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Highlights |
by Harley Jones
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![]() ![]() Particularly, I wanted to highlight the wonderful work being done every day by accordion teachers around the world. They are the unsung heroes of the accordion world. To all you students around the world - have you said "thank you" lately? The recent 2015 China Youth Accordion Year tour had two days where, each day had a remarkable story about a Chinese accordion teacher devoting time, energy and their own personal money, entirely for the benefit of young children learning the accordion. The first is Prof. Quo, (right, top) who had retired (over 60 years) and had decided to undertake a private project for accordion. He selected a school in a very poor area, very far out in the country (2 hours drive) from the city. This school has 109 students and Prof. Quo personally purchased 20 new accordions, music, stands so that 20 selected children could have practise every noon and once a week he would drive to give them free lessons. He also assisted to get a full time teacher of accordion. Read more at: 10April2015 The second is Zhou Zhiming (picture right lower), who started teaching in the Sichuan mountains late 1980's. His aim was to have "accordion music ringing over the mountains". He started off in a van with 5 students charging nothing. From that time, to today, the accordion music has "continued to ring over the mountains" and Zhou Zhiming has had a remarkable success in the country areas promoting accordion education and improving the life of the people. Read more at: 11April2015 A huge thank you to accordion teachers around the world for World Accordion Day. |
by Jörgen Sundeqvist
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![]() Milan Bláha graduated from the Prague Conservatory after studies in accordion, composition and conducting. From 1959 to 1980, he was himself the professor of the accordion department at the Prague Conservatory. He also directed many seminars and workshops all over Europe. Milan Blaha toured to many place around the world and gave concerts in Europe, U.S.A., Canada, U.S.S.R, China, Mongolia and Malta. Milan Blaha devoted much of his musical life to inspiring many famous composers to write music for him and his accordion. His great inspiration has contributed many new compositions for solo accordion, chamber music and symphonic works. The list of composers who dedicated works to Milan Blaha is long, but his most famous and successful collaborations were with the Czech composers Vaclav Trojan and Jindrich Feld. Milan Blaha also founded the unique "Trio for Music Modern" together with Milan Zelenka (guitar) and Alexei Madl (violin). In 1968 Milan Blaha founded the accordion duo together with his student Vera Ublová who also would become his wife and partner in life. The accordion world has lost a great musician and a true gentleman. Milan Blaha will be missed. Picture below: Picture taken about 1 year ago of Jörgen Sundeqvist with Milan Bláha in his home. |
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by Harley Jones
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![]() At the conclusion of a wonderful Coupe Mondiale week, it’s time to unwind and relax with other guests, candidates, jury members and delegates and the Finnish Accordion Association (Suomen Harmonikkaliitto) invites you to join them for a 23 hour cruise through a spectacular Turku archipelago to Stockholm (Sweden) and back. Departure: Sun 11th Oct at 20.00 hours Arrival: Mon 12th Oct at 19.00 Pricing: starting from 75€ per person (tentative price, final price will be confirmed later) The ship departs on Sunday evening from Turku harbour. You can enjoy the various restaurants and bars, live entertainment and shopping possibilities on board and finally fall asleep in your comfortable cabin. The ship makes a short 10-minute visit at special Åland Islands during the night and arrives Stockholm early Monday morning. There is no possibility to disembark in Stockholm as the stop takes only one hour. You may enjoy views of the scenic Stockholm archipelago and beautiful city at a breakfast that is served at multiple restaurants. A full day on the Baltic Sea gives you a great possibility to continue exploring the onboard activites. The ship stops again at Mariehamn, the capital of Åland Islands, Monday afternoon and you can see other large ships visiting the small harbour at the same time and the cruise concludes back in Turku on Monday evening. So take this opportunity, to extend your trip to Finland in October for another 24 hours and enjoy the Post Coupe Mondiale Ships Cruise. For further information or to reserve, email: bookings@coupemondiale2015.fi |
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by Anna Bodell
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![]() The 6th Internacionali Festival Harmonike – Akordeon Art 2015 was hosted in Eastern Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina from the 28th April to 2nd May 2015 under the direction of Prof Zoran Rakic, Dean of the University of the Academy of Music, Eastern Sarajevo. The Festival has grown into a truly international event with candidates coming from 19 different countries for the 9 categories of solo competition. The 12 international jury included Raymond Bodell, President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) who welcomed all present at the opening concert, Gorka Hermosa (Spain), Vojin Vasovic (Serbia), Boris Jegorov (Russia), Mihail Sarabarin (Russia), Miljan Bjeletic (Serbia), Jevgeija Cerkasova (Ukraine), Zorica Karakowtowska (Macedonia), Diana Stanceva (Bulgaria), Goran Sevaljevic (Croatia) and Tanja Lukic-Marx (Australia). The winner of Category 9 (Seniors) from the 49 entrants in that category was Stojan Bojic (picture right), a former student of Zoran Rakic who is now studying with Juri Sidorow in Moscow at the renowned Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. The Festival also featured superb concerts including a solo concert by the renowned Russian artist Yuri Sishkin and an orchestral concert by the Accordion National Orchestra of the Tchaikovsky Academy of Music from Kiev, Ukraine. Also featured was a special talk by Gorka Hermosa about his life and his compositions for the Accordion. Picture below: Raymond Bodell, Yuri Shishkin and Anna Bodell. For further information email: makss@spinter.net |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Eighteen Cleveland-Style Polka stars paid tribute to his 80th year with eight hours of music in two halls at the Slovenian Society Home in Euclid, Ohio – all in honor of the three-time Grammy Award winner. The photo below shows Joey Miskulin with Walter Ostanek. |
