2006 News Archive
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
January 17, 2006
Notes from the President
Who knew that accordionist/chiropractor Bob Duca was also such a showman! Dr. Duca's presentation at our Jan. 10 meeting on how musicians can prevent injuries was entertaining as well as informative. And it was useful: accordionists are right up there next to violinists when it comes to repetitive motion and other types of injuries.
Some of Bob's tips for preventing common injuries included:
- storing your instrument on an elevated surface (such as a table) instead of on the floor to save wear and tear on your back when picking the accordion up and putting it on;
- using a proper chair when playing seated;
- leaning against a stool when playing standing up;
- warming up properly (for example, running your hands under warm water);
- using proper technique when playing (including keeping your wrists straight, keeping your head up, and placing your feet flat on the floor); and
- using proper straps.
Thank you, Dr. Duca!
Although a couple of people had signed up to play after the program, we just had an informal jam session. I was very pleased that some of the beginning students felt comfortable playing with several of us. Our meetings present a great opportunity for people to work together to improve their accordion skills and, of course, to just have fun making music together.
Clay brought some wonderful Latin tunes that we will distribute next month. If you have some music at home and would like to share it with the group, please bring it.
Thank you to those who brought snacks to the Jan. 10 meeting. We will have a large birthday cake at the Feb. 14 meeting, but it would be great to have some Scandinavian treats as well.
February Program
Our February 14 meeting should be great fun. It will be our third birthday and we will be celebrating with a Scandavian night that will honor Lee Simonson, our dear friend who died last spring. Vic Aijala, Lee's duet partner, will play a number of Finnish and Swedish pieces and also show a video of last year's Finnish accordion competition -- which he says will knock everyone's socks off. A few other people will round out the program: Rick, Mara & Adam; Jim Vandelly; Bob Juszczyk; Lee Paulson; and Peter DiGiovanni.
Much of the music will be dances, so please bring your dancing shoes. We're also letting the Scandinavian folk dance community know that we will have live dance music.
March Program
On March 14, we will have our rescheduled program with Eric Schwarz: "Funny Sounds the Accordion Makes."
Announcements
Executive Committee
The executive committee will meet at Karen's at 4 pm on Sunday, Jan. 22.
AAMS Festival
Everyone who's attended an AAMS festival will tell you it's worth going -- sort of like a big accordion pajama party. The Potomac Ensemble is planning to perform at one of the concerts during this year's March 3-5 event, so you'll also be able to cheer on the home team (or be part of it) if you go. More information is at http://www.aamsaccordionfestival.com.
Membership Renewal
If you haven't renewed yet, please do so. And if you haven't received your membership card, please let Peter DiGiovanni know ([email protected]). A new membership directory is in preparation.
Lost Music
Brigitte notes: I think there is a page (or pages) missing to Tra Veglio Sogno (Dreaming * Lost In Illusion). I have page 53 and another, unnumbered page, which I think is page 54. Can the person who contributed this piece please get us a copy of the missing page(s)? Thanks.
Music at Mount Pleasant (DC) Library
Rick and Mara will play accordion duets, accompanied by Adam Carter Nafziger on guitar, this Saturday morning at the library.
Where: Mt. Pleasant Library, Lamont St. at 16th St. NW, in the children's room (second floor)
When: Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 am - noon
Program: mainly Irish, Scottish and Scandinavian tunes to warm your bones on a (potentially) cold winter day
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
February 23, 2006
Notes from the President
WMAS celebrated Valentine's Day with a Scandinavian music and dance party. This was also our third anniversary, so we had cake: a rectangle with a heart on top, and an accordion on top of that. In addition, we celebrated the memory of our friend Lee Simonson, who died last year.
Quite a few guests joined us: they were members of the American Scandinavian Association and a couple of Scandinavian folk dance groups. Joan Grauman warmed up the crowd; then Vic Aijala took over, playing a wonderful variety of Swedish and Finnish dance tunes as a few couples waltzed and schottisched across the floor. Vic and Lee used to play old-time Scandinavian dance music together as the duo Marjamaan Pojat.
After a snack break, several other WMAS members entertained the group: Lee Paulson, Jim Vandelly, Peter DiGiovanni, Stella Allison and Joan Grauman, and Bob Juszczyk. People also examined the costume and other items Joan and Dan brought to display, and they watched the Finnish accordion competition video Vic had brought. A jam session followed.
The evening was truly a pleasure.
Other News
Mara, Lee, Joan and Karen have been busy working on a WMAS banner to hang at meetings and other events. It will be finished in time to display at the AAMS festival in Wayne, Pa., the first weekend in March.
Speaking of the AAMS festival , several WMAS members are planning to go. It will definitely be a fun time! Learn more and register at http://www.aamsaccordionfestival.com.
We look forward to the March 14 meeting when Jim Vandelly will present a workshop on "nuances and experimentation." (Note that Jim and Eric Schwarz have switched dates, so Eric will not present his workshop until April.) Please bring your accordion; Jim will lead us through variations on the theme from Carnival of Venice. If you would like a copy of the music to work on ahead of the meeting, email Jim at [email protected] and give him your mailing address.
There's lots of good music coming up!
Saturday, Feb. 25 -
The Bolling Club Proudly Presents Lou Coppola and the STEREO STRINGS
This popular strolling ensemble will be performing Saturday, February 25, 2006 in the dining room from 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
Alternating with the Stereo Strings for your dancing pleasure, will be an
exciting dance combo, playing your favorites until 11:30 P.M.
The club will be featuring an a la carte menu with dinner specials. Don't
miss out on a great value!
Come join us for a fabulous night of dining and dancing!
Call (202) 563-8400 for reservations.
For additional information about Stereo Strings, please visit http://www.loucoppola.com.
Contact [email protected] if you would like to go to this. Lou Coppola will need to get clearance for you.
It's Mardi Gras Time!
Monday, Feb. 27, C.J. Chenier is playing at the Birchmere in Arlington. Kraig Greff and the Crawdaddies will be opening at 7:30.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, Roy Carrier & the Night Rockers are playing at Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg, Md., at 9 pm
Hexagon
Also, don't forget Hexagon starting March 2, with WMAS member Michael B. Rubin.
* * * * * * * See the WMAS calendar for more information on these events. * * * * * * *
Joan & Stella's CD
This was recorded at the November 2005 WMAS meeting. For more information, contact Joan Grauman.
ISO AccordionistsOne more item, a want ad passed on by the Florida accordion club --
We are a local vineyard looking for accordion players for events and weddings in the Northern Virginia area. If you have members interested in playing for us please contact Della at Veramar Vineyard, (540) 955-5510. See also http://www.veramar.com.
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February 23, 2006
Notes from the President
WMAS celebrated Valentine's Day with a Scandinavian music and dance party. This was also our third anniversary, so we had cake: a rectangle with a heart on top, and an accordion on top of that. In addition, we celebrated the memory of our friend Lee Simonson, who died last year.
Quite a few guests joined us: they were members of the American Scandinavian Association and a couple of Scandinavian folk dance groups. Joan Grauman warmed up the crowd; then Vic Aijala took over, playing a wonderful variety of Swedish and Finnish dance tunes as a few couples waltzed and schottisched across the floor. Vic and Lee used to play old-time Scandinavian dance music together as the duo Marjamaan Pojat.
After a snack break, several other WMAS members entertained the group: Lee Paulson, Jim Vandelly, Peter DiGiovanni, Stella Allison and Joan Grauman, and Bob Juszczyk. People also examined the costume and other items Joan and Dan brought to display, and they watched the Finnish accordion competition video Vic had brought. A jam session followed.
The evening was truly a pleasure.
Other News
Mara, Lee, Joan and Karen have been busy working on a WMAS banner to hang at meetings and other events. It will be finished in time to display at the AAMS festival in Wayne, Pa., the first weekend in March.
Speaking of the AAMS festival , several WMAS members are planning to go. It will definitely be a fun time! Learn more and register at http://www.aamsaccordionfestival.com.
We look forward to the March 14 meeting when Jim Vandelly will present a workshop on "nuances and experimentation." (Note that Jim and Eric Schwarz have switched dates, so Eric will not present his workshop until April.) Please bring your accordion; Jim will lead us through variations on the theme from Carnival of Venice. If you would like a copy of the music to work on ahead of the meeting, email Jim at [email protected] and give him your mailing address.
There's lots of good music coming up!
Saturday, Feb. 25 -
The Bolling Club Proudly Presents Lou Coppola and the STEREO STRINGS
This popular strolling ensemble will be performing Saturday, February 25, 2006 in the dining room from 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
Alternating with the Stereo Strings for your dancing pleasure, will be an
exciting dance combo, playing your favorites until 11:30 P.M.
The club will be featuring an a la carte menu with dinner specials. Don't
miss out on a great value!
Come join us for a fabulous night of dining and dancing!
Call (202) 563-8400 for reservations.
For additional information about Stereo Strings, please visit http://www.loucoppola.com.
Contact [email protected] if you would like to go to this. Lou Coppola will need to get clearance for you.
It's Mardi Gras Time!
Monday, Feb. 27, C.J. Chenier is playing at the Birchmere in Arlington. Kraig Greff and the Crawdaddies will be opening at 7:30.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, Roy Carrier & the Night Rockers are playing at Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg, Md., at 9 pm
Hexagon
Also, don't forget Hexagon starting March 2, with WMAS member Michael B. Rubin.
* * * * * * * See the WMAS calendar for more information on these events. * * * * * * *
Joan & Stella's CD
This was recorded at the November 2005 WMAS meeting. For more information, contact Joan Grauman.
ISO AccordionistsOne more item, a want ad passed on by the Florida accordion club --
We are a local vineyard looking for accordion players for events and weddings in the Northern Virginia area. If you have members interested in playing for us please contact Della at Veramar Vineyard, (540) 955-5510. See also http://www.veramar.com.
************************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
March 30, 2006
Meeting Notes
Several members have suggested we plan more programs that give everyone a chance to play together. Accordingly, Jim Vandelly offered to hold a workshop on nuances and experimentation at the March meeting. This involved his providing sheet music -- for the theme to the "Carnival of Venice" -- and leading us through the basic piece and several variations. Those capable to playing the music as written did so, while the others played just the melody or something in between. In any case, everyone could participate, and it was a fun exercise. Afterwards, Jim played us a few selections, and then Joan Grauman taught two pieces by ear: a Russian piece called "Korobushka" and, in honor of St. Patrick's Day later that week, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." Thanks, Jim and Joan.
Everyone agreed we want to have more workshops like this one, and more by-ear playing, too. Next month (April 11), Eric Schwarz is in charge of the program, which he's calling “Using the Accordion to Get the Feel of Life.”
The new banner made its debut at the meeting, to general acclaim.
Joan asked everyone to put Friday, June 2 on their calendars. At 8:00 that evening, West Coast jazz accordionist Frank Marrocco will present a concert at the Masonic Temple in Silver Spring. A potluck for members of the Washington and Maryland accordion clubs will precede the performance. More details on this event are on the WMAS calendar.
The executive committee will be meeting this weekend to discuss concerts and special events. If any of you have something to say on this topic, please reply to this email.
