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Highlights |
Hour Radio Broadcast, Celebrating 25 Years of Craven Accordion Orchestra – England
Hanzhi Wang Online Concert at Mainly Mozart Festival, Florida - USA
Chaika Band Perform Online Concert in Sydney - Australia
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
London Accordion Orchestra Virtual Release of “Daft Punk Medley” – UK
2020 Coupe Mondiale, 5 - 11 October, Castro Marim - Portugal
Passing of Rose Marie Caccamise, Owner of Roxy’s Music, New York – USA
Paolo Picchio – New Book: The Classical Accordion and its Repertoire
Passing of John Castiglione, May 26th, 2020, Michigan - USA
Vow Accordion Band Music Continues Despite Cancellations – Northern Ireland
Dúo Kasal Online Concert - Portugal
Future events |
New Series “The Whole Note” Premiers Online June 13th - USA
Noton Masterclasses Confirmed, Manigod - France
IV International Competition - Vyacheslav Belyakov Prize in Ufa - Russia
New and Updated Sites |
Remembering and Honoring Eugene Ettore - USA
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
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 |
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Hour Radio Broadcast, Celebrating 25 Years of Craven Accordion Orchestra – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
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| At the beginning of 2020, big plans were afoot to mark the Craven Accordion Orchestra’s 25th anniversary in Craven, England. Sadly, lockdown and its restrictions meant that these plans had to be cancelled. However, the CAO are proud and excited to reveal that an exclusive hour-long special broadcast will air on Drystone Radio, 103.5 FM on Sunday 28th June 2020, from 11am to 12 midday. The program will showcase highlights from the CAO’s 25-year history and feature many of the best moments from their archives and numerous old popular favourites. The CAO would like to extend special thanks to presenter Steve Brown from Drystone Radio, Matt Annable and Dave Gaunt from Skipton IT Services Ltd for assisting with the broadcast. The CAO has always been recognised for its fundraising efforts and this special event is to be no exception. All monies received will be donated to the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, a local charity close to their hearts. To donate to the event, please contact Harry Hinchcliffe, Secretary CAO email: cravenschoolofmusic@hotmail.co.uk |
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Hanzhi Wang Online Concert at Mainly Mozart Festival, Florida - USAby Rob Howard |
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| Video: F-Major Andante by Mozart - Transcription by Hanzhi, December 5, 2018, graduate recital in the Study Concert Hall of the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Accordionist Hanzhi Wang will perform an online concert hosted by the Miami Chamber Music Society and University of Miami Libraries on June 13th at 4pm. Her program will include works by Scarlatti, Mozart, Piazzolla, Bach/Gounod and Schnittke. The event is part of the Mainly Mozart Festival, episode 5 in a concert series compered by Zsolt Bognar. The Miami Chamber Music Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing first class chamber music and innovating programing to the audiences of South Florida. For details email: miamichambermusicsociety@gmail.com |
Chaika Band Perform Online Concert in Sydney - Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
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| Video: May 27th online concert. The popular Chaika Band” (which includes accordionist Emily-Rose Šárkova) will perform an online concert from the Humph Hall in Sydney Australia on June 13th, 2020. This live concert will include four fancy camera angles! For details email: info@chaikaband.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Final World Accordion Day Broadcast 6th June - Internationalby Christine Johnstone |
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 The final World Accordion Day broadcast is now online at: WAD2020Earlier broadcasts, 6th May, 9th May, 23 May are also online at: WAD2020 The 4th episode included messages & performances from past Coupe Mondiale World Champions Tutto a Dio - Augustinas Rakauskas & Greta Staponkute - Rakau, Liu Zhao, João Campos Palma, Carmine Sangineto, Mariya Kushnikova & Ma Qi. As well as interveiws and presentations with: Marko Štumperger- President of the Association of Slovenian Accordionists with guests Zoran Lupinc & Igor Zobin. Jacques Mornet & Ludovic Beier from CNIMA Blai Navarro García - International Public Relations Manager of Associació Catalana d'Acordionistes ACDA Yuri Shishkin & Alexander Poeluev from International Music Center 'Harmony' President Joseph Natoli & Executive Secretary Joan C. Sommers from the Accordionists & Teachers Guild International ATG Dr Helmi Harrington presenting A World of Accordions Museum & CIA Vice President Jörgen Sundeqvist representing Sveriges Dragspelares Riksförbund with guest Composer Fredrik Högberg. |
London Accordion Orchestra Virtual Release of “Daft Punk Medley” – UKby Alison Worthington |
