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Highlights |
Editor’s Noteby Rob Howard |
![]() It is amazing to see how the accordion, like a chameleon, has adapted perfectly to a large number of musical genres and sub-genres throughout the world. It is played by young and old alike in every inhabited continent, and its repertoire and usage continue to develop and to delight audiences everywhere. Long may this continue. |
World Accordion Day 24 Hour Web TV Show - Internationalby Harley Jones |
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World Accordion Day, an initiative of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) was held from 8am Sunday 5th May to 8am Monday 6th May (French time) broadcast on the Deschamps Channel and World Accordion Day websites. World Accordion Day was co-presented by Frederic Deschamps and Grayson Masefield assisted by Director Mike Rossi. You can view all the segments of this 24 hour event at: World Accordion Day This is the 6th CIA World Accordion Day and the 2nd year to have World Accordion Day celebrated with a 24 hour round the clock, round the world web TV broadcast. Featured were accordion performances, interviews, and interesting activities during the past year from many countries with famous accordionists, national associations, manufacturers, authors, composers, arrangers and teachers from around the world participating. Special thanks to the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA), Frederic Deschamps, Grayson Masefield and Mike Rossi. |
11th World Music Festival 2013, Innsbruck - Austriaby Harley Jones |
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The World Music Festival 2013 is the world's largest competition for accordion and for accordion orchestras and ensembles. Daily Reports online Friday 10th May 2013. |
The 50th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2013 - Germanyby Harley Jones |
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Photograph and Video Reports are online at: 2013 Klingenthal Klingenthal celebrates the 50th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal from the 6th to the 12th May 2013. The event features: - International competition categories for soloists and groups, for concert and entertainment music, for children through to open categories. Full competition rules and category information is at: 2013Kling - Important concerts by such performers as: Friedrich Lips, Juan José Mosalini, Stefan Hussong, Bayan-Mix, Beltango, Elsbeth Moser, Tobias Morgenstern, Concertina, Matthias Matzke, Victor Hugo Villena etc, along with the symphony orchestras Stadtorchester Klingenthal and Vogtland Philharmonie Greiz/Reichenbach. You can download the complete program at: 2013KProgram - Jury members (country order) include: Lulu Wang (China), Ivan Koval (Czech), Jeanette Dyremose (Denmark), Jacques Mornet (France), Jürgen Ganzer (Germany), Gudrun Wall (Germany), Elsbeth Moser (Germany), Tobias Morgenstern (Germany), Stefan Hussong (Germany), Ulf Seifert (Germany), Geir Draugsvoll (Norway), Bogdan Dowlasz (Poland), Aleksandar Nikolic (Serbia), Tibor Rácz (Slovakia), Friedrich Lips (Russia). Photograph and Video Reports are online at: 2013 Klingenthal |
NAO UK Championships 2013 - UKby Wendy Farran, NAO Secretariat |
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![]() Outstanding competition successes included Egidio Apuzzo (Italy, picture left with Raymond Bodell), winner of the International Solo Category, Aileen Sweeney (Senior Recital), multiple Bodell prizewinners (picture below) were Alexander (6 categories), Roseanna (3), Raymond (2) and Annalize (3). In the Roland V-Accordion National competition, senior winner was Thom Hardaker and junior winner was Craig Hart. There was outstanding orchestral performances from the Brian Laurie Paisley Academy Orchestra (MD Brian Laurie). Full results of the 2013 National Championships are available on the NAO website. The NAO was also particularly pleased to welcome the K & S Accordion Orchestras (M.D Gerry Kelly) from the Republic of Ireland who participated in the International Orchestra category and whose soloists greatly impressed over the weekend. During the NAO Annual General Meeting, Anna Bodell was re-appointed to the position of NAO Chairperson for 2013/2014. Honoured during the festival with the NAO Merit Award was renowned teacher and musical director Jenny Neal from Colchester, for her devoted service to the accordion spanning many years. Recipient of the NAO Associate Award was Bob Downer from Bournmouth. The NAO UK Championships for 2014 will be held again at the the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool from 25th - 27th April. |
4th International Akordeon Art Festival & Competition 2013 - Bosnia & Herzegovinaby Harley Jones |
