Highlights |
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Future events |
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Highlights |
8th European Festival of Accordion Orchestras, Prague - Czech Republicby Harley Jones |
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![]() The Czech Accordion Association and the Concert and Travel Agency CTA Prague are organizing an international competition of accordion orchestras as part of the 8th European Accordion Festival in Prague, May 29th to June 1st, 2014. The festival will be held in Prague city halls. All registered non-professional accordion orchestras from any country may participate. Pavel Švarc is Festival Manager and Ladislav Horák (picture left) is Festival President. Categories: I. Junior Accordion Orchestras Orchestras of 12 and more musicians (at least 70% of the members must be under the age 16 years). These bands may also include other instruments with at least 10 accordions, own choice program, maximum 12 minutes. II. Classical and Modern Music Orchestras of 12 and more musicians, no age limit, these bands may also include other instruments besides at least 10 accordions. Own choice program must include one original work, maximum 15 minutes. III. Light Music Orchestras of 12 or more members with no age limit, either consisting mainly of accordions and of other instruments (where the accordion predominates). Own choice program, maximum 15 minutes. Entries close, 31st March 2014. Download full rules (English), schedule and entry forms at: 2014European For further information email: lad.horak@seznam.cz |
Seminar 'Digital Accordion in Music Education: Theory and Practice', Yoshkar-Ola, Cheboksary – Russiaby Yulia Amerikova |
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![]() ![]() Photo above: Ilya Sandalov, Stanislav Malyshev, Yulia Amerikova, Konstantin Ryabov, Alexander Selivanov In late November, professor of Russian Academy of Music, Gnessins’ Moscow, Alexander Selivanov and Yulia Amerikova who have won international competitions, held two seminars 'Digital accordion in music education: theory and practice'. November 28 seminar was held in the Great Hall of the Republican Lyceum "Bauman", Yoshkar-Ola. November 29 event was held in the Great Hall of the Cheboksary musical College named after Pavlov. The organisers of the event – educational center of Mari - El Republic "Kamerton" and Cheboksary musical college named after Pavlov. The seminar was held with the support of Roland Russia, as well as the active participation of Honored Worker of Culture of Mari - El Republic Natalia Mitenkina. The seminar was attended manager of Roland Russia, keyboards specialist Ilya Sandalov. During the seminar was discussed the questions about teaching electronic accordion in educational institutions. Alexander and Yulia told the audience, consisting mainly of teachers of national music schools and colleges, about the history of electronic instruments in Russia and abroad, about the current situation in this area, introduced the audience to the line of digital instruments by Roland and demonstrated the main features. Workshops were held in a light casual atmosphere and involved the public in the dialogue. Some students from the public were invited on the stage, where seminar leaders assisted participants to make arrangements of familiar accordion pieces for digital accordion, right on stage. Following the seminar was a concert of the prizewinner of national and international competitions also “Roland V-Accordion festival 2013” Stanislav Malyshev. The program of Stanislav included his own arrangements of works by J.S. Bach, I. Albeniz , A. Piazzolla , V. Semionov, P. Makkonen, V. Vlasov, R. Ruggieri, E. Derbenko. Stansilav performed his programm on the top model of Roland V-Accordions FR-8x. Arrangements of Stanislav, made with a keen sense of taste and skill, left nobody indifferent and proved once again that in the hands of a talented creative person, digital accordion can be an instrument for high level musical performance. The concert included the winner of Junior Roland V-accordion competition in the category "School" Konstantin Ryabov (Yoshkar-Ola). The event aroused great interest among the local press and television and received a lively response from teachers and students. After the workshop the audience got a glimpse of today's best achievements in the world of digital accordions, wide possibilities of digital instruments and the benefits from their use in musical education process. For further information e-mail: yulia.amerikova@gmail.com or selivanov.alexander@gmail.com |
Gorka Hermosa Composition ‘Zheng Zai’ Premiere, Beijing – Chinaby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() The world premiere was held in the Recital Hall of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and was an important part of the project ‘BOB’ (Best Of Best), which is a Chinese national project for cultivating extraordinary talents. Gorka Hermosa commented, “I feel extremely happy to have a premiere of this new composition of mine as part of such an important event... and to have it performed by one of the most important young Chinese accordionists of today: Xu Xiaonan”. Hermosa compositions available online at: Gorka Hermosa Zheng Zai available online at: ghermosa03 CD available online at: Xu Xiaonan |
