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Highlights |
International Contemporary Accordion Festival, Rome - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() ![]() Artistic Director Maximilian Pitocco, Professor of Accordion at the same academy, wanted to concentrate in 4 days, a series of seminars, concerts and international competitions. The seminars were held by maestros Mika Väyrynen (concert artist and lecturer at the Sibeluis Academy of Helsinki, Finland) and Frédéric Deschamps (performer and teacher, Paris). The International Accordion competition was divided into three categories: Category A - under 15 years, Category B - under 18 years, and Category C – open age. Participants came from Slovakia, Finland, Croatia, Japan, Serbia and Italy. The jury: Fausto Di Cesare (concert accordionist and pianist), Alessandro Sbordoni (accordionist and composer), Scurti Germano, Mirco Patarini, Mika Väyrynen, Frédéric Deschamps, and Daniel Rocco (double bass player and teacher at the Conservatory of Perugia). The results were: Category A: 1st - Michael Toppo, 2nd - Francesco Bracci. Category B 1st - Samuel Telara, with second and third prizes not being awarded. Category C 1st Angelo Miele (Italy), 2nd Ivan Sverkom (Croatia), 3rd Petar Maric (Serbia). The festival ended on the afternoon of May 27th with the award ceremony. For further information email Massimiliano Pitocco: m.pitocco@dotcube.it |
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Nijkamp Spring Festival 2010, Apeldoorn - Netherlandsby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Musiekhuis Gert Nijkamp held its annual spring event on the weekend of May 29th/30th in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Many customers and accordion fans were there not only to pick up an instrument at special show prices, but also to be entertained by talented accordionists. They were not disappointed! Top of the bill this year were the Russian duo of Yulia Amerikova and Alexander Selivanov, known as ‘Una Sinistra’. They are both highly acclaimed accordionists in their own right but here showed their versatility as a duet, playing both classical and folk music on free bass accordions before changing style and instruments to play French musette. Also featured on the program were Dominque Paats, from Belgium, who showed the capabilities of the new Roland V-Accordion to its full extent; Tony Roel, who is a popular performer at these events, and finally, new staff member, Pieter Bosma, who joined the Nijkamp team recently and is a specialist in button and electronic accordion. There was indeed something for everyone at this show! The next Nijkamp event will be in the late autumn. |
South Pacific Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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South Pacific Daily Reports including results and photographs will be available online. The South Pacific Accordion Championships which includes the New Zealand Accordion Championships are being held at Epsom on the Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th June. The 2010 Championships and Festival timetable can be downloaded from the New Zealand Accordion Association website. South Pacific Daily Reports including results will be available online. |
‘Accordion in the Park’ Competition, Pescasseroli – Italyby Rob Howard |
The festival ‘Accordion in the Park’ takes place in Pescasseroli, Abruzzo, from July 25th until August 8th. This event includes contests, concerts, workshops and conferences. On August 6th the festival features the first Tommaso Coccione International Accordion and Diatonic Accordion Competition. Tommaso Coccione was a local accordionist who emigrated to America, where he became very well known playing in theatres, often with the brothers Pietro and Guido Deiro. The Jury President is Renzo Ruggieri and the Artistic Director is Danilo Di Paolonicola. The festival includes concerts featuring internationally known accordionists Frank Marocco, Gennaro Ruffolo, Vincenzo De Ritis, Adriano Ranieri, Riccardo Taddei, Giancarlo Caporilli, the Libertango Accordion Orchestra of Roberto Fuccelli, Guido Ferrarese and Dario Marchese, Danilo Di Paolonicola, Gianni Mirizzi, and Renzo Ruggieri. For further information email: redazione@accordionplanet.net |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Santa Maria Accordion Band’s ‘World Accordion Day’ Concert, Attard – Maltaby Joseph P. Grima |
![]() For further information email: josephpgrima@gmail.com |
