Dear Friends,

We have several new jokes listed in the Fun section of Accordions Worldwide. Please check it out! We hope you will enjoy a good laugh. Remember the saying: "We all need to be able to laugh at ourselves, it keeps us from laughing at others".

If you have any jokes, please send them to us so that our readers can enjoy them also. Keep enjoying laughter, life and the accordion,

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• 1999 Klingenthal Competition - Germany
• Boer Music Club Meetings - South Africa
• Wind Buskers - Japan
• Day of the Accordion Celebrations - Finland
• Accordion Orchestra "Norteños" in Concert - Mexico
• "Celebrity Interviews"
• New International Competition - Italy
• Frosini Society Workshop - Scotland
• International Accordion Festival in St. Petersburg - Russia
• NAO celebrates 50th Anniversary - UK
• "Martines de Concerts" - Spain
• Annual Festival of the Accordion - Iceland
• 50th Anniversary for Rocky Mountain Society - USA
• Busy Schedule for Jazz Accordionist - Italy
• New CD Release - China
• Full House Concert - Scotland
• Master Class Festival at Kuhmo Arts Centre - Finland
• Mother's Day Concert - USA
• Children Entertain - New Zealand
• Akkordeonada in St Petersburg - Russia
• Concertina Tour to USA
• Dance Workshop - France
• Accordion Article
• Antique Accordion Information

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif

The 1999 International Klingenthal Competition will be held from May 7th to 13th in Klingenthal, Germany. The competition will include categories for soloists, chamber music with accordion and virtuoso entertainment music.

The opening ceremony (May 8th) will include a concert by the Lithuanian Quintet "Concertino". Over the following competition days concerts will be held in the "Zum Friedefürsten" church with accordion, organ and choir directed by Professors Jürgen Ganzer, Tibor Racz and Gudrun Wall; a Virtuoso concert featuring the finalist of the Virtuoso entertainment category, a concert by Professor Hugo Noth (accordion) and James Creitz (viola), and a concert evening featuring ensembles (that took part in the competition) playing classical, entertainment and folklore music.

The closing ceremony (May 13th) will feature a prize giving and concert by the Vogtland-Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Stefan Fraas.

For further information phone: +49 37467-23210 or fax: +49 37467-22275

Contributed by Sean Minnie

On May 15th three Boer Music Clubs will hold meetings. The clubs feature traditional Boer Music functions and dances with concertina performances. The Pietersburg Branch will hold their meeting at the Police Hall. For further information phone Oom Piet Bester: + 27 15 293 1374. The Hartswater Branch will hold their meeting at Venue 3 H 15. Phone Dries van Wyk: + 27 53 471 0189 and the West Rand Branch meeting will be at the Roodepoort Town Hall. Phone Oom Ben Low: + 27 11 764 2205.

Contributed by Toru Katou

On May 22nd the Wind Buskers Accordion Society will hold a concert at the Saitama Art Theater Music Hall, Saitama Prefecture at 6.30pm. For further information email Ms Asakawa: kyoko.asakawa@nifty.ne.jp

The "Day of the Accordion" was celebrated in Finland recently organized by the Finnish National Accordion Association. This day was celebrated by accordionists all over the country with concerts, lessons in schools, radio programs and other activities. Originally this date was the birthday of famous Finnish accordionist Viljo Vesterinen (1907-1961).

The Finnish Accordion Association has over 5,000 members and publishes the "Hanuri" magazine four times a year. Association President is Kimmo Mattila.

For further information regarding Association activities email: akordia@sci.fi

Contributed by Serguei Tibets

On May 2nd a Religious Celebration day was held in Villa Aldama, Nuevo Leon. Many attractions and stages were set up in the central square of the town. Among the performers were the Accordion Orchestra "Norteños" (founded in 1994 by Serguei Tibets). Orchestra members performed a 45 minute bracket of various Mexican tunes.

The next Celebrity Interview is with Tom Collins, Montana, USA who over his many years of accordion experience has been friends with some of North America's great names of accordion including Charles Magnante, John Molinari and many others. Please send your questions to Moderator Wallace Liggett by May 19th. The interview will be published on May 25th. The Celebrity Interview with Jérôme Richard is delayed and will be published next week.

Contributed by Vladimir Zubitsky

"The International Premium of Lanciano" accordion competition will be held for the first time in Lanciano on October 17th organised by the Lanciano Municipal Administration Cultural Society "National traditions". The Administrative Director is N. Gargarella and Artistic Director is C. Chiachiaretta. The jury will consist of musicians from Europe and America. The test piece "Toccata" was written by Vladimir Zubitsky.

