2010 News Archive
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
January 17, 2010
Meeting Notes
In our first meeting of the new decade, on January 10, the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society approved new (and continuing) officers: Peter DiGiovanni, president; Joan Grauman, vice president; and Mara Cherkasky, secretary/treasurer. Rounding out the Executive Committee will be Phil Fox, membership chair; Lee Paulson, production chair; and JoAnn Pankow, social chair.
As you probably know, Karen Malan-Uribe, who founded WMAS in 2003, decided recently that she needed a break and therefore would be “retiring” from the club’s presidency. She says she looks forward to sitting in the audience and enjoying the meetings, though. We offer Karen and Luis our sincere thanks for everything they’ve done, from getting the club started and keeping it going to lugging large bins full of supplies every month and running the kitchen. And we look forward to sharing more fun times at upcoming meetings and events.
The January 10 meeting was billed as show and movie tune night, and quite a few members stepped up:
Potomac Ensemble – Exodus & Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Phil Fox – Once Upon a Time & What Now My Love?
Mara Cherkasky & Rick Nunno – Amarcord & Valse d’Amélie (with Rick Beckman)
Yimeng Huang – La Noyée (from Amélie)
Dick Dangel – Lazy Bones & Stardust (Hoagie Carmichael)
Joe Kulick - Love Me Tender (in honor of Elvis’s 75th birthday) and selections from Oklahoma
JoAnn Pankow – Lara’s Theme (from Dr. Zhivago)
Joan Grauman - All the Things You Are (Jerome Kern)
Yimin Zhuang - Lord of the Rings
Peter DiGiovanni – South Pacific Medley
Emcee Ken Kunec – Fiddler on the Roof and Sunrise, Sunset (plus first eight bars from Dizzy Fingers and lots of jokes)
Next Month
At the February 21 meeting WMAS will celebrate its seventh birthday with a dance party. Please polish your polkas and waltzes and sign up to play. We would really like to get folks dancing, so if you have any good ideas for how to do that, please send them along.
We will also celebrate Merv Conn’s 90th birthday at the meeting – and will make every effort to get him there.
Naturally we will be serving birthday cake, but please plan to bring other snacks and beverages. And please invite your family and friends!
Message from Outgoing President Karen Malan-Uribe
I just wanted to write a quick note to thank everyone for their hugs and kind words at Sunday’s meeting as I stepped down from our group’s presidency. Your testimonials, letters, and of course Peter’s wonderful poem [see below] meant so much to me. I am grateful to the WMAS members who have stepped up to fill the vacant positions on the Executive Committee. For our club to continue to thrive – and be fun -- it is very important that we have a strong executive committee, a group of people willing to take on administrative and financial tasks and to meet every few months (separate from the regularly scheduled meetings) to plan programs and activities, and make sure the club is observing its mission and bylaws. Most of us only see the fun part of the meetings. But quite a bit of work goes into making everything run smoothly. I really appreciate the dedication that is being shown.
The accordion is an instrument that is better when it is shared with others. We become better musicians when we play in front of others, be it in duets, trios, ensembles, bands, or as soloists. The club has created an atmosphere in which people have the confidence to spend a lot of money on an instrument that will enhance their talent, knowing that they will have a place to come and play their wonderful new instrument, learn as they watch others, and laugh at their own mistakes. As result, this club will flourish for a long time.
Announcements from Vice President Joan Grauman
Thank you for everything, Karen! What a wonderful job you have done for us for the past seven years. You are truly appreciated.
Here are a few news items and an upcoming accordion event not to be missed!* Please check out the AccordionUSA article on “Holidays Concerts in Virginia”: http://www.accordionusa.com/default.aspx#art346
* See also the article on Mary Tokarski, who will be performing in Maryland on Saturday night, February 13: http://www.accordionusa.com/default.aspx#art327
* Mary Tokarski Performs Astor Piazzolla's "Aconcagua: Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra" with the Prince George’s Philharmonic, Charles Ellis conducting
Saturday, February 13, 2010, 8 pm
Queen Anne Auditorium
Prince George's Community College
Largo, MD
For tickets and information contact:
Prince George's Philharmonic
7833 Walker Drive, Suite 430
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-446-3245
www.pgphilharmonic.org
* Look for the latest issue of Making Music in your local music store. It contains an article called “Accordion Craze” featuring the Martin Music Center Accordion Orchestra. For those who attended the AAA Festival in Memphis last summer, you will remember that Randy Martin (co-founder of Martin Music in California) was our wonderful guest conductor for the AAA orchestra. His arrangement of rock ‘n’ roll classics (in honor of Elvis) was terrific.
* Lenny Feldmann has just posted, on YouTube, the duets that he and I played at his April “Guest Artist” concert at WMAS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI4AMmS3l-s&feature=related Mademoiselle de Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aunQ0UjBL4 Mexican Carnival
* The Brookside Gardens annual light show was closed on December 20 because of the blizzard, so the Potomac Ensemble was unable to perform that night. However, the Ashgrove Players, with Lee Paulson on accordion in an otherwise all-string folk ensemble, was a big hit at Brookside on January 3. The ensemble members came to cheer her on and also to celebrate Lee and Ron’s 51st wedding anniversary.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THANKS, KAREN!By Peter DiGiovanni,
on behalf of all WMAS members – January 10, 2010
There was a young teacher from V A
Who loved to make music her own way.
So without hesitation
Came this strong proclamation,
“I want to promote accordion appreciation,
So let’s form a new club today!”
Her friends said, “A new club? Oh, yes!
We’ll give it a full court press”!
From the very first measure
It has been a great pleasure.
Your brainchild has become a regional treasure.
Thanks, Karen, for W M A S!
Thanks for your hard work and foresight
That brought this Club into the limelight.
Seventy members and growing,
We all take pride in knowing,
That you had the vision to get this Club going.
As our Founding President you’re topflight!
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
March 3, 2010
Meeting Notes
Eighty-five people turned out on Sunday, February 21, to celebrate our accordion club’s seventh birthday and our friend Merv Conn’s 90th birthday! We’d set up for about 50 and assumed that would be plenty, but people kept filing in, so we pulled out more tables and chairs, and then even more. The meeting had been billed as a dance party, and again we were surprised, because lots of people actually got up and danced. Maybe this was due to cabin fever, or maybe the music was just right. In any case, the party was a giant success and, what’s more, we were lucky once again and did not get snowed on, or snowed out, like so many other events did in February.