Free Postage, Super Value Christmas Gifts Booksby Harley Jones |
![]() Free Postage for 15th November to 15th December ONLY make the following books SUPER value for a Christmas Gift. Free Postage Special: The Ins and Outs of the Accordion by Thierry Benetoux (catalog benetouxen00). A quality book about accordion repairs, tuning etc. that is very popular indeed. In English and French. Comprendre et Reparer Votre Accordeon (catalog benetouxfr00). Free Postage Special: Sounding Out The Accordion by Thierry Benetoux (catalog bthierryen). A very quality book that cares of the sounding and tuning up your accordion. In English and French. L’Accordeon & SA Diversite Sonore (catalog bthierryfr). Free Postage Special: Rob Howard Publications, An A to Z of the Accordion and Related Instruments by Rob Howard, an unique books that suits new learner of the accordion instrument. It also have An A to Z of the Accordion and Related Instruments Volume 2, An A to Z of the Accordion and Related Instruments Volume 3, An A to Z of the Accordion and Related Instruments Volume 4. Free Postage Special: Playing Well by Lynda Griffith (catalog lynda01), Prevention and Biomechanics of Musician Injuries These Christmas gift ideas have been compiled to hopefully attract your Xmas gift money to be spent with accordion artists, composers, arrangers and publishers. Please support accordion artistry and choose from over 2,200 eSheet pieces, 270 CD/DVD’s, 990 eTracks recordings, 833 plus printed works and numerous books (text) to choose from. 2013Christmas Ideas |
Jenny Neal Passes Away, Essex – UKby Rob Howard |
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![]() Jenny began playing the accordion aged 12, had lessons at the then London-based British College of Accordionists with Jerry Mayes, and was soon taking BCA examinations and winning prizes in NAO contests. Jenny went on to become an accordion teacher and NAO local festival organizer. When the local Cooperative Society approached Jenny to organize and teach an accordion group, this was the beginning of a lifelong passion for conducting accordion bands. Known as ‘Jenny’s Accordionists’, her various bands were very successful in NAO All Britain competitions in the 1970s and 80s, and eventually led to many visits to European cities for competitions and concerts. Jenny Neal was married, with three sons. She was the sister of Elaine Beecham, also a well-known and highly successful accordion orchestra Director. Excerpt from ‘An A to Z of the Accordion, Volume 2’, by Rob Howard, written in 2005 by Jenny Neal at: Neal.pdf |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Timbre Russian Accordion Group Tour - Switzerland & Germanyby Martin Frey, Schweizer Generalvertretung für Pigini und Excelsior Akkordeons |
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The Timbre Russian Accordion Group report a very successful tour to: - Hamburg, Germany - culture and economic exchange between St. Petersburg – and Hamburg - Ravensburg, Germany - Accordion orchestra Ravensburg 70 anniversary - Ebikon near Lucerne, German part of Switzerland - accordion orchestra Ebikon - Orbe 80km from Geneva, French part of Switzerland. Tour organiser Martin Frey wrote that the success of the tour was such, that many more clubs and associations have asked to host a concert when the groups tours next year. For further information email Martin Frey: martin.frey@yetnet.ch |
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Video: Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Stephanie Poole Soloist - New Zealandby Gary Daverne |
![]() Video courtesy of Bowden Hamilton, was released 3rd December 2013. This work is also arranged by the composer for accordion soloist and accordion orchestra at: Gary Daverne. |
Petar Maric News – Portugal, Croatia, USAby Harley Jones |
![]() This has led to more invitations, and he will return again to the academy of Peniche, Portugal, in March 2014 to continue to work with students from all over the country. Petar is now preparing for his USA concert tour in February 2014 to 14 cities with 17 concerts in different parts of the country. For further information email: maestromaric@gmail.com |
Video: Dominique Paats & Hart en Ziel - Netherlandsby Harley Jones |
Video from the new group of Dominque Paats named 'Met Hart en Ziel' (with heart and soul!) performing 'It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing!' starring Romino Grunholz — with Noah Schäfer, Paulus Schäfer and Romino Grunholz at Theater aan het Vrijthof. Published 25th November 2013. |
East Antrim Accordion School, Northern Ireland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The school reports, that over 300 students have now successfully completed British College of Accordionists (BCA) examinations and are promoting the a long record of successes in both NAO competitions and the EAAS by students of the school. For further information email: clyde.johnston@hotmail.co.uk |
