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Highlights |
William Schimmel 2020 AAA Annual Master Class and Concert Series Online Presentation - USA
Frankfurt Musikmesse New Shorter Event in October 2021 – Germany
CNIMA International Accordion School Events - France
ATG Announces 2021 Festival in Lisle, Illinois – USA
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
AAA Archivist Joan Grauman Articles All Listed On AAA Site - USA
Akkordeon-Orchester Wesseling Historic Open-Air Concert, Wesseling - Germany
Tracey Emson Entertains at Country Hoe Down, Auckland – New Zealand
Cancelled: 2020 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - Ireland
New Historical Article by Gorka Hermosa in English and Spanish - Spain
Milan Řehák Mini Concerts During Lockdown - Czech Republic
Oktoberfest Cancellations - USA
Salvatore Pace - New Version of “Confusion” - Italy
Future events |
Félicien Brut Tours France
2020 Summer Concert Music Week - Austria
Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat 2021, Texas - USA
New and Updated Sites |
Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand Site updated
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Latest News: Enrico Morricone dies at the age of 91 - Italyby Accordions Worldwide |
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| Oscar winner Ennio Morricone died overnight in a clinic in Rome from the consequences of a fall at the age of 91 years. The great musician and composer, author of the most beautiful soundtracks of Italian and world cinema from For a Handful of Dollars and Once Upon a Time in America. More to come |
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William Schimmel 2020 AAA Annual Master Class and Concert Series Online Presentation - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) will present a 2020 Master Class & Concert Series with Dr William Schimmel, moderator and curator from July 31st to August 2nd, 2020. For the first time, this event will be presented online and will consist of 2 one-hour segments each day: 1st hour (3pm): Master Class - Talks/Workshops 2nd hour (4pm): Concert/Performances. Please provide your email address so we can provide directions on “how to tune in.” Download flier: 2020AAAMasterClass.pdf Purchase your tickets online at: AAA Shopping Cart Dr Schimmel performs music in many genres, has commissioned and premiered hundreds of new works, has written a number of books and articles and has made numerous recordings and videos. He has served and continues to serve as Artist in Residence of The American Accordionist's Association (AAA) where he also serves as Distinguished Lecturer in Residence and member of the Governing Board. The Seminars were brought to the AAA by Dr Schimmel with the idea of presenting all facets of the accordion to The New York Artistic Community, with the notion of finding ways to find new angles of expression, composition, video art, performance, dance, design, trapeze, as well as new takes on old ideas and bringing the Accordion Ancestry into fresh new light. For further information please visit AAA |
Frankfurt Musikmesse New Shorter Event in October 2021 – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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 Picture right: performers at 2019 MusikmesseMusikmesse have announced details of their 2021 event, which will run concurrently with the Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair) Creative Hub “The Arts” from October 22nd to 24th, 2021. Both shows will remain independent events. At the same time, discussions are currently being held with participants from the culture and creative sector with a view to holding other events at the Exhibition Centre during the same time slot. The new cooperation forms valuable synergies for exhibitors and professionals alike. Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. Further information about the project will be announced in the near future. |
CNIMA International Accordion School Events - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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| Video 1: Information in English on the CNIMA International accordion school. Video 2: Dantong Wong, winner of the Castelfidardo International Accordion Prize (PIF), second place winner at Klingenthal International Competition and 1st Trophée Mondial is a student at the CNIMA France and Beijing with Professors: Jacques Mornet, Nathalie Boucheix and Yan Sheng Li. CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix and Jacques Mornet offers a full year of training and workshops (on site or online) for professionals and amateurs. CNIMA is located in the heart of France in the beautiful volcano authentic region of Auvergne. Upcoming summer workshops are: 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 For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
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ATG Announces 2021 Festival in Lisle, Illinois – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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 The Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) have announced that their 2021 festival will be held at the Hyatt in Lisle, Illinois from July 21st to 25th, 2021. Further details on the event which includes concerts, exhibits, workshops and competitions will be announced soon.The new ATG board of directors includes President Mary Ann Covone (picture right), First Vice President: Liz Finch, Second Vice President: Beverley Fess, Treasurer: Kenn Baert, Executive Secretary: Esther Lanting and board members Joanna Darrow, Donna Dee Ray, Kevin Friedrich, Dr. Helmi Harrington, Gordon Kohl, Karen Lee, Joe Natoli, Cory Pesaturo, Amy Jo Sawyer, Betty Jo Simon, Joan Cochran Sommers and Stas Venglevski. For further information: kenbaert@gmail.com |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Maciej Frąckiewicz Accordion Masterclasses, Warsaw - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