Emcee/entertainer Ken Kunec made things festive, as we now depend on him to do, and WMAS members and guests performed a wide variety of polkas and waltzes, as well as all kinds of other tunes. Joan Grauman taught the hora, and so many people joined in that we had two concentric circles going and were still squeezed for space.
After Merv arrived Joan spoke about his career and invited everyone to view the display of articles, pictures, sheet music, and other Merv items that she’d set up in the back of the room. Documentary maker Jeff Krulik was on hand to film the party and to mark the three years since his The Legend of Merv Conn premiered to a sold-out audience at the AFI Silver Theater on (more or less) Merv’s 87th birthday. As for Merv, he seemed thrilled to be feted, and offered up a mini-concert, which included his and our favorite, “You Made Me Love You.” Joan presented him with a “You Made Me Love You” birthday card, an amazing find on her part.
Thanks very much to Lee and Ron Paulson for providing the decorations, and to everyone else who pitched in with refreshments, setup, and cleanup. And thanks to everyone who came out and made the afternoon a success!
Photos of the party have been posted to the WMAS photo album. While you're there check out the whole load of other new photos that have been added recently.
Next Meeting
The next WMAS meeting will be Sunday, March 21, at 4 pm at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church. On the program: a workshop with Russkiye Musikanti ensemble from the Washington Balalaika Society. This will be something a little different and we’re all looking forward to it.
Our Mexican Friends on YouTube
Karen found this YouTube video by the Trio Zur musicians we hosted last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGwJVRkKQMs. Check it out!
Polka Show on PBS
Thanks to James Okoniewski for alerting us to this.
The following TV show will be seen nationwide on PBS during the month of March. Please check your local listings and tell your friends.
JIMMY STURR AND HIS ORCHESTRA
JIMMY STURR AND HIS ORCHESTRA, filmed during the rollicking 2009 Polkapalooza Festival at Caesar’s Windsor Hotel and Casino in Canada, features Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra performing some of the most popular polka hits of all time. He and his band are on the top 10 list of all-time Grammy® Award winners, having garnered 18 Grammy® Awards and more consecutive Grammy® nominations than anyone in Grammy® history.
JIMMY STURR AND HIS ORCHESTRA includes some beloved polka songs, including “Clarinet Polka,” “Tavern in the Town” and other favorites, along with timeless big band standards such as “In the Mood” and “Sing Sing Sing.” The orchestra also pays tribute to Lawrence Welk with a medley of Welk’s popular songs. Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra have been delighting polka fans for decades. They tour nationally and internationally and constantly attract crowds of fans wherever their travels take them – including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
JIMMY STURR AND HIS ORCHESTRA includes:
Act 1
• Medley
• “Dominique”
• Theme from “Ice Castles”
• “Tavern in the Town”
• “Sing, Sing, Sing”
Act 2
• “Izie La La”
• “Clarinet Polka”
• “Round and Round”
• “The Button Box Polka”
• “Champagne”
Act 3
• “Orange Blossom Special”
• “Bed of Roses”
• “Zippity Do Dah”
• “Hoop Dee Do”
• Lawrence Welk Medley
• Doo Wop Medley
Act 4
• “Let’s Polka Round”
• “In the Mood”
• “Gone”
• “Diggy Liggy”
• “This Land Is Your Land”
• Patriotic Medley
Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS
Producer: International Media
Executive producers: Gustavo Sagastume, International Media; and Jack Lenz, Lenz Entertainment
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
March 25, 2010
Meeting Notes
WMAS celebrated the arrival of spring in glorious fashion last Sunday with Russkiye Musikanti. On a lovely sunny afternoon, this 10-member ensemble, an outreach group from the Washington Balalaika Society, played us a one-hour concert. It was a great way to hear how the accordion can be used in an ensemble with other instruments.
Peter DiGiovanni, who is both WMAS President and accordionist with Russkiye Musikanti, introduced the instruments and brightly costumed musicians, and provided commentary on each piece. The group played the following selections:
Black Shawl
Lonely Accordion
Bubentsy - Anya Titova, soprano
Daydreams - Jan Bohm, prima balalaika solo
Welcome, Sasha - original composition by Peter DiGiovanni
I Remember the Beautiful Sound of the Waltz - Anya Titova, soprano
To Ne Veter - duet - Peter DiGiovanni, accordion, and Dick Hulan, bayan
Russian Sher - duet - Peter DiGiovanni, accordion, and Steve Luchter, clarinet
A Broken Life - duet - Peter DiGiovanni, accordion, and Steve Luchter, clarinet
Happy Gypsy - original composition by Peter DiGiovanni
Play my Bagpipe - Jan Bohm, prima balalaika solo
Romance from the Gadfly - Zhenya Tochenaya (WBS Concertmistress) tenor domra solo
Prisla Bom Pomlad - arranged by Peter DiGiovanni for Russkiye Musikanti
Russian Intermezzo - arranged by Peter DiGiovanni for Russkiye Musikanti
Fisherman's Revelry - Anya Titova, soprano
Gypsy Dance
Afterwards Peter passed out lead sheets so WMAS folks could play some traditional Russian folk favorites along with some of the Russkiye Musikanti members. Songs included Gari Gari, Brightly Shines the Moon, Korobushka, Troika, Lara's Theme, Those Were the Days, Ukhar Kupets, and the Ural Rowan Tree.
More information about the Washington Balalaika Society and its upcoming concerts can be found at www.balalaika.org.
Important Information and Upcoming Events
--Joan Grauman, WMAS Vice-President
Many of us are getting sheet music requests for the pieces we have been performing at our club meetings. Here are a few sources for the music.
All of Stas Venglevski’s pieces, including his duets, are available in books (some include CDs) and can be purchased from Stas, [email protected]. You can also visit his website, www.stasv.com, to see what is available.
For Frank Marocco’s compositions and arrangements, you will need to e-mail him directly, as his “store” is being updated: [email protected]. Frank sells books with CDs, and also single pieces.
