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Highlights |
AAA Festival 2019, July 17-21, King of Prussia, PA - USA
Friedrich Lips 70th Birthday November 18th, Moscow - Russia
Nick Ariondo @ Hollywood Bowl, California – USA
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Midland Accordion Festival Success, Dudley – UK
Future events |
Di Gassin Trio @ ZlezMore Festival, Vienna – Austria
‘Be Brave and Come Home Safe’ WW1 Drama, Daventry – UK
Jeanette Lewicki’s Klezmer Workshop, California – USA
‘Rhapsody for Vukovar’ Premiere Concert, Zagreb – Croatia
Cairdin Music Weekend, County Offaly – Irish Republic
Super Nova Mushkalica Band Concert, Belgrade – Serbia
Eric Bouvelle Concert, Nogent-Le-Rotrou – France
New and Updated Sites |
Gary Daverne Accordion Orchestra Arrangements Released - New Zealand
Stas Venglevski Announces Two New Compositions - USA
American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Store - Now open for business!
K Trio New Site Address - USA
Updated Site of Mike Middleton, Texas - USA
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
NAO Area Festivals and 70th Anniversary NAO UK Championships – UKby Rob Howard |
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 The National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) Area Festival dates for 2018/19 have been published – see the list above. Each Area Festival is a qualifying stage for the important 70th Anniversary Celebration NAO UK Championships 2019, which will again take place at The Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, April 26th to 28th 2019.The NAO was founded in 1949, as the result of collaboration between Dr Otto H. Meyer, HJ Bridger and James Black, as a means of administering the regional and national accordion championship festivals of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In 1950, the NAO was admitted to the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), thus enabling UK representatives to enter the CIA Coupe Mondiale compeitions. The first NAO President was Toralf Tollefsen, and Jack Emblow currently holds this office. The current NAO Chairperson is Raymond Bodell who was first elected to this office in 1992. Raymond Bodell has also served many years as a CIA Vice-President and then 8 years (2009 - 2017) as President of the CIA. The UK Accordion Championships is the NAO’s annual flagship and as the Organisation celebrates its 70th anniversary in Liverpool - a number of International guests as well as a number of special activities are planned including a Vintage Orchestra, special workshops, a historical look back at the 70 years of the NAO as well as the traditional competitions throughout the fun packed weekend. Further information will be published at: NAO |
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AAA Festival 2019, July 17-21, King of Prussia, PA - USAby Harley Jones |
 The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) announces the AAA Festival 2019, will be held at the Valley Forge Casino Resort (Radisson Hotel), July 17-21, King of Prussia, PA. Details are on the AAA flier right.This follows the outstanding 80th Anniversary 2018 AAA Festival which featured a multitude of concerts, workshops, activities, and a trade show. AAA 80th Anniversary Festival Daily Reports of pictures and videos at: 2018AAA80th |
Friedrich Lips 70th Birthday November 18th, Moscow - Russiaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 Friedrich Lips was born 18 November 1948, in the city of Yemanzhelinsk, Eastern Urals, Russia. Lips celebrates his 70th birthday this 18th November and the accordion world honors a professional life of over 50 years filled with so many accordion achievements."Jubilee concerts" are planned Magnitogorsk, Smolensk and Moscow soon and much of the December "Bayan and Bayanists" festival will be in honor of Friedrich Lips. An updated biography for the 70th birthday by Herbert Scheibenreif is online at: Lips Biography This updated biography details the lifetime of achievements by Lips and the home page of the site at: Friedrich Lips lists his 29 CD's - an incredible musical history. To celebrate, all the Lips CD's until the 70th birthday are available post free: - Individual CD's €16 each, including postage. - Your Choice of Any 3 Lips CD's (value €48 plus post) for only €41 including postage. - Your Choice of Any 6 Lips CD's (value €96 plus post) for only €80 including postage. - All 29 CD's, (value €464) for only €312 including postage. To order, email: musicforaccordion@yahoo.com with a list of the CD's you want and you will be sent an invoice which you can pay by credit card or with Paypal, after which the CDs will be posted to you. Below: 29 CD covers |
