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Highlights |
2019 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Annual Festival - Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() The event is for everyone, young and old and this year’s programme is sure to provide entertainment and delight whether it’s a concert in the dome or a performance in one of the many magnificent buildings in Drogheda or indeed attending what is core to the Fleadh, the competitions, many of which again are being hosted by local schools. Over 1,000 volunteers will be required to help stage this year’s Fleadh and ensure that Drogheda offers an enjoyable experience for the 400,000+ visitors expected to descend on the area. Accordion entertainers include Four Men & a Dog (includes accordionist Donal Murphy), Clann Carberry (family group - picture below), Irish-American ensemble “Cherish the Ladies” with Mirella Murray on accordion (picture right), Nathan Carter (picture left), brother and sister pairs Tom & Jacinta McGorman (Dublin) and Catherine & John McEvoy (Birmingham), National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, Sárán Mulligan (concertina), and Trio of Dermot Byrne, Éamonn Coyne & John Doyle. On the final day, the Senior Céilí Band Competition 2019 will be held in the Coca Cola Fleadh Concert Dome in St Dominic’s Park at 6.30pm. A furious night of powerful ceol and savage competition is expected as the bands battle it out for ultimate All-Ireland glory! For further festival information email: info@fleadh2011cavan.ie |
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Four International Seminars at PIF Academy - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() The first seminar will be held by Petri Makkonen (Finland) who will run a Contemporary Classical Accordion Seminar entitled “Meet the Composer” on September 19th. The seminar will begin with his own compositions to tell his story. In the second part the composer will answer questions from the participants. This is a rare occasion to delve into the interpretative nuances of the Finnish master’s production. On September 20th Raynald Ouellet (Canada) will run a World Accordion Seminar entitled “European Influence in the World Music of North America”. Raynald Ouellet is the founder and artistic director of the “Carrefour Mondial du l’Accordeon” festival. This will be a seminar with an incredible character with a mix of information that cannot be missed by professionals and fans of World Music. Gerlando Gatto (Italy) will run a Jazz Accordion Seminar entitled “Accordion in Jazz: From Simple Colour to a Protagonist Instrument” on September 21st. Gerlando is an acclaimed journalist and music critic who has been dealing with Jazz since the 60s. He is currently the director of a much followed online magazine “A Proposito di Jazz” and is the artistic director of the “Orpheus Award”, the only musical journalism prize dedicated to the accordion. The seminar intends to highlight, with the help of music, the evolution that has followed this instrument in the field of jazz music. An in-depth analysis of the history of accordion in jazz that cannot be missed by fans of this instrument. The final seminar is a Classical Accordion Seminar (Baroque) entitled “Warnings to the Girolamo Frescobaldi Reader”, which will be held by Ivano Paterno (Italy) on September 22nd. Ivano Paterno has been dealing with the production of Frescobaldi for over 30 years. On the very first edition of the first book of the Toccatas, a decalogue of “warnings” of the Master appears, which are the most extraordinary written on a topic of which “one cannot write”. The Baroque is a fundamental part of the repertoire of classical accordionists and this is an absolutely unmissable opportunity for professionals and concert performers of the future. Picture below: 1. Petri Makkonen 2. Gerlando Gatto 3. Raynald Ouellet 4. Ivano Paterno |
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Accordion Wedding Noelle McCarthy & Fausto Fabi – Irelandby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
Noelle McCarthy & Fausto Fabi married on July 25th in County Wicklow, Ireland. Noelle is the daughter of Paddy Kavanagh from Dublin, a reknowned accordionist. Fausto is the son of Nando Fabi from Castelfidardo and sales manager for Pasco Italia srl. They were married in the presence of their families and friends, including many friends from the accordion world. The music for their wedding ceremony was played by Noelle’s sister Patricia - on the accordion of course! Accordions Worldwide and its readers wish the newly weds a very happy and long life together. |
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2019 CIA Video Archive and Education Project, Shenzhen - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Videos and Video Timetable at: 2019CM-Video from Opening Concert on Monday 12 August and including all competitors and concerts, finally ending Saturday night 17 August. Videos should be online approximately 1 hour after the live performance or live competition and viewers will have free downloads of Coupe Mondiale competitions playing a vast range of different types and styles of music. The "Video Archive Education Project" is a project initiated in 2010 by the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) with assistance from sponsors and Accordions Worldwide. For 2019, there is an additional server situated in China for our Chinese viewers, sponsored by MusicForAccordion.com . We thank the Scandalli Accordion Factory for their sponsorship enabling this ambitious free project to assist accordion students and tutors throughout the world. |