Also, if you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
**************************************************************************************************************************
March 30, 2006
Meeting Notes
Several members have suggested we plan more programs that give everyone a chance to play together. Accordingly, Jim Vandelly offered to hold a workshop on nuances and experimentation at the March meeting. This involved his providing sheet music -- for the theme to the "Carnival of Venice" -- and leading us through the basic piece and several variations. Those capable to playing the music as written did so, while the others played just the melody or something in between. In any case, everyone could participate, and it was a fun exercise. Afterwards, Jim played us a few selections, and then Joan Grauman taught two pieces by ear: a Russian piece called "Korobushka" and, in honor of St. Patrick's Day later that week, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." Thanks, Jim and Joan.
Everyone agreed we want to have more workshops like this one, and more by-ear playing, too. Next month (April 11), Eric Schwarz is in charge of the program, which he's calling “Using the Accordion to Get the Feel of Life.”
The new banner made its debut at the meeting, to general acclaim.
Joan asked everyone to put Friday, June 2 on their calendars. At 8:00 that evening, West Coast jazz accordionist Frank Marrocco will present a concert at the Masonic Temple in Silver Spring. A potluck for members of the Washington and Maryland accordion clubs will precede the performance. More details on this event are on the WMAS calendar.
The executive committee will be meeting this weekend to discuss concerts and special events. If any of you have something to say on this topic, please reply to this email.
Also, if you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
**************************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
April 22, 2006
Meeting Notes
It sounded like April in Paris at our last meeting (April 11) as Eric Schwarz started out his program with a French tune. Things quickly got more complicated (tout se complique). Eric explained that his first instrument is the piano and, as a pianist, he tries to “make the accordion do stuff it wasn’t meant to do,” such as playing 6th and 9th chords and suspended 4ths by playing several buttons on the bass side at once. To get a C6, for example, he plays a C bass and an A minor chord together. To get a C9, he plays a C bass with a C major and G minor chords. Chaos ensued as everyone tried out these techniques.
Eric also demonstrated how he bends notes on the treble side. He claims it doesn’t hurt the reeds. “You can only hurt them by playing really loud, especially on the piccolo reeds,” he said.
At the May 9 meeting, Peter DiGiovanni will present a workshop on chord progressions. Our annual spring concert will take place at the June 13 meeting (please remember to sign up), and Joan will present a short workshop on bellows techniques at the July 11 meeting.
Upcoming Events
Las Vegas
Clay Bobrowski reported that he is planning to go to the Las Vegas accordion festival in late June.
Springfield Days – Please Sign Up to Play
One of the purposes of WMAS is to "promote accordion music in the national capital region." It has been suggested that one way to do this is to participate in local fairs, festivals, celebrations, etc. One such occasion is Springfield Days, held June 2, 3 and 4. We have an opportunity to perform at Lake Accotink on Saturday the 3rd, between noon and 2 pm, to a fairly large ambulatory crowd. We would have a shaded pavilion near the lake, but no seating for the spectators. Hopefully they would stop to listen, but only if we have someone playing! Are you willing to put in about 30 minutes or so to help promote our club? You can play alone, with a friend, any music you like for as long (or short) as you like. The important thing is that we have some representation for our organization. If you are interested, please contact Lee Paulson.
Polka Party with Blaskapelle Alte Kameraden
Friday, April 28, 2006, 8 pm
Old Town Hall
3999 University Drive (at Main Street)
Fairfax, VA
German beer & wine, pretzels & pastry. Polka dancing after concert.
Free. More information at http://www.fairfaxband.org, [email protected], (703) 757-0220
The Washington Balalaika Society
Saturday, May 6, 2006, 7:30 pm
Ernst Cultural Center
Northern Virginia Community College
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA
Sunday, May 21, 2006, 3 pm
Kreeger Theatre
The Jewish Community Center
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD
Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors/students
Credit card orders at http://www.balalaika.org
By mail, check to WBS, 74212 Calamo, Springfield, VA 22150
Information and group sales: (730) 644-9151
Internationally known jazz accordionist Frank Marocco
Friday, June 2, 8 pm
Masonic Temple
410 University Blvd
Silver Spring, MD
Tickets $15 per person, including light refreshments
Info at (301) 279-8716 or Joan Grauman
See also http://www.frankmarocco.com.
MAC and WMAS (members only) are invited to a potluck dinner at the Masonic Temple at 6:45 pm. Email Joan about what dish you will bring. [POTLUCK IS CANCELED]
Dues
If you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
***********************************************************************************************************************
April 22, 2006
Meeting Notes
It sounded like April in Paris at our last meeting (April 11) as Eric Schwarz started out his program with a French tune. Things quickly got more complicated (tout se complique). Eric explained that his first instrument is the piano and, as a pianist, he tries to “make the accordion do stuff it wasn’t meant to do,” such as playing 6th and 9th chords and suspended 4ths by playing several buttons on the bass side at once. To get a C6, for example, he plays a C bass and an A minor chord together. To get a C9, he plays a C bass with a C major and G minor chords. Chaos ensued as everyone tried out these techniques.
Eric also demonstrated how he bends notes on the treble side. He claims it doesn’t hurt the reeds. “You can only hurt them by playing really loud, especially on the piccolo reeds,” he said.
At the May 9 meeting, Peter DiGiovanni will present a workshop on chord progressions. Our annual spring concert will take place at the June 13 meeting (please remember to sign up), and Joan will present a short workshop on bellows techniques at the July 11 meeting.
Upcoming Events
Las Vegas
Clay Bobrowski reported that he is planning to go to the Las Vegas accordion festival in late June.
Springfield Days – Please Sign Up to Play
One of the purposes of WMAS is to "promote accordion music in the national capital region." It has been suggested that one way to do this is to participate in local fairs, festivals, celebrations, etc. One such occasion is Springfield Days, held June 2, 3 and 4. We have an opportunity to perform at Lake Accotink on Saturday the 3rd, between noon and 2 pm, to a fairly large ambulatory crowd. We would have a shaded pavilion near the lake, but no seating for the spectators. Hopefully they would stop to listen, but only if we have someone playing! Are you willing to put in about 30 minutes or so to help promote our club? You can play alone, with a friend, any music you like for as long (or short) as you like. The important thing is that we have some representation for our organization. If you are interested, please contact Lee Paulson.
Polka Party with Blaskapelle Alte Kameraden
Friday, April 28, 2006, 8 pm
Old Town Hall
3999 University Drive (at Main Street)
Fairfax, VA
German beer & wine, pretzels & pastry. Polka dancing after concert.
Free. More information at http://www.fairfaxband.org, [email protected], (703) 757-0220
The Washington Balalaika Society
Saturday, May 6, 2006, 7:30 pm
Ernst Cultural Center
Northern Virginia Community College
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA
Sunday, May 21, 2006, 3 pm
Kreeger Theatre
The Jewish Community Center
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD
Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors/students
Credit card orders at http://www.balalaika.org
By mail, check to WBS, 74212 Calamo, Springfield, VA 22150
Information and group sales: (730) 644-9151
Internationally known jazz accordionist Frank Marocco
Friday, June 2, 8 pm
Masonic Temple
410 University Blvd
Silver Spring, MD
Tickets $15 per person, including light refreshments
Info at (301) 279-8716 or Joan Grauman
See also http://www.frankmarocco.com.
MAC and WMAS (members only) are invited to a potluck dinner at the Masonic Temple at 6:45 pm. Email Joan about what dish you will bring. [POTLUCK IS CANCELED]
Dues
If you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
***********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
May 27, 2006
Meeting Notes
The May 9 meeting was smaller than usual but just as fun. Peter DiGiovanni presented a workshop on chord progressions, beginning with a review of intervals and the "circle of fifths" and explaining how a feel for these can be helpful in understanding chord progressions. Peter encouraged us to study the music we currently are playing to learn to recognize where the bass notes and chords fall on the circle, and how the chord progressions are structured.
Fully understanding the circle of fifths also will help boost our self-confidence in playing the bass notes and chords, particularly when sight reading or playing by ear, since the layout of the accordion’s bass buttons is based on the circle of fifths, Peter said.
He distributed a handout with examples of chord progressions for some well-known songs, including “Carnival of Venice,” “Down by the Riverside,” “Jamaica Farewell,” the Oscar Meyer jingle, “Heart & Soul,” “Five-foot-two” and “Mr. Sandman.” These examples illustrated varying degrees of movement around the circle of fifths, the use of both major and minor chords in the progressions, and simple chord substitutions.
“Peter gave us a chance to assimilate the information and try it ourselves,” according to Karen. “It was a fun and practical workshop.”
Thanks, Peter!
Spring Concert June 13
The June 13 Spring Concert is almost upon us, and we still need people to sign up to play for five minutes.
Here’s the line-up so far:
Dan. Darrikhuma - "The Lord's Prayer" and "Hot Points"
Vic Aijala - TBD
Paul Przedpelski – Irish Medley
Peter DiGiovanni – TBD
Phil Fox – TBD
Mara, Rick and Adam – a Scandinavian waltz and schottische
Potomac Ensemble – four pieces
Stella and Joan – TBD
Vladimir Titarenko, Peter DiGiovanni and Jim Vandelly - TBD
Jim Vandelly - TBD
Mara, Leone and Clare – two doo-wop songs
If there’s extra time after the concert, we’ll have a jam session, so everyone gets a chance to play.
Meanwhile, we hope to see everyone next Friday (June 2) at the Frank Marocco concert. All pertinent information is on the calendar, or contact [email protected]. Please note that the potluck is canceled.
Dues
If you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
***********************************************************************************************************************
May 27, 2006
Meeting Notes
The May 9 meeting was smaller than usual but just as fun. Peter DiGiovanni presented a workshop on chord progressions, beginning with a review of intervals and the "circle of fifths" and explaining how a feel for these can be helpful in understanding chord progressions. Peter encouraged us to study the music we currently are playing to learn to recognize where the bass notes and chords fall on the circle, and how the chord progressions are structured.
Fully understanding the circle of fifths also will help boost our self-confidence in playing the bass notes and chords, particularly when sight reading or playing by ear, since the layout of the accordion’s bass buttons is based on the circle of fifths, Peter said.
He distributed a handout with examples of chord progressions for some well-known songs, including “Carnival of Venice,” “Down by the Riverside,” “Jamaica Farewell,” the Oscar Meyer jingle, “Heart & Soul,” “Five-foot-two” and “Mr. Sandman.” These examples illustrated varying degrees of movement around the circle of fifths, the use of both major and minor chords in the progressions, and simple chord substitutions.
“Peter gave us a chance to assimilate the information and try it ourselves,” according to Karen. “It was a fun and practical workshop.”
Thanks, Peter!
Spring Concert June 13
The June 13 Spring Concert is almost upon us, and we still need people to sign up to play for five minutes.
Here’s the line-up so far:
Dan. Darrikhuma - "The Lord's Prayer" and "Hot Points"
Vic Aijala - TBD
Paul Przedpelski – Irish Medley
Peter DiGiovanni – TBD
Phil Fox – TBD
Mara, Rick and Adam – a Scandinavian waltz and schottische
Potomac Ensemble – four pieces
Stella and Joan – TBD
Vladimir Titarenko, Peter DiGiovanni and Jim Vandelly - TBD
Jim Vandelly - TBD
Mara, Leone and Clare – two doo-wop songs
If there’s extra time after the concert, we’ll have a jam session, so everyone gets a chance to play.
