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Highlights |
2021 World Accordion Day, World of Accordions Museum - USA
Free: 'Vintage Accordions' and 'Accordion: A Pictorial History' offered as free PDFs – UK
Radu Ratoi Wins Royal Danish Academy of Music Competition - Denmark
Review: 14th Afternoon of Music with Kevin Friedrich & Friends - New Zealand
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Online: 1st National Accordion Competition – Turkey
Sofia Ros Wins Gold at London Young Musician of the Year Competition
2021 Black Pencil Prize – Netherlands
New Composition & Video by Nick Ariondo Showcases “Bellows” of the Accordion
Online Course: Forro-Akkordeon in German
Cicinho Silva Interviewed by “Ritmo Melodia” - Brazil
“Good Habits” Receives Rave Review – New Zealand
Online: Accordion Babes Invited to Weltmeister Wednesday Concerts
Future events |
Online: John Kirkpatrick “The Folk Music of Shropshire” Concert - UK
Live Event: Central Texas Accordion Association Meeting, Texas - USA
Online: World Accordion Day - Sharon Schrul Performs in Whistler Public Library Event - Canada
Accordionist Performs at Crooners New Outdoor Venue “The Belvedere”, Minneapolis – USA
Online: Chester and Chippenham Folk Festivals – England
A Week Dedicated to the Accordion in Manigod - France
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: Heather Gladstone QSM, Christchurch - New Zealand
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
2021 Belles Bretelles Festival - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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| Club Leo Lagrange Hergnies, organisers of the 2021 Hainaut Belles Bretelles Festival are confident this year’s event will take place from May 22nd to 24th, 2021 despite the cancellation of the 2020 event due to Covid-19. The festival is three free days of music, partying and entertainment around all styles of accordion. The team is at work preparing for the festival and depending on the health situation, they have initiated the following safeguards for the 2021 event as follows: • The festival grounds will be completely enclosed by high barriers with a guarded entrance and exit. • There will be no large marquee this year – all groups will perform outdoors on a large stage • Volunteers, artists, technicians and festival-goers will have to meet the health conditions administered by the authorities such as the wearing of masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing etc. • Proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative test result less than 72 hours prior to the festival will be required at the entrance • A limit of maximum 5,000 people at any one time will be imposed • The time schedule will be strictly adhered to: Saturday from 2pm to midnight, Sunday from 9am to midnight and Monday from noon to 8pm Admission to the event is free of charge. For details email: contact@bellesbretelles.com |
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2021 World Accordion Day, World of Accordions Museum - USAby Harley Jones |
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| Harrington ARTS Center (HARTS) and A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) will host a live music accordion festival in Superior, Wisconsin from May 6th to 8th, 2021. This event will be held in conjunction with A World of Accordions Museum and the 9th Annual Palmer Festival. • May 5th: Band rehearsal • May 6th: World Accordion Day concerts, music and lectures will be ongoing from 10am to 7pm with refreshments available. • May 7th: 9th Annual Dr Willard Palmer Festival introduction from 10am with concerts, demonstrations, workshops, and concerts. • May 8th: Special Event open to the public – The Norsk Hostfest Polka Service Band will give an hour of folk music. AWAM’s large concert hall allows for 6 foot seating distances, and masks will be required. Tickets can be ordered or paid at the door for US$75 per day, or US$125 for the first two days. The polka service is free. Many of the performances will be online. A full program of events is at: 2021USWAM For further information, view: A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) |
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Free: 'Vintage Accordions' and 'Accordion: A Pictorial History' offered as free PDFs – UKby Harley Jones |
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  Rob Howard’s two out-of-print (sold out) books catalog robaccord05 'Vintage Accordions' and catalog robaccord06 'Accordion: A Pictorial History' are now very generously offered free as printable PDFs to anybody who asks for them. Each has 300+ colour photos of accordions through the ages plus notes and articles, telling the story of the accordion in its various forms from the early 19th Century to the present time. Included are 19th Century flutinas, early diatonic, chromatic and piano accordions, the British Chromatic Shand Morino, 1930s curved keyboards, the 1940s Uniform keyboard, bandoneons, concertinas, and many rare designs that make up the accordion family. 'Accordion: A Pictorial History' includes a unique article about Constant Busson, the Paris-based prolific accordion designer and maker whose instruments dominated the European market until the rise of Paolo Soprani. If you want either or both books you can private message Rob Howard your email address. Rob Howard has played the accordion since 1968. He has played in a folk group, in accordion bands, was the resident entertainer in an Italian restaurant, plays for French-themed evenings, has performed in several stage musicals, accompanied Irish step-dancing and clog dancing, been a member of a Bavarian Oompah Band and a Polish dancing team, played in several ceilidh bands, and with fellow accordionist John Jones MBE leads 'wartime sing-a-alongs' at Stockport Air-Raid Shelters. He is the Concert Secretary of Stockport Accordion Club, based in NW England. Since 1983 he has frequently contributed articles and reviews to accordion magazines, and was the News Editor of Accordions Worldwide for many years. He is the author of ten books, most of which are available via MusicForAccordion.com at Rob Howard. Many thanks to Rob Howard for this very generous gift to all accordionists worldwide. Email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Radu Ratoi Wins Royal Danish Academy of Music Competition - Denmarkby Christine Johnstone |