1930s Excelsior: Information Sought…and Found!, Florida – USAby Rob Howard |
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Accordionist Joe Romiti was for many years keen to know some technical details about an Excelsior accordion that once belonged to his late father, Tony Romiti. Purchased in the 1930s, Tony Romiti frequently used this accordion to accompany the then up-and-coming Perry Como, who was also a long time family friend. Joe this week wrote to Accordions Worldwide, who referred him to the very knowledgeable Steve Navoyosky. Thanks to Steve, Joe now has alot of information about this model, described by Steve as “an accordion set up longed for by the polka playing accordion player”. This model was similar to one that was built for Pietro Deiro in 1932. Joe comments: “I have no intention of selling this instrument. It will stay in the family as an heirloom”. Accordions Worldwide thanks Steve Navoyosky for his much appreciated assistance. |
Future events |
Fleadh Cheoil Regional Contests – Ireland, UK and USAby Rob Howard |
![]() June 3rd to 6th - Monaghan Fleadh, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan 4th to 6th - Sligo Fleadh, Dromore West, Co. Sligo 4th to 6th - Laois Fleadh, Mountmellick, Co. Laois 4th to 6th - Limerick Fleadh, Hospital, Co. Limerick 4th to 6th – Armagh Fleadh, Portmór, Co. Armagh 4th to 6th - Waterford Fleadh, Ballyduff Upper, Waterford 4th to 7th - Cavan Fleadh, Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan 13th - Fermanagh Fleadh, Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh 18th to 20th - Clare Fleadh, Kilfenora, Co. Clare 25th to 27th – Kerry Fleadh, Causeway, Co. Kerry 25th to 27th – Down Fleadh, Warrenpoint, Co. Down 25th to 27th - Mid West Fleadh (USA), Village of Forest Park, Illinois, USA 26th to 27th - All Britain Fleadh, Jordanhill College of Education, Glasgow The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All Ireland Festival) takes place this year in Cavan Town, Co. Cavan, August 20th to 22nd. For further information email: eolas@comhaltas.ie |
International Accordion Championships and Festival, Sydney - Australiaby Tania Lukic-Marx |
![]() Festival highlights include: International Open Accordion Championships with competitors from Australia and New Zealand; Roland Interactive Session and Gala Concert that will feature Nerida Farmer, John Cave, John MacDonald, the Sydney Balalaika Orchestra with soloist Lina Chegodaev, the Roland Duo, Funkordion, and the Accordigles accordion ensembles. |
Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Concert, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
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The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra (MD Gary Blair) will be performing in concert on Sunday June 6th, 2pm, in Robertson Park, Renfrew, Glasgow, as part of the annual Renfrew Gala Day. Renfrew Gala Day, held on the first Sunday in June is supported by over 10,000 people who gather to watch the opening parade from Canal Street to Robertson Park. The parade is led by the Renfrew North Pipe Band and includes a horse drawn carriage carrying the ‘Renfrew citizen of the year’. Local groups enter into the spirit of the celebrations by dressing up in eye-catching costumes. The Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra became Advanced Champions at this year’s NAO UK Championships, held in Blackpool. For further information email: gazzapt@yahoo.co.uk |
Guy Klucevsek Solo Concert, Staten Island – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() SHOW Gallery, 156 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, NY 10301. Admission is free. The SHOW Gallery is literally just up the hill from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, a 5-minute walk. From Manhattan, take the 1pm ferry, getting into St. George at 1.25pm. This concert is a part of SummerFest, a series of FREE music, comedy, animation, and performance art interventions by Staten Island artists, presented by the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI). SummerFest Excellence in the Arts Awards are made possible through the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Guy writes: “If you care to come early for brunch or lunch, I can highly recommend the St. George Parish Grill, 100 Stuyvesant Place, just down the street from SHOW. Great New Orleans-style menu, and very reasonably-priced. Jan and I are frequent guests there”. For further information email: gklucevsek@si.rr.com |