Meanwhile, we hope to see everyone next Friday (June 2) at the Frank Marocco concert. All pertinent information is on the calendar, or contact [email protected]. Please note that the potluck is canceled.
Dues
If you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
***********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
June 20, 2006
Meeting Notes
Our Spring Concert at the June 13 meeting was a big success. We had lots of good music, a wonderful master of ceremonies (Dale Wise), and a great audience. Also some new members and a newspaper reporter!
Here’s the line-up:
Vic Aijala on the bayan – Finnish and Russian folk songs
Paul Przedpelski – Irish Medley
Phil Fox – You Send Me & Cuando Calienta el Sol
Elise Malouf – Church in the Wildwood
Peter DiGiovanni – New Orleans Medley (Battle of New Orleans; City of New Orleans; Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans; Way Down Yonder in New Orleans)
Lamont Park Deluxe (Rick Nunno, Adam Carter Nafziger, Mara Cherkasky) – Juhlavalssi and Schottis från Idre
Potomac Ensemble (Joan Grauman, conductor) – Marushya; El Relicario; Exodus; Estudiantina Waltz
Michael B. Rubin - Jewish Medley (Bei Mir Bistu Shein; Yossel, Yossel; Belz; Roshinkes Mit Mandlin; Di Greene Cousine; Hava Nagila)
Stella Allison & Joan Grauman – Tea for Two (Frank Marocco arr.) & Faust Waltz (Gounod)
Vladimir Titarenko, Peter DiGiovanni & Jim Vandelly – Podgorka
Jim Vandelly – Carnival of Venice; Oh, You Birch Tree
Pandora’s Boxes (Leone Monticone, Clare Cherkasky, Mara Cherkasky) – Sleepwalk & Goodnight, Sweetheart
July Meeting
At the July 11 meeting Joan will present a short workshop on bellows control. Afterwards Lamont Park Deluxe (Rick & Mara on accordions, Adam on guitar) will present a mini-concert. There will also be time to jam, so bring your instruments.
Message from Joan
Hi Everyone,
Stella, Dan, and I want to thank, once again, all of you who helped to make the Frank Marocco concert a huge success! Wasn't he just amazing?!!!
In a few weeks, the American Accordionists' Association will be having its annual festival. This year it will be held at the Adams Mark Hotel in Buffalo, NY, July 12-16. Dan and I go every year and always have a lot of fun! As vendors with "SqueezinArt", we have met lovely people, heard terrific accordion concerts, attended great workshops, and we always enjoy the bus trips. This year, the bus will take us to Niagara Falls where visitors will be treated to a huge group of accordionists playing at the falls! Check out the website for AAA: www.ameraccord.com. Hope to see you there!
Thanks again,
Joan Grauman
Free Concert this Saturday
Lamont Park Deluxe (accordions and guitar)
Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m.
Mount Pleasant Library, Children’s Room
16th and Lamont Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20010
For more information, email [email protected]
From Michael B. Rubin:
The website below is for a Hexagon newsletter that has info on free performances.
http://www.hexagon.org/members/hexagram.pdf
The Bolling Club Proudly Presents…Lou Coppola and the
STEREO STRINGS
This popular strolling ensemble will be performing Saturday, June 24, 2006 in our dining room from 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
Alternating with the “Stereo Strings” for your dancing pleasure, will be an exciting dance combo, playing your favorites until 11:30 P.M.
The club will be featuring an a la carte menu with special two for one dinner specials. Don't miss out on a great value!
Come join us for a fabulous night of dining and dancing!
Call (202) 563-8400 for reservations.
For additional information about Stereo Strings, please visit www.loucoppola.com or call (703) 379-7400.
Picnic At Dale & DeAnn Wise’s
Saturday, August 5, 2006, 10:30 – 5:00
4314 Burr Hill Rd. (P.O. Box 53)
Burr Hill, VA 22433
Bring a salad or dessert to share, and don’t forget your accordion!
RSVP to (540) 854-5209 / email: [email protected]
Directions from the North:
95 S; 3 W; 20 S; right on 611; left on 692; first driveway on right
or
495 S; 66 W; 29 S at Gainesville; 3 E; 522 S; pass Baker’s Store;
left on 611; right on 692; first driveway on right
From the South:
95 N; 3 W; 20 S; right on 611; left on 692; first driveway on right
or
29 N; 3 E; 522 S; pass Baker’s Store; left on 611; right on 692; first driveway on right
Please call if weather is questionable.
We’ll pass out some music wen ya git here!
Dues
If you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
*************************************************************************************************************************
June 20, 2006
Meeting Notes
Our Spring Concert at the June 13 meeting was a big success. We had lots of good music, a wonderful master of ceremonies (Dale Wise), and a great audience. Also some new members and a newspaper reporter!
Here’s the line-up:
Vic Aijala on the bayan – Finnish and Russian folk songs
Paul Przedpelski – Irish Medley
Phil Fox – You Send Me & Cuando Calienta el Sol
Elise Malouf – Church in the Wildwood
Peter DiGiovanni – New Orleans Medley (Battle of New Orleans; City of New Orleans; Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans; Way Down Yonder in New Orleans)
Lamont Park Deluxe (Rick Nunno, Adam Carter Nafziger, Mara Cherkasky) – Juhlavalssi and Schottis från Idre
Potomac Ensemble (Joan Grauman, conductor) – Marushya; El Relicario; Exodus; Estudiantina Waltz
Michael B. Rubin - Jewish Medley (Bei Mir Bistu Shein; Yossel, Yossel; Belz; Roshinkes Mit Mandlin; Di Greene Cousine; Hava Nagila)
Stella Allison & Joan Grauman – Tea for Two (Frank Marocco arr.) & Faust Waltz (Gounod)
Vladimir Titarenko, Peter DiGiovanni & Jim Vandelly – Podgorka
Jim Vandelly – Carnival of Venice; Oh, You Birch Tree
Pandora’s Boxes (Leone Monticone, Clare Cherkasky, Mara Cherkasky) – Sleepwalk & Goodnight, Sweetheart
July Meeting
At the July 11 meeting Joan will present a short workshop on bellows control. Afterwards Lamont Park Deluxe (Rick & Mara on accordions, Adam on guitar) will present a mini-concert. There will also be time to jam, so bring your instruments.
Message from Joan
Hi Everyone,
Stella, Dan, and I want to thank, once again, all of you who helped to make the Frank Marocco concert a huge success! Wasn't he just amazing?!!!
In a few weeks, the American Accordionists' Association will be having its annual festival. This year it will be held at the Adams Mark Hotel in Buffalo, NY, July 12-16. Dan and I go every year and always have a lot of fun! As vendors with "SqueezinArt", we have met lovely people, heard terrific accordion concerts, attended great workshops, and we always enjoy the bus trips. This year, the bus will take us to Niagara Falls where visitors will be treated to a huge group of accordionists playing at the falls! Check out the website for AAA: www.ameraccord.com. Hope to see you there!
Thanks again,
Joan Grauman
Free Concert this Saturday
Lamont Park Deluxe (accordions and guitar)
Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m.
Mount Pleasant Library, Children’s Room
16th and Lamont Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20010
For more information, email [email protected]
From Michael B. Rubin:
The website below is for a Hexagon newsletter that has info on free performances.
http://www.hexagon.org/members/hexagram.pdf
The Bolling Club Proudly Presents…Lou Coppola and the
STEREO STRINGS
This popular strolling ensemble will be performing Saturday, June 24, 2006 in our dining room from 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
Alternating with the “Stereo Strings” for your dancing pleasure, will be an exciting dance combo, playing your favorites until 11:30 P.M.
The club will be featuring an a la carte menu with special two for one dinner specials. Don't miss out on a great value!
Come join us for a fabulous night of dining and dancing!
Call (202) 563-8400 for reservations.
For additional information about Stereo Strings, please visit www.loucoppola.com or call (703) 379-7400.
Picnic At Dale & DeAnn Wise’s
Saturday, August 5, 2006, 10:30 – 5:00
4314 Burr Hill Rd. (P.O. Box 53)
Burr Hill, VA 22433
Bring a salad or dessert to share, and don’t forget your accordion!
RSVP to (540) 854-5209 / email: [email protected]
Directions from the North:
95 S; 3 W; 20 S; right on 611; left on 692; first driveway on right
or
495 S; 66 W; 29 S at Gainesville; 3 E; 522 S; pass Baker’s Store;
left on 611; right on 692; first driveway on right
From the South:
95 N; 3 W; 20 S; right on 611; left on 692; first driveway on right
or
29 N; 3 E; 522 S; pass Baker’s Store; left on 611; right on 692; first driveway on right
Please call if weather is questionable.
We’ll pass out some music wen ya git here!
Dues
If you haven't yet paid your dues for 2006, please do so. Either bring a $15 check to the next meeting or email [email protected] for a mailing address.
*************************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
July 21, 2006
Meeting Notes from the President
The July 11 meeting covered a few bases. Joan Grauman presented a short hands-on workshop on bellows control, and then Lamont Park Deluxe – Rick Nunno and Mara Cherkasky on accordion with Adam Carter Nafziger on guitar – performed about a dozen pieces.
“What role do the bellows play in creating music with an accordion?” was the question Joan posed at the beginning of the workshop. “To me, the bellows are everything!”
Here are some of the points she stressed:
Check out your instrument to make sure the bellows aren’t leaking. The accordion needs to fit snugly against your body. Use a back strap, and keep the bass strap tight against your left wrist.
Never “break” the bellows (change directions) in the middle of a tied note, half or whole note, or legato phrase.
It is easier to control the bellows when you are seated.
Do not limit yourself to rules such as “two measures out – two measures in.” You can pull the bellows out quite a ways but not so far than you can’t easily push them back in or control dynamics.
Do not play with the bottom bellows strap snapped. This tremendously limits any efforts to add emotion or accents.
Here are a few short exercises in bellows control:
- Choose a key on the right side. Play the key four times staccato and accented while pulling out the bellows. Don't play bass. Then, play the key four times staccato and accented while pushing in the bellows. Listen closely and make sure the notes sound the same to you in each direction. Practice over and over until you're comfortable and the exercise becomes effortless. This requires short, quick bellows pulls and pushes.
- Choose a key and corresponding bass note. Play both simultaneously as softly as you can, almost a whisper. Play them four times out and four times in and try to make them sound exactly the same.
- Play left hand only using bass-chord-chord in waltz rhythm. Play two measures out and two measures in. Accent only the first of the three beats. Again, listen closely and make sure the pattern sounds the same whether pushing in or pulling out the bellows.
Other exercises:
- Practice being more spontaneous. Do you feel you always need to change bellows direction in the same places in your songs? Practice not doing this. Start a familiar song with the bellows open, instead of closed as usual. Try to accent and use dynamics while changing the old bellows patterns.
- Listen, listen, listen. Tape yourself playing and listen for the spots and patterns that need attention.
