Hi everyone,

Our first "Celebrity Interview" is online! The interview of Friedrich Lips made fascinating reading, as it helped to get closer to this famous artist, as well as to find out about his hobbies and thinking. If you haven't already done so, I recommend reading it, I'm sure you will find it equally interesting.

The day for announcing the Survey prize winners is March 19th. If you would like to participate, simply complete the Accordions Worldwide Survey form.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

Contributed by Heather Smith

After performing at the International Accordion Festival, Blackpool, (March 18th to 22nd), Peter Soave & Jean-Louis Noton will perform at the Dorchester Hotel, Kingston upon Hull. This March 23rd concert is believed to be the first of its kind in Hull.

The event will begin with a performance by the newly formed Kingston upon Hull Accordion Club ensemble followed by soloist Heather Smith (former British Accordion Champion & runner up in the

On March 25th, Jean-Louis Noton will travel to the Harlow Accordion Club to perform with Danielle Pauly.

For further details email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk

Contributed by Ingi Karlsson

The International Reykjavik Accordion Festival will take place from July 16th to 18th at Lake Reynisvatn, Reykjavik.

Foreign accordion enthusiasts are especially welcome. Event organizers Have an exciting program planned to cater for attending guests.

For further information email: ga@islandia.is

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The Royal Academy of Music in London was proud to present the debut London recital by one of the world's leading accordionists, Friedrich Lips.

The concert which drew a capacity audience was held in Duke's Hall, and drew such dignitaries as the Russian Ambassador to the UK, members of the CIA Congress and the Principal of the Academy.

Lips presented his program in two sections, the first consisting of newer works for the accordion including compositions by Berinsky, Gubaidulina and Rjabov, while the last section was made up of works by composers such as Mozart, Schubert, Piazzolla and Schenderev.

His outstanding performance drew several encores from the audience, which had traveled from various parts of the UK to take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear one of the most recognized names in the industry in concert.

As part of his week long stay in London, Lips took part in the Accordions Worldwide "Celebrity Interview" which is now on line and also presented a series of Masterclasses at the Royal Academy, where Professor Owen Murray is the director of Accordion Studies.

Three candidates performed before an interested audience, and received some inspiring input on such issues as bellows control, sound production and interpretation.

Contributed by Paul Rogers

Those Darn Accordions will appear on Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular show on March 5th performing "Deathbed Confession". The program will be repeated on March 7th at 10pm and March 13th at 8pm.

The show will also include appearances by Weird Al Yankovic, Pamela Anderson and rap music star Ice T.

TDA's next performance will be on March 13th at the Freight & Salvage show in Berkeley.

Contributed by Neil Wayne

Alistair Anderson is well known for his work in teaching and popularizing the English concertina. He has also played a major role in FolkWorks, the study, performance and teaching center for Folk Music and Folk Arts based in the North East of England.

One of Alistair`s concerns has always been the lack of good quality, affordable concertinas. "The potential interest in the instrument is considerable, especially amongst youngsters", he says, "but the lack of affordable and suitable instruments has always held things back."

Now, FolkWorks may shortly be in a position to commission the manufacture and purchase of a substantial number of "student grade" concertinas. These will form part of Folkworks' instrument "Bank".

FolkWorks is interested in commissioning a first order of between 50 and 100 instruments. Alistair would like to hear ideas and then begin to move towards a design brief, a guide to potential costs, and then finalize a detailed design and cost per instrument.

For further information email: Neil_Wayne@freedmus.demon.co.uk

Contributed by Toru Katou

On March 31st Finnish accordionist Janne Raettyae will perform at Voris Hall, Ochanomizu Square, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo at 3 pm. Janne will perform works by J.S.Bach as well as Finnish accordion works, most of which will be played for the first time in Japan.

For further information phone Casals Hall Ticket Center: + 81 3 3291 2525

Contributed by Kresten Storgaard

On March 14th Danish KDN Cajun Band (with Karen Munkholm on accordion and vocals) will perform at Det Bruunske Pakhus in the old Military garrison town "Fredericia", Eastern Jutland. The weekend leading up to this concert will include a series of accordion Workshops. Accordionists from all over Denmark are expected to attend the event.

Contributed by David Batty

An "Accordion Open Day" will be held at The Chethams School of Music, Manchester on March 7th. Many exciting events are planned including masterclasses, concerts and opportunities for everyone to play. Professor Owen Murray (Royal Academy of Music) and Murray Graigner (accordion tutor at Chetham's), will each take a public masterclass. Participants will be given the opportunity to play in a lunchtime concert.

