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57th Klingenthal International Accordion Competition - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
The 57th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2020 will be held from May 3rd to 9th, in Klingenthal, Germany. Accordionists of all nationalities and from all countries are invited to attend. The competition will include categories for soloists, duos, trios and groups. The competition aims to promote accordion soloists of any age, accordion music for soloists or groups, accordion soloists playing together with a symphonic orchestra, chamber music interpretation for several accordions, as well as new accordion compositions. Organisers work in close cooperation with internationally renowned artists, music educators, composers, orchestra conductors and musicologists as well as with the German Harmonica Association, the German Accordion Teachers Association, the Tourism Association Vogtland and the “Union International Concert Accordionists”. Concerts will be given by guest performers: - Arseniy Strokovskiy (Russia), - Duo Nebl (Germany) of Andreas Nebl (accordion) & Frank Nebl (clarinet) and - Artem Malkhasyan (Russia) among others. Click here for competition rules: 2020KlingenthalRules.pdf Click here for competition entry form: 2020KlingenthalEntry.pdf For further details email: info@accordion-competition.de |
National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention, Texas - USAby Christine Johnstone |
Registrations are now open for the National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention which will be held at the Hyatt Regency, North Dallas, Texas from 18th to 21st March, 2020 organised by the NAA, led by President Norman Seaton (picture left). The theme of this year's event is: “From Classic to Folk - the World of the Accordion”. The event will open on Wednesday evening March 18th with orchestra rehearsals and an opportunity to meet and mingle. The official start will be Thursday morning and conventioneers will see and experience several changes this year, from the layout of the rooms, more orchestras, and new presenters and sessions. There will be four orchestras as follows: Matthias Matzke (Germany) will conduct the Symphonic Orchestra. Traditionally this orchestra will require a certain level of experience. The repertoire will include original accordion literature as well as popular music arranged by Matthias like “Snow Down” or “Legend of Zelda”. Matthias will incorporate acoustic and digital instruments. Dick Albreski (OK) the Fun Band - The Fun Band with Dick will perform as an opening for the Friday evening concert. Everybody is invited to join. The focus is on “having fun playing with others”. Dick often describes it as a controlled Jam. The titles are kept easy enough so everybody can join. There will be also an extra session on Thursday for those who never played with others. Come and feel the experience. Popular songs like “Dark Eyes”, “Jambalaya” and others are part of the repertoire. All instruments are welcome. Shelia Lee (TX) the Dance Band - Sheila started with the Dance Band in 2019, a new initiative and is continuing this for 2020. She covers a large variety for music from all genres from “Achy breaky heart”, “Over the rainbow”, “Twist and shout” and many others. Sheila and the band will open the Dance Party on Friday evening. All instruments are welcome. Sam Falcetti (MA) will conduct a Digital Orchestra (for the first time this year) - Sam will join us with a new approach. Playing digital only, and therefore the arrangements are different. They are not like typical accordion arrangements, there are more like a brass band. The arrangements provide easy and more complex voices, so don’t feel intimidated. At least 14 players are needed. All digital instruments are welcome. The Digital Orchestra will perform during the banquet on Saturday evening. There will be concerts each evening including “The Old World – Classic and Folk music” with guests Tutto-a-Dio (accordion & viola), “Americana” with Fun Band, Richard Noel, Ginny Mac and a surprise guest from Australia, and a “Dance Party”, officially opened by Shelia Lee and the Dance Band and several artists playing music until your shoes will catch fire. As well as orchestra performances, Saturday evening concert will include solo performances from Gary Blair, Cory Pesaturo and Mathias Matzke. Registrations close on March 1st, 2020. Full information and registration at: National Accordion Association (NAA) Picture below: Top row: Orchestra and band directors Next rows: 2020 workshop session presenters from left to right - Nick Ballarini, Gary Blair, Gail Campanella, Eli Davidshon, Bob Donovan, Elena Fainshtein, Tris Gour, Gordon Kohl, Ginny Mac, Randy McPeck, Mike Middleton, Richard Noel, Alastair Norton, Colin Norton, Margaret Norton, Debra Peters, Cory Pesaturo, Sharon Seaton, Tutto a Dio, Arlyn Visentin, and Julie Wisniewski (Australia). |
Oleg Sharov and Grayson Masefield at Zhongsin International Music Competition - Singaporeby Harley Jones |