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![]() Entrants came from Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia , Russia, and Ukraine. There were many concerts and events each evening show casing the different styles of music for the accordion. After a press conference in the morning, the first round of the Senior Classical class started with over 40 entries in that category. The opening concert had performances from mixed Choir Academy of Music in East Sarajevo - directed by Ass. prof. Rade Radovic , M.A., Accordion Orchestra Academy of Music in East Sarajevo - directed by doc. Dražan Kosoric ,M.A., and a mixture of variety repertoire by World Champion Grayson Masefield. After the third day of competition, there was lecture by Prof. Viacheslav Semionov about the origins and philosophies of his compositions and about different interpretations. The evening concert was performed by Kimmo Mattila (accordion) and Aino Ojakoski (viola). They performed a program of Finnish and world tango music, showing how this type of music has evolved in Finland. On Friday, Prof Ljubomir Lukic made a presentation on the origin of the accordion from its roots in China (the Cheng) to the accordions of today. The orchestra Russian Folk Instruments Orchestra of the Belgorod State Institute of Art and Culture, Russian Federation, directed by Jevgenij Alješnjikov, performed a concert with accordion and many traditional Russian instruments. Saturday: After the conclusion of the finals rounds of competition, the closing ceremony was held on Saturday afternoon with prizes given out to all the winners and laureates. Full results at: http://www.akordeonart.com/ |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Accordion Exhibition and Meeting, Sümeg – Hungaryby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() There were exhibitions and demonstrations of Scandalli, Petromaestro, Moreschi, Paolo Soprani and E. Soprani accordions. During the festival visitors could test new accordions models like the Cromo VI Balkan, a model that designed and made especially for players from Balkan countries. Peter Moger organized a fine event. For further information email: mogerp@freemail.hu |
Joey Miskulin at 20th Annual Cowboy Festival, California – USAby Rob Howard |
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Above is a video by Riders in the Sky, featuring accordionist Joey Miskulin, performing “Rawhide”, recorded in August 2012 at Durango, Colorado. On April 20th and 21st, the Veluzat family’s Melody Ranch welcomed fans of western art, movies, poetry and culture to the 20th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival. The event, held in the Santa Clarita High School Auditorium, is the one chance the general public has each year to visit Southern California’s finest western movie town. The festival includes western re-enactments, a cowboy poetry competition, and lots of music. The focus of the festival is cowboy music, and the acts included I was privileged to hear perform that afternoon were Native American musician Tracy Lee Nelson, The Band of the California Battalion, a recreation of a Union Civil War brass band, Baxter Black, Don Edwards, Hot Club of Cowtown, Texas accordionist/singer/songwriter Ginny Mac, The Saddle Cats, The Sons of the San Joaquin, and Riders in the Sky, featuring accordionist Joey Miskulin. |
Marco Lo Russo Award and Concert, Latina - Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() On Saturday May 4th, 6pm, at the piazza del Centro Commerciale, Morbella, Marco Lo Russo will perform during the presentation of a new book, ‘L’ottavo giorno’ (The Eighth Day), by the writer Lucia de Cristofaro. Video above is by TV2000 Italy. Marco Lo Russo, accordionist and composer, was a guest in the studio Lucia Ascione. For further information email: stampa@marcolorusso.com |
Iain Cathcart Scottish Dance Band New CD, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
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Iain Cathcart and his Scottish Dance Band have released a new CD, ‘Truly Scrumptious’. One of the tracks is a medley from Disney’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ The tracks include: 1) The Troops Of Mull - 4/4Marches: And a Campbell's March / The Troop's March / The Hills of Mull 2) Slainte: The Hogmanay Jig / The Jimmy Harris Jig / Broom from Troon / Jack's Pocket Ashtray 3) Waltzing With Calum" Grannie;s Heilan Hame / Darl Lochnagar / Loch Maree 4) Fantasmagorical: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Melody 5) 2/4 Pipe Marches: Captain Carswell's Castle / Glen Caladh Castle 6) Kilberry Twostep: The Ivy Cottage Twostep 7) Reels: Fr.Kelly's Reel / Marco's Reel / Mr.& Mrs. McShane of Houston / Pat The Budgie Breakdown 8) Burns Plus One: Afton Water / John Anderson, My Jo, /Green Grow the Rashes O / Ae Fond Kiss / Mary of Argyle 9) The Hampden Set: The Green Hills of Tyrol / Locanside / When the Battle's O'er 10) Jim Royle's Banjo Favourites: I Want A Girl / Ma! He's Makin' Eyes At Me / When You're Smiling / When You Wore A Tulip 11) Jigs - Lifting Anchor: The New Rigged Ship / THe Drunken Parson / Peter Rae's Jig / Miss Maria Stewart's Jig 12) Waltz From The West: The Wild Rose of the Mountain / Sound the Pibroch / Haste Ye Back 13) 6/8 Pipe Marches - Ladies Choice: Lady Dorothea Stewart Murray / Lily Long0Wade's Welcome to Inverness 14) Turned Full Circle: Circassian Circle / Swinging On A Gate / Hamish Renton / The Fencing Post 15) Saunter Through Ireland: The Isle of Innisfree / The Londonderry Air For further information email: support@allcelticmusic.com |