Performances will also be given by Chethams music school students and the "Sostenuto" chamber duo (flute and accordion). There will also be two open sessions: "Come and Play" and a folk music session, where everyone can participate.

A final concert will be held by students from the Royal Academy of Music which will include solo and chamber music.

For further information phone: + 44 161 834 9644

Contributed by Li Cong

The Beijing Accordion Association held their council meeting recently in the Kailai Hotel, Beijing to discuss 1998 and 1999 plans. The Beijing Accordion Association (founded in May 1987) is now nearly 12 years old. Current President Jiang Jie, Vice President Yang Guo Li, Secretary Li Yan Sheng with help from Chinese accordion artists such as Li Yu Qiu, Zhang Zi Qiang and Yang Wen Tao have successfully organized the 5th Chinese International Accordion Festival. They have also invited artists from Russia, Germany and USA to hold concerts and workshops in China.

During the meeting Yang Guo Li and Li Yang Sheng presented 1998 summaries. After the meeting, association members were entertained by Jiang Jie, Yang Guo Li, Guo Yu Guang, Li Yan Sheng and Chen Wei Liang.

Contributed by Mickie Zekley

The "Lark In The Morning" 3rd Annual San Francisco Traditional Music & Dance Festival will be held on May 15th & 16th at The Cannery, Fishermans Wharf, Leavenworth. The festival will include concerts, bands, workshops and dances and all events are free. Accordion performances will be given by Sylvester Lee.

For further information phone: + 1 707 964-5569

Contributed by Eric Mercanton

The Bayan Orchester from the University of Brest, Belarus will perform concerts in Germany and Switzerland during July and August. The 25 member ensemble will be guests of the "Les Sittelles" Accordion Club, Oron-la-Ville, conducted by Claudine Haenni.

The Brest orchestra still have some free days available for concerts and would like to hear from accordion groups in Germany and Switzerland. For further information please email: emercanton@swissonline.ch

The next "Celebrity Interview" is with Professor Walter Maurer, Secretary General of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA), President of the Austrian Accordion Association (HVO), President of the International Accordion Orchestra Society (IAOV), teacher, conductor and member of the Viennese Accordion Chamber Ensemble. Please submit your questions to Moderator Wallace Liggett, (author of the book "The History of the Accordion In New Zealand") at: wallace@accordions.com by March 9th for publication on March 16th.

Contributed by Frédéric Deschamps

French accordionist Jérôme Richard has just released his first CD, "Touch of Fancy" which was recorded and produced in only 15 days.

In 1998 Jérôme Richard won the World Cup, the International Klingenthal Competition, the World Trophy and the International Castelfidardo Competition as well as other prizes at national level.

Excerpts from the CD will soon be available on Jérôme's website. The CD contains music by Richard, Larcange, Astier, Piazzolla, Deschamps and Sevran.

For further information email: deschfre@club-internet.fr

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes held their annual Winter Congress in London, at the Royal Academy of Music, in London on February 28th.

The CIA serves as the umbrella organization for all the national member organizations, and the CIA is the only accordion organization to be accepted into the International Music Council (IMC) and UNESCO.

Each year the CIA hosts the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, which is contested by candidates from around the world. This year the World Accordion Championships will be held in Kragujevac, Yugoslavia from October 27th to 31st. Two other classes, the Virtuoso Entertainment Category and the Junior Coupe Mondiale are held at the same time.

Contributed by Peter Stanchev

Accordionist and yodeler Kerry Christensen will perform in Silver Dollar from April 8th to May 8th. Kerry performs, sings and yodels everything from polka, classical, cajun cowboy, Australian and New Zealand music, plus tiajana brass trumpet renditions.

For further information email: yodeler@burgoyne.com

Contributed by Jac Verberne

Accordionist Mat Mathews (Mathieu Mathijsen) played in concert on February 20th at the Beachclub Lutjestrand, Westerland, Netherlands. Over 175 visitors from The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and England attended the concert.

Mathews performed a varied program which included "Lady be Good" and pieces from his latest CD, accompanied by a bassist and drummer. His next concert will be on March 28th at the "Wapen van Zijpe" Concert Hall, Schagerbrug.

