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Primo piano |
12° Concorso internazionale di fisarmonica diatonica - Sloveniaby Werner Weibert |
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Il 12° Concorso internazionale di fisarmonica diatonica (tipo stiriano) si svolgerà alle Terme Olimia, in Slovenia, dal 13 al 16 maggio 2021, organizzato dall'HVO - Harmonica Verband Osterreichs (Associazione fisarmonica e armonica dell'Austria). L'HVO organizza questo evento dal 1999 come una competizione biennale, che è un evento importante per l'origine dello strumento austriaco e sloveno. Viene ricevuto un gran numero di iscrizioni nelle due categorie di età (14-18 anni e 19-32 anni) da diversi paesi. Le regole della competizione saranno disponibili online a partire da ottobre 2020 con iscrizioni a partire da gennaio 2021. Per dettagli scrivere a: office@harmonikaverband.at |
IX Concorso internazionale per giovani artisti di strumenti folk intitolato a V.V. Andreev a San Pietroburgo - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
![]() Il concorso mira a contribuire allo sviluppo delle arti dello spettacolo di giovani musicisti, alla divulgazione di strumenti folk russi, alla promozione della musica folk, classica e moderna, alla creazione di un nuovo repertorio originale di strumenti folk, all'identificazione degli artisti più dotati e promettenti dal punto di vista professionale e la conservazione delle tradizioni domestiche dell'educazione musicale e delle scuole di musica. Le categorie del concorso si terranno per bayan e fisarmonica (così come altri strumenti) in quattro categorie di età ed è aperta a artisti russi e stranieri. Per dettagli scrivere a: vaspb2020@mail.ru Nella foto sotto: Ossipov Balalaika Orchestra diretta da Vladimir Andropov. Questa orchestra ha preso parte all'evento come ospite speciale al concerto di gala in molte delle precedenti competizioni. |
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Workshop di improvvisazione Rik Cornelissen ad Arnhem - Paesi Bassiby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Rik Cornelissen è docente presso il Dipartimento di Jazz e Pop del Conservatorio ArtEZ e tiene seminari regolari sull'improvvisazione e la guida. Usa la tecnica di usare l'udito e il sentimento come punto di partenza anziché scrivere note. Vedi poster per ulteriori dettagli. |
Sono uscite le dodici composizioni Tango di Stas Venglevski - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() Catalogo vstas063 "Twelve Hot Tango Compositions For Solo Accordion" in formato pdf che può essere inviato via email: 01. Busy Fingers Tango 02. Elephants Tango 03. Meg Tanguera 04. Invita Tango 05. Tango for Two 06. Lonely Dancer 07. Tango Pasadena 08. Tango Mobile 09. Ecstasy Tango 10. One Tulip 11. Yellow Roses 12. Meg Tango. Visualizza le pagine di campionatura della musica online per ogni tango sul Catalogo vstas063 Prezzo US $ 25 o equivalente in Euro Guarda gli album mp3, CD e altre composizioni di Stas su: Stas Venglevski |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Rita Davidson Barnea
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![]() However, the organization has found exciting and innovative ways to inspire and connect with audiences and strengthen its international presence through social media performances and outreach initiatives. Its Strolling Strings ensemble is no exception. Already with 40,000 views across multiple social media channels, Jay Ungar’s “Ashokan Farewell” was recorded by each member of the Air Force Strings in their respective homes, and turned into a unique project for the performing group. This piece gained recognition as the title tune to Ken Burns’ 1990 PBS television miniseries, "The Civil War," and has become a staple of the Air Force Strings repertoire. The Video Editor for this project was Master Sergeant Emily Wellington, and its Producer was Frank Busso Jnr. Excerpts from the “Meet Our Players” online: "Frank Busso has been playing the accordion for over 35 years! His vast experience has been an incredible asset to the Air Force Strings since he joined the ensemble in 2005. Rising up through the ranks, he now oversees the group's personnel and scheduling matters, in addition to his performance responsibilities." During his off-duty time, Busso is active as a board member for the American Accordionists' Association (AAA). He enjoys spending his down time with family, giving music lessons, and performing as a freelance musician. The band performed last week at a Tribute to the American Spirit online event on July 4th. Details on poster below. |
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by Christine Johnstone
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![]() ![]() He was a great musician and composer who wrote over 400 scores including some of the most beautiful soundtracks of Italian and world cinema from "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly", "A Fistful of Dollars", "Exorcist II" and "Once Upon a Time in America". His most famous collaboration using the accordion was his arrangement of a Wolmer Beltrami song 'La Fisarmonica', made successful by Gianni Morandi. Video above. His achievements include: an Academy Honorary Award (for his contributions to the art of film music) six Oscar nominations an Academy Award (for his score “The Hateful Eight” - Quentin Tarantino film) three Grammy Awards three Golden Globes six BAFTAs ten David di Donatello eleven Nastro d'Argento two European Film Awards a Golden Lion Honorary Award the Polar Music Prize. In 2010 Ennio was met by a delegation from the Museum Castelfidardo, composed of President Vincenzo Canali, Beniamino Bugiolacchi and Mirco Patarini in Pesaro, before his concert in that city. See news item: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=17-Dec-2010&lang=en&s=3787 Morricone has been described as "a magician of sound!" |