After the exercises, the group tried playing “Marushya,” which Joan said was a great piece for practicing accents, not breaking bellows during the many tied notes, and playing with feeling.
Thanks, Joan, for taking a break from packing to give us these great pointers. The bellows don’t often receive this much attention! (Joan and Dan were leaving the next morning at 4 am for the American Accordionists' Association festival in Buffalo!)
Following the workshop, Lamont Park Deluxe played a farewell concert. Adam, the guitarist who has been playing with Rick and Mara since September, will be moving to Indiana in August, so this was his last chance to play for WMAS. Sad but true. The trio played a set of mostly fiddle tunes from Scandinavia, Ireland, Scotland and the United States (listen to "Galen's Arrival"). Afterwards Adam thanked WMAS for making him feel welcome despite his not being an accordionist.
We haven’t made a point of it, but we’re always happy to have other instruments accompany us. We'll miss Adam.
Upcoming Meetings
Next month (August 8) has been billed as a giant jam session. But first Lee and Karen will lead the group in a little workshop on improvisation. They have chosen a variety of familiar songs and everyone will be encouraged to play along with them. The pair will probably play each song about a half a dozen times to give everyone a chance to catch on and/or enhance it with chords, harmony and other fancy stuff. We look forward to having a fun evening. We also look forward to hearing about the AAA festival in Buffalo and some of the other events people have been participating in.
September 12 will be “Dance Night,” so start brushing up on your dance numbers, including polkas, waltzes, tangos, and others.
Also, make sure you mark your calendar for October 10, when Manny Bobenreith is on the program. If you’re not familiar with Manny’s playing, you’re in for a treat!
Composer Peter DiGiovanni
We're proud to report that our own Peter DiGiovanni won first place in a composition competition at a balalaika convention earlier this month. According to reports, the composition was performed at the convention by three of the best balalaika players in the world. Quite an accomplishment!
Mike Rubin in Hexagon at Lubber Run Park Saturday, July 22
Hexagon Revue: You Only Run Twice: Hexagon is Washington’s only original, political, satirical, musical comedy revue. Since 1956 they have been mounting an annual show that, in addition to skewering those in high places and low, in politics, the arts and in the news, raises money for a different charity each year. “Making fun of everyone is what Hexagon does”, they say in their opening song. And as this is Washington, there is plenty to make fun of. 8 p.m. Free. For a map to Lubber Run, check the link below. Lubber Run Amphitheatre 703-228-1850http://www.arlingtonarts.org/cultural_affairs/alfresco.htm#lubber.
***********************************************************************************************************************
July 21, 2006
Meeting Notes from the President
The July 11 meeting covered a few bases. Joan Grauman presented a short hands-on workshop on bellows control, and then Lamont Park Deluxe – Rick Nunno and Mara Cherkasky on accordion with Adam Carter Nafziger on guitar – performed about a dozen pieces.
“What role do the bellows play in creating music with an accordion?” was the question Joan posed at the beginning of the workshop. “To me, the bellows are everything!”
Here are some of the points she stressed:
Check out your instrument to make sure the bellows aren’t leaking. The accordion needs to fit snugly against your body. Use a back strap, and keep the bass strap tight against your left wrist.
Never “break” the bellows (change directions) in the middle of a tied note, half or whole note, or legato phrase.
It is easier to control the bellows when you are seated.
Do not limit yourself to rules such as “two measures out – two measures in.” You can pull the bellows out quite a ways but not so far than you can’t easily push them back in or control dynamics.
Do not play with the bottom bellows strap snapped. This tremendously limits any efforts to add emotion or accents.
Here are a few short exercises in bellows control:
- Choose a key on the right side. Play the key four times staccato and accented while pulling out the bellows. Don't play bass. Then, play the key four times staccato and accented while pushing in the bellows. Listen closely and make sure the notes sound the same to you in each direction. Practice over and over until you're comfortable and the exercise becomes effortless. This requires short, quick bellows pulls and pushes.
- Choose a key and corresponding bass note. Play both simultaneously as softly as you can, almost a whisper. Play them four times out and four times in and try to make them sound exactly the same.
- Play left hand only using bass-chord-chord in waltz rhythm. Play two measures out and two measures in. Accent only the first of the three beats. Again, listen closely and make sure the pattern sounds the same whether pushing in or pulling out the bellows.
Other exercises:
- Practice being more spontaneous. Do you feel you always need to change bellows direction in the same places in your songs? Practice not doing this. Start a familiar song with the bellows open, instead of closed as usual. Try to accent and use dynamics while changing the old bellows patterns.
- Listen, listen, listen. Tape yourself playing and listen for the spots and patterns that need attention.
After the exercises, the group tried playing “Marushya,” which Joan said was a great piece for practicing accents, not breaking bellows during the many tied notes, and playing with feeling.
Thanks, Joan, for taking a break from packing to give us these great pointers. The bellows don’t often receive this much attention! (Joan and Dan were leaving the next morning at 4 am for the American Accordionists' Association festival in Buffalo!)
Following the workshop, Lamont Park Deluxe played a farewell concert. Adam, the guitarist who has been playing with Rick and Mara since September, will be moving to Indiana in August, so this was his last chance to play for WMAS. Sad but true. The trio played a set of mostly fiddle tunes from Scandinavia, Ireland, Scotland and the United States (listen to "Galen's Arrival"). Afterwards Adam thanked WMAS for making him feel welcome despite his not being an accordionist.
We haven’t made a point of it, but we’re always happy to have other instruments accompany us. We'll miss Adam.
Upcoming Meetings
Next month (August 8) has been billed as a giant jam session. But first Lee and Karen will lead the group in a little workshop on improvisation. They have chosen a variety of familiar songs and everyone will be encouraged to play along with them. The pair will probably play each song about a half a dozen times to give everyone a chance to catch on and/or enhance it with chords, harmony and other fancy stuff. We look forward to having a fun evening. We also look forward to hearing about the AAA festival in Buffalo and some of the other events people have been participating in.
September 12 will be “Dance Night,” so start brushing up on your dance numbers, including polkas, waltzes, tangos, and others.
Also, make sure you mark your calendar for October 10, when Manny Bobenreith is on the program. If you’re not familiar with Manny’s playing, you’re in for a treat!
Composer Peter DiGiovanni
We're proud to report that our own Peter DiGiovanni won first place in a composition competition at a balalaika convention earlier this month. According to reports, the composition was performed at the convention by three of the best balalaika players in the world. Quite an accomplishment!
Mike Rubin in Hexagon at Lubber Run Park Saturday, July 22
Hexagon Revue: You Only Run Twice: Hexagon is Washington’s only original, political, satirical, musical comedy revue. Since 1956 they have been mounting an annual show that, in addition to skewering those in high places and low, in politics, the arts and in the news, raises money for a different charity each year. “Making fun of everyone is what Hexagon does”, they say in their opening song. And as this is Washington, there is plenty to make fun of. 8 p.m. Free. For a map to Lubber Run, check the link below. Lubber Run Amphitheatre 703-228-1850http://www.arlingtonarts.org/cultural_affairs/alfresco.htm#lubber.
***********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
August 15, 2006
Meeting Notes
The August 8 meeting started with an interactive workshop on improvisation led by Vic Aijala and Lee Paulson. Using some hands-on examples and a helpful handout, they explained how improvisations can be created using scales and their related chords. They also described how musicians use fake books as a basis for creating their own improvisations. They demonstrated how to do this using a variety of tunes -- Tic-Toc Polka, Around the World, Skaters Waltz, Song of the Islands, Volga Boatman, and Melody of Love -- that the audience tried, too. Following the session, musicians and audience enjoyed a full-scale jam session.
Peter DiGiovanni brought a CD of his original composition, "Childhood Reflections," and explained some of the highlights of the award-winning piece. For those of you who missed the announcement, Peter won first place with this piece in the original composition contest at the Balalaika and Domra Association of America convention in Akron, Ohio, last month. Compositions, which were submitted anonymously, had to be written for two to four Russian instruments with chords and be a maximum of three minutes long. They were judged by a panel of four experts.
Peter’s winning piece was performed twice during the convention week, once as a trio and once as a duet. The musicians were Tamara Volskaya, who is regarded as the world's foremost soloist on the four-stringed domra, Anatoly Trofimov, who is a fabulous bayan player and accompanist and laureate of many national and international competitions, and the Washington Balalaika Society’s Andrei Saveliev, who is an outstanding balalaika player and teacher.
Also on the CD was a second composition written by Peter called "Love’s Long Trail." We look forward to arrangements of these pieces that will sound good on the accordion.
Congratulations, Peter!
Next Month
Next month’s meeting is dance night – waltzes, polkas, Latin rhythms, and more. So bring your accordions and come prepared to play something we can dance to!! Please sign up ahead of time, though, with [email protected].
Announcements
Galla-Rini Dies at Age 102
Joan Grauman reports that Anthony Galla-Rini passed away Sunday, July 30, at age 102. The week before he died he was still able to name all of the pieces of music a visitor played for him.
Bulgarian Connection
Michael B. Rubin is trying to get in touch with a WMAS member that a Bulgarian friend of his met and exchanged phone numbers with. If you are that WMAS member, please contact Mike at [email protected] ; the Bulgarian friend has lost your number and would like to contact you.
Wilmington Accordion Festival
Order your tickets now! The festival takes place Saturday, September 16, and features afternoon workshops, a dinner and an evening concert. See the calendar at www.washingtonaccordions.org for full details. Dinner reservations are required by August 31.
Accordionist Needed
The bassist/guitarist from Mike Surratt’s band The Continentals will be leaving the group in mid September and Mike has decided to look for an accordionist to fill the slot for all of the band's Polka/German bookings. Mike emphasizes: “I’m not looking for an accordionist to play every single Continental booking, just the ‘polka music’ related work.” Verstehts?
Requirements:
1. Able to read C-Lead Music Charts or already have a grasp of polka/waltz music.
2. Must be willing to travel within a 2-3 hour driving radius of Washington, DC. Examples; Reading, Pennsylvania to Hopewell, Virginia. These are places that the band will be traveling to as well as many local (Washington-Baltimore) performances throughout the end of the year.
3. Must be open-minded enough to wear ethnic German attire and also must own formal clothing for bookings.
For more information about the band/schedule/etc., prospective musicians can go to the band's website: www.continentalsmusic.com
Mike’s contact info:
Mike Surratt
email: [email protected]
phone: (301) 577-6488
Accordion Documentary
Dominic Karcic emailed July 27 about an accordion documentary called Accordion Tribe, directed by Stefan Schwietert in 2004. Phil Fox has ordered the film on DVD, so talk to him if you're interested in seeing it..
Here’s the description:
The appliance that thinks it’s a musical instrument seizes center stage in this rollicking tribute to that most maligned of instruments, the accordion. In 1996 five squeezebox superstars united to form Accordion Tribe, a group devoted to returning their black-sheep instrument to the worldwide recognition it once enjoyed. The tribe’s diverse members --New York avant-gardist Guy Klucevsek, who’s played with John Zorn, Laurie Anderson, and others; Slovenian punk-rocker Bratko Bibic; the classically influenced Finn Maria Kalaniemi; Otto Lechner, a blind, melancholic German self-taught musician; and crazed Swede Lars Hollmer -- wheeze and squeeze their way across Europe during a 2004 tour in search of the past and present of the instrument, visiting the Italian center of accordion production, paying homage to the eight-foot-high “World's Largest Accordion,” and creating new sounds. Accordion Tribe revels in the charms of its underdog instrument, and the talents of the musicians who've pushed it to new heights.
