WMAS update May 2007

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

WMAS NEWS UPDATE May 28, 2007

Meeting Notes Who would have known that yoga and the accordion mixed so well! Yoga instructor and musician John Giunta proved it in his entertaining and practical workshop at the May 20 meeting. John has been asking for years when we were going to switch to Sundays -- he teaches Tuesday evenings – and having switched, we didn’t waste any time nabbing him for a program. John led the group through a series of exercises designed to provide techniques for improving breathing, poise and posture; manage performance anxiety; enhance memory and concentration; develop flexibility and strength; maintain emotional balance; and provide techniques for medication and visualization. Put more simply, the exercises can help the accordionist warm up before playing and during breaks, prevent repetitive stress and other injuries, improve concentration, and allay nervousness about playing before an audience. With a master’s in classical guitar, John has ample experience in memorizing music, and he shared his back-to-front method. He first memorizes the last few measures of a piece, then the next to last measures, and so on until he gets to the beginning. If you’d like to learn more, contact John at jpgiunta1211@aol.com, 703-281-5498 or see http://SpecialMind.com. After the workshop John performed on both the guitar and the accordion (his third instrument; the flute is his second), before ceding the platform to Ken Kunec and other members. Our next meeting, June 17, features a Fathers’ Day concert by members. Please sign up to play (for about 5 minutes) by replying to this email. Announcements WMAS T-shirts Joan and Dan Grauman have arranged for WMAS polo shirts to be printed in time for the Coupe Mondiale in August. We will be taking pre-orders, with payment ($15 per shirt), through June 17; if you don’t pre-order we cannot ensure that we will have your size. The shirts come in red and black and feature the WMAS logo in white on the left chest. Please contact the Graumans at joangrauman@comcast.net for more information. Springfield Days – accordionists needed Springfield Days, June 2-3, present a wonderful opportunity to promote the accordion in the area. WMAS members had a great time participating last year, and Lee Paulson has arranged for us to participate again this year. There are a couple of events, including a June 2 performance on the stage in the K-Mart parking lot, and then a fun boat race on Lake Accotink June 3. More musicians are needed!! Please contact Lee at 703-569-9641 or paulson7@cox.net if you are available. Motion Trio in New York City The Motion Trio will perform at Joe's Place in New York City Saturday, June 2, at 9:30. Karen and Luis will be driving up. Let them know (wmas2002@cox.net, 703-671-5395) if you are going and/or need additional information. Also, check out the Motion Trio web site at http://www.motion-trio.art.pl/a2Home.html. Accordion Concert in Oakton Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:00 P.M. Oakton United Methodist Church Rte. 123 & Hunter Mill Road Oakton, VA 22124 featuring Dale Wise The Potomac Ensemble Teachers’ Choice/Students Accordions for Kids/U.S.A. Community Singing sponsored by Accordion Plus P.O. Box 53 / Burr Hill, VA 22433 Accordionplus@aol.com / Accordionplus.com 540-854-5209 Free admission Mary Tokarski in Concert Blackstone Memorial Library 758 Main Street Branford, CT 06405 Introducing music from her 1st CD . . . PLUS U.S. PREMIERE: music by Bulgarian Composer Todor Gerov, including a duet with pianist Dessislava Vassileva Vaughan and MORE! Free admission. More information at mary.tokarski@comcast.net Potomac Accordion Ensemble at Glen Echo The Potomac Accordion Ensemble will perform at Glen Echo’s “Then and Wow” festival June 23 from 3 to 5 pm. The group will play at various points around the park. Afterwards, WMAS members are invited to a party on Paul Aebersold’s house boat in Southwest DC. Contact Paul at mazurkaman@yahoo.com or 202-441-7197 to RSVP. Workshop with Scottish Accordionist Lynn Tocker Common Ground on the Hill, in Westminster, Maryland, is bringing in a wonderful Scottish band this July, Lyra Celtica. It features a GREAT accordion player by the name of Lynn Tocker, who will be teaching a daily workshop there, July 2-6, and performing at Common Ground on the Hill’s festival July 7th. Check her out at: http://www.commongroundonthehill.org/html/07_12.html (her class) http://www.commongroundonthehill.org/html/07_41.html (band bio) This is Lynn's first trip to the States. Walt Michael, Executive Director Common Ground on the Hill 2 College Hill, McDaniel College Westminster, MD 21157 410-857-2771 cground@qis.net http://www.commongroundonthehill.org Second Annual Main Squeeze Accordion Festival Saturday, July 7, 2-9 pm Riverside Park South, Pier I @ 69th - 70th Street New York City Hosted by Walter Kuhr In addition to the music and dancing there will be a flea market including all the accordion-related items you could ever desire, and plenty of food and drink to quench your dancing-induced thirst. More information at http://www.mainsqueezeorchestra.com/shows.html In Memoriam The accordion world was saddened to hear of the passing of the renowned accordionist and teacher Maddalena Belfiore. The family has suggested that donations be made to the American Accordionists’ Association in Maddalena's memory