Oleg Sharov (President of Committee, Zhongsin Int. Competition, picture above) and Grayson Masefield (picture below) were performing and on the jury at the major Zhongsin International Music Competition. The first Zhongsin International Music Competition was held in Singapore in 2007. The Competition aims to be one of the most professional, all-encompassing international music competitions and has enjoyed tremendous support from the National Arts Council of Singapore and the Singapore Chinese Music Association. Competitions include preliminary and finals, the preliminary qualifiers have over 50,000 entrants, and this year, over 800 finalists came to Singapore from the USA, Sweden, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, China, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and Russia. Xia Gang (picture left) is the founder and Secretary-General of Committee of the Zhongsin International Competition, Associate Professor at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, senior member of the China Accordion Association (CAA) of Chinese Musicians Association. There are competitions for many instruments: - Piano - Chinese folk instruments: Guzheng, Ruan, Pipa, Yangqin, Erhu, Bamboo Flute - Modern keyboard instruments: Accordion, Electronic Organ, Electronic Piano - String instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass - Guitar: Classical Guitar, Finger Style Guitar - Wind instruments: Oboe, Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Recorder - Percussion: Jazz drum; World percussion - Vocal Oleg Sharov and Grayson Masefield both performed at the Gala Concert & Prizegiving as part of a program of prize winners and famous international jurors including chart topping pop composer Eric Ng and concert pianist Miroslav Kultyshev, President of the Judging Panel and Tchaikovsky Competition winner. Full report and many pictures at: 2020Zhongsin Chinese: 2020-Zhongsin |
NAO 2020 UK Festival, Liverpool - UKby Christine Johnstone |
The National Accordion Organisation of the UK (NAO) will hold its 2020 Accordion Festival at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool from April 24th to 26th. In addition to the competitions, the event will feature CIA Qualifications for the forthcoming 73rd Coupe Mondiale (CIA) to be held in The Algarve, Portugal, and the NAO National Composers’ Competition. This competition is for accordion compositions written in any style such as Classical, Blues or Jazz style suitable for any age group but must not be arrangements of already published material. Area competitions began in late 2019 and will run until March this year, with successful competitors representing their areas at the festival. Upcoming area competitions are: February 15th: South/Southwest – contact Andy Coles: andy.coles@blueyonder.co.uk February 22nd: Northern Ireland – contact Clyde Johnston: 028 2827 2258 February 29th: Thames – contact Alison Worthington: Thamesareafestival@gmail.com March 7th: NAAFC Scotland – contact Margaret Knight: Magsknight19@gmail.com March 7th: East Anglia – contact Elaine Beecham: 01 206 866 615 March 8th: North West – contact Anna Bodell: 07770 450840 Music lists, entry forms and competition rules are listed on the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) website. For further information email: NationalAccordionOrganisation@gmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
New Competition Category, 2020 China Harbin Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
A new initiative by influential Prof. Wang Hongyu (picture left), Art Director, Harbin Summer International Accordion Art Week, has been initiated for the 35th China Harbin international competitions. Named the "New Composition Group" category, competitors are required to select one or two compositions composed for accordion, their own choice. Competitors are also required to perform one of the six new compositions listed online. Compositions by Franck Angelis, Li Bochan, Gorka Hermosa, Petri Makkonen, Volodymyr Runchak, and Changjun Xu. This competition has no age limit and will be held in one round. Performances must not exceed 25 minutes. Full information and set music selections at: http://www.accordion-news.cn/china/harbin/2020/entry.htm |
Accordionist Phileas Rogue plays Harry Potterby Christine Johnstone |
Harry Potter fans will enjoy this video of accordionist Phileas Rogue playing his own arrangements of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban pieces as follows: Lumos Aunt Marge's Waltz A Window To The Past Double Trouble Original music by John Williams AJL Camera : Anthony Gaudissant |
Future events |
Tribute Concert to Marcel Azzola - Franceby Rob Howard |
A tribute to Marcel Azzola (picture left) concert will be held at the Conservatoire de Nice (Nice Conservatory) in Nice, France on January 31st at 6.30pm. Marcel Azzola one of France’s most famous accordionists, passed away peacefully last year on January 21st, 2019 at the age of 91. See news item: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=25-Jan-2019&lang=en#art15134 The concert will include performances by young conservatory students, the conservatory orchestra and special guest pianist Lina Bossatti, Azzola's long time partner and his accompanist. For details email: info@conservatoire-nice.org |
5th Open All-Russian Competition of Young Artists in Yekaterinburg - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
The 5th Open All-Russian Competition of Young Artists on Folk Instruments named after V.V. Sznamensky, will be held from February 5th to 9th, 2020 at the Ural State Conservatory named after M.P. Mussorgsky in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The competition will include a variety of categories (from junior up to senior) for folk instruments including the accordion. Diplomas will be awarded to the winners of each category and every competitor will receive a certificate of participation. For further information email: kznamenskogo@mail.ru |
Seattle Accordion Social - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Seattle Accordion Club, Seattle Accordion Social will be held at the West Seattle Senior Center in Seattle, WA on February 10th beginning at 7.30pm. The social, hosted by Birgit Ages, is open to all accordion players, friends and families. Guest accordionists Paul Garavaglia, Laura Gardener and Charlie Brown will entertain you at this event. For details phone John Giuliani: 425-255-2121 |
Geoff Berner - Grand Hotel Cosmopolis Launch Tour - Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionist Geoff Berner (picture left) will tour Canada next month with the Bird City folk group to launch his latest album Grand Hotel Cosmopolis. The video above is the title song that Geoff Berner wrote for the Grand Hotel Cosmopolis - a social justice project that houses refugees and asylum seekers in Augsburg, Germany. The album is on the COAX/COAX Europa labels and the video was shot on location at the Grandhotel, by Magdalena Hutter. Tour dates are: February 14th – Tranzac at Toronto, ON February 15th - The Black Sheep in Wakefield, QC - February 16th - Casa Del Popolo in Montreal, QC February 20th - The Ain't Hollywood in Hamilton February 21st - The Garnet in Peterborough, ON February 22nd - The ANAF in Guelph ON February 28th – The Wise Hall in Vancouver, BC The tour will continue in Europe this March. For details email: bernergeoff@gmail.com |
30th AAMS Accordion Extravaganza - USAby Rob Howard |
Registrations are now being accepted for the 30th American Accordion Musicological Society Festival held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cherry Hill, New Jersey on March 6th and 7th, 2020. The event will include an honoree banquet with MC Manny Bobenreith, and will feature guest of honor Joan Cochran Sommers. The festival will also include workshops by Joan Sommers, Joe Natoli and Al Terzo, and 2 x festival orchestras directed by guest conductors Dee Langley and festival honoree Joan Sommers. Workshop topics are: 1. Really Useful Technique to be Mastered in Pieces Instead of Exercises! and The Importance of Sight-Reading Skills! Presented by Joan C. Sommers. Bring an accordion if you would like to do so. 2. Combining Studio Quality Digital Home Recording with Video Production. Presented by Joseph Natoli. This workshop anticipates giving you the freedom to finally record yourself in the privacy of your own home, thereby avoiding the steep hourly fees of recording studios. 3. Al Terzo and Friends. Performances and composer biographical info on some of the accordions standard repertoire. Click here for AAMS Registration Form: 2020AAMS.pdf" target="_blank">2020AAMS.pdf For further details email: acmeaccordion@gmail.com |
Coba Performs in Tokyo – Japanby Christine Johnstone |
Popular accordionist “Coba” will perform at the Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo on March 7th at 5pm. Coba has won numerous international competitions during his career and he has continued to influence the world's music scene. His music has changed the image of the accordion greatly in the pop music world and Coba has made his name around the world as one of Japan's leading artists. Tickets are now on sale for this concert. For details phone: 0570-550-799 |
March 2020 Accordion Course in Brittany - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
An accordion course for diatonic and chromatic accordionists will be held in Kernilis, Brittany, France on March 14th and 15th, organised by tutors Diou Flo - Florence Pinvidic and Florence Glorion. The course will begin with evaluations of levels of attendees, followed by training camps. For details email: florence.glorion@gmail.com |
2020 AATA International Accordion Championships, Sydney – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
The Australian Accordion Teachers Association Inc. (AATA) will hold their annual International Accordion Championships at Club Marconi in Sydney, NSW on 25th and 26th July, 2020. Organised by Tatjana Marx (picture left), the event will include competitions for soloists, duos and groups in a variety of age groups. The International Pacific Piano Accordion Championship classes are open to contestants from the following countries or territories: Philippines, New Caledonia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Guam, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Canada, USA, Mexico, Panama, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, New Zealand and all South Pacific nations and territories. A Gala Concert will be held on July 26th beginning at 3pm. Entries close on May 1st, 2020. For further information email: tats64@gmail.com |
Help Wanted to Organise Accordion Conference in Europeby Christine Johnstone |
Maltese accordionist Philip Agius (picture left performing at Christmas) would like help to organise an accordion conference in Europe this year. He suggests this conference would give accordion lovers the opportunity to meet each other, discuss the accordion, accordion bands, swap experiences etc. If you have any ideas or suggestions please email Philip Agius: intia680@gmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
World Accordion Day - What are you Doing? - Internationalby Harley Jones |
What are you doing for World Accordion Day to promote the accordion in your country? World Accordion day is on May 6th, which is the day the accordion was patented in 1829. World Accordion Day was started in 2009 by the CIA and has been very successful, generating a lot of positive publicity for the accordion. A key part of this event is the World Accordion Day website. Every association, group, orchestra, performer and teacher, is asked to actively support this event by encouraging national and local accordion activities to happen in their country on this day or the weekend either side of Accordion Day if that should be more convenient. Everyone can register their World Accordion Day activity on the website and send a report of their event after, for that website. No event is too big or too small. ALL accordion events celebrating World Accordion Day are welcome. This is a CIA promotion for the accordion in which every accordion enthusiast can participate and help bring our accordion world together as well as strongly promote the accordion. |
Renzo Ruggieri New Release: Tango Italianio For 5 Different Types of Ensembles - Italyby Harley Jones |
The new creation of Renzo Ruggieri is his composition Tango Italiano (accordion solo) with 5 different types of ensemble in one ebook, Catalog rrenzo522, 149 pages for only EUR 20 is excellent value. The 5 ensemble versions are: Accordion & Orchestra Accordion & String orchestra Accordion & Strings, rhythmic section Accordion & rhythmic section added Piano Renzo Ruggieri writes: With Italian Tango, I wanted to compose a modern tango with jazz influences (in the 1st part a modal harmony is used while the central melody recalls my Italianness). This is a special version as it contains all the arrangements for ensembles: orchestra, string rchestra, strings with rhythmic section, small groups and the added piano score adaptable to all arrangements. It's part of a university thesis (2013) and it is certainly a piece used all over the world. Tango Italiano (solo) composition is available at: rrenzo503 Tango Italiano (ensemble) composition is available at: rrenzo522 There is a large list of popular compositions and arrangements by Renzo Ruggieri online: rrenzo500 - Song For S.B (Accordion and Orchestra) and (Accordion and String Orchestra) rrenzo501 - Song For S.B (Solo) rrenzo502 - Volo Degli Angeli (Solo) rrenzo503 - Tango Italiano (Solo) Tango Italiano for 5 types of ensembles rrenzo 522 (ensemble) rrenzo504 - Carnevale (Solo) rrenzo505 - Roma Tango (Solo) rrenzo506 - Cinema (for 4 parts and drums, electronic accordion) rrenzo507 - Variations on Säkkijärven Polka (Solo) rrenzo508 - Medley Disco (Solo) rrenzo509 - Acquarelli Italiani (Solo) rrenzo510 - Grande Jo (Solo) rrenzo511 - Figaro (Solo) or (Solo with string orchestra) rrenzo512 - Accordion Kids (10 pieces) simple and modern compositions rrenzo514 - La Vita Delle Cose (The Life of Things) rrenzo515 - Peccatum et Gratia for electronic (hybrid) accordion rrenzo516 - Lo Scuro e il Chiaro (accordion duo) rrenzo517 - Il bosco incantato (for free bass accordion, solo) rrenzo518 - Valentango (Solo) rrenzo519 - The Jackson Medley (Solo) rrenzo520 - Acquarelli Italiani for Accordion and Orchestra rrenzo521 - ll Tuo Sguardo (solo) rrenzo522 - Tango Italiano (ensemble) solo version rrenzo503 |
Site Update: Accordion House Moves After 60 Years - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
Site Update: Accordion House Importer/Retailer, New Zealand is moving premises after 60 years, from Takapuna to new premises 5 minutes away in Milford, on the North Shore of Auckland. Manager and international entertainer Maurice Jones welcomes the newer premises with upgraded insulation and improved temperature control for the very large stock of accordions including new model Titano and Pigini accordions. The phone number +64 9 4898316 and email: AccordionHouseNZ@gmail.com remain the same. |
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