder and conductor Vasiliy Andreev and includes historical facts, articles and opinions on the unusual formation of the orchestra.

The Hull Daily Mail recently included an article about the Kingston Upon Hull Accordion Club who are currently having a membership drive. The club meets on Wednesdays at the Trades and Labour Club in Hull. For further information phone Heather Smith: + 44 1482 803765

Contributed by Heather Masefield

On November 24th the Auckland Primary Principals Association held an annual concert in Auckland. Participating was an accordion orchestra (conducted by Heather Pogson) made up of Primary School age accordion students from around Auckland. They took part in a three day course in preparation for the concert which is repeated on November 30th.

http://www.beltuna.com Famous Italian accordion manufacturer

http://www.accordions.com/maas Mid America Accordion Service - accordion retailer and repairer in the Midwest USA