 Maciej Frackiewicz will run two classical and classic contemporary music accordion masterclasses at Palacyk Pod Jodlami in Piaseczno, Warsaw, Poland next month.Dates are: 9th to 15th August 2020 16th to 22nd August 2020 The masterclasses will cover mastering accordion performance techniques, expanding knowledge of practicing ideas and learning new repertoires for accordion. At the end of each masterclass a concert will be held with performances by participants. For further details email: accordionmasterclass2020@gmail.com |
AAA Archivist Joan Grauman Articles All Listed On AAA Site - USAby Harley Jones |
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 Joan Grauman became the archivist for the AAA in 2008. She has been writing articles on the association’s history and on its members ever since. 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. |
Akkordeon-Orchester Wesseling Historic Open-Air Concert, Wesseling - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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| The Akkordeon-Orchester Wesseling (conducted by Anita Brandtstäter) performed at an historic open-air concert entitled “Tag der Musik” (Day of Music) this week for the first time since the Covid-19 lock-down was lifted in Wesseling, Germany. Mayor of Wesseling, Erwin Esser opened the event with a greeting to the guests and was pleased that with this concert a piece of normality was regained. Deputy Mayor Monika Engels-Welter was also in attendance and delighted with the musicians at this successful first Wesselinger Rheinpark concert in 2020. She hopes that more can follow in the summer. The orchestra musicians and childfren’s group had only three rehearsals for the performance but were able to put together a varied 100-minute program. The audience enjoyed a variety of music of different styles, countries and times. Original compositions such as the rock overture "On Stage" (Thomas Ott) and "La Péche miraculeuse" (Ad Wammes), a classical march and a lively waltz. The children's orchestra (conducted by Elena Taran) performed "Dwarf Suite" (Alexander Jekic) "Opening" and the "Dance" as well Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy". For the finale, the Akkordeon-Duo Plus which includes Anita Brandtstäter (accordion) and Elena Taran (bayan) along with Urs Wiehager-Dietz (double bass) and Olek Gelba (drums). They presented entertaining and virtuoso pieces from klezmer music to tango and musette, Balkan folk and Czardas to Gerhard Winkler's "Capri fishermen" much to the delight of the audience. |
Tracey Emson Entertains at Country Hoe Down, Auckland – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
| Video: Performance by “Clover” which includes Tracey Emson (Collins) on accordion, Marika Balzat (violin) and Patrick McKenna (Irish Bazouki/vocals) playing Morning Nightcap Set at the St Patricks Day Parade on Queen St in Auckland in March 2020. Accordionist Tracey Emson (Collins) entertained residents of the Lady Allum Home in Milford, Takapuna, Auckland last month at their Country Hoe Down. The audience enjoyed a mix of tunes varying from country to singalong favourites. The event was extra special as this was the first time they had had entertainment since the Covid-19 lockdown was instigated in March and lifted in late May. Picture below: Tracey at the Lady Allum Home in Milford, Takapuna, Auckland with New Zealand Accordion Association Life Member Marie Jones. |
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Cancelled: 2020 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
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 The 2020 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann celebration due to take place in August in Mullingar, Ireland has regrettably been cancelled due to Covid-19.The event is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance and attracts in the region of 400,000 visitors to the host town every year. Organised by the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the festival will now be held in Mullingar in conjunction with the local Fleadh Executive Committee and Westmeath County Council in 2021. For 2021 details email: info@fleadhcheoil.ie |
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New Historical Article by Gorka Hermosa in English and Spanish - Spainby Christine Johnstone |
 Accordionist Gorka Hermosa (picture left) has written an article in Spanish language on one of the first accordionists on record and perhaps the oldest non European accordion player, José Gonsalvez. In 1836 (with his accordion) he made an expedition up the Indus River to reach Kabul (Afghanistan).Read this most interesting historical article in English and Spanish at: José Gonsalvez |
Milan Řehák Mini Concerts During Lockdown - Czech Republicby Christine Johnstone |