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L’accordéoniste et compositeur acadien Jesse Méa en résidence au CNIMA-J. Mornet – Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
![]() L’accordéoniste et compositeur Jesse Méa a été reçu en résidence d’artiste au CNIMA J.Mornet de Saint-Sauves-d’Auvergne – France Jesse Méa vit au New Brunswick, Canada, une province bilingue où les francophones constituent une minorité de 30%. Jesse Méa, accordéoniste, compositeur et arrangeur, a découvert le CNIMA sur le web. L’école française est la seule au monde proposant des études d’accordéon à temps complet et en pension complète pour tous les niveaux, de débutant à candidat des grands concours internationaux. Très séduit pas le concept, Jesse a demandé et obtenu une aide financière des institutions culturelles de sa province pour mener un programme d’échange culturel franco-acadien tout en se perfectionnant à l’accordéon. La direction du centre auvergnat ayant accepté avec joie sa proposition, Jesse Méa a rejoint Saint-Sauves en janvier 2014 et s'est d’emblée mis au travail afin de proposer à chaque étudiant(e) volontaire, tout en ménageant son programme d’études normal, une participation musicale, chacun à son niveau, L’affaire s'est conclue par un spectacle dans la célèbre station de ski du Mont-Dore, le 16 avril 2015. Au cours de ce show, Jesse Méa a fait un exposé avec projection d’images sur l’histoire et Ia culture acadienne, exposé entrecoupé de pièces interprétées par les étudiants et Jesse lui-même. Ce spectacle très original a été chaudement applaudi par le public nombreux et d’âges variés qui avait rejoint la salle. Artistes-compositeurs du monde entier, si la même aventure vous tente, prenez contact avec le CNIMA J.Mornet dont l’ouverture internationale n’est plus a démontrer. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() John "Paddy" Delaney, who died on March 31st, aged 86, spent more than 35 years entertaining people in the city's market place. Petition organisers said a plaque at his ‘spot’ near W H Smith would be a "fitting tribute" to him. The petition on the St Albans District Council website closes on May 14th. It was organised by Miriam Skelton and backed by posts on the Accordion Man of St Albans Appreciation Society page on Facebook. Katherine Hann posted that he "lit up the world with his infectious humour", while Harry Scoffin posted "there should be a commemorative plaque" to "a towering figure in the history of St Albans". St Albans singer Melanie Wall has organised a busking event and street collection to raise money for a suitable memorial. "Performing in the city centre and entertaining young and old seemed a very fitting way to raise funds and also to celebrate his life," she said. She has been granted a street collection licence by the district council. Mr Delaney's granddaughters were "very happy and touched with everything done," she said. The council said the petition could be presented to a meeting of the authority and would be considered. |
by Heather Masefield
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On Wednesday the 6th May the North Shore Accordion Orchestras celebrated World Accordion Day with 3 groups rehearsing at Sunnybrae Primary School, Auckland, New Zealand. The young players in the Music Makers were under the baton of Christine Johnstone, the older players in Musicale under the baton of Megan Jennings and leading the top group, the Auckland Accordion Symphonietta, was Lionel Reekie. All 3 groups are taking part in the New Zealand Accordion Competitions and Festival on 30th and 31st May. |
by Kimmo Mattila
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![]() President João Pereira wrote that "it was a huge success!" |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Accordionist Graduates – Netherlands On April 6th accordionist Anne Landa graduated at the Alexander Technique Centre of Amsterdam as Professor of Alexander Technique. Anne works with accordionists to overcome the numerous problems they face, including stage fright, problems of nervousness, tensions, tendinitis, etc. As a professional accordionist and professor of the Alexander Technique, Anne studies the design of the accordion and how the accordionist utilises his/her own body in relation to the instrument. The aim is to save energy and work with the appropriate muscles to develop a conscious control over the psychological and physical mechanisms controlled by the accordionist. Anne Landa will work mainly in Spain as a professor of the Alexander Technique, giving courses and private classes. For further information email: allend@teleline.es |
Future events |
by Rob Howard
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Patricia Bartell performs Astor Piazzolla's ‘Bandonenon Concerto’ with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra (MD Eckart Preu) on Saturday May 9th, 8pm, and on Sunday May 10th, at 3pm, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 West Sprague Avenue, WA 99201. Also on the program will be ‘Dupree's Paradise’ - Frank Zappa, and ‘Symphony No.3 - Organ Symphony’ - Camille Saint-Saens. Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Patricia Bartell is widely-known throughout the northwest USA and western Canada as an adjudicator, performer, and teacher. She was the organizer of the 2012 CMA Trophée Mondial, held in the USA for the first time. |