by Christine Johnstone
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The Four Seasons, 3rd mvt, composed by Antonio Vivaldi, duet performance by Haein Yujeong Jeon (tutor Korea National University of Arts, South Korea) and Grayson Masefield (tutor Auckland University, New Zealand). Video clips of The Four Seasons, 1st and 2nd mvts are online at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=26-Jun-2020&lang=en#art16493 These video clips were filmed in South Korea just before the Corona virus lockdown early this year. |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() The “Vivaldi's 4 Seasons” concert was pre-recorded by professional video and sound crew at Drostdy Teater in Stellenbosch, South Africa. |
by Harley Jones
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![]() ED0091a - Bob the Bandsman March for accordion ensemble/orchestra Score ED0091b - Bob the Bandsman March for accordion ensemble/orchestra all parts ED0092a - Hokianga Hornpipe Accordion ensemble/orchestra Score ED0092b - Hokianga Hornpipe Accordion ensemble/orchestra All Parts Free download of the score so the Conductor or the Music Director can view the complete score. |
by Harley Jones
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![]() I was very honored to be asked to judge accordion and piano categories by Sam and Peggy Falcetti, organizers of the 2020 58th Annual New England Music Festival. Originally, it was to take place in Massachusetts in April 2020. Because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the competition was prevented from happening as a live event. The Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM) had to work very quickly and diligently to overcome the difficulties of the pandemic by transforming their annual music competition into a new virtual format which. I feel, they accomplished with great success. For the past 57 years, the annual New England Music Festival had been held during a weekend in April where over 600 students and their families gather to compete and showcase their musical abilities. With categories for accordion, drums, guitar, piano, voice, and violin players, there was a wide variety of musicians represented. Also, just last year, the ATAM added categories for adult musicians as well. Unfortunately, the New England Music Festival, had to be postponed due to the pandemic. While the competition had originally been postponed to July, the members of the association made the difficult decision to convert the live competition to a virtual format. This decision did not come easily, but the ATAM found it to be the safest and most effective way to hold the competition during the uncertain times of Covid-19. With this transition to a virtual competition, the students who had invested so much time and energy to prepare their competition pieces were still able to perform. The ATAM directed their efforts to finding a virtual format that would be efficient and simple, so that all of the original contestants would have the opportunity to remain in the competition. The students cooperated with their teachers and studios to record their performance and post a video for each of their categories onto YouTube. The judges were sent a scoresheet and video for each contestant and scored and critiqued each performance. Over 800 students participated, perhaps making it one of the largest music competitions in the USA. Over the years, I have judged many piano and accordion competitions at all levels. This was my first experience as a virtual judge for a virtual contestant. At first, I was apprehensive. How can this possibly work? How can I judge them from my computer in my home? For the 800 plus contestants, it resulted in a unique and valuable experience. I actually enjoyed the experience of online judging. Each category was sent to me in an email including organized links to each contestant’s competition video, their music, and a score sheet. I judged over 150 contestants in categories ranging from beginner to adult on both accordion and piano. I loved every minute of it! Of course, the best way to judge and compete is live in person. But with the excellent organizational skills of Sam, Peggy, Michael Falcetti and Mike Silvia, the transition to online judging was painless! I might add that having the ability to hear the contestants more than once helped me to fairly determine a decision in cases where the contestants were very close in their performances. Having grown up competing in accordion competitions at an early age through adulthood, makes me feel extremely responsible and also empathetic toward the competitors. I am happy that at least the students were able, after long months of preparation, to compete. All of them were well prepared, poised, and I could tell they tried to do their very best. So, in a sense, all are winners. They learned the importance