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Highlights |
Online XXIII Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival - Finlandby Harley Jones |
The XXXIII Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival will be held online from February 6th to 14th, 2021 in Kokkola, Finland. Artistic Director since inception is Raimo Vertainen and he and Finland Accordion Association President Kimmo Mattila introduce each performer. The Kokkola Winter Festival is generously making available to the world, all the main online concerts free of charge. Full information of each concert, the date and time is at: 2021Kokkola Video above: Sonja Vertainen (9th February) and Vilda Duo (10th February). Download and print the 2021 Kokkola poster at: 2021KokkolaPoster.pdf View previous years reports. 2018KokkolaReports 2020Kokkola The Organising Committee (picture below) wish to thank the sponsors listed below for their support enabling the Festival. Picture below, Organising Committee and list of sponsors: Back Row, left to right: Mr. Olli-Matti Airiola, Honorary Chairman of the Board Mr. Teuvo Lempiälä, Mr. Jarmo Nissi, Mr. Martti Eurola. Front Row, left to right: Chairman of the Board Mr. Pertti Kuosmanen, Mrs. Harriet Jossfolk-Furu, Artistic Leader Mr. Raimo Vertainen |
Guardia Nueva Concert and Maria Kalaniemi Concert - Finlandby Harley Jones |
The Finale of the Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival is on Saturday 13 February (19:00 to 20:00 Finland time) featuring Guardia Nueva, Musical Director Raimo Vertainen (picture left) with vocalists Virva Puumala, Matti Korkiala, Maria Autio and Jiri Tammilehto. You will view the Kokkola 400 Years Celebration Concert at: 2021Kokkola Two videos by Guardia Nueva above. Friday 12 February, 19:00 to 20:00 Maria Kalaniemi (accordion and vocals) and Eero Grundström (harmony) online at: 2021Kokkola |
CNIMA Jazz Manouche Intensive Pro Training Course with Ludovic Beier - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix announces details of the third and final (of three intensive professional training courses) for pro musicians. This course is entitled “Jazz Manouche” with jazz accordionist Ludovic Beier and will be available online if participants are unable to travel. The course is for all instruments are will be held from June 1st to 3rd, 2021. Participants will learn the secrets of Swing Manouche and gypsy music to improvise, accompany and develop a repertoire. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
Online: 38th Orkney Folk Festival - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
The 38th Orkney Folk Festival will be held online from 27th to 30th May, 2021 in Scotland. Following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to Covid-19, organisers are delighted to confirm that the vast majority of artists scheduled to be part of the 2020 festival, will instead appear in the 2021 event. Twenty-two artists including a strong Scottish contingent will perform, complimented by leading artists from Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, India, the USA, England, Shetland, and of course Orkney’s own thriving local scene. Performers include Scottish folk rockers Skerryvore (which includes brothers Daniel on accordion and Martin Gillespie on pipes, whistles and accordion), Scottish trio Talisk (which includes concertina player Mohsen Amini), Nordic folk group “SVER”, Scottish quartet Tannara (picture below - which includes accordionist Joseph Peach), and The Chair (which includes accordionist Bob Gibbon who is also the festival Director). |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Closing date Extended: 2021 AAA Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition for Aspiring Composersby Christine Johnstone |
The closing date for the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) 2021 Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition for Aspiring Composers has been extended to February 15th, 2021. Winners will be notified by email on or about March 1st, 2021. Download Information, Awards, Regulations and Entry Form at: 2021Bennett.pdf |
Closing Date for Online: 58th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
The closing date for entries to the 58th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal is 31st January 2021. The competition will take place for all categories online this year from 2nd to 8th May, 2021. Video recordings of the participants must be recorded especially for the “58th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal” and may not be published by the participant before the end of the competition on May 7th, 2021. These videos of the participants must have been recorded after the end of the registration period on 31st January, 2021. Download competition rules in German, French, Russian, Spanish and English languages at: 2021KlingenthalRules.pdf Download competition entry forms at: 2021KlingenthalEntry.pdf For further details email: info@accordion-competition.de |
