Contributed by Kevin L. Friedrich

Each year, the ATG provides some hands on excitement by hosting a Festival Orchestra. From July 15th to 18th, 1999 during the ATG Festival in Branson, Missouri, the Festival Orchestra will perform at the Lawrence Welk Resort Center as a salute to their long time ATG friend and member, Myron Floren. The ATG will also hold a Polka competition, which will feature the winner playing with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra.

Everyone is invited to perform in the Festival Orchestra, which will play in front of the thousands of people attending the Lawrence Welk show. They would like this to be the biggest Festival Orchestra yet! Myron is currently choosing the festival music for this exciting performance.

Further information on playing in the Festival Orchestra or competing in the Polka Competition, can be found on the ATG Web Site, which also features Myron as the Profile of the Month.

Contributed by Rose Heatley

The Dartington International Summer School is held each year in Devon. For 1999 they have signed up classical accordionist James Crabb for the second consecutive year to teach a masterclass from July 31st to August 7th. James has performed around the world and teaches at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

During the week an exciting range of activities involving leading international musicians will be available including master classes in voice and other instruments, concerts, workshops, composition classes, West African drumming and percussion, and the chance to sing in a large scale chorus.

For further information fax: +44 1803 868108

Accordionist Guy Klucevsek's Buenos Aires concert was part of Experimenta '98, an annual Festival of Contemporary Music which was held December 5th, at ICI (Institute of Spanish Culture). Klucevsek performed a popular program to an audience of about 150 people, which included John Zorn's "Road Runner", Aaron Jay Kernis' "Hymn" and his personal tribute to Astor Piazzolla, "Bandoneons, Basil and Bay Leaves".

On December 7th Klucevsek presented a workshop to composers, accordionists and musicians where he demonstrated techniques that he uses in his compositions and performances and improvised with participating accordionists in pieces by Pauline Oliveros and Alan Bern.

Contributed by Toru Katou

Popular accordionist "Coba" (Yasuhiro Kobayashi) performed a concert titled "Christmas Night with Coba at Club Hall" on December 11th in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The following evening he performed at the Okayama Music Union Christmas party at the Guranvia Okayama Hotel, Okayama.

On December 19th, he will perform a "Christmas Special" at the Tokyo Futago-Tamagawa Arehna Hall, Tamagawa, Tokyo at 6pm. For further information on this concert phone: + 81 268-23-5102

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists Association

As the Welk Resort Center and American Accordionists' Association continue their "Search for the Hottest Accordionist in America", the judges have been announced.

No strangers to entertainment and music, judges include Myron Floren, popular accordionist and guest star in The Welk Show; Larry Welk, Jr., son of the great bandleader; Faithe Deffner, president of the AAA; John Bahler, conductor of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, and Gail Lennon, lead vocalist and arranger for the Lennon Brothers Swing Music Show. A surprise accordionist is in the works.

All videotape entries must reach The Welk Resort Center no later than February 10th, 1999. For further information phone: + 1-800-505-WELK

Contributed by Geir Draugsvoll

Scottish accordionist James Crabb has been very active lately in his musical theatre performance "Whatever you wish" which has had marvellous success in Copenhagen. Crab has shown his expertise in technique and stunning improvisations together with percussionist Thomas Sandberg to create a touching moment of Christmas in the Copenhagen theatre.

This has been a special event of the Danish theatre world this year and also a triumph for accordionists in Denmark. James Crabb claims that this has been one of the greatest challenges of his career and he is keen to repeat this opportunity to perform in the theatre world in the future.

Contributed by Len Killick

Many people have been asking questions regarding exactly who owns Hohner and what the current situation is. The DPA (Deutsche Presse Agentur) included this article in the November 27th issue of Wormser Zeitung newspaper.

The manufacturer of Hohner musical instruments wants to stabilise its business after overcoming a crisis. The number of staff of almost 500 in the group of companies and around 230 in the corporation shall not be reduced further. Hohner wants to significantly cut back the loss from the operative business in 1998/1999 (31st of March). Hohner shareholders have been missing out for years; the new majority shareholder is Taiwanese K.H.S. Musical Instruments with 70%.

Hohner is a world market leader for harmonicas and a major accordion manufacturer. For 1998/99 the company is expecting a slight turnover deficit on its turnover of DM 150 to 152 million. In the fiscal year 1997/98 the turnover fell five per cent to DM 157.2 million. The publishing company with DM 1.5 million turnover will be sold to the Mainzer Schott-Gruppe by the end of the year.

Hohner held their AGM (Annual General Meeting) on December 8th.