of lessons, practice, discipline… all which transfers to building good character, confidence, and self esteem. Online virtual judging may not be the best solution for more advanced competitions since the videos, depending on their quality, may not offer a true representation of dynamics and the contestants performance etc. Also, the ability to perform before an audience while under pressure, cannot be determined via a video. Nothing can really replace the excitement of a live competitive performance. I am hopeful that in the near future, we will go back to the traditional ways of musical competitions. I would like to conclude by saying that the excellent organizational skills, hard work, dedication, and the enthusiasm of all involved, made the New England Music Festival and Competition a very worthwhile, successful and positive experience for all the judges and contestants. A huge congratulations and thank you to Sam, Peggy, and Michael Falcetti and Mike Silvia for creating a very successful, educational, and enjoyable event! Picture below: Rita Davidson Barnea |
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by Christine Johnstone
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![]() ![]() Chairman, Dominick Karcic is working on a follow up for this event either later in 2020 or in 2021. Further details will be announced as soon as possible. |
by Christine Johnstone
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A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) in Superior, Wisconsin celebrated the annual 4th July Independence Day with an outdoor concert. Independence Day is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States. Performers Marian Syrjamaki-Kuchta, Anne Velasco, Helmi Harrington and Robin Floyd (and two dogs) entertained while seated six-feet apart and masked. The group played a variety of patriotic music. |
by Christine Johnstone
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Video: Menzo Gatte, CNIMA trainee and winner of the Castelfidardo Championship category under 15 / variety in 2019. Excellent value online courses are happening this month and August - apply now. The CNIMA International Accordion School has been successfully offering online teaching for the past two years. This trend has been reinforced with the Covid-19 lockdown, forcing all students at the CNIMA to attend online classes this year. CNIMA founder Jacques Mornet, is well known for his cutting edge teaching, proved by a prize list of 104 first international prizes - a world record! Nathalie Boucheix, Claude Thomain and Franck Angelis are famous names in the accordion world. The coming CNIMA online classes are catered to both professionals and amateurs of all ages and all style (classical, variety, musette, world music etc). Acccordion technique with Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix July 13th – 18th 2020 July 20th – 25th 2020 July 27th - August 1st 2020 August 3rd – 8th 2020 Accordion repertoire: July 20th -24th 2020 - Celtic music with Alain Pennec August 3rd – 7th 2020 - Music of Franck Angélis, with Franck Angelis August 3rd – 7th 2020 - Music of Claude Thomain, with Claude Thomain In addition, for those who can travel, the yearly program and the workshops are available in France on location at the CNIMA, in central France, Auvergne. For further details phone 04.73.22.27.45 or email: cnima@orange.fr |
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by Christine Johnstone
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Accordionist Graeme Mackay performed live from the Ceilidh Cabin in Scotland on July 5th at 3.30pm UK time. This concert was one in a series which featured musicians from around the world. For details email: graeme@mackaymusic.co.uk |
Future events |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() Jamkazam uses technology so you can play live music in sync with others in different locations. For concert details email: jody@kruskal.net |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() Geoff will also play a half-hour set at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival online event on July 16th. For details email: geoffberner@yahoo.ca |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() ![]() Facemasks must be worn at all times except when seated at your table eating or drinking and parties are limited to 4 or less. For details phone: 651 222 1857 |
New and Updated Sites |
by Harley Jones
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![]() Many of Joan’s articles were featured in festival journals and online in the Accordion USA News. All these articles are now listed on one page on the AAA site at: AAA Archival Information The articles with titles in red are accessible now, and the others will be linked shortly. Many can also be downloaded and printed as PDFs. These 26 articles with more coming, are an invaluable part of the history of accordion in the USA. Accordion organizations worldwide should consider appointing archivists. Careful research, interviews, photos, videos and articles: all are very important components for documenting the very important history of the accordion. |
by Christine Johnstone
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![]() Read this most interesting historical article in English and Spanish at: José Gonsalvez |
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