For just about everything else, we have a terrific resource right in our “backyard.” Ernest Deffner Publications, now in Alexandria, has the largest collection of accordion music available. Contact Frank Busso (Busso Music) by phone: 703-941-9300, or e-mail him at [email protected] for a complete catalogue of accordion sheet music and music books. I plan to visit Frank in the next week or so and I will pick up some catalogues for the April meeting.
April Meeting - Bruce Gassman in Concert
Speaking of the April meeting – WMAS will be having our spring “guest artist” concert on Sunday, April 18 at 4 pm. Bruce Gassman, rock accordionist extraordinaire, will be our featured artist. Here’s what Rita Davidson, editor of Accordion USA, has to say about him: “Bruce Gassman is total accordion entertainment. I heard him perform several times at the NAA last week in Dallas. I thoroughly enjoyed each performance. Bruce Gassman is Rock and Roll Accordion personified! Do not miss his unique presentation!”
Grayson Masefield in Concert
Also, please mark your calendars for a wonderful afternoon of accordion music on May 1 at the Silver Spring Masonic Temple. We are so pleased to be able to bring Grayson Masefield, the 22-year-old 2009 Coupe Mondiale champion, to our area for this special event. The concert begins at 2 pm and will be followed by a reception. Please forward the attached flyer to your friends and post it on bulletin boards in your area. For more information, you can contact me at: [email protected] or by phone, 301-806-5998.
FREE ACCORDION REPAIR CLINIC
Dale Wise is holding a free, one-day accordion repair clinic on Saturday April 24, 9 - 5:30 in Burr Hill, Virginia. WMAS members can reserve a spot by calling Dale at 540-854-5209 or sending him an email at [email protected].
**********************************************************************************************************************
March 25, 2010
Meeting Notes
WMAS celebrated the arrival of spring in glorious fashion last Sunday with Russkiye Musikanti. On a lovely sunny afternoon, this 10-member ensemble, an outreach group from the Washington Balalaika Society, played us a one-hour concert. It was a great way to hear how the accordion can be used in an ensemble with other instruments.
Peter DiGiovanni, who is both WMAS President and accordionist with Russkiye Musikanti, introduced the instruments and brightly costumed musicians, and provided commentary on each piece. The group played the following selections:
Black Shawl
Lonely Accordion
Bubentsy - Anya Titova, soprano
Daydreams - Jan Bohm, prima balalaika solo
Welcome, Sasha - original composition by Peter DiGiovanni
I Remember the Beautiful Sound of the Waltz - Anya Titova, soprano
To Ne Veter - duet - Peter DiGiovanni, accordion, and Dick Hulan, bayan
Russian Sher - duet - Peter DiGiovanni, accordion, and Steve Luchter, clarinet
A Broken Life - duet - Peter DiGiovanni, accordion, and Steve Luchter, clarinet
Happy Gypsy - original composition by Peter DiGiovanni
Play my Bagpipe - Jan Bohm, prima balalaika solo
Romance from the Gadfly - Zhenya Tochenaya (WBS Concertmistress) tenor domra solo
Prisla Bom Pomlad - arranged by Peter DiGiovanni for Russkiye Musikanti
Russian Intermezzo - arranged by Peter DiGiovanni for Russkiye Musikanti
Fisherman's Revelry - Anya Titova, soprano
Gypsy Dance
Afterwards Peter passed out lead sheets so WMAS folks could play some traditional Russian folk favorites along with some of the Russkiye Musikanti members. Songs included Gari Gari, Brightly Shines the Moon, Korobushka, Troika, Lara's Theme, Those Were the Days, Ukhar Kupets, and the Ural Rowan Tree.
More information about the Washington Balalaika Society and its upcoming concerts can be found at www.balalaika.org.
Important Information and Upcoming Events
--Joan Grauman, WMAS Vice-President
Many of us are getting sheet music requests for the pieces we have been performing at our club meetings. Here are a few sources for the music.
All of Stas Venglevski’s pieces, including his duets, are available in books (some include CDs) and can be purchased from Stas, [email protected]. You can also visit his website, www.stasv.com, to see what is available.
For Frank Marocco’s compositions and arrangements, you will need to e-mail him directly, as his “store” is being updated: [email protected]. Frank sells books with CDs, and also single pieces.
For just about everything else, we have a terrific resource right in our “backyard.” Ernest Deffner Publications, now in Alexandria, has the largest collection of accordion music available. Contact Frank Busso (Busso Music) by phone: 703-941-9300, or e-mail him at [email protected] for a complete catalogue of accordion sheet music and music books. I plan to visit Frank in the next week or so and I will pick up some catalogues for the April meeting.
April Meeting - Bruce Gassman in Concert
Speaking of the April meeting – WMAS will be having our spring “guest artist” concert on Sunday, April 18 at 4 pm. Bruce Gassman, rock accordionist extraordinaire, will be our featured artist. Here’s what Rita Davidson, editor of Accordion USA, has to say about him: “Bruce Gassman is total accordion entertainment. I heard him perform several times at the NAA last week in Dallas. I thoroughly enjoyed each performance. Bruce Gassman is Rock and Roll Accordion personified! Do not miss his unique presentation!”
Grayson Masefield in Concert
Also, please mark your calendars for a wonderful afternoon of accordion music on May 1 at the Silver Spring Masonic Temple. We are so pleased to be able to bring Grayson Masefield, the 22-year-old 2009 Coupe Mondiale champion, to our area for this special event. The concert begins at 2 pm and will be followed by a reception. Please forward the attached flyer to your friends and post it on bulletin boards in your area. For more information, you can contact me at: [email protected] or by phone, 301-806-5998.
FREE ACCORDION REPAIR CLINIC
Dale Wise is holding a free, one-day accordion repair clinic on Saturday April 24, 9 - 5:30 in Burr Hill, Virginia. WMAS members can reserve a spot by calling Dale at 540-854-5209 or sending him an email at [email protected].
**********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
May 28, 2010
Meeting Notes
May 16 was our annual spring concert, and we had a good lineup as usual, as well as lots of groaners, thanks to our wonderful emcee Ken Kunec. The high point, though, was a performance by a newcomer – to WMAS and the accordion. Fifteen-year-old Andre Fry performed Monti’s “Czardas” and received a well-deserved standing ovation. Andre is a student of Ron Onda, who is a former accordion champion of Canada and has performed for WMAS in the past.