Video: Laurène Dif Performs "Boîte à Rythmes" by Franck Angelis - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
Published on May 31, 2013, is Laurène Dif of CNIMA J.Mornet music school performing "Boîte à Rythmes" by Franck Angelis. CNIMA J.Mornet school Director Nathalie Boucheix writes: "Laurène Dif proves, if proof were needed, that the accordion has taken its place in the world of classical music." |
New book: Stewart C Walker – ‘The Kitchen Two-Step’, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Tunes - Marches: Aldourie Castle/At The Bandstand/Burns Night In Bangladesh; Jigs: The Nairn Spire/Andrew McAnespie/Saint Colm's Fair/The Train To Vercelli; Strathspeys: The Harvest Strathspey/Stepping Stones/The Old Grey Heron/The Waterwheel; Reels: Teazles In The Wind/Roosting Rooks/Judy Macpherson's Reel/Theresa and Iain Hamilton; Waltzes: Silhouette Waltz/Janet and Stewart Walker's Wedding Waltz; Marches: The Scarecrows' Barn Dance; The Dhaka Caledonian Society; Jigs: Eileen Addly The Artist/Gathering the Winter Barley/The Springtime Jig/The Goldfinch; Reels: Travelling Sands/Over the Viaduct/Jimmy Craigie's Reel/Just Around The Corner; Waltzes: Norman and Gavin Breathet/Mairi and David's Wedding Waltz; Two-Step: The Kitchen Two-Step. Based in the Scottish Highlands, Stewart Walker is an accordionist, dance band leader and composer. He has won accordion competitions at both Scottish and NAO UK championship level. His band specialises in playing for weddings, ceilidhs and country dances. This well-presented A4-size sheet music book comes with right hand melody and chords. "Having spent years writing melodies on bits of manuscript that were stored away in folders and rarely played, I decided it was time to publish them and so my first book, ‘The Kitchen Two-Step’, has finally made it to print." Stewart C Walker For further information email: scwdb01@tesco.net |
Video: ARC Nominated for TV2 Danish Music Awards-DMA - Denmarkby Harley Jones |
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![]() The three musicians, all based in Copenhagen, met in the autumn of 2011 to form ARC. The trio's repertoire, consisting entirely of original music. |
Garfield Cartoons Accordion - USAby Harley Jones |
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Published on November 24th, 2013. |
Video: Improvisation by Paul Stanga - Romaniaby Harley Jones |
This video of nearly 15 minutes is an improvisation by accordionist Paul Stanga. Born in Bucharest, Paul Stanga frequently collaborates with the most famous artists in Romania to print audio and video, and is the composer of many songs. A very complex artist, gifted with a very human character easily tackles many genres, from classical, jazz to party music. |
Video: Recent Performance of the 'Great Morgani' - USAby Harley Jones |
The popular 'Great Morgani' (Frank Lima), accordionist and costume extrordinaire at a recent "Russian Picnic" performance. |
‘14 Years Ago’: First International Meeting of Accordionists, Slovakia, 1999by Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending December 10th 1999 included an article discussing the First International Accordionists' Meeting that took place in Slovakia, which was a very successful event. Is this accordion event in Slovakia still taking place? First International Meeting of Accordionists – Slovakia Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl The First International Accordionists' Meeting took place from November 17th to 21st in Poprad, at the foot of the Tatra mountains in Slovakia organized by Dr. Viera Grohova, director of the Poprad School. The event included a competition for young accordionists (under 18), three seminars and four evening concerts. The competition jury consisted of Nicolai Kravtsov (Russia), Paolo Picchio (Italy), Stefan Eperjesi (Slovakia), Klaudiusz Baran (Poland) and Robert Tatar (Slovakia). Winners include: Zuzana Vikarska (Poprad), Ludowika Czyzydlo (Poland) and Dmitri Belechov (Russia). Seminars were held by Nicolai Kravtsov, who introduced his personal model of accordion featuring lozenge-shaped buttons representing a beehive, and by Paolo Picchio, who discussed the problems of ornamentation in Domenico Scarlatti's Sonatas and the works of Astor Piazzolla. The opening concert featured the Kosice Accordion Orchestra (conducted by Vladimir Cuchran). The next two days included a performance by the duo Klaudiusz Baran (accordion) & Malvina Banas (cello) and a concert featuring students of the St. Petersburg Academy. The final evening was devoted entirely to the competition winners. |
Future events |
‘Quadridi Musica Russa a 20º festival Alexian & International Friends’, Lancia – Italyby Rob Howard |
![]() The performers include Milan-based Belorussian accordionist Natalya Chesnova and others you can see listed on the poster. |
Maria Adelia Botelho Students Concert, Grandola – Portugalby Rob Howard |
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The music school accordion students of Maria Adelia Botelho perform in their 25th gala concert on Sunday December 8th, 3pm, at the Cine Grandeiro, Grandola, Setubal, Portugal. |