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“Vilda” Duo from Finland Tours - Finland, Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
Duo “Vilda” which includes accordionist Viivi Maria Saarenkylä and indigenous Samí singer Hildá Länsman (from northern Finland) will tour Canada this month. They enjoy playing original music, composed and written by themselves, influenced by the northern nature, traditional Samí joik and Finnish folk, and pop music! The duo have just released their debut album entitled Vilda Vildaluodda/Wildprint (published by Bafe’s Factory) which is available online. Vilda concert schedule: August 9th: Montréal First Nation Festival, Canada August 10th -11th: Festival des traditions du monde de Sherbrooke, Canada August 14th: Musique Nomade, Montréal, Canada August 16th -18th: Summerfolk, Owen Sound, ON, Canada August 29th to September 2nd: solo performances by accordionist Viivi Maria Saarenkylä at the Carrefour Mondial de l’Accordéon in Montmagny Solo album by Viivi titled Carnevale available online: Catalog: viivi01 |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Victor Prieto Jazz Masterclasses - Spainby Christine Johnstone |
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Victor Prieto directed and taught at International Jazz Accordion Master Classes at Centro Cultural Marcos Valcárcel in Ourense, Spain on July 13th & 14th and July 20th & 21st. Subjects covered were Improvisation in pop, rock, bolero and jazz, how to form chords, differing styles such as jazz, blues, Brazilian, traditional tango, new Tango and other styles of modern harmony, and how to work and what to do in a recording studio when you get only chord changes. The students also watched videos and analysed them plus they were given a book to take home with material for further studies and review. The event also included an open Jam session at the Jazz Club "Cafe Cultural Auriense", so participants had the opportunity to play with other instruments, experiment, socialize and have a great time performing in front of an audience! |
Students who play musical instrument perform better academically - Canadaby Heather Masefield |
![]() Music is a form of both personal and cultural expression. While giving your young child a recorder and listening to hundreds of hours of London's Burning may sometimes seem like a fast track to a headache, the earache may be worth it in the long run. New research shows that persevering through the novice musician stage and helping your child to master an instrument can help them to perform significantly better in academic subjects like science and maths when they get older. Mastering a musical instrument isn't easy, and there are many challenges that students need to overcome: learning to read musical notation, developing specific hand-eye-mind coordination, balancing time to dedicate to practice and working on their listening and performance skills. These skills can help children with development in other areas of their learning, and research published in the Journal of Education Psychology looked into how these musically gained skills can help with academic learning in other fields. This correlation between artistic endeavour and academic performance challenges some of the decisions made in our education system. Funding for music in schools is usually one of the first to be cut when finances get tight, with music seen as creative and artistic and perhaps not as "serious" as the more academic subjects like English, science and maths. Even without funding pressure, over time we have seen changes to the curriculum that have forced more specific study in reading, writing and algebra, with less time given to music. Underpinning these changes is, of course, the idea that to try and increase student achievements in these core subjects, more focus should be placed on practising these algebra, reading and writing skills. Studying more than112,000 Canadian students who started school between the years 2000 and 2003, the researchers followed their academic achievements all the way through to Year 12 in high school. Controlling the data for demographic factors, including gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background and prior achievement in previous subject exams in Year 7, the researchers were able to see which factors seemed to help students perform at their best. Looking at factors that correlate to higher academic results in maths and science, the researchers found that students who learned an instrument during childhood and developed enough mastery to perform in a group exhibited significantly higher performance. Specifically, students who in Year 10 and above had signed up to