Next Month
Coming up: Don’t miss the Ashgrove Players’ mini-concert and play-along/jam session at the June 13 meeting. Until then you can check out the Ashgrove Players – comprising two fiddles, two guitars, a mandolin, and an accordion played by WMAS member Lee Paulson – on YouTube.
Announcements
Potomac Ensemble Performances
The Potomac Ensemble received a warm reception when it performed for two hours last Saturday at Reston’s Lake Anne. The ensemble will also be playing on Thursday evening, July 15, for Cabaret Night at the AAA Festival in Hershey, Pa.
More on the AAA Festival in Pennsylvania
The festival, which runs from July 14 to 18 at the Harrisburg/Hershey Sheraton, offers lots of great accordion music, a trip to Hershey Park, and a variety of workshops, performances, and exhibits. Something new this year will be a children’s program on Friday morning, July 16. The program will include a presentation by Karen Malan-Uribe, Joan Grauman, and Mary Tokarski of their new book, An Accordion! What Is That? and an “Accordion Petting Zoo” for children from the local Milton Hershey School to try out 12-bass accordions. Frank Busso, Jr.’s students (and WMAS members) will be performing and competing at the festival, and a show band (which will also include students of Frank Busso, Sr.’s music school) will perform during the Saturday afternoon Awards Ceremony. Be sure to reserve your room soon to get the special AAA rate ($109 per night, as opposed to $200). See www.ameraccord.com for more information.
Balalaika Society Concert June 5 and 6
On Saturday, June 5, at 8 pm, the Washington Balalaika Society will present its spring concert, "Balalaika 2010," featuring a 100th anniversary tribute to composer Nikolai Budashkin. The concert will take place at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville Md., and will be repeated on Sunday, June 6 at 3 pm, at Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Va. In addition to the 55-member orchestra conducted by Svetlana Nikonova, there will be three outstanding soloists: Alexander Tsygankov (Domra), Andrei Saveliev (Balalaika), and Irina Petryk (Soprano). The music is filled with wonderful melodies, rich harmonies, and exciting rhythms. For more information, go to www.balalaika.org.
By the way, WBS is looking for volunteers to help with lobby operations. If you are interested in volunteering (which gets you into the concert for free) please contact L.A. Hoffman: [email protected].
Accordion Fun
Sue Smith has alerted us to the interesting web siteof Gary Sredzienski, "The Accordion Warrior," at www.garysred.com. Gary hosts a weekly polka show on a New Hampshire radio station, which you can hear via his site. You can also see videos there of his performances at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and elsewhere.
More Accordion Fun ---
Tony Gudell, who has just joined the WMAS email list, has started a group on Facebook called DC Accordion Marching Band. Here's a link:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=117172784991587
Peter DiGiovanni’s Hot-weather Advice
Remember never to leave your accordion in a hot car. Excessive heat is bad news for your precious instrument. Cars heat up quickly in the sun -- as much as 20 degrees in the first 10 minutes and another 10 degrees in the next 10 minutes -- and can quickly reach 140 degrees. Instead, take your accordion inside with you and set it in a safe, secure place. If you must leave it for a few minutes, for example while you run into a store, try to park in the shade, even if it means a longer walk for you. And try wrapping the instrument (in its case) in a light-colored blanket or two; the extra insulation will buy some time. Another idea: put a reflective silver screen in your windshield. And if you have a moonroof, open the tilt to let hot air escape. While the trunk of your car does not get as hot as the interior (about 120 degrees), it is nonetheless too hot for your accordion.
**********************************************************************************************************************
May 28, 2010
Meeting Notes
May 16 was our annual spring concert, and we had a good lineup as usual, as well as lots of groaners, thanks to our wonderful emcee Ken Kunec. The high point, though, was a performance by a newcomer – to WMAS and the accordion. Fifteen-year-old Andre Fry performed Monti’s “Czardas” and received a well-deserved standing ovation. Andre is a student of Ron Onda, who is a former accordion champion of Canada and has performed for WMAS in the past.
Next Month
Coming up: Don’t miss the Ashgrove Players’ mini-concert and play-along/jam session at the June 13 meeting. Until then you can check out the Ashgrove Players – comprising two fiddles, two guitars, a mandolin, and an accordion played by WMAS member Lee Paulson – on YouTube.
Announcements
Potomac Ensemble Performances
The Potomac Ensemble received a warm reception when it performed for two hours last Saturday at Reston’s Lake Anne. The ensemble will also be playing on Thursday evening, July 15, for Cabaret Night at the AAA Festival in Hershey, Pa.
More on the AAA Festival in Pennsylvania
The festival, which runs from July 14 to 18 at the Harrisburg/Hershey Sheraton, offers lots of great accordion music, a trip to Hershey Park, and a variety of workshops, performances, and exhibits. Something new this year will be a children’s program on Friday morning, July 16. The program will include a presentation by Karen Malan-Uribe, Joan Grauman, and Mary Tokarski of their new book, An Accordion! What Is That? and an “Accordion Petting Zoo” for children from the local Milton Hershey School to try out 12-bass accordions. Frank Busso, Jr.’s students (and WMAS members) will be performing and competing at the festival, and a show band (which will also include students of Frank Busso, Sr.’s music school) will perform during the Saturday afternoon Awards Ceremony. Be sure to reserve your room soon to get the special AAA rate ($109 per night, as opposed to $200). See www.ameraccord.com for more information.
Balalaika Society Concert June 5 and 6
On Saturday, June 5, at 8 pm, the Washington Balalaika Society will present its spring concert, "Balalaika 2010," featuring a 100th anniversary tribute to composer Nikolai Budashkin. The concert will take place at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville Md., and will be repeated on Sunday, June 6 at 3 pm, at Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Va. In addition to the 55-member orchestra conducted by Svetlana Nikonova, there will be three outstanding soloists: Alexander Tsygankov (Domra), Andrei Saveliev (Balalaika), and Irina Petryk (Soprano). The music is filled with wonderful melodies, rich harmonies, and exciting rhythms. For more information, go to www.balalaika.org.