ZUM in Concert, Maidenhead – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The following evening, June 12th, 7.30pm, ZUM perform at St George’s, Great George Street, Off Park Street, Bristol BS1 5RR. The London-based quintet ZUM performs an inspirational fusion of folk music traditions from around the world in their mission to redefine world music. Salsa, bluegrass, klezmer, calypso and bebop complement masterpieces by Astor Piazzolla, music from the golden era of tango, addictive traditional gypsy melodies and dazzling virtuoso fiddling. For further information email: cmg@zum.org.uk |
‘Unerhörte Music’ Contemporary Music Series, Berlin - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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Milos Milivojevic Concert Dates, England, Wales – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() June 5th, 7.30pm – with Kosmos ensemble at All Saints Church, Leek Wootton, Warwick 8th, 1pm - St Andrew’s Church, Devizes Festival 11th, 7.30pm – with the London Tango Quintet, St Peter's Church, Cockfield, Suffolk 18th, 7.30pm - solo recital at Ripley Arts Centre, Bromley, Kent 19th, 7.30pm - Kosmos at St Ethelburgas, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG 21st, 8pm – 44th Bedford Park Festival, St Michael & All Angels Church – ‘From Hanover to Buenos Aires’; Milos Milivojevic is joined by violinist David Juritz and friends for Piazzolla’s ‘Five Tango Sensations’, Handel’s ‘Organ Concerto’, and other classical showpieces. 27th, 1pm - lunchtime concert? at the Dean & Chadlington Summer Music Festival 30th, 1pm - All Saints Chuch, Oystermouth, Swansea SA3 4BZ, Wales; this event is promoted by Oystermouth Music Society. For further information email: milosmusic@hotmail.com |
Courses for ‘Modern Music’, Scalea - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
![]() The courses are designed to provide an opportunity for student instrumentalists and singers to meet, improve their skills and to socialize. All participants will be taught by qualified teachers: 1. Singing: Rosa Martirano 2. Drums/percussion: Fabrizio La Fauci 3. Bass: Vincent Germano 4. Guitar: Campaign Enzo 5. Keyboards and Computer Music: Giuseppe Cosentino 6. Accordion: Salvatore Cauteruccio 7. Music groups: Robert Musolino During the courses also the following seminars will take place: * Publishing - discography and Copyright - Robert Musolino * Computer music - Joseph Cosentino Workshops will be held at the ‘Borgo dei piani de la bruca’, Scalea (CS). Concerts will take place daily and are open to all visitors for free entrance. For each course the maximum number of participants is 10 students. For further information email: info@ascpitagora.com |
3rd Accordions International Meeting ‘Silvio B. Previale’, Salto - Uruguayby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: academiaspreviale@hotmail.com |
CD Reviews |
"Conversation of the Muses"by Alessandro Mugnoz |
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New and Updated Sites |
HS Production releases new musicby H S Productions |
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Grayson Masefield updated his siteby Grayson Masefield |
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MusicForAccordion.com releases new musicby MusicForAccordion.com |
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Yehuda Oppenheimer releases new workby Yehuda Oppenheimer |
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HS Production releases new musicby H S Productions |
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Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentNEW FEATURE! TRY IT NOW |
Contact for Cathy Dayby | Modify | Delete |
Does anyone have a contact for Jenny Pace, a former NZ Accordionist. I am trying to make contact with her as a mutual friend is about to turn 40. I think she was in the Falkland Islands last time I heard of her. Hoping to hear from you soon. Cathy Day. Email: catherineday2@hotmail.com |
Paul McCartney's Accordionistby | Modify | Delete |
Does anyone know who was the accordionist who accompanied Paul McCartney at the White House during his performance of Michelle? |
instruction bookby | Modify | Delete |
have an old small accordion, Camillo Jr. but do not seem able to find any instruction books for same. Where may I be able to get a book from which I can hopefully teach myself how to play this instrument?? |
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