play in music groups like orchestra, jazz band, concert choir, vocal jazz and conservatory piano showed the most academic advantage, resulting in higher exam scores across all school subjects. The results were stronger for those who specialised in instrumental music skills rather than vocal music groups like choirs, with these students being around one full year ahead in learning than their non-musical peers. In a number of school systems, once students reach high school they tend to be grouped, separating those who favour creative arts subjects from those who favour science and maths. Conflicting timetables sometimes force students to choose directly between science and arts. This research suggests that rather than creating subject silos, students might complement their learning by applying the mathematics of fractions through scales and the physics of waves and resonance through their instrument. Studies like this serve as a helpful check as we design our education systems and structure our curriculums. Designing approaches that help students reach their potential can often mean investing time and resource in areas of study that may to some seem non-critical. |
Demo video by Milonga de Cuatro, Lian Jones (accordion) - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
Demo video by Milonga de Cuatro. Auckland Tango quartet Milonga de Cuatro performed their debut concert earlier this year and now have a demo video. The quartet includes accordionist and teacher Lian Jones, Natalia Meyta (piano), Irina Lgotkina (violin) and Marija Dimitrijevic (double bass). |
Festival de Acordeones – Argentinaby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The group entertained with a variety of Uruguay national songs. Their aim is to spread accordion music and perform these national songs. The festival also paid tribute to Argentinian Sixto Ríos with the song "Merceditas" performed by accordionists from Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. |
“Live at Café De la Danse” Vinyl Edition Released – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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The Louise Jallu Quartet concert and the “Francesita” project performed at the Cafe´ De la Danse in Paris on 17th March 2018 caused much excitement with both the public and the media, and was thankfully recorded by sound engineer, Erwan Boulay. Today, the recording is being released in a rich vinyl edition, engraved with the main titles from the performance. Performers include Louise Jallu (bandoneon), Mathias Lévy (violin), Grégoire Letouvet (piano), Alexandre Perrot (bass) and guest Sébastien Giniaux (electric guitar). For details email: louise.jallu@free.fr |
Video: David Bruce video about composing for the accordion and its amazing versatility - UKby Christine Johnstone |
David Bruce who has been developing an international reputation as a composer, published this video about accordion and composing on July 25th, 2019. Learn what an interesting instrument the accordion is for composers and how its great versatility can be used in so many different and interesting ways. |
Future events |
Accademia del Ridotto Accordion Course Applications Now Open - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The Accademia del Ridotto is an advanced artistic and musical training center, (directed by Livio Bollani) based in the Theatre of Stradella. The Academy issues four types of Diplomas, up to Master. Available courses include Diploma programs: Higher education – First Level (Three year program) - Professional Diploma; Higher education – Second Level (Three year program) - Specialization Diploma - Two-year training course and Master - Annual training course. The training programs, intended for gifted students have the goal of helping them achieve a high international standard of musical interpretation and reaching a professional career. Employment outlooks include Career as soloist, teaching career, preparation for international music competitions, career as consultant, reviewer and editor for music publishers and record labels and career as agent, organizer and music consultant. For further course information email Accademia del Ridotto: info@accademiadelridotto.com |
Sam Reider and The Human Hands August Concerts - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
Video 1: "The Murder" by Sam Reider, recorded live at the Green Note in London Video 2: "Dance of the Djinn" by Sam Reider and the Human Hands featuring Jorge Glem Sam Reider is a composer, accordionist, pianist and singer from Brooklyn, NY.He’s been featured at Lincoln Center and on NPR and collaborated with pop stars, jazz and folk musicians around the world. Reider is the leader of a “staggeringly virtuosic band” (RnR Magazine) of bluegrass and jazz musicians based in Brooklyn called The Human Hands. Sam’s performance schedule includes: August 1st - Galway, NY \\ Cock n' Bull 7:30 PM August 2nd - Hancock, NY \\ Hancock Town Square 7:30 PM, Free! August 3rd - Putney, VT \\ Next Stage Arts 7:30 PM August 6th - Ridgefield, CT \\ CHIRP 7 PM, Free! August 8th - Annandale-on-Hudson, NY \\ Bard Fisher Center Spiegeltent w/ Kéren Tayár, presented by Catskill Jazz Factory 8 PM August 10th - West Kortright, NY \\ West Kortright Center 8 PM |