First prize includes 2 million Italian lit. with 2nd to 6th prizes totaling 2.4 million Italian lit. A distinctive feature of this competition is that in addition to these prizes, accordionists that pass on the second round will receive special prizes totaling 300,000 Italian lit.

For further information email: psfb9qgo@tellnet.pesaro.ps.it

Contributed by Gary Blair

The UK Frosini Society held a ''workshop'' weekend in Kelso, Scotland in April. Tutors included Lars Ek (Sweden) and Roberto Enzo (Scotland) who gave informative sessions on accordion techniques to a number of young enthusiastic players.

On Saturday night a gala concert was held featuring The Bill Sharp Accordion Orchestra from Scotland, Lars Ek and Roberto Enzo. The audience of over 280 people were entertained to a wonderful variety of music. The UK Frosini Society plans to arrange other similar events in the future.

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

Last week, the "Baltica-Harmonika" Accordion festival in St. Petersburg drew over 400 contestants from as far away as China, Finland, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Competing in 82 different categories, the competition featured divisions for all ages and levels divided into Classical, Folk, Original and Light Music with separate divisions for piano accordion, bayan, soloists, ensembles, orchestras, professionals and amateurs.

Festival coordinator and Chairperson of the Jury, Professor Oleg Sharov said the festival was designed to develop national traditions of playing on various accordions while uniting professionals and amateurs. It makes possible the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas on all aspects of accordion playing.

The tremendous success will no doubt provide to the momentum of next years festival, which will be held in St. Petersburg in April. For information and festival guidelines please contact Professor Oleg Sharov Fax: + 7 812 351-43-04

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich and Heather Smith

The National Accordion Organization of the United Kingdom celebrated its 50th Anniversary during its annual festival from April 30th to May 2nd. Held in the seaside resort of Scarborough, the festival attracted visitors from as far away as the USA, Russia and Northern Ireland and included concerts, displays, a dance, masterclasses and competitions with almost 400 entrants.

Results:

UK Virtuoso Championship 1st place: James Grant.
UK Senior Recital Solo Championship 1st place: Craig Bradley.
UK Junior Recital Solo Championship 1st place: Stefan Andrusyschyn.
UK Solo Championship (17 & Under) 1st place: Johnny-Lee Leslie.
The top orchestral division was won by the Castlewellan Orchestra, directed by G. Myles from Northern Ireland.

Adjudicators Kevin Friedrich and Oleg Sharov (Head of the accordion Department at the St. Petersburg "Rimsky Korsakov" Conservatory of Music) conducted a Masterclass on Sunday May 2nd. A dance was held in the Grand Hall on the Saturday evening, attended by over 1,000 people. This event featured well known accordionist Gary Blair and a Concert Recital by Oleg Sharov.

Plans are already well underway for the millenium celebrations to be held at next years annual festival in Scarborough from April 28th to 30th, 2000. For further information on next years millenium celebrations please email NAO Chairperson Ray Bodell at: RayBodell@Accordions.vodafoneuk.co.uk

Contributed by Angel Luis Castaño

Accordionist Vladimir Zubitsky will play a solo concert on May 9th at 1pm in the Sala Zuloaga, Segovia, Spain. The concert is part of a series titled "Matines de Concerts" organised by A.L. Castaño and the Don Juan de Borbon Foundation. Vladimir's program will consist of baroque music and his own compositions. The following day (10th) Vladimir will perform at the Cuellar Music School. For further information phone/fax: + 34 921-44-95-47

Contributed by Ingi Karlsson

The annual Festival of the Accordion took place in the Asgardur Glaesibae Dancehouse on May 1st. Many Icelandic accordionists took part including a group of students from the General Accordion School (Almenni Musikskolinn) headed by Karl Jonatansson as well as accordionists from the Music School of Akranes.

The festival concert featured the Reykjavik Accordion Club Orchestra (which includes 46 accordionists), Mattias Kormaksson (1999, 16 to 25 year Icelandic Champion), Oddny Bjorgvinsdottir (1999, 11 to 15 year Champion), Tatu Kantomaa, Sveinn Runar Bjornsson, Jona Einarsdottir, The Karl Adolfsson Band, "Storm" (which consists of nine accordionists from the Reykjavik Accordion Club conducted by Orn Ulrichsson) and sisters "Asa and Ingunn".

The festival also included a popular dance featuring the band "Neistar" with Karl Jonansson leading twelve accordionists and drummer from the Reykjavik Accordion Club and the Ulrich Falkner Trio.