Accordionist Marcelo Caldi Bellows Marathon, Rio de Janeiro - Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionist Marcelo Caldi (picture below right) took part in a Flute and Bellows Marathon along with guitarist Nelson Faria (picture below left) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 28th 2021. Funded by the Federal Law of Incentive to Culture, the Flute and Bellows Marathon conducts classes, lectures, workshops, courses and presentations providing integration between teachers, students and family. In addition to musical skills, students learn to share experiences. This free event included study tips for accordionists. How to coordinate the study time in order to assimilate all accordion aspects in an efficient way: two completely different keyboards, a bellows, harmony, melody, articulation and rhythm. Marcelo Caldi and Nelson Faria discussed the study of the instrument, their careers and Brazilian music. This was followed by question time and interaction with the guests. Pedagogical Direction and General Coordinator: Luciana Schmidt Artistic Direction: Miguel Santos Director: Flute and Bellows - Musical Studio Londrina-Paraná-Brazil |
Video: Tracey Collins Performing at Cotati Accordion Festival – USAby Harley Jones |
Video: Tracey Collins performing at the Virtual Cotati Accordion Virtual Winter Festival in December. Tracey Collins is a professional accordion entertainer in New Zealand with a huge repertoire suitable for any occasion or venue. She performs solo and with various groups. A sought after talent, Tracey has performed at many well known festivals and events thoughout NZ to extensive praise. |
Bachtopus Releases Third Commission - USAby Christine Johnstone |
Bachtopus is happy to release the third commission from their 2020 Composers Commissioning Fund, “Jenny’s Goat Waltz,” which was arranged for them by Rob Curto. This composition was inspired by a long-distance romance between Curto and his wife when they were courting. The original version of the piece was written as a trombone tune when they first met. Curto was staying on a goat farm at the time, and goats are Jenny’s favorite animal. The Bachtopus ensemble includes accordionists Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Denise Koncelik, Mayumi Miyaoka and Jeanne Velonis. Their 2020 Composer Commissioning Fund is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC). |
Future events |
Online: Ceilidh Cabin Grand Dance - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
The January Ceilidh Cabin monthly show will feature a special Robbie Burns Grand Dance on January 30th, 2021. This event, which is one of a regular series of concerts, will feature special guests & themes to enjoy. See poster for details. |
Online: Cory Pesaturo and Vibrato Jazz Concert - USAby Christine Johnstone |
Cory Pesaturo will host the online Vibrato Jazz Concert on January 31st, 2021 at 3pm PST (6pm EST). The concert features a number of special guests. Cory Pesaturo (C Pez) has performed in many countries of the world and is the only accordion graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. In 2017, he became a Guinness World Record Holder, as he flew to Austria to break the Marathon Accordion Record by playing for over 32 hours. For concert details email: cory@corypesaturo.com |
Louise Jallu Quartet Concert, Caen - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
The Louise Jallu Quartet will give a free concert at the Théâtre de Caen entitled “Jazz in the Foyers” on February 6th, 2021 at 5pm. The program is organised by Michel Dubourg for the Caen Theatre. Bandoneonist Louise Jallu performs a new project dedicated to Astor Piazzolla whose centenary of birth is celebrated in 2021. “This reinterpretation of the Argentine bandoneonist's compositions is between jazz and tango, between reverence and irreverence.” The quartet includes Louise Jallu (accordion), Karsten Hopchapfel (violin), Grégoire Letouvet (piano) and Alexandre Perrot (double bass). For details email: theatre@caen.fr |
Online: Ghenadie Rotari Concert “Quarantine Diaries” - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
Ghenadie Rotari will give an online concert entitled “Quarantine Diaries” which will include new and “old” music on February 7th at 7pm CET (Feb 8th at 7am UTC+13 and Feb 8th at 8.15am UTC+13). This is the first of these "diaries", a project started in March 2020 during the first lockdowns and consists of short pieces written for accordion solo by composers from all over the world. "Quarantine diaries" will include works by Foresi, Ralli, Kittos, Samsaminia, Reis, Quinn, Shlomowitz and others. The concert will also include "Flight Beyond Time" by Petri Makkonen, "Gavotte et Six Doubles" by Jean-Philippe Rameau, "Flora's Game" by Astor Piazzolla and "Omaggio ad Astor Piazzolla" by Vladimir Zubitsky. For details email: g.rotari@yahoo.com |