 On May 5th, 2020 members of the London Accordion Accordion Orchestra and London Accordion Players released their virtual performance of 'Daft Punk Medley'. This piece was arranged by Sam Cullen, principal bass player of the London Accordion Orchestra.Those taking part were asked to play wearing sunglasses, and to send in a video clip dancing in their homes or gardens. A click track was supplied to those taking part to be able to play their part in time. The sound was edited by Ian Watson (picture right), Music Director of the London Accordion Orchestra, and video edited by Sam Cullen. Percussion, keys and guitar was assisted by members of The Divine Comedy. |
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2020 Coupe Mondiale, 5 - 11 October, Castro Marim - Portugalby Mirco Soprani |
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 Mirco Soprani, former Mayor of Castelfidardo, reporter and accordion journalist of many years experience writes: What for now seems an appointment still a long way away, is in fact, less than 4 months before the 73rd Coupe Mondiale in Portugal to be held from 5 to 11 October in the city of Castro Marim, a splendid center of the Algarve. There is a required review of national and international health issues, including confirmation of the date. Almost daily contacts take place with the political side and national health requirements, that see Portugal, like the majority of European nations, emerge in this period from the first phase of the pandemic crisis. However, it is logical that, since it is a world event, it will be necessary to fulfill all Government controls and understand the evolution of COVID 19 in other parts of the globe. "Within the next few weeks - CIA President Mirco Patarini tells us - we will be able to outline the guidelines in detail. There is a willingness on everyone's part to create a great World Coupe Mondiale competition and festival on this occasion - by ensuring everyone is safe." |
Passing of Rose Marie Caccamise, Owner of Roxy’s Music, New York – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Rose Marie Caccamise (Batavia, New York) passed away on June 5th, 2020, at the age of 80. Rose Marie Caccamise (picture left) owned and managed the music store, Roxy’s Music for many years. She carried on the tradition started by her father (Orazio Frank Caccamise) supplying quality instruments, musical repairs, lessons, and service at competitive prices. In 2009, Roxy’s Music Store won the prestigious Business of the Year Award from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. Offering lessons, sales, and repairs, Roxy’s quickly became a hub for accordionists from all over the New York area. Rose had many friends in the accordion world and was respected by all. She will be greatly missed. |
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Paolo Picchio – New Book: The Classical Accordion and its Repertoireby Christine Johnstone |
  A book by Paolo Picchio (picture right) entitled “The Classical Accordion and its Repertoire” translated by Romano Viazzani (and edited by Ben de Souza) has just been released. The book is published by ZZ Music.This long-awaited translation of Paolo Picchio’s book will be invaluable for composers wishing to write seriously for the accordion and for accordion teachers and students wishing to deepen their understanding of the kind of repertoire that is taught in conservatoires all over the world. Publisher ZZ Music writes “In this 342-page softback tome he analyses 40 compositions for accordion since 1960s by 40 different composers including Luciano Berio, Sofia Guabidulina, Magnus Lindberg, Arne Nordheim, Davide Anzaghi, Yuji Takahashi, Per Norgard, Vladimir Zubitsky, Franco Donatoni, Vladislav Zolotariov and many more. He studies in depth their musical language and the way they wrote for the accordion taking also into account the technical feasibility of what they wrote and the difficulties encountered by the performer. Picchio also looks at the history and the construction of the instrument, the various systems which are commonly in use today along with their possibilities and looks at how technical developments have brought us towards the modern classical instrument and the possibilities that technical development have opened up to the modern composer and which make it particularly attractive to them.” For details email: prolococ@tiscalinet.it |
Passing of John Castiglione, May 26th, 2020, Michigan - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| John Castiglione, Director and Owner of Castiglione Accordion and Distributing Co, LLC Warren Michigan passed away on May 26th, 2020. His family said he was “A generous, loving man and always will be to us, a man to whom family was always uppermost in his mind, a man who was there for everyone of us whenever, wherever and for whatever was needed. He supported his children and grandchildren in following their dreams, which often included education and music, in part inspired by him as he had a zest for learning and reading and was the head of a family owned accordion store. John was 3 years old when he started playing the accordion, following in the footsteps of his father, Vincent. John moved to California where he eventually met his wife Anne, the love of his life. They settled in the Detroit suburbs and John began his lifelong work at Castiglione Accordion Company established by his parents. John is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Fran (Castiglione) and Jim Marshick and niece Joanna (Marshick) and husband Joe Dinello. A memorial luncheon will be held at a future date. |
Vow Accordion Band Music Continues Despite Cancellations – Northern Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