 During lockdown Milan Rehák missed performing concerts so much he decided to make a series of mini concerts online. This video above features concert number 4.Program: Antonio Vivaldi - Summer (The Four Seasons) Yiruma - River Flows In You Petri Makkonen - Tango-Toccata |
Oktoberfest Cancellations - USAby Christine Johnstone |
  Gordon Groening (picture right), accordionist with the Canadian group Gordanaires, has announced that their performances at the following 2020 Oktoberfests have been cancelled:Mt Angel Oktoberfest 2020 in Oregon, USA in September – cancelled Leavenworth Oktoberfest 2020 in Washington, USA in October – cancelled The group is looking forward to performing at the 2021 Oktoberfest events. |
Salvatore Pace - New Version of “Confusion” - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
| Video: New version of “Confusion” by Salvatore Pace performed with Alessandro Gaudio. |
Future events |
Vivaldi 4 Seasons Concerts Underway – South Africaby Christine Johnstone |
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| The World Café Trio, which includes accordionist Stanislav Angelov have begun their three day online concert which will run from July 3rd to 6th, 2020. The show was pre-recorded by professional video and sound crew at Drostdy Teater in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The trio believes Vivaldi's 4 Seasons is one of the best-loved classical masterpieces of all time. Enjoyed by old and young across the spectrum of music lovers. Instead of the usual full string orchestra, they perform all 4 concertos with three instruments only - violin, accordion and bass guitar. |
Félicien Brut Tours Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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 This week Félicien Brut began a tour of France during July and August. Unfortunately many of his previous concerts were cancelled due to Covid-19 but he is very pleased that he can now perform again during the summer.His tour began in Paris on July 2nd, on the TV show “Le Grand Échiquier”, where he performed pieces by Richard Galliano with Lucienne Renaudin-Vary (trumpet). He will continue with performances at a variety of festivals in Vézelay, Montargis, Montpellier, Châteauneuf-Grasse, Argenton-sur-Creuse and Royan this month. Félicien Brut plays a variety of pieces from popular music to "scientific music", from improvisation to written works, and from original pieces to the most unexpected transcriptions. For further details email: cledoux@lagence-management.com |
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2020 Summer Concert Music Week - Austriaby Christine Johnstone |
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| The 2020 Summer Concert Music Week will be held at the Parish Church of Bad Traunstein in Bad Traunstein. Austria on July 25th from 3pm. The event is organised by the HVO - Harmonica Association of Austria and will feature performances on the accordion and Steirische Harmonika. For details email: office@harmonikaverband.at |
Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat 2021, Texas - USAby Rob Howard |
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| The 2021 Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat will be held from January 14th to 16th, 2021 with Stas Venglevski at the Kemah Boardwalk Inn, in Kemah, Texas, USA. The event, entitled “Tango Fever” is for accordionists interested in playing in an orchestra and will include 3 days of rehearsals culminating in a concert on the final day. Attendees will also be treated to work with special guest artist and conductor Joan Cochran Sommers. For details email: meghada33@gmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Article: This Old Accordion - A tribute to Ilmar Kuljus on his 90th Birthday - USAby Susan Graham |
 Video: “Northwest Profiles: Accordion Icon” is used by permission of KSPS PBS, Spokane, Washington USA. Published on March 31, 2016. Founder: My friend Dan Grauman wrote: "I received an email from Susan Graham, wife of Ilmar Kuljus. I don’t know whether you’re familiar with Ilmar. He was the teacher of Patricia Bartell, as well as AAA champions Sam Thomas (2007) and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues (2010). The attachment is a real 'feel good' story, which I thought might be worthy of publication." I read this beautiful story and at a time in history when the world has suffered greatly from the horrific Corona-virus destruction of life and business, it's writings like this that remind us of the creators of this world, wonderful people, full of human endeavour, love of music and education. Make sure you read: This Old Accordion by Susan Graham ------------------------------------------------------- Susan Graham writes: The 6th June is the 76th anniversary of D-Day (6th June 1944) and Ilmar's 90th birthday. Everyone knows the story of D-Day, few know Ilmar's story. When I tell him he needs to write it all down, he says that no one would be interested, that his story is the same as that of all other immigrants. I beg to differ. The story attached is my attempt to record the main elements as I have heard them. This Old Accordion by Susan Graham |
Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand Site updatedby Heather Masefield |
 The Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) has updated its website with the 2020 examination dates and 2020 entry fees and entry forms. |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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