By the way, WBS is looking for volunteers to help with lobby operations. If you are interested in volunteering (which gets you into the concert for free) please contact L.A. Hoffman: [email protected].
Accordion Fun
Sue Smith has alerted us to the interesting web siteof Gary Sredzienski, "The Accordion Warrior," at www.garysred.com. Gary hosts a weekly polka show on a New Hampshire radio station, which you can hear via his site. You can also see videos there of his performances at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and elsewhere.
More Accordion Fun ---
Tony Gudell, who has just joined the WMAS email list, has started a group on Facebook called DC Accordion Marching Band. Here's a link:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=117172784991587
Peter DiGiovanni’s Hot-weather Advice
Remember never to leave your accordion in a hot car. Excessive heat is bad news for your precious instrument. Cars heat up quickly in the sun -- as much as 20 degrees in the first 10 minutes and another 10 degrees in the next 10 minutes -- and can quickly reach 140 degrees. Instead, take your accordion inside with you and set it in a safe, secure place. If you must leave it for a few minutes, for example while you run into a store, try to park in the shade, even if it means a longer walk for you. And try wrapping the instrument (in its case) in a light-colored blanket or two; the extra insulation will buy some time. Another idea: put a reflective silver screen in your windshield. And if you have a moonroof, open the tilt to let hot air escape. While the trunk of your car does not get as hot as the interior (about 120 degrees), it is nonetheless too hot for your accordion.
**********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
June 27, 2010
Meeting Notes
It’s good to remember, during this heat wave, the breath of fresh air provided by the Ash Grove Players at our June 13 meeting. Wearing their trademark hats, the quartet offered us lots of good tunes – many old-timey and Scandinavian -- and lots of good humor.
The Ash Grove Players are led by Dr. Lilli Vincenz on fiddle, and include WMAS member Lee Paulson on accordion, Wilmer Kerns on mandolin and guitar, and Pete Coleman, vocals and guitar. Their playlist looked like this: Pig Ankle Rag, Liberty, Goofus, Swallow Tail, Bringebaerslaten, I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, St. Anne’s Reel, Lonesome John, Ragtime Annie, Hyttstenpolketten, Red-haired Boy, I Don’t Know Enough About You, Crafton Blues, Stardust Medley, and Forked Deer.
Following the concert, the group distributed sheet music, and audience members strapped on their accordions to play the pieces. Musicians and listeners agreed that the play-along was the most successful one we’ve had for a while.
Some of the concert and play-along was captured on video, which you can watch on YouTube:
Orevalsen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqmC3BIW9R0
Careless Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxzPzh-fL0
Autumn Leaves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbpyFryqDwA
House of David Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9m_i5_ld4
Dinah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2CUYxRrCc
Per The Blacksmith Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTuvUYJpG0s
Next Meeting
The next meeting is only two weeks away! On July 11, at 4 pm at our regular place, Sleepy Hollow UMC, we’ll be treated to the following:
The Almost-Politically-Correct Squeezebox Concert presented by Ken Kunec on his second-hand accordion. A musical collection of unforgettable old standards, modern classics, international favorites, stories, and Internet trivia has been exclusively compiled to provide a pleasant afternoon of memories, smiles, and groans. Singing, dancing, and toe tapping are encouraged. Bring your accordion for jamming afterwards.
Update on American Accordionists’ Association Festival July 14-18
If you want Hershey Park tickets while at the festival, you’ll need to pre-order them. Go to www.ameraccord.com and find the registration pages.
The massed band will now play at the hotel JUST BEFORE leaving for Hershey Park on Thursday, July 15. Several news crews will come to film and interview us. Afterwards people can return their accordions to their rooms and head out on the bus to Hershey. You can download the (very easy) sheet music for the massed band, “Candy Kisses,” at the above AAA link.
From John Kessler:
Some barebones sheet music is available at www.ConcertinaMusic.com. No arrangements, sparse chords, but free and printable (allow pop-ups).
Air Force Strings Free Summer Concerts
What is summer in Washington without a free concert! The Air Force Band’s concert calendar can be found below and at http://www.usafband.af.mil/events/index.asp (select “Air Force Strings” in the “event type” dropdown box to view the Air Force Strings’ schedule).
Friday, July 9, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Mozart’s Second Divertimento and Gustav Holst’s “St. Paul’s” Suite.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Wednesday, July 14, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Telemann Viola Concerto with soloist TSgt Tyler Sieh, and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Tuesday, July 20, 8 pm
The United States Capitol, West Steps
Washington, D.C.
Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Telemann Viola Concerto with soloist TSgt Tyler Sieh, and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Friday, July 30, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Haydn Cello Concerto with soloist MSgt Vivian Podgainy, and Dag Wiren’s Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Tuesday, August 3, 8 pm
The United States Capitol, West Steps
Washington, D.C.
Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Haydn Cello Concerto with soloist MSgt Vivian Podgainy, and Dag Wiren’s Serenade for Strings.
Wednesday, August 11, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works to include “Roses from the South” by Johann Strauss, and the idyllic Dvorak “Bagatelles” for string orchestra and accordion.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Friday, August 20, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Telemann’s baroque “Don Quichotte” Suite and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Tuesday, August 24, 8 pm
The United States Capitol, West Steps
Washington, D.C.
Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performan by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Telemann’s baroque “Don Quichotte” Suite and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Located just off Columbia Pike at One Air Force Memorial Drive, the awe-inspiring Air Force Memorial provides a wonderful setting for the band's summer concerts, as well as refreshing summer breezes and spectacular nighttime views of the Pentagon and the District's monument core. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or short folding chair, as bleacher seating is limited. There's plenty of free on-site parking; the nearest metro stop is Pentagon City.
*********************************************************************************************************************
June 27, 2010
Meeting Notes
It’s good to remember, during this heat wave, the breath of fresh air provided by the Ash Grove Players at our June 13 meeting. Wearing their trademark hats, the quartet offered us lots of good tunes – many old-timey and Scandinavian -- and lots of good humor.