 The Vow Accordion Band were disappointed that the 2020 Parading Season in Northern Ireland was cancelled because of Covid-19. However, the band has continued with online performances and hope you enjoy their music.The band, based outside Rasharkin, County Antrim, Northern Ireland was formed in 1948 with 9 accordion players. At its peak it has had as many as 45 accordionists and 15 drummers. At the present time the band now has 20 accordionists and 4 drummers. They celebrated their 70th anniversary with a parade in 2018 (see picture left). |
Dúo Kasal Online Concert - Portugalby Christine Johnstone |
 Dúo Kasal concert June 10th. Dúo Kasal, which includes Mariline Martins (violin) & Jorge Alves (accordion) gave an online concert on June 10th at the Cine Teatro Louletano in Loule, Portugal. The event was hosted by Cine-Teatro Louletano and broadcast on Facebook.This concert is one of an online series organised by the theatre, as all of their planned events were cancelled because of Covid-19. |
Future events |
Gypsy Jazz and Blues Accordion Weekend – UKby Rob Howard |
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| Ian Lowthian will hold an online Gypsy Jazz and Blues Weekend for accordionists on June 13th and 14th, 2020. This is a new event as Ian has had a number of requests for this style of music. He will explore some tuneful jazz numbers, some Stephane Grappelli tunes and perhaps have a wee look at improvising with the blues! For details email: ianlowthian@yahoo.co.uk |
New Series “The Whole Note” Premiers Online June 13th - USAby Christine Johnstone |
 On June 13th, 2020, Tris Gour will present Episode 1 of The Whole Note live on Facebook with recordings available via YouTube channel immediately following the event. Picture left: top - Gary Dahl; lower - Tris Gour Gary Dahl–The Legacy Continues (GDTLC) has been working for several months to bring a new type of entertaining and educational experience to both the acoustic and digital accordion communities. Episode 2 will air on FB live on June 27th, 2020 at 7pm EST. It will be immediately available on the Youtube channel and the FB page. There will be a new episode every two weeks. Highlights include entertainment for both the digital and acoustic accordion communities, new accordion sheet music specials, educational briefs as part of each Whole Note episode that we call “Whole Tips”. Each episode will feature a new method, technique, or topic that will help the accordion community gain a better understanding of technology and its offerings as well as guests with both the technical and industry experience that will provide the catalyst to get more people involved in “all things accordion”. |
Noton Masterclasses Confirmed, Manigod - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
 The July masterclasses organised by Jean-Louis Noton are now confirmed as going ahead. They will be held at "Les Sapins" Hotel and Restaurant in Manigod, from July 17th to 23rd. See poster left for tutors.For details email: jl.noton@wanadoo.fr |
IV International Competition - Vyacheslav Belyakov Prize in Ufa - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
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| The 4th International Competition of Performers on Russian Folk Instruments and National Harmonics for the Vyacheslav Belyakov Prize will be held from December 5th to 7th, 2020 at the Concert Hall. F. Chaliapin, Ufa State Institute of Arts named after Zagira Ismagilova in Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. The event is held in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bashkortostan and Ufa State Academy of Arts named after Zagira Ismagilova. The competition aims to identify and support performers on bayan, accordion, domra, balalaika and harmonica and is held to in order to improve the performance skills of young musicians. There are a variety of age group categories available for soloists and ensembles, who will compete for the main prize: Vyacheslav Belyakov Prize The competition jury Chairman is professor, artist of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Bashkortostan, V.F. Belyakov. Download competition rules in Russian language: 2020BelyakovRules.pdf |
New and Updated Sites |
2020 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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| Daily Report: Video pictures and results at: 2020SouthPac The New Zealand Accordion Association shortened version (because of Covid-19) of the South Pacific International Championship Solo Classes were held on May 30th, 2020. |
Remembering and Honoring Eugene Ettore - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Video 1: “Rhapsodie Espagnol” composed by Eugene Ettore, performed by Rita Barnea at the 80th Anniversary AAA Festival in Washington DC.Video 2: "Prelude & Scherzo” composed by Eugene Ettore, performed by Rita Barnea. June 2, 2020 would have been Eugene Ettore’s 99th Birthday. In honor of his birthday, I am posting the link to the website I created to educate all about a unique, versatile and talented individual who made great contributions to the accordion world and musical world in general. I encourage you to visit this page at: Eugene Ettore In honor of Eugene Ettore’s birthday, I am offering a free download of the recording of his original compositions: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/eTracks/inform/davidson/index.htm |
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