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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
October 22, 2005
Meeting Notes
It was good to welcome new and familiar faces to our first Oktoberfest -- at our October 11 meeting. Paul Przedpelski started off the evening off with Beer Barrel Polka. Others took it from there:
- Joan Grauman -- 2 schuplattlers on the diatonic accordion: Boarischer
mit Plattler and Traunstein Plattler
- Peter DiGiovanni - Prologue from Carousel
- Rob Roy - Polka Polka (short version)
- Jim Vandelly - Hofbrauhaus/O Susana medley and Koketka
- Robert Ford - Liechtensteiner Polka
- Ken Kunec - Too Fat Polka
- Mara Cherkasky and Leone Monticone - Just Because and Broken Reed Polka
- Ron Charvet - My Prettly Little Girl (bolero)
- Karen Malan-Uribe - Tick Tock Polka
- Lee Paulson and Karen - Zum Abschied
- Stella Allison and Joan - Circus Polka and Mice Party Polka, both by
Stas Venglevski, and Kitty Whiskers Polka by Joe Morelli
While people sampled the sauerkraut and other snacks, the Potomac Ensemble set up and played Picnic Polka, and that ended Oktoberfest.
Afterwards, the WMAS Orchestra ran through the pieces for the holiday concert , with Joan conducting. We will be rehearsing on the following Tuesday evenings at the church (7:30 pm): Nov. 1, Nov. 8 (after the regular meeting), Nov. 15 and Nov. 29. The concert will be Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4 pm.
By the way!!! It's time to think about what you want to play in the concert, and please let us know. The orchestra will play the two arrangements by Mike Surratt, plus Galla-Rini's arrangements of Silent Night and Joy to the World, plus Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman. Music has been distributed; please practice your parts.
Note from Joan: I don't want anyone to feel that they don't play well enough to join the holiday band. If you want to play just the melodies with single notes, please choose the top notes of each chord. This will give you the melody part. If you can't play the bass, then just leave it out. We want everyone to play and have a good time. The only requirement is that you try to attend as many rehearsals as possible. You MUST attend at least one rehearsal so that you can mark any changes we might make, and be familiar with how I will conduct each piece. Of course, I would hope that you can attend more than one. If you have any questions, please call me at (301) 279-8716.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Washington Balalaika Society Concerts
I know many of you have attended our concerts in the past and have enjoyed
them. We play a variety of classical and Russian folk music. Our orchestra
consists of nearly 50 members now and growing every year. Our new conductor,
Svetlana Nikonova, has been fantastic in arranging new and exciting music
for us.
This year we have two concerts with the world's greatest Domra player
from Russia. We have been practicing hard again to be able to accompany
his fast and difficult music. On Nov. 5, we will be at the Walters Art
Museum in Baltimore (600 N. Charles St.) and on Nov. 6, we will be at
our usual place, NOVA in Annandale, Va.
I hope you can attend.
Regards,
Vic Aijala
Balalaika Society Concert
Sunday, Nov. 6, at 3 pm
Ernst Cultural Center
Northern VIrginia Community College
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, Va.
http://www.balalaika.org
Tickets at the door ($20 general; $18 seniors and students)
Florida Accordion Association Festival
This year's annual event on Nov 11, 12 & 13 is going to be HUGE. What a lineup we've got!!!! You surely don't want to miss this!
Frank Marocco - The Jazz Legend; Tony Lovello - Liberace of the Accordion; Betty Jo Simon (yes, that's right .. former student of JoAnn Cochran Sommers); Denis Novato - International Button-box Champion coming from Italy; Lenny Feldmann - NJ Virtuoso Champion; Maestro Nick Ballarini - Dallas, TX; Walt "K" of the "K" Trio; Super Dick Albreski - OK City, OK; The Accordion Trolls - coming from Norway; Maricarmen Vazquez; Carmen Vitanza; Jerry Tramontozzi, Vince Aleandri; Alex Chudolij, and MORE! (not necessarily in this order)!!!
Our famous Friday night "Cafe Accordeon," in the lounge - where anyone may play. 4:30 PM - ???. Free appetizers, cash bar available. Accordion dealer displays are open, and accordion greats are in attendance. Come & meet these legends! There is a short accordion orchestra rehearsal for those who sign up to participate. Jamming in the lounge after Cafe Accordeon.
Saturday - three dealer displays open: John Gaunt, Accordions & Keyboards, Clearwater, FL; Alex Chudolij, Music Magic Accordions of Clifton, NJ; Nick Ballarini, with a Ballarini & Petosa display. Registration 8:30 a.m, and the day includes lunch & dinner (with accordion entertainment ... of course!). This day is loaded with professional performances, and Frank Marocco will be holding a workshop. Festival accordion band performance conducted by Linda Soley Reed, President of the American Accordionists' Association (we're performing a Tribute to Myron Floren).
Sunday - optional breakfast, concert provided by none other than Jerry Tramontozzi, of Arlington, MA! Great time to kick back & relax, enjoy your fellow accordionists, and enjoy Jerry!
Hotel reservations: contact Holiday Inn Select, 12125 High Tech Avenue, Orlando, FL (UCF area). 407-275-9000. Mention Florida Accordion Association for discounted room rates of $75.00 per nite (plus tax). RSVP to hotel by 10/27 for this rate.
A good time will be had by all! Reservations to Florida Accordion Association for the event must also be received by Thursday, 10/27/05. Online registration at http://www.accordions.com/florida, simply click on the link to "register online". Any questions, please email or call.
Best wishes,
Karen Adam
Florida Accordion Association
2244 Musket Drive
Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 936-8722 (CST)
http://www.accordions.com/florida
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