Written by Schwietert. Photographed by Wolfgang Lehner. (87 mins, In English and German with English subtitles, Color, 35mm, From Swiss Films)
***********************************************************************************************************************
August 15, 2006
Meeting Notes
The August 8 meeting started with an interactive workshop on improvisation led by Vic Aijala and Lee Paulson. Using some hands-on examples and a helpful handout, they explained how improvisations can be created using scales and their related chords. They also described how musicians use fake books as a basis for creating their own improvisations. They demonstrated how to do this using a variety of tunes -- Tic-Toc Polka, Around the World, Skaters Waltz, Song of the Islands, Volga Boatman, and Melody of Love -- that the audience tried, too. Following the session, musicians and audience enjoyed a full-scale jam session.
Peter DiGiovanni brought a CD of his original composition, "Childhood Reflections," and explained some of the highlights of the award-winning piece. For those of you who missed the announcement, Peter won first place with this piece in the original composition contest at the Balalaika and Domra Association of America convention in Akron, Ohio, last month. Compositions, which were submitted anonymously, had to be written for two to four Russian instruments with chords and be a maximum of three minutes long. They were judged by a panel of four experts.
Peter’s winning piece was performed twice during the convention week, once as a trio and once as a duet. The musicians were Tamara Volskaya, who is regarded as the world's foremost soloist on the four-stringed domra, Anatoly Trofimov, who is a fabulous bayan player and accompanist and laureate of many national and international competitions, and the Washington Balalaika Society’s Andrei Saveliev, who is an outstanding balalaika player and teacher.
Also on the CD was a second composition written by Peter called "Love’s Long Trail." We look forward to arrangements of these pieces that will sound good on the accordion.
Congratulations, Peter!
Next Month
Next month’s meeting is dance night – waltzes, polkas, Latin rhythms, and more. So bring your accordions and come prepared to play something we can dance to!! Please sign up ahead of time, though, with [email protected].
Announcements
Galla-Rini Dies at Age 102
Joan Grauman reports that Anthony Galla-Rini passed away Sunday, July 30, at age 102. The week before he died he was still able to name all of the pieces of music a visitor played for him.
Bulgarian Connection
Michael B. Rubin is trying to get in touch with a WMAS member that a Bulgarian friend of his met and exchanged phone numbers with. If you are that WMAS member, please contact Mike at [email protected] ; the Bulgarian friend has lost your number and would like to contact you.
Wilmington Accordion Festival
Order your tickets now! The festival takes place Saturday, September 16, and features afternoon workshops, a dinner and an evening concert. See the calendar at www.washingtonaccordions.org for full details. Dinner reservations are required by August 31.
Accordionist Needed
The bassist/guitarist from Mike Surratt’s band The Continentals will be leaving the group in mid September and Mike has decided to look for an accordionist to fill the slot for all of the band's Polka/German bookings. Mike emphasizes: “I’m not looking for an accordionist to play every single Continental booking, just the ‘polka music’ related work.” Verstehts?
Requirements:
1. Able to read C-Lead Music Charts or already have a grasp of polka/waltz music.
2. Must be willing to travel within a 2-3 hour driving radius of Washington, DC. Examples; Reading, Pennsylvania to Hopewell, Virginia. These are places that the band will be traveling to as well as many local (Washington-Baltimore) performances throughout the end of the year.
3. Must be open-minded enough to wear ethnic German attire and also must own formal clothing for bookings.
For more information about the band/schedule/etc., prospective musicians can go to the band's website: www.continentalsmusic.com
Mike’s contact info:
Mike Surratt
email: [email protected]
phone: (301) 577-6488
Accordion Documentary
Dominic Karcic emailed July 27 about an accordion documentary called Accordion Tribe, directed by Stefan Schwietert in 2004. Phil Fox has ordered the film on DVD, so talk to him if you're interested in seeing it..
Here’s the description:
The appliance that thinks it’s a musical instrument seizes center stage in this rollicking tribute to that most maligned of instruments, the accordion. In 1996 five squeezebox superstars united to form Accordion Tribe, a group devoted to returning their black-sheep instrument to the worldwide recognition it once enjoyed. The tribe’s diverse members --New York avant-gardist Guy Klucevsek, who’s played with John Zorn, Laurie Anderson, and others; Slovenian punk-rocker Bratko Bibic; the classically influenced Finn Maria Kalaniemi; Otto Lechner, a blind, melancholic German self-taught musician; and crazed Swede Lars Hollmer -- wheeze and squeeze their way across Europe during a 2004 tour in search of the past and present of the instrument, visiting the Italian center of accordion production, paying homage to the eight-foot-high “World's Largest Accordion,” and creating new sounds. Accordion Tribe revels in the charms of its underdog instrument, and the talents of the musicians who've pushed it to new heights.
Written by Schwietert. Photographed by Wolfgang Lehner. (87 mins, In English and German with English subtitles, Color, 35mm, From Swiss Films)
***********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
September 24, 2006
Meeting Notes
We had a great turnout for our September 12 dance night, which featured wonderful accordion music -- and stories. This was a meeting we did not spend a lot of time planning, yet it was as fun as ever, and there was lots of time for visiting after the program.
We are sad that Ben and Brigitte Valenti have moved to Florida, and that the October meeting is Vladimir Titarenko’s last. But we’ll remain in touch, and we are glad to welcome new members, too. One of them, Peter Fuehres, played at the September meeting, and we look forward to hearing more from him. Also, Mary Smith, a student of Barbara Lockett, made her debut in front of the group (with a little back-up). Mary’s whole family turned out for the occasion, and she did a great job! Others who played that night were Peter DiGiovanni, Robert Ford, Joan Grauman, Robert Jusczyk, Joe Kulick, and Ken Kunec.
Next month Jim Vandelly and Vladimir will entertain us with some Russian music. If you would like to participate or have a favorite Russian song that you would like to play, please reply to this email. After the program we will run through the music for the December 3 holiday concert.
November 10 is rock ‘n’ roll night. We haven’t tried this before, but it should be fun. So start brushing up on your favorites – we’re using rock ‘n’ roll in the very broad sense – and dig your blue suede shoes out of the closet.
If you have an idea for our December program, please let us know.
Announcements
Oktoberfest Concert with Dale Wise
Saturday, September 30, 2006, 6 pm
5 pm reception
Christ Church Episcopal
(The Home of John Philip Sousa)
620 G. St. SE (Near Marine barracks on Historic Capitol Hill)
Washington, DC
Tickets $15
T-shirts that read "I AM PRO ACCORDION AND I VOTE" will be for sale @ $10.
More information at [email protected] or [email protected].
From Lou Coppola:
A drummer, sick of all the drummer jokes, decides to change his instrument. After some thought, he decides on the accordion. So he goes to the music store and says to the owner, "I'd like to look at the accordions, please." The owner gestures to a shelf in the corner and says "All our accordions are over there." (Imagine that, a store that stocks accordions).
After browsing, the drummer says, "I think I'd like the big red one in the corner." The store owner looks at him and says, "You're a drummer, aren't you?" The drummer, crestfallen, says, "How did you know?" The store owner says, "That `big red accordion' is the radiator."
***********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
October 19, 2006
Meeting Notes
Our October 10 meeting was a send-off for Vladimir Titarenko, our Russian friend, whose tour of duty with the embassy here is up. For the next two years he will be working at the foreign ministry in Moscow and then will be posted to a new country. But maybe he’ll get a chance to visit us, and we’ll keep in touch via email and this Web site. Here's a picture of Vladimir back home in Moscow, with his bayan.
We didn’t let Vladimir go without giving us a tune. He and Jim Vandelly played their famous Podgorka, and Jim played a few favorites, including “In the Blacksmith Shop,” “Oh, You Birch Tree,” “Varinya,” and “Kamarinskaya.” Vic Aijala and Lee Paulson played “Ivushka,” “Duo II,” and “Lonely Accordion,” and Vic played some solos on his Finnish bayan: “Gypsy Dance,” “La Vie en Rose,” and some Russian songs. In addition, Michael B. Rubin played “Waves of the Danube,” “Moscow Nights,” and “Russian Two Step.” And Ken Kunec played “Dark Eyes,” “Golden Earrings” (his mother’s favorite song), “Two Guitars,” and a novelty number involving playing, walking, and balancing a basket on his head at the same time. Very entertaining.
Coming up, our November 14 meeting will be rock ‘n’ roll night. But don’t worry if you don’t have any rock in your repertoire – we’re flexible. After the program we will run through the music for the December 3 holiday concert.
We’re still looking for an idea for our December 12 program, so please let us know what you would like to do. Maybe an informal jam session would be best, since this will be such a busy time of year. Our holiday concert will be over with, but Dale Wise’s annual event will be December 20, the week after the meeting.
Announcements
Rehearsals for the Holiday Concert
The first rehearsal for the holiday concert will be at 7:30 pm next Tuesday, October 24, at our regular meeting place, Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church in Falls Church. We have reserved the church for rehearsals every Tuesday until the December 3 concert, with the exception of the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Tuesday, November 14, is our regular meeting, but we will rehearse after the program.
MAC Meeting this Saturday
Joan Grauman will teach Oktoberfest tunes and dances at the Maryland Accordion Club meeting this Saturday, October 21. MAC meets from 2 to 5 pm at the community center in Catonsville. For more information, see the WMAS calendar.
Message from Lenny “CordeenMan” FeldmannYou are cordially invited to join my ** CordeenMan News ** newsletter at no cost or obligation.
If you choose to join my list, your name/email will never be used by a third-party, period. Every list email contains an easy one-click unsubscribe link.
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Why not click on the link below and sign up right now! Thanks.
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Extra, Extra
Two great concerts and an accordion repair workshop
This coming Monday!
NiVo (on panpipes) in Concert at the Romanian Embassywith
Alecu Ilie – dulcimer; Veran Zorila – clarinet; Marius Zorila – violin; Loretta Bodo – percussion; Emy Dragoi – accordion; Jan Dinca- bass
Monday, October 23, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Embassy of Romania
1607, 23 rd St. NW
Washington DC 20008
Wine and Cheese Buffet will follow
Business Attire
R.S.V.P. (202) 332-4852 ext. 105 or at [email protected]
Please mention the title of the event, name, number of guests and phone number.
For more information, see www.roembus.org.
Sattuma Family Quartet
at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring
10309 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD
Friday, November 10, 2006 at 8 p.m.
Tickets $15 for FFNCC members, $20 for general admission
Traditional music genuinely reflecting the spirit of Karelia
Spirited Finnish folk songs, romantic Russian waltzes and spry Scandinavian polskas are all on tap when the folk quartet Sattuma performs.
