Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The presentation to the music world of the "Music Marche" consortium will take place during the NAMM International Music Market Show held in Los Angeles from January 28th to 31st, 1999. The consortium includes about 50 accordion companies from the Marche region and aims to promote the expertise and commitment to quality of an industry that is over a hundred years old.

The consortium is in the process of carrying out a study of the accordion world, which they believe is a preliminary step in the attempt to regain a segment of the market lost and neglected for far too long. In order to develop a new approach to marketing and distribution, the consortium have released a questionnaire form in English that is available at http://www.music-marche.com. Survey results will enable "Music Marche" to promote its products in a more effective manner.

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif

The 9th International Festival "Bayan and Bayanists" was held in Moscow from December 16th to 20th, 1998 and consisted of five concerts. The opening evening was dedicated to young Russian performers who had won prizes at international competitions during 1998.

Oleg Sharov, Professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and Merited Artist of Russia, played two concerts which included works by Bantchikov, Prigoshin, Strauss and Piazzolla. Other concerts included the "Trio from behind the Ural" which celebrated 25 years of activities and composer Vladimir Podgorny's 70th birthday concert celebrating 50 years of activities.

The festival highlight was Friedrich Lips' 50th birthday concert. Lips, who is the People's Artist of Russia and Head of the bayan department at the Gnessin's Academy of Music showed his great musical abilities and huge repertoire by performing many different styles during his program, including classical music (Mozart, Schubert, Chatshaturjan), avant-garde (Berinsky, Rjabov, Kobekin,), tango (Piazzolla, Albeniz, Sergejeva), Russian folklore (Shenderjov, Panitsky) and the virtuoso transcriptions (Rossini).

The closing concert was titled "A Russian-French Evening". Performers Russian jazz accordionist Vladimir Danilin, Duo Monte-Carlo (Christine Rossi and Aleksandr Shmykov) and Alain Musichini delighted the audience.

Contributed by Heather Smith

In the Queen's New Year's Honours List, Jimmy Shand (accordionist and Scottish Country Band Leader) was awarded the Knights Bachelor for "Service to Scottish Culture". His title is now Sir Jimmy Shand, M.B.E.

Contributed by Frédéric Deschamps

From December 21st to 23rd an accordion workshop was held at Doué la Fontaine, near Saumur, organised by Jean-Luc Amiard (who is also the organiser of the "Accordouéon" festival, which will take place in August this year). The workshop was held in caves, which are very common in this part of Anjou.

The general mood of the workshop was one of cultural exchange. Frédéric Deschamps gave pedagogical pointers while Jean-Luc Amiard supplied bottles of Coteaux du Layon! The event was so successful that another one has already been scheduled from August 30th to September 3rd 1999. Participants will be accommodated in caves, which will be comfortably set up as small rooms. Eric Pisani will join Frédéric Deschamps to provide pedagogy.

The event finale featured guest performer, Jérôme Richard, (the region's "Great Prodigy") performing pieces from his repertoire, to the delight of workshop participants.

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich, ATG Board Member

The Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) is sad to report the recent passing on December 20th, of their First Vice President Robert Sattler. Bob Sattler was recognised as a fine accordionist, and represented the ATG and the USA at the 1976 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships (CIA).

Bob was a past student of Joan Sommers and a graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music. More recently he studied with Professor Viatcheslav Semionov at the Gnessin Institute of Music in Moscow, and had appeared with both Semionov and his wife Natalia in concerts worldwide.

Bob had recently released a CD entitled "Robert Sattler Plays the Bayan". Henry Doktorski in tribute said "It is truly a fine CD and a worthy and fitting tribute to a truly fine American bayanist."

Bob's many friends throughout the accordion world will miss his devotion, enthusiasm and support of accordion activities in general and particularly the ATG over many years. His passing is a sad loss for all the accordion community.

Contributed by Ólafur Th Ólafsson

The Association of Icelandic Accordion Clubs hold their festival every three years. This year the festival will be held on July 3rd and 4th in Siglufjörður (an old herring village in the northern part of Iceland).

The 1996 festival was held in South Iceland with groups from 19 accordion clubs as well as guest accordionists Vladimir Cuchran (Skovakia) and Renzo Ruggieri (Italy).

This years festival will include guest accordionists "Twins" (Russia). For further information email: olith@fsu.is

On March 22nd, French accordionist Danielle Pauly will perform at David Lukin's Uxbridge Accordion Club, "The Anglers Retreat", West Drayton, Middlesex, England as part of her UK tour. The club is situated close to Heathrow Airport.

For further information phone: + 44 1895 235 601

Contributed by Raquel Ruiz

Spanish accordionist Angel Luis Castano was busy performing four concerts in five days prior to Christmas. From December 11th to 15th he performed at the Conservatorium in Avila, Madrid, Segovia and Valencia.

Castano's program included music by Piazzolla, Stravinsky, Prieto, Olavide, Igoa, Camarero, Ligeti, Gª Laborda, and others.

On December 19th Castano premiered a new piece for saxophone and accordion by composer Cesar Camarero at the Superior Conservatorium, Sevilla at an international Saxophone meeting.

Contributed by Jean-Claude Pouly

From December 11th to 20th 1998 French accordionist Yvette Horner performed classical and musette pieces in the "Casse-Noisette" (Nut Cracker) ballet in Lausanne Switzerland, arranged by well-known choreographer Maurice Béjart.

Yvette Horner won the 1948 Coupe Mondiale solo competition in Lausanne and she's still "squeezing" strong.