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Nick Ariondo @ Hollywood Bowl, California – USAby Rob Howard |
| Video: Violin Overture by Sandy Cameron - Nightmare Before Christmas Live @ The Hollywood Bowl 27 October 2018. Nick Ariondo (accordion). On October 26th, 27th and 28th American accordionist Nick Ariondo performed at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, for Danny Elfman’s 25th celebration of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' with original cast members, orchestra, film and chorus. The featured artists included Sandy Cameron (solo violin), Nick Ariondo (accordion), Rusty Higgins (alto sax), Mike Valerio (string bass), and John Mauceri (conductor). Nick Ariondo, accordionist, pianist and composer, has worked on stage and on movie soundtracks with many well-known people in show business such as Placido Domingo, Bette Midler, Randy Newman, Nicola Benedetti, and Michael Buble. He has been described by critics as “the Yehudi Menuhin of the accordion”. For further information email: accomusic@nickariondo.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Francis Lai (1932-2018), Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
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| French composer, accordionist and pianist Francis Lai died on November 7th at the age of 86. He specialised in composing film music and popular songs, and had a long and successful career in cinema, recording studios, and also French television. His notable movie credits include ‘A Man and a Woman’ and ‘Love Story’, and for the latter he received both an Oscar and a Golden Globe award for the best film music in 1970. Other films include ‘Hannibal Brooks’, ‘Edith et Marcel’, ‘International Velvet’, ‘La Belle Histoire’, ‘Passion Flower Hotel’, and many more. Lai was born in Nice, played accordion and piano, and while he was still in his 20s, settled in the Montmartre district of Paris. He soon became accompanist to the legendary chanteuse Edith Piaf. He began writing songs for her as well, and his total song output exceeded 600. His composition ‘Aujourd'hui C'est Toi’ (Today It's You) is probably best known in the UK as the theme music for the long-running BBC TV current affairs documentary series ‘Panorama’. Francis Lai worked with many show business names in an exceptionally prolific career both as a writer and as a musician, including Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, Alain Delon, Petula Clark, Mireille Mathieu, Johnny Hallyday, Charles Aznavour, Nana Mouskouri, Françoise Hardy, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Andy Williams, Elton John, Ella Fitzgerald, Engelbert Humperdinck, Carly Simon, and many more. He is survived by his wife and three children. Picture below: Francis Lia with Nicole Croisille. |
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Midland Accordion Festival Success, Dudley – UKby Rob Howard |
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 This year’s Midland Accordion Festival, organised by Barry Smith from Friday November 2nd to Monday 5th at The Quality Hotel, Dudley was well attended and a great success with almost non-stop music throughout the weekend. The three evening concerts offered a wide range of music, with the Classic Kyiv Duo (picture right) receiving standing ovations for each of their three performances. Roy Hendrie & Dave Morrice (midi accordion/fiddle duet) played a variety of music, including Scottish dance music. Amaryllis’ English folk dance tunes, Harry Hussey’s jazz, Nigel Pasby & Helen Newton’s duets of accordion arrangements, Helen Rich’s accordion classics, Rosemary Wright’s accordion specialities, Jovan Rnjak’s accordion classics and popular songs, and Malachy Cairns’ Irish traditional tunes and songs between them provided a very wide range of quality music. There were two accordion bands - Kennett Accordion Orchestra (MD Nigel Pasby, whose appearance as Freddie Mercury for their Queen medley was a sight and sound like no other!) and the lively Black Country Accordion Band (MD Barry Smith). Alan Young on keyboard played great late night party music, David & Angie Lukins with son Andrew on guitar played some amazing solos and group pieces, and Sue Bennett backed by Harry Hussey performed some hilarious pieces on both accordion and hand bells. The final concert ended with a rowdy performance from The Master Butchers Band, led by Barry Smith on accordion, bringing the festival to a crescendo finale. The workshops included Elementary Orchestra - Jean Hanger, Scottish Orchestra – Angie Lukins, Folk Orchestra – Tracey Middleton, Vintage Orchestra – Jean Hanger, Busking for Beginners – Alan Hess, and also some One to One Lessons - Sue Bennett with Harry Hussey. There was an entertaining performance from each of the festival orchestras on the Sunday afternoon. The trade show featured the Birmingham Accordion Centre, Rob Howard’s Publications, Alan Shute – accordions, accordinas, and extras, Harry Kipling’s Accordion Treasures, and Roy Hendrie – MIDI. Next year’s festival is set for November 1st to 3rd 2019. For further information email: accordions2010@hotmail.co.uk |