The Ash Grove Players are led by Dr. Lilli Vincenz on fiddle, and include WMAS member Lee Paulson on accordion, Wilmer Kerns on mandolin and guitar, and Pete Coleman, vocals and guitar. Their playlist looked like this: Pig Ankle Rag, Liberty, Goofus, Swallow Tail, Bringebaerslaten, I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, St. Anne’s Reel, Lonesome John, Ragtime Annie, Hyttstenpolketten, Red-haired Boy, I Don’t Know Enough About You, Crafton Blues, Stardust Medley, and Forked Deer.
Following the concert, the group distributed sheet music, and audience members strapped on their accordions to play the pieces. Musicians and listeners agreed that the play-along was the most successful one we’ve had for a while.
Some of the concert and play-along was captured on video, which you can watch on YouTube:
Orevalsen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqmC3BIW9R0
Careless Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxzPzh-fL0
Autumn Leaves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbpyFryqDwA
House of David Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9m_i5_ld4
Dinah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2CUYxRrCc
Per The Blacksmith Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTuvUYJpG0s
Next Meeting
The next meeting is only two weeks away! On July 11, at 4 pm at our regular place, Sleepy Hollow UMC, we’ll be treated to the following:
The Almost-Politically-Correct Squeezebox Concert presented by Ken Kunec on his second-hand accordion. A musical collection of unforgettable old standards, modern classics, international favorites, stories, and Internet trivia has been exclusively compiled to provide a pleasant afternoon of memories, smiles, and groans. Singing, dancing, and toe tapping are encouraged. Bring your accordion for jamming afterwards.
Update on American Accordionists’ Association Festival July 14-18
If you want Hershey Park tickets while at the festival, you’ll need to pre-order them. Go to www.ameraccord.com and find the registration pages.
The massed band will now play at the hotel JUST BEFORE leaving for Hershey Park on Thursday, July 15. Several news crews will come to film and interview us. Afterwards people can return their accordions to their rooms and head out on the bus to Hershey. You can download the (very easy) sheet music for the massed band, “Candy Kisses,” at the above AAA link.
From John Kessler:
Some barebones sheet music is available at www.ConcertinaMusic.com. No arrangements, sparse chords, but free and printable (allow pop-ups).
Air Force Strings Free Summer Concerts
What is summer in Washington without a free concert! The Air Force Band’s concert calendar can be found below and at http://www.usafband.af.mil/events/index.asp (select “Air Force Strings” in the “event type” dropdown box to view the Air Force Strings’ schedule).
Friday, July 9, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Mozart’s Second Divertimento and Gustav Holst’s “St. Paul’s” Suite.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Wednesday, July 14, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Telemann Viola Concerto with soloist TSgt Tyler Sieh, and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Tuesday, July 20, 8 pm
The United States Capitol, West Steps
Washington, D.C.
Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Telemann Viola Concerto with soloist TSgt Tyler Sieh, and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Friday, July 30, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Haydn Cello Concerto with soloist MSgt Vivian Podgainy, and Dag Wiren’s Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Tuesday, August 3, 8 pm
The United States Capitol, West Steps
Washington, D.C.
Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include the Haydn Cello Concerto with soloist MSgt Vivian Podgainy, and Dag Wiren’s Serenade for Strings.
Wednesday, August 11, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of light string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works to include “Roses from the South” by Johann Strauss, and the idyllic Dvorak “Bagatelles” for string orchestra and accordion.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Friday, August 20, 8 pm
Air Force Memorial*
1 Air Force Memorial Drive
Arlington, Va.
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performance by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Telemann’s baroque “Don Quichotte” Suite and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Scroll down for directions and parking information.
Tuesday, August 24, 8 pm
The United States Capitol, West Steps
Washington, D.C.
Nearest Metro: Union Station/Capitol South
Join the Air Force Strings for a varied program of string orchestra favorites and a performan by the world-renowned Strolling Strings! Featured works include Telemann’s baroque “Don Quichotte” Suite and the Dvorak Serenade for Strings.
*Located just off Columbia Pike at One Air Force Memorial Drive, the awe-inspiring Air Force Memorial provides a wonderful setting for the band's summer concerts, as well as refreshing summer breezes and spectacular nighttime views of the Pentagon and the District's monument core. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or short folding chair, as bleacher seating is limited. There's plenty of free on-site parking; the nearest metro stop is Pentagon City.
*********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
August 31, 2010
WMAS did not meet in August, but we’ll make up for it next month when we celebrate Oktoberfest on September 19. Please sign up to play a polka or waltz for dancing (that is, something with a steady beat), and please remember we have a 5-minute limit. If you’d like, prepare a second selection; you may have a chance to play again after everyone has had a turn.
Besides the music and dance shoes, please bring Oktoberfest-style refreshments and/or root beer or nonalcoholic beer to share. (Unfortunately alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the church, so we’ll have to pretend.)
Also -- please spread the word about the Oktoberfest. Invite your family and friends, especially the ones who like to dance!
One last thing: we are looking for people to help clean up after the meeting. Please sign up. The church lets us use the space rent-free (we give them only the money collected in the jar on the refreshment table, plus half the income from concerts, which is not very much). It is therefore important that we leave the hall and kitchen perfectly clean when we go home. We are grateful to JoAnn and John Pankow for having taken on kitchen duty, but we can’t leave it all up to them. They could really use some help so they’re not stuck in the church long after everyone else has gone home. Thanks!
Announcements
Mary Tokarski at Wolf Trap
Mary Tokarski will be playing in the pit orchestra at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center on Friday night, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept 11. More information is at http://www.wolftrap.org/Home/Find_Performances_and_Events/Performance/10Filene/0910show10.aspx. If any of you can attend this, Mary would be thrilled to see some familiar, smiling faces looking down in the pit!
AAA Fundraiser at the Magnanini Farm Winery in Wallkill, New York
This year’s Valtaro Celebration takes place on Saturday, September 11, noon-5 pm, at the gorgeous Magnanini Farm Winery in Wallkill, NY. The event will feature some fabulous accordionists, including Eddie Monteiro, Mario Tacca, Frank Toscano, Bruce Gassman, and Ray Oreggia – and a wine-tasting reception and full-course Italian dinner. Tickets are $65. This event is a fundraiser for the American Accordionists' Association. A flyer with full details can be found at
http://ameraccord.com/2010/2010Magnanin911.pdf.