Contributed by Teotonio Barbosa de Santana

Accordionist Dominguinhos performed two popular shows of Brazilian Forro music at the Castro Alves Theatre, Salvador Bahia, on January 7th and 8th. Dominguinhos has recently released a CD of popular songs called "Nas Costas do Brasil" (On the coast of Brazil) which includes "Sanfona do Povo", "Pedras que cantam" and "Eu me Lembro".

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On December 20th 1998, the Italian Fisorchestra gave a concert at the Ludovico Pavoni Theatre in Milan, which was part of a series of "Christmas Concerts" organised by the Cultural Events Association and the local City Council.

The evening included a guest appearance by Peppino Principe, who praised Fisorchestra conductor Vincenzo Mininno for the achievements of his ensemble. He also announced future collaborations with Fisorchestra aimed at promoting the accordion both nationally and in the Milan province.

Contributed by Frédéric Deschamps

From December 25th to 30th the Accordéon Magazine workshop with Frédéric Deschamps and Eric Pisani was held at Mouthe. The workshop attracted about thirty people from all over France, who are preparing for National (APH, UNAF and ACF) and International Competitions including the Klingenthal in May, as well as the World Trophy, World Cup in June and the Castelfidardo competition

This type of workshop is very useful for competition preparation, as all of last year's international competition winners took part in the 1998 workshop including Jérôme Richard (World Trophy, Castelfidardo senior, Klingenthal, Michelle Boudet Trophy, Tremplin Prestige Hohner), Frédéric Baldo (World Cup), Marielle Roy (Castelfidardo junior) and Vincent Carenzi (Grand Prix France 3).

The workshop program included 6 to 10 hours of work per day. Technical aspects were targeted by applying the pedagogical articles published in Accordéon Magazine, while music and culture were also featured (style analysis, historically informed performances). The final day was devoted to stage presentation for television recordings and competitions (stage attitude, mannerisms to avoid, learning to bow etc.) The afternoon was spent in frantic downhill sleighrides, with unforgettable thrills!!

Contributed by David Carovillano

Quartetto Gelato, which includes accordionist Joseph Macerollo performed to a sell-out crowd at the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto recently. The successful event featured a varied program, from Dark Eyes to Christmas favourites like O Holy Night. During the evening Joseph briefly explained some of the virtuosic elements of the accordion and how they would be prominently featured in their rendition of Dark Eyes.

The quartet has many engagements leading into the New Year, including concerts in Montreal and New York. Quartetto Gelato will return to Mississauga for performances in March.

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

The "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno is very interested in featuring the "Hottest Accordionist." "Search for the Hottest Accordionist in America" is a collaboration between the American Accordionists' Association and the Welk Resort Centers in Branson, to find a super entertainer-accordionist and help propel his or her career to stardom. They will now look at other publicity opportunities while the "Hottest Accordionist" will be in LA such as the Donny & Marie show, Howie Mandel and Roseanne.

All videotape entries must reach The Welk Resort Center no later than February 10th.

Contributed by Milan Tomic, Competition Director

The Coupe Mondiale 99 will be held in Kragujevac, Yugoslavia during the last week of October and is open for soloists of all nationalities in three categories:

• Coupe Mondiale (accordion soloists)
• Junior section
• Virtuoso entertainment music

Contestants are judged in all sections on overall musicianship, including technical proficiency and stylistic understanding of all music performed. Candidates will receive a Diploma of participation. Entries close on August 1st, 1999. For further information, entry forms and rules email Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes Secretary General, Professor Walter Maurer: icaccordions@netway.at

Contributed by David Batty

The Leyland Accordion Club celebrated their first anniversary at the November Club meeting. The evening began with a performance of "Plaisir D'Amour", the first tune played at the inaugural meeting in 1997. Guest accordionist Steve Roxton played a popular program which included pieces like Whistling Rufus, Montis Czardas, Musette, Under the Double Eagle and duets with Walter Perrie.

A birthday cake iced with an accordion was provided by one of the club members.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Emanuele Rastelli and Gaspare Tiricanti (first clarinet at La Scala Theatre in Milan), gave a very successful concert in Benevento, Molinara in December. Rastelli played a selection of popular pieces including "Carnevale di Venezia", "La Czarda", "La Migliavacca" and "Tico Tico", followed by a series of jazz duets with Tirincanti to an enthusiastic audience.

Contributed by Cemex

Sylvia Pagni's busy concert schedule included a series of performances in Germany at the end of last year. From late November to early December she took part in several festivals and musical events in Freiburg, Hannover and Mering. Sylvia received enthusiastic welcomes and bookings for future performances and TV appearances.

On January 8th and 10th Zydeco accordionist Dennis Gurwell performed zydeco and cajun dance music with has band "Bennie & the Swamp Gators" in South Pasadena. . The evening included a variety of zydeco, blues and R&B music.

On January 5th and 6th, Robert Opiola performed with the Wendland Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Roger Boggasch) in Wittingen and Bad Bevensen.

His program included Concerto in B Major for Bayan and Orchestra composed by Nicolai Tschaikin, Fantasy Overture "Romeo and Juliet" (Tchaikovsky) and Symphony No 9 (Shostakovich).

Pennsylvania, USA band "Namaste" (including accordionist Jeff "Dad" Coleman) have released their first CD titled "Colonial Pagoda". The CD contains 11 tracks, some of which are original songs influenced by the music of other cultures including "Ya Habib", "Dikki Dikki", Brazilian song "Rejeicao" and a middle-eastern song "Zigarette", in which the accordion is the dominant instrument.

For further information email: willynilly2@yahoo.com

www.accordions.com/stas. Stas Venglevski is a world class accordionist

www.accordions.com/squeezer Dee Langley is an arranger, entertainer, and accordion teacher