Future events |
Lacides Romero Duo Concert, Barranquilla – Colombiaby Rob Howard |
 The Duo Contrastes - Lacides Romero (accordion) and Felipe Calle (piano) – perform in concert on Saturday November 10th, 6.30pm, at the Auditorium of the University of Atlantico, Barranquilla, Colombia. Their programme includes works by Handel, Grieg, Dvorak, Piazzolla, Ignacio Cervantes, and Darius Milhaud.For further information email: lacidesromero@gmail.com |
Di Gassin Trio @ ZlezMore Festival, Vienna – Austriaby Rob Howard |
 On Saturday November 10th, 8pm, the Di Gassin Trio from Israel performs in concert at the ZlezMore Festival in Austria. The venue is Vindobona, Wallensteinplatz 6, 1200 Vienna.The Di Gassin Trio are Gal Klein – clarinet, Janusz Horowitz – accordion, Meidad Cohen – double bass, and Uri Naveh – percussion. They perform Klezmer, Balkan and other Eastern European music. For further information email: gasntrio@gmail.com |
‘Be Brave and Come Home Safe’ WW1 Drama, Daventry – UKby Rob Howard |
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 ‘Be Brave and Come Home Safe’ is a drama with music, song and dance, focusing on the end of World War One, written by Martin Riley and directed by Matthew Sharp. The story is based on real-life experiences of soldiers from Daventry and Rugby during WW1. The musicians involved are Romano Viazzani (accordion - picture right), Matthew Sharp (cello), Anton Butler-Clarke (clarinet), and the actors are Matthew Sharp, Cici Howells and Rosanna Lowe.The venue for this performance, which takes place on Sunday November 11th (Armistice Day), 3pm, is Daventry Community Centre, Daventry, Northamptonshire. Admission: adults £8, children £2 (on the door). The premiere performance of ‘Be Brave and Come Home Safe’ took place on Thursday November 8th at Rugby School in Warwickshire, England. For further information email: romanoviazzani@hotmail.co.uk |
Jeanette Lewicki’s Klezmer Workshop, California – USAby Rob Howard |
 On Sunday November 11th, 3.30pm to 6.30pm, accordionist Jeanette Lewicki leads a klezmer workshop titled ‘Chasing the Changes’. The venue is Kehilla Community Congregation, 1300 Grand Ave, Piedmont 94610, California.Jeanette Lewicki writes: “We will be playing by ear, listening to tunes and trying to catch the chord changes. We will survey some klezmer forms and rhythm patterns, analyze some written music, and you will go home with some sheet music as well. If you'd like to break free from little dots on a page...if you're not sure how to jump in and out of the tune...if you want to keep up with the changes...this may be the class for you!” For further information email: jams@klezcalifornia.org |
‘Rhapsody for Vukovar’ Premiere Concert, Zagreb – Croatiaby Rob Howard |
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| On Wednesday November 14th, 8pm, accordionist Semir Hasic performs the premiere of ‘Rhapsody for Vukovar’ in a concert at Koncertna dvorana Vatroslava Lisinskog, Trg Stjepana Radica 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. On the LED screen in the background during the performance of ‘Rhapsody for Vukovar’ will be shown pictures of the destroyed town of Vukovar. The President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, will be in the audience. ‘Rhapsody for Vukovar’, composed by Semir Hasic, is a rhapsody that points out the many worldwide mistakes of the 20th Century, and their consequences for people with sorrow, suffering, pain and misery around the world through never-ending war. Semir Hasic, born in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a performer, teacher, composer and festival organiser. He has performed in Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and the USA, and has given a command performance at the Vatican City for Pope John-Paul 11. |
Cairdin Music Weekend, County Offaly – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
 On November 16th and 17th an accordion weekend – titled the Cairdin Music Weekend - takes place in Moneygall, County Offaly. The event includes a ceili, late night session, accordion workshops with Joe and Michael Searson, and a concert featuring All Ireland Champions – further details are on the poster.For further information email: info@cairdin.net |