The group consists of Arto Rinne and his 16-year-old daughter Eila, and Dima Demin and his 13-year-old son Vlad. All multi-talented musicians, they perform traditional dance melodies and songs of both Russia & Finland on fiddles, accordion, clarinet, flutes, jaw harp, harmonica, Estonian bagpipes and the Finnish folk instruments known as the kantele and jouhikko.
Sattuma hails from Karelia, a region of Russia which borders Finland and which retains a strong Finnish heritage. The group's name comes from a Finnish word meaning either “happenstance” or “to hit the mark,” depending on how it's used. Both nuances are appropriate, says Sattuma member Arto Rinne, since the four started playing together just for fun but soon found that there was a demand for their music, with its special multi-generational appeal.
This dynamic group will perform for schools and communities in the New England and Washington DC areas. The school performances are partially funded by a grant from Finlandia Foundation National.
“They are easily one of the most well received groups we have had in the past several years. We had a full house which asked for and received several spirited encores.” Bruce Griffin, Chairman of the Program Committee, Finlandia Foundation National Capitol Chapter, re: concert at Finnish Embassy, Washington DC, November, 2004.
Accordion Repair Seminar with Dale Wise
November 11-12, 2006
Saturday: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday: 1:30 - 5:30 pm.
4314 Burr Hill Rd. (Rte. 692)
Burr Hill, VA 22433
Directions:
From the North:
95 S, 3 W, 20 S, right on 611, left on 692, first driveway on right.
or
495 S, 66 W, 29 S at Gainesville, 3 E Exit, 522 S, left on 611, right on 692, first driveway on right.
From the South:
95 N, 3 W, 20 S, right on 611, left on 692, first driveway on right.
or
29 N, 3 E Exit, 522 S, left on 611, right on 692, first driveway on right.
_________________
Motel:
Holiday Inn Select (Rtes. 95 & 3)
2801 Plank Rd. (Rt. 3 W)
Central Park (lots of stores & restaurants)
800-682-1049
Airports:
Dulles International / Richmond International
Please feel free to bring a guest to lunch with us on Saturday. Guests who are not participating in the seminar are welcome to relax at our place, or go shopping or sight-seeing.
RSVP to
Dale E. Wise, M.M.E.
P.O. Box 53 (4314 Burr Hill Rd.)
Burr Hill, VA 22433
(540) 854-5209 / Email: [email protected]
CAFE MOZART NEWS
Silvia Eberly is playing Sunday and Tuesday dinners at Cafe Mozart on H Street, NW, and Paul Aebersold is playing Saturday lunches.
DALE WISE WINTER CONCERT
Accordion Plus, with host Dale Wise, will present a Winter Concert at Oakton United Methodist Church located at Hunter Mill Rd. and Rte. 123 in Oakton, VA on December 20 at 8:00 P.M. Bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of accordion music and delightful holiday refreshments. More information at [email protected].
***********************************************************************************************************************
October 19, 2006
Meeting Notes
Our October 10 meeting was a send-off for Vladimir Titarenko, our Russian friend, whose tour of duty with the embassy here is up. For the next two years he will be working at the foreign ministry in Moscow and then will be posted to a new country. But maybe he’ll get a chance to visit us, and we’ll keep in touch via email and this Web site. Here's a picture of Vladimir back home in Moscow, with his bayan.
We didn’t let Vladimir go without giving us a tune. He and Jim Vandelly played their famous Podgorka, and Jim played a few favorites, including “In the Blacksmith Shop,” “Oh, You Birch Tree,” “Varinya,” and “Kamarinskaya.” Vic Aijala and Lee Paulson played “Ivushka,” “Duo II,” and “Lonely Accordion,” and Vic played some solos on his Finnish bayan: “Gypsy Dance,” “La Vie en Rose,” and some Russian songs. In addition, Michael B. Rubin played “Waves of the Danube,” “Moscow Nights,” and “Russian Two Step.” And Ken Kunec played “Dark Eyes,” “Golden Earrings” (his mother’s favorite song), “Two Guitars,” and a novelty number involving playing, walking, and balancing a basket on his head at the same time. Very entertaining.
Coming up, our November 14 meeting will be rock ‘n’ roll night. But don’t worry if you don’t have any rock in your repertoire – we’re flexible. After the program we will run through the music for the December 3 holiday concert.
We’re still looking for an idea for our December 12 program, so please let us know what you would like to do. Maybe an informal jam session would be best, since this will be such a busy time of year. Our holiday concert will be over with, but Dale Wise’s annual event will be December 20, the week after the meeting.
Announcements
Rehearsals for the Holiday Concert
The first rehearsal for the holiday concert will be at 7:30 pm next Tuesday, October 24, at our regular meeting place, Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church in Falls Church. We have reserved the church for rehearsals every Tuesday until the December 3 concert, with the exception of the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Tuesday, November 14, is our regular meeting, but we will rehearse after the program.
MAC Meeting this Saturday
Joan Grauman will teach Oktoberfest tunes and dances at the Maryland Accordion Club meeting this Saturday, October 21. MAC meets from 2 to 5 pm at the community center in Catonsville. For more information, see the WMAS calendar.
Message from Lenny “CordeenMan” FeldmannYou are cordially invited to join my ** CordeenMan News ** newsletter at no cost or obligation.
If you choose to join my list, your name/email will never be used by a third-party, period. Every list email contains an easy one-click unsubscribe link.
As a way to say "thank you," I will send you my latest CD release.
Why not click on the link below and sign up right now! Thanks.
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Extra, Extra
Two great concerts and an accordion repair workshop
This coming Monday!
NiVo (on panpipes) in Concert at the Romanian Embassywith
Alecu Ilie – dulcimer; Veran Zorila – clarinet; Marius Zorila – violin; Loretta Bodo – percussion; Emy Dragoi – accordion; Jan Dinca- bass
Monday, October 23, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Embassy of Romania
1607, 23 rd St. NW
Washington DC 20008
Wine and Cheese Buffet will follow
Business Attire
R.S.V.P. (202) 332-4852 ext. 105 or at [email protected]
Please mention the title of the event, name, number of guests and phone number.
For more information, see www.roembus.org.
Sattuma Family Quartet
at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring
10309 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD
Friday, November 10, 2006 at 8 p.m.
Tickets $15 for FFNCC members, $20 for general admission
Traditional music genuinely reflecting the spirit of Karelia
Spirited Finnish folk songs, romantic Russian waltzes and spry Scandinavian polskas are all on tap when the folk quartet Sattuma performs.
The group consists of Arto Rinne and his 16-year-old daughter Eila, and Dima Demin and his 13-year-old son Vlad. All multi-talented musicians, they perform traditional dance melodies and songs of both Russia & Finland on fiddles, accordion, clarinet, flutes, jaw harp, harmonica, Estonian bagpipes and the Finnish folk instruments known as the kantele and jouhikko.
Sattuma hails from Karelia, a region of Russia which borders Finland and which retains a strong Finnish heritage. The group's name comes from a Finnish word meaning either “happenstance” or “to hit the mark,” depending on how it's used. Both nuances are appropriate, says Sattuma member Arto Rinne, since the four started playing together just for fun but soon found that there was a demand for their music, with its special multi-generational appeal.
This dynamic group will perform for schools and communities in the New England and Washington DC areas. The school performances are partially funded by a grant from Finlandia Foundation National.
“They are easily one of the most well received groups we have had in the past several years. We had a full house which asked for and received several spirited encores.” Bruce Griffin, Chairman of the Program Committee, Finlandia Foundation National Capitol Chapter, re: concert at Finnish Embassy, Washington DC, November, 2004.
Accordion Repair Seminar with Dale Wise
November 11-12, 2006
Saturday: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday: 1:30 - 5:30 pm.
4314 Burr Hill Rd. (Rte. 692)
Burr Hill, VA 22433
Directions:
From the North:
95 S, 3 W, 20 S, right on 611, left on 692, first driveway on right.
or
495 S, 66 W, 29 S at Gainesville, 3 E Exit, 522 S, left on 611, right on 692, first driveway on right.
From the South:
95 N, 3 W, 20 S, right on 611, left on 692, first driveway on right.
or
29 N, 3 E Exit, 522 S, left on 611, right on 692, first driveway on right.
_________________
Motel:
Holiday Inn Select (Rtes. 95 & 3)
2801 Plank Rd. (Rt. 3 W)
Central Park (lots of stores & restaurants)
800-682-1049
Airports:
Dulles International / Richmond International
Please feel free to bring a guest to lunch with us on Saturday. Guests who are not participating in the seminar are welcome to relax at our place, or go shopping or sight-seeing.
RSVP to
Dale E. Wise, M.M.E.
P.O. Box 53 (4314 Burr Hill Rd.)
Burr Hill, VA 22433
(540) 854-5209 / Email: [email protected]
CAFE MOZART NEWS
Silvia Eberly is playing Sunday and Tuesday dinners at Cafe Mozart on H Street, NW, and Paul Aebersold is playing Saturday lunches.
DALE WISE WINTER CONCERT
Accordion Plus, with host Dale Wise, will present a Winter Concert at Oakton United Methodist Church located at Hunter Mill Rd. and Rte. 123 in Oakton, VA on December 20 at 8:00 P.M. Bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of accordion music and delightful holiday refreshments. More information at [email protected].
***********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
November 20, 2006
Meeting Notes
Rock 'n' roll night last week gave some of us an opportunity to try out some new tunes, and to demonstrate the versatility of the accordion. Joe Kulick started us off with a set of British Invasion tunes, and Lee Paulson followed with three Beatles tunes. Leone with Mara and Clare Cherkasky played a couple of Zydeco pieces, plus a 1950s hit; and Peter DiGiovanni ran us through the history of rock 'n' roll in a "name that tune" game. Toward the end Jim Vandelly joined in. Jim also volunteered to present a program at the December meeting.
NOW TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS ...
The December 3 holiday concert is almost here, and we need your help. The program could use a few more musicians, and we also need volunteers to help set up and clean up. We're counting on YOU, our members and friends, to spread the word about the concert and to bring your family and everyone you know. The concert and potluck are a lot of work, so we need everybody to help out. If you'd like flyers to hand out, please let us know.
Here's how the signup sheet looks so far -- rather lonely in most categories. Please let us know how you can help by replying to this message.
SET-UP 2 pm
Ron Paulson
CLEANUP
Ron and Lee Paulson
POTLUCK -
Main Dishes: Karen - ham
Gary - chorizo
Case of bottled water:
Punch:
Vegetable dishes:Mara
Salads:Leone
Potatoes, pasta, rice:Mara
Desserts:Lee Luis
Other:
In addition, we still have three more rehearsals. Tonight, Tuesday the 21st, and next Tuesday, Nov. 28, as well as 2 pm on Dec. 3, the day of the concert.
**********************************************************************************************************************
November 20, 2006
Meeting Notes
Rock 'n' roll night last week gave some of us an opportunity to try out some new tunes, and to demonstrate the versatility of the accordion. Joe Kulick started us off with a set of British Invasion tunes, and Lee Paulson followed with three Beatles tunes. Leone with Mara and Clare Cherkasky played a couple of Zydeco pieces, plus a 1950s hit; and Peter DiGiovanni ran us through the history of rock 'n' roll in a "name that tune" game. Toward the end Jim Vandelly joined in. Jim also volunteered to present a program at the December meeting.