Bruce Gassman CD
Bruce Gassman, who played us an unforgettable concert last spring (and taught us to play “Midnight Hour”), has put out a great new CD: Classic Rock Accordion 2 Bruce, vol. 1. Order your copy at [email protected] or www.accordion2bruce.com.
Mike Surratt at Blob’s Park
Mike Surratt and the Continentals will be playing Blob’s Park on Sunday afternoon, October 24. Maybe we should get a group together and drive out to Blob’s for some great music and dancing. See www.blobspark.net. More on Mike’s other dates at www.polkasarecool.com.
*********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
October 4, 2010
Meeting Notes
There is no beer in heaven, and there wasn’t any at the WMAS Oktoberfest, either, but it was fun nonetheless. The party took place during our September 19 meeting, and it did boast sauerkraut, accordion music, and a crowd of people, some of whom even took to the dance floor. Thanks to everyone who helped out, especially to Lee and Ron Paulson for taking care of the setup and decorations, Ken Kunec for emceeing, and John and JoAnn Pankow for managing the kitchen.
Next Meeting
Please make sure our October 17 meeting in on your calendar. William Cosby will be our special guest artist, and those who have heard him report that he is a phenomenal accordionist and not to be missed! This concert is your opportunity to enjoy one of the benefits of being a WMAS member; we will be asking nonmembers for an $8 donation at the door. The concert will take place at 4 pm Sunday, October 17, at the usual place: 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Virginia.
WMAS Holiday Concert
This year’s concert will take place on Sunday, December 12, at 4 pm, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist. As in the past, accordionists of any level are welcome to play in the WMAS Holiday Orchestra, but all must be willing to come to rehearsals. Our conductor, Joan Grauman, will hand out packets with the holiday sheet music at the October 17 meeting. We will be rehearsing during the regular WMAS meeting on November 21 and before the holiday concert on December 12 (at 2 pm). In addition, one other rehearsal will be scheduled. For more information, please contact Joan at [email protected].
News and Announcements
Ron Onda Recital This Saturday
Saturday, October 9, 1:30 pm
Society of the Cincinnati’s Anderson House
2118 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC 20037
http://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/public.htm
Ron Onda, classical accordionist, presents light classical accordion favorites featuring Hungarian and Spanish music.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free.
Andre Fry - Youth Division Winner at Roland Festival
Andre Fry, the astounding young accordionist who played at one of our meetings last spring, was the Youth Division Winner at the Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival in Los Angeles on September 18. Andre first tried out a Roland at the AAA Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in mid-July. In fact, he has only been playing the accordion since August 2009. His interest in the instrument began in Russia where he learned to play the bayan.
Andre also composes. If you went to the AAA Festival or read last month’s WMAS Update, you may recall that he won AAA’s Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition, Junior Division, with his composition “Czardas.”
This young prodigy hopes to be a concert artist, and it is quite obvious his chances of attaining that goal are high. We look forward to the mini-concert he will perform for the club at the April 17 meeting.
For more information on the Roland competition, see http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-accordion_festival/
Tony Gudella in Falsettos
Tony Gudella, a new friend who came to our July meeting, is performing in the musical Falsettos, now in its last week at:
Noi's Nook at go mama go!
1809 14th Street NW
Washington, DC
Tickets are $30, see http://www.ganymedearts.org/Falsettos.html
An Interview with Karen Malan-Uribe
The following was published in the Connection Newspapers, last Friday’s edition. [Please note that Mara Cherkasky has made a few corrections to this version.]
Teacher-Author Helps in Re-emergence of AccordionBy Senitra McCombs
Friday, October 1, 2010
From the age of 6 or 7, Karen Malan Uribe had been playing the accordion under the tutelage of her father, accordionist Allan Malan, at his music studio in Dearborn, Michigan.
That is until she bought her first Elvis Presley album. However, she picked it back up 11 years later and now the London Towne Elementary teacher-turned-author is helping to revive its image among younger generations.
In 2009, Uribe published An Accordion! What Is That? along with the help of her friends, illustrator Joan Geller Grauman and narrator /accordionist Mary Tokarski.
To get a copy, e-mail Grauman at [email protected] or call 1-301-279-8716.
Uribe decided to write the book after seeing the enthusiasm in and hearing the questions from her students when she would use the instrument to help teach writing and English.
"The idea came from them really — wanting to know what the accordion was and how it worked," she said.
Moreover, she was driven by a need to find an "easy nonfiction book" her third-grade ESOL students could read and understand.
"I really became a writer out of a sense of need," she said.
While Uribe wrote the book for a 1st or 2nd grade level, she says that older children can also learn a lot about music theory because of the notes on the side of the page.
"I hope that they’ll want to pick up an accordion after reading the book … That it piques their interest in music and learning how to care for instruments," she said.
Overall the response to the book has been favorable. The three friends are currently doing workshop presentations on the accordion using their book.
Recently, they did a workshop for 40 children from the Milton Hershey School during which Uribe led an interactive accordion demonstration with the help of a local accordion school that donated five little 12-bass accordions.
"They loved it. They came in and sat down and really paid attention to everything we did. And then, afterwards, we had them try out the accordions. They tried them all," she said.
According to Grauman, "Karen’s ability to work with children is amazing. She was able to get them to focus, and to get their attention, when their little minds would wander. It was really fun to observe."
Currently they are trying to schedule a workshop for London Towne Elementary for November.
From the moment she thought of doing a children’s book on accordions more than two years ago, Uribe knew it wasn’t something she could do alone.
So while at a convention with Tokarski and Grauman, she asked them if they would help her bring her vision to reality.
They agreed.
"It was really rewarding working together as a group, making sure the pictures and music went with the words and all of it fit together in a good marriage," Uribe said.
Illustrator Grauman added, "I learned a lot about the accordion doing this book."
Grauman was responsible for the book’s main character: a bumblebee named Buzz Treble.
"I would draw several expressive bees and the ones that Karen and Mary laughed at would be the ones that I included in the book. The little bee had to be cute in the eyes of young children. We felt that this would help to keep them interested in the book," she said.
While Uribe acknowledges the editing and researching were a bit challenging, her work writing short educational books for Fairfax County Public Schools’ curriculum helped her with the structure.