“Muset” Ensemble "Soviet Hits" Concert, Omsk - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
The “Muset” Ensemble will give a concert entitled "Soviet Hits" in 14th February 2021 in Omsk, Russia. Their program will feature famous songs from the repertoire of Eduard Hil, Tamara Miansarova, compositions by Raymond Pauls, Andrei Petrov as well as melodies from Soviet films. The program also includes live communication with the musicians and the opportunity to perform your favorite songs together with the soloist of the ensemble. For more information phone: +7 913 647 8115 |
Online: 2021 "Not Just Oompah" Concert and Workshops, Texas - USAby Rob Howard |
Not Just Oompah (NJO) will host an online concert and workshops with Elena & Gregory Fainshtein in February, 2021. Elena & Gregory are classically trained accordion musicians originally from Belarus, Russia. Dates as follows: • February 21st: free concert from 3pm to 4pm CST • February 22nd and 23rd: Light Classical & Pop Workshops from 7pm to 9.30pm CST Workshop attendees will learn: • Different types of light classical music with some pop tunes in the mix, just for fun! • Yes, a classical polka will be included as well • Music that has beautiful expression for every audience • How to express each note with emotion & to play with proper intonation • To control the bellows & to articulate each note with clarity and expression • Proper position & posture for playing the accordion • Methods to reduce physical stress Materials are designed for players at all levels and for all types of accordion (chromatic button accordion or piano accordion). Workshop registrations close on February 20th, 2021. For further details email: accsaj@gmail.com |
Hohner Conservatory "Kons-Camp 2021" - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
The first Hohner Conservatory Kons-Camp 2021 weekend will be held at the Hohner-Konservatorium Trossingen from March 5th to 7th, 2021. Participants must be 16 years of age or older and will get the opportunity to join with other students to play in an ensemble and orchestra, eat together, chat about music and get to know the music city of Trossingen. The deadline for registrations is February 15th, 2021. For details email: info@hohner-konservatorium.de |
Childrens Corner |
Viktor Stocker, Winner of 2020 Online Vivo International Music Competitionby Christine Johnstone |
Viktor Stocker (11 years old from Czech Republic) was awarded 1st Prize - Judge's Pick playing "Gernika" by Gorka Hermosa at the 2020 "Vivo International Music Competition" held in December 2020. Viktor (whose teacher is Markéta Laštovicková), was given a perfect score of 10 by the judges. |
New and Updated Sites |
2021 Coupe Mondiale Rules and Regulations Released, Munich - Germanyby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
The 74th Coupe Mondiale will be held from 13-17 October 2021 in Munich, Germany, hosted by the CIA member, the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. (DHV), Project Leader is First Vice-President: Georg Hettmann. Our Coupe Mondiale in Germany also celebrates the milestone 90th Anniversary of the DHV, a founding member of the CIA. The festival will feature competitions as follows: • 73rd Coupe Mondiale • Masters Coupe Mondiale • Junior Coupe Mondiale • International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Junior International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Chamber Music - Classical • Chamber Music - World Music 2021 rules and regulations at: Coupe Mondiale View hotel information and pictures of the concert venues at: Coupe Mondiale Download printable event poster at: 2021CM-poster.pdf The on-line entry system will open in Spring and the entry closing date is 25 August 2021. You will find a complete Report of the 2019 Coupe Mondiale at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2019/cn_coupemain.html In Chinese http://www.accordion-news.cn/coupemondiale/2019/video.htm |
Updated: Russia Newsby Harley Jones |
Russia News updated with new items, competition results, videos and future events. |
Site Update: Wallace Liggett Passes Away - New Zealandby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
Site update for Wallace Liggett who passed away 18th October, 2020 He was the author of the book The History of the Accordion in New Zealand. November 13th, 2020 news item In 1990, the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) commissioned Wallace Liggett to be the author of the book "The History of the Accordion in New Zealand) , to ensure that information about the early history of the accordion in New Zealand, the individuals and their struggle for the wider acceptance and appreciation of the accordion by musicians and public alike, was not lost through the passage of time. |
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