Popular rock 'n roll group "Blankass" performed concerts in Champagne Ardennes on December 8th and Centre on the 10th. The 6 member group which includes Guillaume Ledoux (accordion and vocals) perform a variety of songs including "Monseigneur", "Celui que j'aime" (That which I like) and "Danse avec les vieux" (Dance with the old men).

Contributed by Renzo Ruggieri

The most recent meeting of AIFC (Italian Classical Accordionists' Association) took place on December 13th. The association includes among its members many accomplished Italian accordionists and, despite its name, covers all aspects of the accordion world, ranging in genre from classical to jazz. Among the results already achieved by the AIFC are a series of meetings on standardisation, publication of the "International Accordion News Bulletin", and the staging of "Fisarmoniae 98", a major accordion event made up of lectures, concerts, conferences and group music sessions.

The meeting resulted in the decision to hold next year's "Fisarmoniae 99" during September. Discussions were held regarding resuming regular publication of the news bulletin. Artists who took part in the meeting included Eugenia Marini (President), Cesare Chiacchiaretta, Gianfranco D'Agostino, Monica D'Emidio, Giancarlo Di Giovanni, Gabriele Di Pasquale, Dario Flammini, Vincenzo Izzi, Paolo Picchio, Massimiliano Pitocco, Adriano Ranieri, Cristian Riganelli, Renzo Ruggieri and Giuseppe Tammone.

The next meeting will be held on January 31st, 1999.

Contributed by Leigh Dechaine

The Arizona Accordion Club's November meeting was dedicated to Frankie Yankovic. Over sixty members enjoyed a variety of music including polkas and waltzes.

Following this a parade of accordionists performed many popular pieces including Campanella Polka, Wheels, Blue Skirt Waltz, Beer Barrel Polka, Julida Polka and Bye Bye Baby.

Their next meeting will be held on December 21st and will include a performance by The Club Band. For further information email: LaneInd@aol.com

Contributed by Arne Morsing

Danish group "Thisted Accordion Band" has recently released a CD of Christmas songs. The CD includes well known songs such as Jingle Bells, Let it Snow, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Feliz Navidad, I saw Mama kissing Santa Claus and Winter Wonderland.

The Thisted Accordion Band comprises of eleven accordionists, drums, bass, guitar and banjo. They perform concerts in Denmark and recently appeared on Danish television for the first time. They have released two CD's so far and plan to release a third in 1999.

For further information email: amo@edu.novehs.dk

Contributed by Li Cong

From December 11th to 13th, an annual accordion exam was held in Shanghai organised by the Shanghai Accordion Association, with the jury composed of association directors.

Many accordionists participated with the youngest player only four years old and Shanghai TV station and many newspapers included reports on the event.

Contributed by Christine Adams

Featured at Auckland's premier concert venue, the Aotea Centre, was a concert by three accordion orchestras. The varied program, included light classical pieces and Christmas Carols featuring Lionel Reekie on vocals. Maurice Jones also entertained the crowd with popular solos.

Contributed by Barbara Scott

On December 13th the Excelsior Accordion Ensemble of San Antonio, Texas held a 1½ hour Christmas concert at the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas for members of the San Antonio Accordion Association and guests. The Excelsiors comprise of Robert Atwood, Laura Niland, Barbara Scott, Marty Sealy and Ann Thompson.

Over 100 people enjoyed the concert, which included classical, ethnic, and traditional Christmas music such as Sleigh Ride, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, What Child Is This? and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Excelsior members have been performing together in Texas cities since 1996. For further concert information email: bsscott@swbell.net

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif

A jubilee concert "New Sinfonietta Amsterdam" was held recently in the famous "Het Concertgebouw" Hall in Amsterdam. The concert included works by Berio, Mozart and Piazzolla with Norwegian artist Per Arne Glorvigen on bandoneon. Glorvigen has been touring the world with famous violinist Gidon Kremer performing Piazzolla programs and has released CDs of Piazzolla music including Hommage ą Piazzolla, El Tango and Maria de Buenos Aires.

Contributed by Pat McCullough

The "Twice Upon A Squeezebox Celtic Masters Concert" will be held on Thursday February 11th, 1999 at the Swallow Hill Music Hall, Denver Colorado. Performers include Sandy Brechin (Scotland), Alistair Anderson (concertina player from Northumbria) and Niall Vallely from Irish band "Nomos".

For further information email: celticevents@rmi.net

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The 2nd Advanced Accordion Course of Musical Interpretation "Cittą di Anagni" will be held from January 2nd to 6th in Anagni, Italy. The Associate Professor will be Jacques Mornet (France) assisted by Gianluca Pica.

The course is for all levels and styles including contemporary, jazz, classical and variety. Course explanations will be in English, French and Italian.

For further information email: SIMIX@axa.it

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