For further information email: acctech@iae.nl

Contributed by John Wild

The West Country Concertina Club will hold their annual event at Kilve, Somerset, England from March 19th to 21st. For further information phone Pauline Wallace: + 44 1823 673021

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The Annual Frankfurt Music Fair will conclude this weekend at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt. This huge 5 day event for all instruments includes many accordion manufacturers exhibiting their latest in accordion related technology and new instrument designs. Accordion business representatives and the public have the opportunity to visit these exhibits and also hear live performances by Frederic Deschamps, Jerome Richard, Frederic Baldo, Pasquale Coviello, Pino di Modugno, Sylvia Pagni, Jean Louis Noton and many other famous accordionists.

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

London based accordionist Phuong Nguyon was one of four finalists selected to compete in the Royal Overseas League Competition in London, on February 26th, providing excellent exposure of the accordion among some of the finest musicians in the UK.

A series of eliminations during the week had led to this showdown which required a 30 minute own choice program. Open to all UK based competitors, Phuong competed in the Keyboard Section Final against 3 outstanding pianists. This is the third time an accordionist has made it into the final round, and two years ago, the accordionist was awarded first prize.

Phuong, the 1997 British Accordion Champion, is currently in the final year of Postgraduate Advanced Study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studies with Professor Own Murray.

Contributed by Christine Adams

Auckland accordionist Tracey Collins performed recently at a 40th birthday party with an interesting nautical theme. The venue, which overlooked Auckland Harbour was nautically decorated with a dinghy (see photo) other boating regalia and a large mast which had been built especially for the America's Cup Regatta. Tracey's program included "Sailing" (Rod Stewart), Under the Sea and the Theme from the Titanic. While the audience of over 80 people were having a great time, Tracy was having a nightmare performance that all professionals dread. A sudden downpour of rain meant she had to quickly shift all her sound equipment and that was just after she suffered several wasp stings (no mention of where!) whilst playing. Tracey definitely hopes for better luck next performance!

Contributed by Chris Breeuwer

On March 13th the "Amsterdamse Accordeon Club Insulinde" will perform at the Flevo Theater, Amsterdam at 8pm. Three orchestras from the club will perform a varied program which will include a selection from "Miss Saigon".

For further information email: c.breeuwer@wxs.nl

Contributed by Laurie Rosewarne

On February 21st, the "Norteño" ensemble (including bandoneonist Pierre-Paul Provencher), performed as guests at the Bel Canto Wind Quintet concert series in Ottawa.

Their program included works by Piazzolla such as "Romance del Diablo", "Tanguedia", "Soledad" and "Verano Porteno" and pieces by Provencher such as "Verano 93" and "Le dernier tango à Montréal".

Accordionist Ponty Bone and his group The Squeezetones performed recently at Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, Austin to a record crowd. Following this they performed at the Cibolo Creek Country Club. San Antonio.

The band consists of Ponty Bone (accordion), Spencer Jarmon (guitar), Wash Hamilton (bass) and Justin Hess (drums).

For further information see Future Events.

Accordionist Kevin Friedrich adjudicated at the Thames Accordion Festival, held by the National Accordion Organisation in Middlesex, directed by their chairperson Raymond Bodell.

Competitions were held in various categories including solos, duets and orchestras with age categories represented from beginners to adult hobby.

The highest solo class was won by Sarah Diggens, and the top orchestra from the festival was the Kennet Accordion Orchestra, directed by David Watson, who was also awarded the Phil Clapcott Challenge Shield for receiving the highest mark of the day. The Accordion Profile Challenge Cup was presented to Stefan Andrusyschyn in recognition for being the most promising performer under 16 years of age in any solo section.

On March 14th a concert will be held at the Bürgerhaus Bruchköbel at 5pm. Accordion orchestras will perform a popular program including "Light Cavalry", "Glenn Miller Medley" and "Time to say Goodbye".

For further information phone: + 49 6106-76585

Sherry Davis is looking for information on a LaCosca Accordion made in Italy possibly in the 1950's or earlier. For further information please email: lostnct@wtrt.net

Marianne Bradley recently purchased a used Galant Accordion. She would Like to obtain a book on this particular model. It has a full key board, model # B5703 and is made in Italy. Please email: BeachTow1@aol.com

http://www.accordions.com/dragan Dragan Vasiljevic is an 18 year old accordionist from Yugoslavia and the 1998 Junior Coupe Mondiale winner in Netherlands.

http://www.fisart-vignoni.com Accordion company Fisart & Vignoni was founded in 1980

http://www.gabbanelli.com The Gabbanelli accordion factory will celebrate 70 consecutive years of manufacture next year

http://www.pigini-accordions.com Accordion manufacturer with information on models and specifications