NOW TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS ...
The December 3 holiday concert is almost here, and we need your help. The program could use a few more musicians, and we also need volunteers to help set up and clean up. We're counting on YOU, our members and friends, to spread the word about the concert and to bring your family and everyone you know. The concert and potluck are a lot of work, so we need everybody to help out. If you'd like flyers to hand out, please let us know.
Here's how the signup sheet looks so far -- rather lonely in most categories. Please let us know how you can help by replying to this message.
SET-UP 2 pm
Ron Paulson
CLEANUP
Ron and Lee Paulson
POTLUCK -
Main Dishes: Karen - ham
Gary - chorizo
Case of bottled water:
Punch:
Vegetable dishes:Mara
Salads:Leone
Potatoes, pasta, rice:Mara
Desserts:Lee Luis
Other:
In addition, we still have three more rehearsals. Tonight, Tuesday the 21st, and next Tuesday, Nov. 28, as well as 2 pm on Dec. 3, the day of the concert.
**********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
December 17, 2006
Notes from the President
Holiday Concert
“The WMAS concert should have been performed at the Kennedy Center,” an audience member remarked at the December 3 event. He is a relative of one of the church members and a music teacher in Pennsylvania. The 115 concert attendees seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. They sang along with some of the pieces, provided the percussion during “Jingle Bells” and, at the potluck following the concert, loaded their plates with the wonderful food prepared by WMAS members. We had plenty for everyone.
One attendee told me that the reason the concert was so much fun was that we obviously enjoyed performing for our audience. Congratulations to all who performed, and thank you to everyone who brought food and helped with decorations, cleanup, and setup. A special thanks goes to Joan and Dale for conducting and MC’ing the program for us.
We’re still figuring out the program for January but would like to set aside at least part of the evening for an open mic of winter and snow songs. At this point we don’t have any more workshops on our calendar and need some ideas. Workshops are very helpful to our members, and it’s nice to alternate educational programs with concerts/open mics. If anyone would like to help us out with programs, please let us know ASAP.
Jim Vandelly’s December Workshop
Jim Vandelly presented a great workshop on nuances at the December 12 meeting. Among other tips, he emphasized the importance of good bellows technique. (My father, who ran an accordion school for many years, agrees with Jim and always says that the bellows are the soul of the accordion.) Jim explained how the bellows control the accordion and express emotion. He also demonstrated several techniques to use on both the piano accordion and bayan. The most important thing about the program was that WMAS members were able to play a song with Jim and try out some of the concepts he had demonstrated. This is most useful as it gives a chance to all levels of players to sight-read, practice, and learn from others in a non-threatening atmosphere.
Following Jim’s workshop, Ken Kunec showed us his electronic equipment, including a drum machine, and demonstrated how he uses them to enhance his playing. He played the pieces he had planned to perform on rock ‘n’ roll night in November. (At the last minute, he wasn’t able to attend.)
Last but not least on the evening’s agenda was our beloved Clay Bobrowski, who played some music that he had chosen for its interesting bass patterns, and distributed copies. We don’t get to see Clay very often – he’s had some health problems – so this was a nice treat. See Clay’s note at the bottom of this update on the software he uses, Band in a Box.
Message from Joan Grauman
To everyone who joined the WMAS Christmas Orchestra:
We have been asked to play our Christmas selections at Dale Wise’s concert on
Wednesday (Oakton United Methodist Church, Hunter Mill Rd. and Rte. 123, Oakton, Va., December 20, at 8 pm). I hope all of you can join us! Please wear black pants and a festive shirt/top. (Accessories such as Rudolph noses and reindeer antlers are ok -- anything goes as long as you don’t block your neighbor’s view of the conductor!). WMAS’s own Jim Vandelly is this year’s guest artist. Please see the WMAS calendar for more info.
IMPORTANT: Mara has not seen her sheet music since our December 3 concert. It is in a white, 1-inch loose-leaf binder. Please check your white notebooks because Karen found one left behind! This one may be yours, and you may have accidentally picked up Mara’s. She has the WMAS and Potomac Ensemble Christmas music in there along with “Earth Angel” and many other holiday pieces (and no copies!). Thanks!
Possible New Meeting Location and Time
Currently the WMAS Executive Committee is looking for space where we can meet on Sunday afternoons. Many people complain about driving through rush-hour traffic on Tuesday evenings, and that time slot also makes it difficult for out-of-town friends to come and visit us, or play for us. Joan has been contacted by several groups that would like to come and perform for our group, but they cannot do it Tuesday night. So we are looking for a place that would let us hold our monthly meetings from about 3 to 6 pm. The English congregation at Sleepy Hollow has given us the ok, but we still have to talk with the Spanish congregation, which uses the church earlier Sunday afternoon.
Workshops
All of us on the Executive Committee have been extraordinarily busy this year, and at this point we have sort of run dry on ideas for programs. Theme nights are fun, but we would like to alternate them with workshops. Please let us know if you have any ideas.
Executive Committee
We are in need of some new faces to help us cover the following areas:
- a historian. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have someone talk to our new members as they join, write up a little blurb about them so we can get to know them better. Also, perhaps the historian could interview some of the other members.
- clean up and set up crew. It seems that every month the same people volunteer to set up and clean up. With a group like this we need to share the work or people will get burnt out. Please volunteer to help with this. Perhaps a volunteer could organize a signup sheet to share the work.
Message from Clay Bobrowski
This site on Band in a box (BIAB – see below) is where I got the simplification of “Paris Skies” and “La Vie En Rose” with the nice chord progressions (several progressions to choose from). They have packages for less than a $100. If you want to get into it, get their simplest package. Next year and every year they will offer an upgrade for maybe half price with a dozen extra things thrown in.
I read the manual on a flight from DC to Vegas. It is not hard to pick up and I am one that does not like PCs. It has many other features that I don't use, especially for midi because I have my own midi set up and don't want to spend the time learning a new one.
Customers Love Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows
Happy Holidays from PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows is here with BONUS PAKS and special pricing on
MegaPAK upgrades and more. But only until December 31, 2006. Get more info here www.pgmusic.com.
With so many great new features in Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows there are plenty of good reasons to upgrade now. Here are some customer comments about the new Band-in-a-Box 2007.
Band-in-a-Box 2007
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RealDrums
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Audio Chord Wizard
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Soloist Maker
The new improved soloist maker is a huge improvement... the Soloist is so so so much easier to use... The solos seem miles better than before... Hats off to the developers!"
MIDI Fakebook Volume 2
"Just wanted to THANK Peter Gannon and Crew for the Classical Fake Book II included in the 07 Mega Pack... to me it is worth MUCH More than I paid for the whole upgrade."
Need your Band-in-a-Box 2007 in time for Christmas? You can order until the morning of December 22nd for UPS Express delivery wherever there is UPS delivery on Saturday December 23rd. Of course you can order online anytime at www.pgmusic.com and be downloading most products within minutes. Or place your order by phone at 1-800-268-6272, 1-888-PGMUSIC, or +800-4746-8742 (outside the USA and Canada), and our friendly sales staff will e-mail you a link for immediate download.
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2. Roland VSC (MIDI and DXi)
3. Band-in-a-Box 2007 New Features Video
4. ForteDXi Demo
5. RealDrums Set 2
6. SoundTracks Fakebook Volume 2
7. RealDrums Video
8. 12-PAK Video
9. 101 Essential Riffs for Bluegrass Guitar
10. 50 Novelty Piano Riffs
11. Metronome Pro
12. Classical MIDI Fakebook Volume 2
Or upgrade your 12-PAK to a 17-PAK by adding these 5 titles for only $15
13. Band-in-a-Box for Bozos Video
14. Essential Jazz Guitar Vol. 2:101 "Low Comping" Phrases
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Or upgrade your 12-PAK to a 25-PAK by adding these 13 titles for only $25
18. Artist Soloist Jeff Lorber Fusion
19. Artist Soloist Jeff Lorber Screaming Rock Guitar/Synth
20. Guitar Chord Dictionary
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22. 200 Folk Songs for Band-in-a-Box
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24. RealDrums Bonus Styles
25. 25-PAK Video
Learn more about the BONUS 12-PAK at: www.pgmusic.com/12pak.htm
Band-in-a-Box 2007 Price List
Band-in-a-Box 2007 MegaPAK Upgrade for Windows Prices:
MegaPAK Upgrade from Band-in-a-Box 2006 (Reg. $149) - until Dec. 31, 2006 $99
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-66, RealDrums Sets 1-3, Soloist Sets 1-11 & 16-18, Melodist Sets 1-8, The Band-in-a-Box Video Tutorial PAK, and BONUS 12-PAK. (Please note: This upgrade requires Band-in-a-Box 2005)
MegaPAK Upgrade from Band-in-a-Box 2005 or earlier or crossgrade from Mac or Atari (Reg. $159) - until Dec. 31, 2006 $109
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-66, RealDrums Sets 1-3, Soloist Sets 1-11 & 16-18, Melodist Sets 1-8, The Band-in-a-Box Video Tutorial PAK, and BONUS 12-PAK.
MegaPAK Upgrade from Band-in-a-Box 2005 MegaPAK (Reg. $89) - until Dec. 31, 2005 $69
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-66, RealDrums Sets 1-3, Soloist Sets 1-11 & 16-18, Melodist Sets 1-8, The Band-in-a-Box Video Tutorial PAK, and BONUS 12-PAK. (Please note: This upgrade requires Band-in-a-Box 2006 MegaPAK.)
Do you have the Band-in-a-Box 2006 MegaPAK? Contact us before you order and save even more!
Call Us: 1-800-268-6272 - 1-888-PGMUSIC - 250-475-2874 or Email Us: [email protected]
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Regular Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box 2007 from Band-in-a-Box 2006 - $49
Includes 2007 version, RealDrums Set 1 and BONUS 12-PAK. (Please note: This upgrade requires Band-in-a-Box 2006.)
Regular Upgrade to 2007 from Band-in-a-Box 2005 or earlier or crossgrade from Mac or Atari - $59
Includes Regular Upgrade PLUS Soloist Set 1, Melodist Set 1, and BONUS 12-PAK.
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Band-in-a-Box MegaPAK 2007 for Windows - $269
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Have Fun,
Team PG
If you wish no further product information updates, please email [email protected] with the word Unsubscribe in the subject, or contact PG Music Inc. at 1-800-268-6272, 1-888-PGMUSIC, (250) 475-2874.
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Thank you for your interest in PG Music Products!
December 17, 2006
Notes from the President
Holiday Concert
“The WMAS concert should have been performed at the Kennedy Center,” an audience member remarked at the December 3 event. He is a relative of one of the church members and a music teacher in Pennsylvania. The 115 concert attendees seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. They sang along with some of the pieces, provided the percussion during “Jingle Bells” and, at the potluck following the concert, loaded their plates with the wonderful food prepared by WMAS members. We had plenty for everyone.