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Alex Meixner Band Performances - USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() ![]() Tour dates as follows: August 2nd and 3rd: Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA August 4th: Plattduetsche Park Restaurant, Franklin Square, NY August 11th: German American Club of Marion County, Ocala, FL August 17th & 18th: The Alpine Wurst & Meat House, Honesdale, NY August 24th: Polish Craft Beer & Polka Block Party with Jan Lewan at West Palm Brewery, West Palm Beach, FL August 28th: Alex Meixner Duo (Alex & Paddy) at The Great Allentown Fair, Allentown, PA August 30th to September 2nd: Cleveland Oktoberfest, Middleburg Heights, OH For further concert details email: info@alexmeixner.com |
Amateur Organetto Competition, 9th August, Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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This event will be held along with Craft Workshops in the Piazza della Repubblica (town square), Castelfidardo on Friday 9 August 2019 at 6:30 pm. The competition takes place during the "V Historical Reenactment" festival in Castelfidardo. Further information and competition rules in Italian at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=02-Aug-2019&lang=it&s=15677 |
CNIMA August Courses – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Dates are: 2 ½ day courses from August 12th to 14th and 19th to 21st 5 day courses from August 12th to 17th and 19th to 24th. In addition a new Accordion Training Group will be held from August 12th to 16th. Throughout the five days, there will be working groups and individual tuition. This is a new way forward collectively in the friendly atmosphere and the spirit of CNIMA. Subjects include: Title 1: The Romance of Paris (Charles Trenet) and Title 2: Tango Passion (Jacques Mornet - picture left). For further details email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
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2019 Cotati Accordion Festival – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() In addition to music, there will be accordion vendors present at the festival to assist with questions re buying or selling an accordion and repairs etc. For details email: info@cotatifest.com |
Andreas Gabalier in August - Schweiz/Austriaby Diatonic News |
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Video: Andreas Gabalier, a segment from Volksrock'n'Roller Live in Wien. Andreas Gabalier is from Styria, Austria and his fame today is worldwide. His tours have taken him for years through the largest halls, stadiums and arenas in German speaking Europe. In his native Austria alone, he was rewarded with countless gold and platinum awards. His albums are traditionally in No. 1. The beloved Austrian artist makes a megatour in August. Tickets are on the website of Andreas Gabalier. |
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Santa Maria Band to Play at Thanksgiving Mass - Maltaby Christine Johnstone |
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The Santa Maria Accordion Band will participate in a thanksgiving Mass at St Francis Church in Valletta, Malta on September 6th. The accordionists will play a variety of hymns at the Mass which will include readings and blessings of Pope Francis. All are welcome to attend. For further details email: intia680@gmail.com |
2019 Pedone-Ballarini Accordion Clinic in Texas – USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() ![]() The event will include daily concerts, study groups, workshops, jam sessions, group & individual lessons, impromptu performances, an international dance party, and guest artists & instructors as well as great food and drink! For further information email: ballarini@sbcglobal.net |
New and Updated Sites |
New Book by Karthause-Schmülling Music - Germanyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() The book has been translated into English by Willoughby Ann Walshe, with cover and layout designed by Lukas Stanionis. This multi-faceted guide book for pupils, students, teachers, stage performers, amateur players, professional musicians and especially for music lovers of all ages, provides a vivid report about two outstanding music seminars and festivals of the international accordion scene: • Peter Soave Music Academy in Sauris (Italy) • International Accordion Festival and Seminar in Palanga (Lithuania) and Celebrated Media Stars “Made in” the Baltics: • Martynas Levickis • Ksenija Sidorova 52 pages · Format: 23 x 32.5 cm · four-colors throughout · hard cover · thread stitching · 700 grams · 90 photos · ISBN 978-3-925572-19-7 · Euro 22.50 Purchase the book online with credit card - Catalog No: 572-19 |
New and Updated Site: Yehuda Oppenheimer (1925 - 2012) Music Updated - Israelby Harley Jones |
![]() OY614 Omaggio A Bach - Cheerio, Mr. Bach! (Solo) composed by Yehuda Oppenheimer € 4,00 OY617 Lullaby (Solo) Mozart, arranged by Yehuda Oppenheimer € 2,00 More music will be added to his site in the coming weeks. |
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