Super Nova Mushkalica Band Concert, Belgrade – Serbiaby Rob Howard |
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| On Friday November 16th, 8pm, the Super Nova Mushkalica Band, featuring accordionist Ljuben Blazev, performs at the Centru za kulturu Vlada Divljan, Belgrade, Serbia. Publicity states that the audience is promised “an explosion of emotion, rhythm and soul”! The band includes accordion, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion and bass guitar. |
Eric Bouvelle Concert, Nogent-Le-Rotrou – Franceby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Eric Bouvelle and the Romane Quintet perform in concert on Saturday November 17th, 8pm, at the Salle Pierre-Mendes, Nogent-Le-Rotrou, northern France.Eric Bouvelle, born in 1972, was making recordings and winning competitions when still a teenager. In 1987 he toured Finland with Marcel Azzola, and in 1988 won the Entertainment Section at the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Trossingen, Germany. He has become one of France’s leading accordionists and has performed all around Europe, Russia, USA, Canada, and further afield in Martinique and Guadeloupe. He is much in demand as a musette dance and jazz musician, with many CDs and DVDs to his credit, and also as a workshop course leader. |
New and Updated Sites |
New Site: Nova Wan Site and First Composition Released, Shanghai - Chinaby Harley Jones |
 Nova Wan is a former international competitor who achieved 3rd place in the Virtuoso Entertainment category at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale. His tutor was Crystal Wang of Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). After graduation, Nova Wan has continued composing and arranging, and is now a well known composer and arranger as well as accordion teacher and Conductor of the Shanghai Accordion Alliance Orchestra. Nova Wan is going to release his compositions over the coming months. Just released is: Catalog: nova101 Umbrella Waltz composed by Nova Wan for quartet, ensemble or orchestra. Sample of music available online, music in pdf format sent to clients by email. |
Gary Daverne Accordion Orchestra Arrangements Released - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
 Two accordion orchestra arrangements released by composer, arranged and conductor Gary Daverne ONZM.Catalog: gd101 Invercargill March composed by Alex Lithgow arranged for Accordion Orchestra. Parts: Score, bass, glock, guitar, 8 accordion parts. Invercargill Marrch is one of the worlds greatest marches and especially popular in the United States. Catalog: gd102 New Zealand in Song. Arrangements of a medley of popular New Zealand historic melodies Parts: Score, bass, kit drums, percussion, timpani, 8 accordion parts. |
Stas Venglevski Announces Two New Compositions - USAby Megumi Hada |
 Two new Stas Venglevski compositions are now available.Catalog: vstas055 Octobler Rondo (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas056 Summer Sunshine (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Recent Stas Venglevski compositions released. Catalog: vstas051 Meg Tango (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas052 Maurisa (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas053 A Song (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas054 Stas' Tune (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. |
American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Store - Now open for business!by Linda Soley Reed, AAA Second Vice President |
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| You don't have to wait for Black Friday, visit the AAA Store TODAY. You can become a member, pay your dues or support the youth programs by buying an 80th anniversary T-shirt. It's Easy!! Give it a try and let us know how we can improve! View at: AAA-Store |
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K Trio New Site Address - USAby Harley Jones |
 K Trio New Site Address. The K Trio of Mary Kasprzyk Tokarski, Julie Kasprzyk Cardona and Walter Kasprzyk have performed extensively nationally and internationally. The K Trio has also released three CD's which are available online: The K-Trio - Classically The K-Trio - Images The K-Trio - Take 2 |
Updated Site of Mike Middleton, Texas - USAby Harley Jones |
 The Mike Middleton website has been updated. The site is promoting the CD albums, biography and musical activities of well known Texan Mike Middleton. |
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