Stockport Air Raid Shelters Charity Concerts, Macclesfield, Salford – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() Each evening involves a guided tour at 7pm, followed by wine, mince pies, war songs and carols. During the wartime Manchester Blitz, which began on December 22nd 1940, 7,000 people each night sought refuge in the Stockport Air Raid Shelters. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Gjovalin Nonaj Festive Concert, Brussels – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: Gjovalin_nonaj@hotmail.com |
Ksenija Sidorova in Cabaret, Berlin – Germanyby Rob Howard |
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Martynas Levickis Concert, London – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Born in Lithuania, now London-based, Martynas Levickis has been riding on the crest of a wave, having a highly successful CD which has resulted in ‘Martynas’ getting a great deal of media attention, and also many critically acclaimed concert performances in various countries. |
1st Festival d’accordeon, Beloeil – Belgiumby Rob Howard |
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‘Accordion Meeting’, Istanbul – Turkeyby Rob Howard |
![]() For further information email: ibeka@mynet.com |
L’Orchestre d’Accordeons Concert, Paris – Franceby Rob Howard |
![]() The program will be a mixture of jazz, folk music, classics and tango. |
Victor Prieto Trio Concert, New York – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() With accordionist Victor Prieto for this gig are Edward Perez (bass), and Colin Stranahan (drums). For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
Schlüchttal Akkordeon Orchester Gurtweil Jahreskonzert (Year End Concert) - Germanyby Harley Jones |
Video promoting the Schlüchttal Akkordeon Orchester Gurtweil Jahreskonzert, 14th December. Video compiled by Uli Ebner. |
CD Reviews |
Lips Concerto CD by Friedrich Lips, Bayanby Joan C. Sommers |
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New and Updated Sites |
New Book, ‘Accordion: A Pictorial History’ Available from MusicForAccordion.comby Rob Howard |
![]() Catalog No: robaccord06 ‘Accordion: A Pictorial History’ |
Franco Cambareri release musicby Franco Cambareri |
![]() 'Salsa Fusion', catalog:cfranco185 The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Charnwood Publications release musicby Charnwood Publishing |
![]() 'Chocolation', catalog:DW924E, 'Coming Home', catalog:DW510E, 'Emancipation ', catalog:M375E, The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. |
Karen Fremar releases musicby Karen Fremar |
![]() 'One Hundred and One Green Goblins', catalog:kfremar309 The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card |
6th Gary Dahl "Easy Listening Variety" eBook, Now Released - USAby Gary Dahl |
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![]() Cat No: DH06-eB Collection #6 Easy Listening Variety 26 Titles: You Belong To My Heart, Walk On By, Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Ebb Tide, Time To Say Goodbye, Baby Face, Rocky Top, Lara's Theme, Impossible Dream, Danny Boy, It's All In The Game, Can't Help Falling In Love, California Dreaming, Adagio, Music Of The Night, Port Orchard Blues (Cajun Blues), Eloise (A Cajun Waltz), It Had Better Be Tonight, Hello My Baby, The Godfather, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, The Baby Elephant Walk, Abide With Me, Rockin' The Blues, Lyin' Eyes, Perdido. 65 pages of music for only US$40.00 or Euro equivalent. Click the link to see music samples and see why Gary Dahl arrangements are very popular. These eBooks make excellent gifts for Christmas. The previous eBooks recently released are: Cat No: DH01-eB Collection #1 Latin Spectacular (click link to see music samples) Cat No: DH02-eB Collection #2 Favorite French Standards (click link to see music samples) Cat No: DH03-eB Collection #3 The American Songbook (click link to see music samples) Cat No: DH04-eB Collection #4 Favorite Waltzes & Polkas (click link to see music samples) Cat No: DH05-eB Collection #5 Easy Listening Jazz (click link to see music samples) There are over 200 Gary Dahl arrangements available online at: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/inform/garydahl/index.htm |
Gary Dahl Updates eBooks Music Cover - USAby Gary Dahl |
![]() 'Latin Spectacular!', catalog:DH01-eB, 'Favourite French Standards', catalog:DH02-eB, 'The American Songbook', catalog:DH03-eB, 'Favorite Waltzez Polkas', catalog:DH04-eB, 'Easy Listening Variety', catalog:DH05-eB, 'Easy Listening Variety', catalog:DH06-eB Samples for these eBooks are now available at the Music For Accordion web site. The eBooks music are in eSheet format e-mailed directly to your computer. Easy purchase with credit card. |
New Slide Show on CNIMA-Jacques Mornet Website, Auvergne - Franceby Nathalie Boucheix, Director CNIMA J.Mornet |
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A new slide show about CNIMA-Jacques Mornet music school is online now. Music track is "Boîte à Rythmes" by Franck Angélis performed by CNIMA student Laurène Dif. Tutor book available online at: Jacques Mornet |
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