by Rob Howard
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Singer Cristina Pato has released a CD, ‘Latina’, accompanied by Victor Prieto (accordion), Edward Perez (bass), and Eric Doob (drums). Cristina Pato and her accompanists now embark on a short promotional tour, as follows: May 10th – Green Music Center, Sonoma, California May 13th – UCSB Arts and Lectures, Santa Barbara, California May 14th – Musical Bridges Around the World, San Antonio, Texas May 17th – Subculture, New York |
Jean-Marc Torchy,TV d'Ambiance Accordéon, Toulouse – Franceby Rob Howard |
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Sur le plateau d'Ambiance Accordéon, Sandrine Tarayre et Gilles Bagur recevront ce dimanche 10 Mai 2015 à 9h00 le talentueux Jean-Marc Torchy; c'est sur Télé-Toulouse, Canal 31 de la TNT et en nationale sur les Box. |
by Rob Howard
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Video above: Trailor World premiere on Monday May 11th, 10 pm, at a screening at the Rome Independent Film Festival, in the hall of the University eCampus at Rome University, of the documentary film ‘The people of King Heruka’ with Isabel Russinova, soundtrack music composed and played by accordionist Marco Lo Russo. The film focuses on issues of discrimination against the Roma people of Europe, and has been produced in cooperation with Amnesty international. For further information email: press_mlrakarouge@marcolorusso.info |
by Eleonora Ienaro
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![]() Two days of training and discussion through the masterclasses of two already well known personalities on the international accordion scene. The award-winning Grayson Masefield, New Zealand accordionist now based in Switzerland, who will hold a classic accordion masterclass Friday May 15 while the master of jazz and modern accordion, Antonio Spaccarotella, will hold a masterclasss on May 16, both at the Conservatorio di Musica P.I.Tchaikovsky in Nocera Terinese (CZ). This type of masterclass and meetings is aimed at the development and deepening of technical and stylistic accordion, and offers students a unique opportunity to discuss, within an individual and collective work area. In addition, students are given the opportunity to interact with each other, sharing the same passion for music. The number of students is limited to 10. The masterclass is also open to students and listeners, unlimited places. For further information and costs, to apply, ring 0968.923854 or email: segreteria@tchaikovski.it |
by Rob Howard
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On Friday May 15th, doors open at 7pm, the Guildford Accordion Club welcome the superb Kennet Accordion Orchestra (MD Nigel Pasby), to the club for the very first time. The organizer is John Cumiskey. Don't forget to bring your accordions for our Playalong session. Venue: The Ripley Village Hall, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6AF. Refreshments included in the admission charge. All are welcome at this friendly and popular club - we have just celebrated our 25th anniversary. For further information email: mryrabee@btinternet.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() ‘Scotland Forever’ is a Celtic Extravaganza also features performances from the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley Pipe Band (current Grade 4 2014/15 Australian Pipe Band Champions), and Douglas McFarland’s Down Under The Kilt Highland Dancers. |
by Rob Howard
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![]() Shane Brogan comes from the west coast of Scotland, where he was born along with his twin brother Paul in 1971. His late father, Neil Brogan, who played the accordion, was a huge influence on Shane’s desire to learn the accordion, and he studied with Jim Hutcheon, from Ayr. Shane studied music at Napier University, Edinburgh, where he graduated with a diploma in music, specialising in the accordion, piano and composition. He was the very first accordionist ever to be accepted by the university. Shane went on to study jazz improvisation and also began writing music. For further information email: shanbrog@gmail.com |
by Rob Howard
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![]() John Romero has been a professional accordionist for over 30 years. He spent the early years of his life based in Watford and it was here that he learned his trade as an entertainer in the London club scene. He moved to the South East coast, and is well-known as the organizer of the Eastbourne Accordion Festival. John was an All Britain Champion before turning professional. Since then he has appeared on national UK television and has entertained on numerous cruise ships including 11 months cruising around the USA, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He has worked hundreds of clubs, holiday sites, pubs, hotels and restaurants. He is also a professional organist. For further information email: stevehg0@gmail.com |
by Harley Jones
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The Accordion Association Alcobaça announces that it will organize, from 29th to 31st May 2015, the 20th National Trophy, 1st International Accordion Competition, Alcobaça for accordion soloists and groups. Download rules and regulations at: 2015Alcobaca.pdf Entries close: 15th May 2015 List of Concerts/Competitions: 23 May Bayan Qartet (Portugal) 27 May Gorka Hermosa (Spain) 28 and 29 May Gorka Hermosa masterclass 29 May Giancarlo Palena (Italy) and Tian Jianan (China) 30 May and 31 May - Competitions and competition winners concert |
by Rob Howard
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by Rob Howard
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![]() For further information email: sqzbxs@aol.com |
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by Alessandro Mugnoz
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |