June 2010 WMAS news

WMAS NEWS (Visit the news archive for past announcements) (To post a news item, e-mail mcherkasky@verizon.net)

WMAS NEWS UPDATE June 27, 2010

Meeting Notes It’s good to remember, during this heat wave, the breath of fresh air provided by the Ash Grove Players at our June 13 meeting. Wearing their trademark hats, the quartet offered us lots of good tunes – many old-timey and Scandinavian -- and lots of good humor. The Ash Grove Players are led by Dr. Lilli Vincenz on fiddle, and include WMAS member Lee Paulson on accordion, Wilmer Kerns on mandolin and guitar, and Pete Coleman, vocals and guitar. Their playlist looked like this: Pig Ankle Rag, Liberty, Goofus, Swallow Tail, Bringebaerslaten, I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, St. Anne’s Reel, Lonesome John, Ragtime Annie, Hyttstenpolketten, Red-haired Boy, I Don’t Know Enough About You, Crafton Blues, Stardust Medley, and Forked Deer. Following the concert, the group distributed sheet music, and audience members strapped on their accordions to play the pieces. Musicians and listeners agreed that the play-along was the most successful one we’ve had for a while. Some of the concert and play-along was captured on video, which you can watch on YouTube: Orevalsen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqmC3BIW9R0 Careless Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxzPzh-fL0 Autumn Leaves http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbpyFryqDwA House of David Blues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9m_i5_ld4 Dinah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2CUYxRrCc Per The Blacksmith Waltz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTuvUYJpG0s Next Meeting The next meeting is only two weeks away! On July 11, at 4 pm at our regular place, Sleepy Hollow UMC, we’ll be treated to the following: The Almost-Politically-Correct Squeezebox Concert presented by Ken Kunec on his second-hand accordion. A musical collection of unforgettable old standards, modern classics, international favorites, stories, and Internet trivia has been exclusively compiled to provide a pleasant afternoon of memories, smiles, and groans. Singing, dancing, and toe tapping are encouraged. Bring your accordion for jamming afterwards. Update on American Accordionists’ Association Festival July 14-18 If you want Hershey Park tickets while at the festival, you’ll need to pre-order them. Go to www.ameraccord.com and find the registration pages. The massed band will now play at the hotel JUST BEFORE leaving for Hershey Park on Thursday, July 15. Several news crews will come to film and interview us. Afterwards people can return their accordions to their rooms and head out on the bus to Hershey. You can download the (very easy) sheet music for the massed band, “Candy Kisses,” at the above AAA link. From John Kessler: Some barebones sheet music is available at www.ConcertinaMusic.com. No arrangements, sparse chords, but free and printable (allow pop-ups). Air Force Strings Free Summer Concerts What is summer in Washington without a free concert! The Air Force Band’s concert calendar can be found below and at http://www.usafband.af.mil/events/index.asp (select “Air Force Strings” in the “event type” dropdown box to view the Air Force Strings’ schedule). Friday, July 9, 8 pm Air Force Memorial* 1 Air Force Memorial Drive Arlington, Va. Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Mozart’s Second Divertimento and Gustav Holst’s “St. Paul’s” Suite. Scroll down for directions and parking information. Wednesday, July 14, 8 pm* Air Force Memorial* 1 Air Force Memorial Drive Arlington, Va. Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Telemann Viola Concerto with soloist TSgt Tyler Sieh, and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings. Scroll down for directions and parking information. Tuesday, July 20, 8 pm* The United States Capitol, West Steps Washington, D.C. Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Telemann Viola Concerto with soloist TSgt Tyler Sieh, and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings. Scroll down for directions and parking information. Friday, July 30, 8 pm* Air Force Memorial* 1 Air Force Memorial Drive Arlington, Va. Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Haydn Cello Concerto with soloist MSgt Vivian Podgainy, and Dag Wiren’s Serenade for Strings. Scroll down for directions and parking information. Tuesday, August 3, 8 pm* The United States Capitol, West Steps Washington, D.C. Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Haydn Cello Concerto with soloist MSgt Vivian Podgainy, and Dag Wiren’s Serenade for Strings. Wednesday, August 11, 8 pm Air Force Memorial* 1 Air Force Memorial Drive Arlington, Va. Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works to include “Roses from the South” by Johann Strauss, and the idyllic Dvorak “Bagatelles” for string orchestra and accordion. Scroll down for directions and parking information. Friday, August 20, 8 pm* Air Force Memorial* 1 Air Force Memorial Drive Arlington, Va. Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Telemann’s baroque “Don Quichotte” Suite and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings. Scroll down for directions and parking information. Tuesday, August 24, 8 pm* The United States Capitol, West Steps Washington, D.C. Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Telemann’s baroque “Don Quichotte” Suite and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings. *Located just off Columbia Pike at One Air Force Memorial Drive, the awe-inspiring Air Force Memorial provides a wonderful setting for the band's summer concerts, as well as refreshing summer breezes and spectacular nighttime views of the Pentagon and the District's monument core. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or short folding chair, as bleacher seating is limited. There's plenty of free on-site parking; the nearest metro stop is Pentagon City.