  Radu Ratoi (pictured above) has won the Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium (DKDM - Royal Danish Academy of Music) solo competition held this week in Frederiksberg, Denmark.His teacher, Geir Draugsvoll congratulated him and the other finalists Johanna Nylund (soprano), Cansin Kara (cello) and Kendzsi Tanaka (piano). Radu Ratoi will perform his winning piece, Ole Schmidt's Symphonic Fantasy and Allegro at a concert with the DKDM Symphony Orchestra in the Conservatory’s Concert Hall on June 18th at 7.30pm. |
Review: 14th Afternoon of Music with Kevin Friedrich & Friends - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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 The Lighthouse Function Center in Dargaville, New Zealand was filled to capacity for the 14th Annual Afternoon of Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends, a variety Show featuring accordionists and entertainers from different parts of New Zealand.Accordionist Kevin Friedrich hosted his popular fundraising concert this time called ‘An American Journey’, on 28 March 2021. Presented by The Dargaville Museum, the 14th Annual Afternoon of Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends featured a variety of American or American inspired music. Covering a diverse array of genres the show included Vaudeville to Vegas, Ragtime to Rock n' Roll, Cajun to Country, Broadway to Bluegrass, the Golden Oldies to Gospel and more! Moving to the United States in 1980 to study accordion at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) with renowned accordion teacher Joan Cochran Sommers, Kevin’s concert showcased a variety of musical styles and some of the popular pieces that pertain to his country of residence, the USA. Full report and pictures at: 2021Dargaville Picture below: Grayson Masefield (left) and Kevin Friedrich (right) performing with orchestra. |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Online: Ist All-Russian Competition "Russian Expanse", Omsk - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
 On April 20th, 2021, the city of Omsk, Russia will host the Ist All-Russian (III Regional) competition of folk song performers playing Russian folk instruments "Russian Expanse." The competition is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Omsk Region and organised by BOW "DSH No. 2 named after A.A. Tsygankov" in Omsk and PI Gil Nadezhda Yuryevna. Competition categories for bayan include solo age groups for 4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years and 10 to 11 years: • People's Instrumental Performance: 2 different works • Solo Performance: own choice • Ensembles, Orchestras of Russian Folk Instruments: program of up to 20 minutes of several different works. The competition jury will include Alexander Tsygankov (Chairman), Alferova Tatiana Valeryevna, Evgenia Komarovskaya and Mironov Nikolai Mikhailovich (concertmaster of the Bayan Group of the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia named N.P. Osipov). Entries close on April 19th, 2021. Download competition rules in Russian language here: 2021OmskRules.pdf |
Online: 1st National Accordion Competition – Turkeyby Christine Johnstone |
  The 1st National Accordion and Bellows Competition will be held online from May 1st to 18th, 2021. The competition is organised by Akorder Accordion Association, President Aziz Ali Elyagutu (picture left).Video entries are now open for this competition. There are a variety of age group and ability categories available in the following classes for soloists, duos, trios, quartets, quintets and sextets: • Classical • Jazz • World Music • Composition Applications close on April 30th, 2021 For details email: info@akorder.com |
Sofia Ros Wins Gold at London Young Musician of the Year Competitionby Christine Johnstone |
  Accordionist Sofia Ros González (Spain) has won the Gold Award Prize in the Young Master (Age 18 & Under) category of the 2021 London Young Musician online international music competition.The competition was open to all young musicians under the age of 28 and is open to all classical musical instruments and vocals. It also supports the worldwide learning and creation of classical music. |
2021 Black Pencil Prize – Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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| Applications are now open for the next edition of the Black Pencil Prize 2021, which will take place between December 1st and 5th, 2021 in Orgelpark Amsterdam during the “Prix Annelie de Man” which features concerts and the composers competition. The Black Pencil Prize will be awarded to a new composition written for the instrumentation of the Ensemble Black Pencil: recorder, panflute, viola, accordion and percussion. The use of amplification, (live) electronics, video and/or theatrical elements is allowed. Composers of all ages and nationalities are invited to participate. The duration should not exceed 10 minutes and there is no application fee. The competition jury consists of all members of the the Ensemble Black Pencil (picture above), Jorge Isaac (blockflutes & Artistic Director), Matthijs Koene (panflute), Esra Pehlivanli (viola), Marko Kassl (accordion) and Enric Monfort (percussion). The jury will choose 3 to 5 works to be performed during the festival Prix Annelie de Man, from which the winning composition will be selected. The winner of the 2020 competition was Andys Skordis (Cyprus) for his piece entitled “Uz...u” which is a lament for harpsichord, recorder, panflute, viola, accordion and percussion. Entries close on August 1st, 2021. For details email: info@blackpencil.org |
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New Composition & Video by Nick Ariondo Showcases “Bellows” of the Accordionby Christine Johnstone |
 Composer and accordionist Nick Ariondo (picture right) has just released a new composition & video entitled “Bellowtranz” (Middle East Style).The composition is based on middle-eastern influences and experiences over the years performing in nightclubs on keyboards and accordion with musicians, belly-dancers, oud, doumbek, clarinet, guitar and bouzouki virtuosos. The rhythm played on the left-hand button side of the accordion is a popular slow 'tsifteteli' style usually played for belly-dancers where the dancer moves in an improvisational sensual manner, sometimes using small finger-hand cymbals. The music gradually moves into an invigorating upbeat two-four tempo. The video showcases the 'bellows' of the accordion, which controls sound, dynamics and accents. Nick Ariondo also applies additional percussive techniques to the right & left-hands with hand-slap effects, sound clusters and fast-finger glissandos gliding across the buttons & keys, all in character with the musical style. For details email: accomusic@nickariondo.com |
Online Course: Forro-Akkordeon in Germanby Christine Johnstone |
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 A new online course entitled “Forro-Akkordeon in German” is planned by accordionists Alex Almeida (picture left) and Philip Faderl, which will be in German language.The course is for accordionists who would like to try something different and play Forro rhythms such as Xote, Baio, Arrasta-Pé, Forro, Rojoo & Xaxado. The course will be run over several weeks in 6 modules. Participants can learn at their own pace, planning for at least one module per week. For details email: alexalmeida.keys@gmail.com |
Cicinho Silva Interviewed by “Ritmo Melodia” - Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
 Video: "Oh saudade" by Neide Gara-pé.Accordionist Cicinho Silva was interviewed on April 8th, 2021 by “Ritmo Melodia” reporter, Antonio Carlos da Fonseca Barbosa. Cicinho Silva is the Music Director of the show "Oh Saudade" by Neide Gara-pé (video above). The interview included information on Silva’s accordion studies right up to 2010 when he began classes with well known Brazilian accordionist Oswaldinho do Acordeon. In 2016 he began studying classical music and techniques with Italian conductor and accordionist Emanuelli Rastelli, followed by the study of harmony and arrangement with pianist Débora Gurgel. In 2020 he graduated in Harmonia, Improvisation, Music Theory and Accordion in EAD from the Federal College of Rio Grande do Norte (FestivalFimuca). |
“Good Habits” Receives Rave Review – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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| “The 13th Floor” wrote a review of the April 5th, 2021 performance by “Good Habits” at the Devonport Folk Club in Auckland. New Zealand. The duo, which includes Pete Shaw (accordion) and Bonnie Schwarz (cello) entertained with a variety of pieces at the event. The review included comments such as: “Pete is a virtuoso accordionist who can sound like a whole band. Has a genuine Folk background but besides the Celtic and Gaelic rhythms, his playing is filled with wider European Folk and Gypsy Jazz textures” and “Their closing number is Raising the Hour Hand - A rousing number which is Folk but swinging with a Pop beat. The accordion sounds like massed violins.” The duo (from the UK) have been in New Zealand since the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020 and have utilised their time playing in pubs, clubs and festivals around the country. |
Online: Accordion Babes Invited to Weltmeister Wednesday Concertsby Christine Johnstone |
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 Amy Simpson of Weltmeister has invited Renee de la Prade and the “Accordion Babes” to submit performance videos for the “Weltmeister Wednesday” online video series. Amy was so impressed by the Accordion Babes calendar that she offered Renee an entire show to themselves. On May 6th she will feature 60 minutes of accordion music from Accordion Babes. For details email: accordionpinupcalendar@gmail.com |
Future events |
“Solo for Two” Concert, Khabarovsk - Russiaby Christine Johnstone |
 Alexander Veretennikov will host a concert entitled “Solo for Two” in Khabarovsk, Russia on April 20th, 2021. The concert features the winner of the 2020 Governor’s Competition, “Persona DV”, which is a significant project. Their goal is to support and popularize professional Far Eastern Russian musicians in the field of academic music.Guest accordionist Stanislav Gerasimov (Vladivostok) and artist of the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, Mikhail Mitsura (bayan) will perform. Host, Alexander Veretennikov will also perform at the event. This concert is part of a planned series, the first of which was held on March 19th and 20th, 2021. Performers at this concert included a symphony orchestra with Alexander Veretennikov (accordion). |