Video: Conjunto Fuego@Holy Name Church Spring Festival 2013 - USAby Harley Jones |
Published on Apr 22, 2013, Conjunto Fuego @ Holy Name Church Spring Festival 2013, Rudy Garcia - Bajo Sexto, Ryan Navarro - Accordion. |
First V-Accordion Kids Orchestra Concert (REVAPO) - Austriaby Rob Howard |
This is part of the REVAPO aim to get more young people playng the accordion, to show what is possible with the Roland instruments and also to inspire younger players to use new techologies in concert. The orchestra members are young students of the Franz Koringer Music School, Leibnitz, Austria. For further information email: info@revapo.com |
Video: Beijing Children's Palace Baidi Accordion Orchestra - Chinaby Harley Jones |
The 11th World Music Festival 2013 being held in Austria next week reminded me about accordion orchestra videos. The Beijing Children's Palace Baidi Accordion Orchestra, superbly conducted by Chen Weiliang, is famous in Beijing, performing nearly always, to packed concert halls. One of the finest accordion orchestras in the world. I am sure you will enjoy their superb music. 1. The Syncopated Clock 2. Colonel Bogey March |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Frosini Society active in Scotland in 1999by Rob Howard |
Frosini Society Workshop – Scotland Contributed by Gary Blair The 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 and 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. |
Future events |
1st Certame Internacional do Acordeão, Algarve – Portugalby Rob Howard |
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Kilfenora Ceili Band Concert, Abbeyfeale – Republic of Irelandby Rob Howard |
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The Kilfenora Ceili Band perform in concert on Sunday May 5th, 8pm, at the 19th ‘Fleadh by the Feale’, at Coláiste Ide agus Iosef Abbeyfeale, County Limerick. The Kilfenora, joined by guest musicians Sharon Howley (cello), Brian O'Grady (double bass), will be performing their Big Band show ‘Spraoi’. The concert also features Don Stiff (singer), the West Clare Set Dancers and World Champion dancer Michael Donnellan. The Kilfenora Ceili Band, Ireland’s longest established ceili band founded in 1909, features four fiddles (Eimear Howley, Sinéad Heagney, Anne Rynne, and Annemarie McCormack), two flutes (Anthony Quigney and Garry Shannon), concertina (Tim Collins), accordion (Claire Griffin), banjo (John Lynch), drums (Sean Griffin), and piano (Fintan McMahon). For further information email: johnlynch1955@gmail.com |
Festival der Harmonika, Gemeindezentrum, Thannhausen – Austriaby Rob Howard |
![]() The guests include accordionists Klemen Leben, Andrej Toplisek, Loui Herinx, and brass player Stefan Traint. Video above is a TV appearance by Klemen Leben and his group that was published on the 7th March 2013. |
NHAA Meeting, New Hampshire – USAby Rob Howard |
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The New Hampshire Accordion Association present the blues band Catfish Howl, featuring accordionist Glen Robertson, in concert on Saturday May 18th, 1pm. The venue is Accordion Connection, LLC, 136 Route 106, Gilmanton, NH 03237. For further information email: regisdonna@yahoo.com |
7th Accordion Art Festival & Contests, Pineto - Italyby Rob Howard |
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![]() The accordion contest section includes the Italia Award and the Orphea Award, and there will also be a national selection of competitors for this year’s Tropheé Mondiale, which will be held in Samara, Russia, September 24th to 29th. For further information email: info@accordionartfestival.com |
Summer Accordion Week, Somerset – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Beautiful scenery and camaraderie. Chalet or caravan accomodation - half board or self catering available. This is the original ‘Friendly-Fun Summer Accordion Week’ started by the late Malcolm Gee (pictured left). Further details/booking forms from Mary Randle. For further information email: enquiries@staudriesbay.co.uk |
Gala D’Accordeon Dansant, Montjean – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: gchanteloube@sfr.fr |
New and Updated Sites |
John Raczka release 4 new musicby John Raczka |
![]() '12 German Dances No.1', catalog:raczka201, '12 German Dances No.2', catalog:raczka202, '12 German Dances No.3', catalog:raczka203.htm" target="_blank">raczka203 and '12 German Dances No.4', catalog:raczka204 The music are in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Gary Dahl Site Update for eBook Collection, Favorite Polkas and Waltzs - USAby Gary Dahl |
![]() Catalog: DH04-eB Favorite Waltz and Polkas |
New and Updated Site - Susan Hall, Artist - Kenyaby Harley Jones |
New and Updated Site - Susan Hall, Artist - Kenya http://www.susanhall-kenya.com Superb new oil paintings of Kenya Wildlife and landscapes in advance of the forthcoming Art Exhibition, Muthaiga Country Club, Nairobi, Kenya. 3rd to 6th October 2013 http://www.susanhall-kenya.com |
CD Reviews |
Duo Feast CD by Stas Venglevski and Misha Litvinby Joan C. Sommers |
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