One attendee told me that the reason the concert was so much fun was that we obviously enjoyed performing for our audience. Congratulations to all who performed, and thank you to everyone who brought food and helped with decorations, cleanup, and setup. A special thanks goes to Joan and Dale for conducting and MC’ing the program for us.
We’re still figuring out the program for January but would like to set aside at least part of the evening for an open mic of winter and snow songs. At this point we don’t have any more workshops on our calendar and need some ideas. Workshops are very helpful to our members, and it’s nice to alternate educational programs with concerts/open mics. If anyone would like to help us out with programs, please let us know ASAP.
Jim Vandelly’s December Workshop
Jim Vandelly presented a great workshop on nuances at the December 12 meeting. Among other tips, he emphasized the importance of good bellows technique. (My father, who ran an accordion school for many years, agrees with Jim and always says that the bellows are the soul of the accordion.) Jim explained how the bellows control the accordion and express emotion. He also demonstrated several techniques to use on both the piano accordion and bayan. The most important thing about the program was that WMAS members were able to play a song with Jim and try out some of the concepts he had demonstrated. This is most useful as it gives a chance to all levels of players to sight-read, practice, and learn from others in a non-threatening atmosphere.
Following Jim’s workshop, Ken Kunec showed us his electronic equipment, including a drum machine, and demonstrated how he uses them to enhance his playing. He played the pieces he had planned to perform on rock ‘n’ roll night in November. (At the last minute, he wasn’t able to attend.)
Last but not least on the evening’s agenda was our beloved Clay Bobrowski, who played some music that he had chosen for its interesting bass patterns, and distributed copies. We don’t get to see Clay very often – he’s had some health problems – so this was a nice treat. See Clay’s note at the bottom of this update on the software he uses, Band in a Box.
Message from Joan Grauman
To everyone who joined the WMAS Christmas Orchestra:
We have been asked to play our Christmas selections at Dale Wise’s concert on
Wednesday (Oakton United Methodist Church, Hunter Mill Rd. and Rte. 123, Oakton, Va., December 20, at 8 pm). I hope all of you can join us! Please wear black pants and a festive shirt/top. (Accessories such as Rudolph noses and reindeer antlers are ok -- anything goes as long as you don’t block your neighbor’s view of the conductor!). WMAS’s own Jim Vandelly is this year’s guest artist. Please see the WMAS calendar for more info.
IMPORTANT: Mara has not seen her sheet music since our December 3 concert. It is in a white, 1-inch loose-leaf binder. Please check your white notebooks because Karen found one left behind! This one may be yours, and you may have accidentally picked up Mara’s. She has the WMAS and Potomac Ensemble Christmas music in there along with “Earth Angel” and many other holiday pieces (and no copies!). Thanks!
Possible New Meeting Location and Time
Currently the WMAS Executive Committee is looking for space where we can meet on Sunday afternoons. Many people complain about driving through rush-hour traffic on Tuesday evenings, and that time slot also makes it difficult for out-of-town friends to come and visit us, or play for us. Joan has been contacted by several groups that would like to come and perform for our group, but they cannot do it Tuesday night. So we are looking for a place that would let us hold our monthly meetings from about 3 to 6 pm. The English congregation at Sleepy Hollow has given us the ok, but we still have to talk with the Spanish congregation, which uses the church earlier Sunday afternoon.
Workshops
All of us on the Executive Committee have been extraordinarily busy this year, and at this point we have sort of run dry on ideas for programs. Theme nights are fun, but we would like to alternate them with workshops. Please let us know if you have any ideas.
Executive Committee
We are in need of some new faces to help us cover the following areas:
- a historian. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have someone talk to our new members as they join, write up a little blurb about them so we can get to know them better. Also, perhaps the historian could interview some of the other members.
- clean up and set up crew. It seems that every month the same people volunteer to set up and clean up. With a group like this we need to share the work or people will get burnt out. Please volunteer to help with this. Perhaps a volunteer could organize a signup sheet to share the work.
Message from Clay Bobrowski
This site on Band in a box (BIAB – see below) is where I got the simplification of “Paris Skies” and “La Vie En Rose” with the nice chord progressions (several progressions to choose from). They have packages for less than a $100. If you want to get into it, get their simplest package. Next year and every year they will offer an upgrade for maybe half price with a dozen extra things thrown in.
I read the manual on a flight from DC to Vegas. It is not hard to pick up and I am one that does not like PCs. It has many other features that I don't use, especially for midi because I have my own midi set up and don't want to spend the time learning a new one.
Customers Love Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows
Happy Holidays from PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows is here with BONUS PAKS and special pricing on
MegaPAK upgrades and more. But only until December 31, 2006. Get more info here www.pgmusic.com.
With so many great new features in Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows there are plenty of good reasons to upgrade now. Here are some customer comments about the new Band-in-a-Box 2007.
Band-in-a-Box 2007
Thanks for another great version!... You hit it out of the park this time Peter!... PG and Co. thank you yet again for my annual holiday treat... how will you ever top this one? (but I know you will)
RealDrums
I LOVE the new REAL DRUMS... I'm so stoked about how good everything sounds I can hardly stand it. ...they sound so much better there's no comparison... I'm excited "outta my mind" about RealDrums... This is something that I never would have imagined... a cut above all the other drum solutions out there.. RealDrums do sound awesome now... Thanks for a great new feature... Real Drums is a unique feature, what a treat! I'm **having such a ball** re-doing all my songs..."
Audio Chord Wizard
I'm impressed with the chord wizard...Very useful... I thought it would be impossible... useful for transcription... great job... very impressed... figured the chords perfectly... does an excellent job... it's a time saver... interpreted chords very well... works great... I'm impressed..."
Soloist Maker
The new improved soloist maker is a huge improvement... the Soloist is so so so much easier to use... The solos seem miles better than before... Hats off to the developers!"
MIDI Fakebook Volume 2
"Just wanted to THANK Peter Gannon and Crew for the Classical Fake Book II included in the 07 Mega Pack... to me it is worth MUCH More than I paid for the whole upgrade."
Need your Band-in-a-Box 2007 in time for Christmas? You can order until the morning of December 22nd for UPS Express delivery wherever there is UPS delivery on Saturday December 23rd. Of course you can order online anytime at www.pgmusic.com and be downloading most products within minutes. Or place your order by phone at 1-800-268-6272, 1-888-PGMUSIC, or +800-4746-8742 (outside the USA and Canada), and our friendly sales staff will e-mail you a link for immediate download.
However you place your order, PG Music's unconditional 30-day money back guarantee means that any purchase you make is 100% "risk free."
Learn more about Band-in-a-Box 2007 at www.pgmusic.com/bandbox.htm
Here's a recap of the BONUS PAKS and Band-in-a-Box 2007 prices:
With every Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows First-Time or Upgrade purchase placed by December 31, 2006, you receive the BONUS 12-PAK absolutely FREE!
1. Styles Set 65: Requested 7
2. Roland VSC (MIDI and DXi)
3. Band-in-a-Box 2007 New Features Video
4. ForteDXi Demo
5. RealDrums Set 2
6. SoundTracks Fakebook Volume 2
7. RealDrums Video
8. 12-PAK Video
9. 101 Essential Riffs for Bluegrass Guitar
10. 50 Novelty Piano Riffs
11. Metronome Pro
12. Classical MIDI Fakebook Volume 2
Or upgrade your 12-PAK to a 17-PAK by adding these 5 titles for only $15
13. Band-in-a-Box for Bozos Video
14. Essential Jazz Guitar Vol. 2:101 "Low Comping" Phrases
15. Piano Chord Dictionary
16. Artist Soloist Andy LaVerne Mainstream Jazz
17. Artist Soloist Andy LaVerne Pentatonic Jazz
Or upgrade your 12-PAK to a 25-PAK by adding these 13 titles for only $25
18. Artist Soloist Jeff Lorber Fusion
19. Artist Soloist Jeff Lorber Screaming Rock Guitar/Synth
20. Guitar Chord Dictionary
21. NoteMatch!
22. 200 Folk Songs for Band-in-a-Box
23. Blues Pianist Volume 2
24. RealDrums Bonus Styles
25. 25-PAK Video
Learn more about the BONUS 12-PAK at: www.pgmusic.com/12pak.htm
Band-in-a-Box 2007 Price List
Band-in-a-Box 2007 MegaPAK Upgrade for Windows Prices:
MegaPAK Upgrade from Band-in-a-Box 2006 (Reg. $149) - until Dec. 31, 2006 $99
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-66, RealDrums Sets 1-3, Soloist Sets 1-11 & 16-18, Melodist Sets 1-8, The Band-in-a-Box Video Tutorial PAK, and BONUS 12-PAK. (Please note: This upgrade requires Band-in-a-Box 2005)
MegaPAK Upgrade from Band-in-a-Box 2005 or earlier or crossgrade from Mac or Atari (Reg. $159) - until Dec. 31, 2006 $109
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-66, RealDrums Sets 1-3, Soloist Sets 1-11 & 16-18, Melodist Sets 1-8, The Band-in-a-Box Video Tutorial PAK, and BONUS 12-PAK.
MegaPAK Upgrade from Band-in-a-Box 2005 MegaPAK (Reg. $89) - until Dec. 31, 2005 $69
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-66, RealDrums Sets 1-3, Soloist Sets 1-11 & 16-18, Melodist Sets 1-8, The Band-in-a-Box Video Tutorial PAK, and BONUS 12-PAK. (Please note: This upgrade requires Band-in-a-Box 2006 MegaPAK.)
Do you have the Band-in-a-Box 2006 MegaPAK? Contact us before you order and save even more!
Call Us: 1-800-268-6272 - 1-888-PGMUSIC - 250-475-2874 or Email Us: [email protected]
Band-in-a-Box 2007 Regular Upgrade for Windows Prices:
Regular Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box 2007 from Band-in-a-Box 2006 - $49
Includes 2007 version, RealDrums Set 1 and BONUS 12-PAK. (Please note: This upgrade requires Band-in-a-Box 2006.)
Regular Upgrade to 2007 from Band-in-a-Box 2005 or earlier or crossgrade from Mac or Atari - $59
Includes Regular Upgrade PLUS Soloist Set 1, Melodist Set 1, and BONUS 12-PAK.
Band-in-a-Box 2007 for Windows First-Time Purchase Prices:
Band-in-a-Box Pro 2007 for Windows - $99
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-3, RealDrums Set 1, Soloist Set 1, Melodist Set 1, and BONUS 12-PAK.
Band-in-a-Box MegaPAK 2007 for Windows - $269
Includes 2007 version, Styles Sets 0-66, RealDrums Sets 1-3, Soloist Sets 1-11 & 16-18, Melodist Sets 1-8, The Band-in-a-Box Video Tutorial PAK, and BONUS 12-PAK.
Have Fun,
Team PG
If you wish no further product information updates, please email [email protected] with the word Unsubscribe in the subject, or contact PG Music Inc. at 1-800-268-6272, 1-888-PGMUSIC, (250) 475-2874.
** Macintosh users ** should unsubscribe from this newsletter, and are invited to sign up for MAC news at: www.pgmusic.com/newsletter.htm
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NOTE: All prices/products are quoted in U.S. funds and are subject to change without notice.
Thank you for your interest in PG Music Products!