Online: John Kirkpatrick “The Folk Music of Shropshire” Concert - UKby Rob Howard |
 John Kirkpatrick will perform an online concert entitled “The Folk Music of Shropshire” on April 22nd, 2021 at 7.30pm British Summer time.John has been exploring the songs and tunes of Shropshire since he came to live there in 1973. In this programme you will hear music collected by Charlotte Burne in the 1880s, George Butterworth in the 1900s, Cecil Sharp in the 1910s, Fred Hamer in the 1960s, and Gwylym Davies in the 1970s. “There will be ballads whose origins are lost in the mists of time, and songs taken from recordings by Fred Jordan, May Bradley, Bill Smith, Ray Driscoll, and Arthur Lane. And you'll hear a smattering of glorious dance tunes spanning three centuries.” For details email: squeezer@johnkirkpatrick.co.uk |
Live Event: Central Texas Accordion Association Meeting, Texas - USAby Rob Howard |
 The Central Texas Accordion Association (CTAA) is pleased to announce their first 2021 live in-person session will take place on April 26th, 2021 at 7pm.All are welcome to bring their instruments for a fun night. The meeting will be held at the Casa Chapala Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar in Austin, Texas. Coronavirus controls will be practiced so please enter via the main doors, wearing a mask. The host(ess) will take your temperature, and then you can come down past the bar to the Fiesta Room. For details email: austinaccordion@gmail.com |
Online: World Accordion Day - Sharon Schrul Performs in Whistler Public Library Event - Canadaby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Sharon Schrul (picture left) will perform at the Whistler Public Library Online Event in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada on May 6th, 2021.The music is aimed at young children aged up to 5 years old and includes classical pieces in a non-traditional, casual setting. The Whistler Public Library (pictured above) scheduled this performance to fall on World Accordion Day, so it's the perfect day to celebrate this instrument. For details email: publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca |
Accordionist Performs at Crooners New Outdoor Venue “The Belvedere”, Minneapolis – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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  Popular venue “Crooners” are moving with the (Covid) times and are opening a new outdoor venue “The Belvedere’ this month in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This new venue will feature “elegant tented table seating with choice views of Moore Lake, expanded patio flooring, a large custom-built stage and aesthetics reminiscent of an Italian outdoor music amphitheater.”“Honky Tonk Jump” will entertain at this new venue on May 16th, 2021, and Café Accordion Orchestra will perform on May 27th, 2021. Both groups include accordionist Dan Newton. For details email: daddysqueeze@yahoo.com |
Online: Chester and Chippenham Folk Festivals – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
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| The Chester and Chippenham Folk Festivals will join together this year to present a combined online event in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England from May 28th to 31st 2021. John Kirkpatrick MBE will take part in the festival online Patron’s concert on May 29th. This will be an all-request show. Please send your requests to: concerts@chippfolk.co.uk |
A Week Dedicated to the Accordion in Manigod - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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| Jean-Louis Noton will run an Accordion Course and Masterclass at Les Sapins Hotel and Restaurant in Manigod, France along with Roman Jbanov, Frédéric Buch and Michel Madeira. The course offers a 4 day or 7 day option, which will include private lessons each day as follows: • 4 day: July 18th to 22nd, 2021 • 7 day: July 18th to 25th, 2021 The course is suitable for amateur and professional accordionists. Bookings are now open. Please phone Christophe Pessey (stating that you are coming for the course): 04 50 44 90 29). |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: About "Play the Accordion Without Pain" by John Bonica - USAby Harley Jones |
  Updated Site: John Bonica , PT CMP NZRP (New Zealand and USA), author of the book "Play the Accordion Without Pain" site updated to include new information.The book was written just prior to his unexpected passing in March 2018. |
Updated Site: Heather Gladstone QSM, Christchurch - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
 An updated site for known performer Heather Gladstone QSM, honored by the New Zealand Government for her services to music. Pictures of her investiture and also being admitted as a Bard of the Gorsedh in Cornwall, UK. |
CD Reviews |
New Article: Astor Piazzolla 100 Years at: Articlesby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
 A new article titled "100 years of Astor Piazzolla" is now online at: ArticlesThe article was written to celebrate Argentine composer, Piazzolla’s 100th anniversary of his birth, written by Edizione Curzi. |
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