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The Rocky Mountain Accordion Society will host its 50th Annual Contest & Festival from August 6th to 8th at the Holiday Inn, Northglenn, Colorado. An invitation is extended to accordionists from around the world who will enjoy such activities as world class accordion orchestras, fun filled concerts, skits, non-competitive events, and competitions including special divisions for adults.

If you are interested in attending this festival, would like to request music for the Massed Band, Banquet tickets or further general information, please contact Mike or Alice Aman phone: + 1 303 452-0716 or email: MAman55119@aol.com

After being invited to play as a special guest on Paolo di Sabatino's latest album, young jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri is busy performing with his group in various venues on the Adriatic Coast with a repertoire of American standards. He is often joined by distinguished musicians such as Di Sabatino, Mauro De Federicis (guitar), Marcello Sebastiani (double bass), Alfredo Laviano (drums), and others. On Thursdays he plays at the "Kapsiko Club" in Chieti.

Ruggieri will also give concerts at the Rimini fair on May 8th and in Roccaraso on May 22nd with the "Alice Project", a group that includes Geoff Warren (saxophone/flute), Antonella Angelozzi (harp) and Seeger Khan (Indian Sitar).

Contributed by Li Cong

Chinese accordionist Zhang Guo Ping recently released a new CD titled "Scarlatti Piano Sonata Album" which includes 12 sonatas by Scarlatti. In China, Scarlatti's sonatas are widely used for professional accordion teaching, examinations, competitions and other activities. This CD will help accordionists and enthusiasts to understand Scarlatti's works.

Zhang Guo Ping has released over 20 accordion cassettes and CDs. For further information phone: + 86 10-68862137

The Gary Blair Ceilidh Band performed at the Lockerbie Accordion Club on May 4th. A full house enjoyed listening to a wide variety of tunes such as "American Express", "Flying Scotsman" and "Style Musette".

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif

The 3rd Kuhmo Master Class Festival for accordion, cello and piano is currently underway in the Kuhmo Arts Centre until May 10th. Accordion classes will be tutored by well known Finnish musicians Mika Väyrynen, Kalle Välimaa and Jukka-Pekka Kuusela.

Five festival concerts have also been organized by Baiba and Jukka-Pekka Kuusela. On the 6th Mika Väyrynen played works by Mussorgski and Constant followed with a recital by Raimo and Tuula Sariola on the 7th. A Mother´s Day Jubilee Concert will be held on the 9th.

The Final Concert on May 10th will include performances by Jukka-Pekka and Baiba Kuusela in Sotkamo at 7pm. For further information phone: +358-40-5228987

Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones will play a Mother's Day concert at Gruene Hall, near New Braunfels, Austin on May 9th. The group (featuring Ponty on accordion) play a variety of popular Cajun and Zydeco music. For further information phone: + 1 512 443-7952

Contributed by Christine Adams

The North Shore Music Makers Orchestra entertained a large audience in Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast on May 6th, organised by the Red Beach Organ Club. The one-hour program included popular pieces such as "Spanish Flea" and solos by the children.

The orchestra is currently preparing for the 1999 New Zealand Accordion Championships and Festival held from June 4th to 6th in Auckland.

Contributed by Vladimir Ushakov

On April 12th the accordion show "Akkordeonada" was held in the St. Petersburg Concert Hall, Russia. Over 500 people attended the concert with accordionists from Latvia and Russia performing including Accordion Duo (Youry Sizov & Aleksey Orlov), Alla Chvanova and the St Petersburg Musette Ensemble with soloists Vladimir Ushakov and Sergey Likhachev (who organised the concert) all from Russia; Milonga Trio with members Svetlana Budzinskaya (accordion), Elena Margevich (violin) and Alena Birinya (piano) from Latvia. The Daugavpils Accordion Orchestra directed by Valeriy Khodukin also performed.

In addition to the concert, there were demonstrations of a new syntaccordion by Alexander Spivakovsky, and a presentation of a new musical book by Vladimir Ushakov and Sergey Likhachev, published by "S.P.M.E. Editions".

Concertina duo Chris Timson and Anne Gregson will tour the USA from May 5th to 24th. Their first performance on May 8th will be at Joshua's Loft, New Bedford Massachusetts. They will also perform in Washington and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A dance workshop was held from April 30th to May 2nd in Nouan-le-Fuzelier, Centre, France. Tutors were accordionists Joseba Tapia, Roger Moran and Eric Champion.