Her first book, Learn and Laugh with Music, was an instructional guide for teachers on how to use music to teach ESOL students.
After collaborating for six months, Uribe faced another challenge: finding a publisher. In the end, she decided to self-publish the book.
"It really was an incredibly collaborative effort between the three of us. We worked so well together and our love for the accordion comes out in this book," she said.
When she’s not practicing accordion or doing presentations, Uribe enjoys hiking, knitting and reading historical fiction, especially James A. Michener.
She's the founder of the Washington, DC-area accordion club: the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society.
********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
October 4, 2010
Meeting Notes
There is no beer in heaven, and there wasn’t any at the WMAS Oktoberfest, either, but it was fun nonetheless. The party took place during our September 19 meeting, and it did boast sauerkraut, accordion music, and a crowd of people, some of whom even took to the dance floor. Thanks to everyone who helped out, especially to Lee and Ron Paulson for taking care of the setup and decorations, Ken Kunec for emceeing, and John and JoAnn Pankow for managing the kitchen.
Next Meeting
Please make sure our October 17 meeting in on your calendar. William Cosby will be our special guest artist, and those who have heard him report that he is a phenomenal accordionist and not to be missed! This concert is your opportunity to enjoy one of the benefits of being a WMAS member; we will be asking nonmembers for an $8 donation at the door. The concert will take place at 4 pm Sunday, October 17, at the usual place: 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Virginia.
WMAS Holiday Concert
This year’s concert will take place on Sunday, December 12, at 4 pm, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist. As in the past, accordionists of any level are welcome to play in the WMAS Holiday Orchestra, but all must be willing to come to rehearsals. Our conductor, Joan Grauman, will hand out packets with the holiday sheet music at the October 17 meeting. We will be rehearsing during the regular WMAS meeting on November 21 and before the holiday concert on December 12 (at 2 pm). In addition, one other rehearsal will be scheduled. For more information, please contact Joan at [email protected].
News and Announcements
Ron Onda Recital This Saturday
Saturday, October 9, 1:30 pm
Society of the Cincinnati’s Anderson House
2118 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC 20037
http://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/public.htm
Ron Onda, classical accordionist, presents light classical accordion favorites featuring Hungarian and Spanish music.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free.
Andre Fry - Youth Division Winner at Roland Festival
Andre Fry, the astounding young accordionist who played at one of our meetings last spring, was the Youth Division Winner at the Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival in Los Angeles on September 18. Andre first tried out a Roland at the AAA Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in mid-July. In fact, he has only been playing the accordion since August 2009. His interest in the instrument began in Russia where he learned to play the bayan.
Andre also composes. If you went to the AAA Festival or read last month’s WMAS Update, you may recall that he won AAA’s Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition, Junior Division, with his composition “Czardas.”
This young prodigy hopes to be a concert artist, and it is quite obvious his chances of attaining that goal are high. We look forward to the mini-concert he will perform for the club at the April 17 meeting.
For more information on the Roland competition, see http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-accordion_festival/
Tony Gudella in Falsettos
Tony Gudella, a new friend who came to our July meeting, is performing in the musical Falsettos, now in its last week at:
Noi's Nook at go mama go!
1809 14th Street NW
Washington, DC
Tickets are $30, see http://www.ganymedearts.org/Falsettos.html
An Interview with Karen Malan-Uribe
The following was published in the Connection Newspapers, last Friday’s edition. [Please note that Mara Cherkasky has made a few corrections to this version.]
Teacher-Author Helps in Re-emergence of AccordionBy Senitra McCombs
Friday, October 1, 2010
From the age of 6 or 7, Karen Malan Uribe had been playing the accordion under the tutelage of her father, accordionist Allan Malan, at his music studio in Dearborn, Michigan.
That is until she bought her first Elvis Presley album. However, she picked it back up 11 years later and now the London Towne Elementary teacher-turned-author is helping to revive its image among younger generations.
In 2009, Uribe published An Accordion! What Is That? along with the help of her friends, illustrator Joan Geller Grauman and narrator /accordionist Mary Tokarski.
To get a copy, e-mail Grauman at [email protected] or call 1-301-279-8716.
Uribe decided to write the book after seeing the enthusiasm in and hearing the questions from her students when she would use the instrument to help teach writing and English.
"The idea came from them really — wanting to know what the accordion was and how it worked," she said.
Moreover, she was driven by a need to find an "easy nonfiction book" her third-grade ESOL students could read and understand.
"I really became a writer out of a sense of need," she said.
While Uribe wrote the book for a 1st or 2nd grade level, she says that older children can also learn a lot about music theory because of the notes on the side of the page.
"I hope that they’ll want to pick up an accordion after reading the book … That it piques their interest in music and learning how to care for instruments," she said.
Overall the response to the book has been favorable. The three friends are currently doing workshop presentations on the accordion using their book.
Recently, they did a workshop for 40 children from the Milton Hershey School during which Uribe led an interactive accordion demonstration with the help of a local accordion school that donated five little 12-bass accordions.
"They loved it. They came in and sat down and really paid attention to everything we did. And then, afterwards, we had them try out the accordions. They tried them all," she said.
According to Grauman, "Karen’s ability to work with children is amazing. She was able to get them to focus, and to get their attention, when their little minds would wander. It was really fun to observe."
Currently they are trying to schedule a workshop for London Towne Elementary for November.
From the moment she thought of doing a children’s book on accordions more than two years ago, Uribe knew it wasn’t something she could do alone.
So while at a convention with Tokarski and Grauman, she asked them if they would help her bring her vision to reality.
They agreed.
"It was really rewarding working together as a group, making sure the pictures and music went with the words and all of it fit together in a good marriage," Uribe said.
Illustrator Grauman added, "I learned a lot about the accordion doing this book."
Grauman was responsible for the book’s main character: a bumblebee named Buzz Treble.
"I would draw several expressive bees and the ones that Karen and Mary laughed at would be the ones that I included in the book. The little bee had to be cute in the eyes of young children. We felt that this would help to keep them interested in the book," she said.
While Uribe acknowledges the editing and researching were a bit challenging, her work writing short educational books for Fairfax County Public Schools’ curriculum helped her with the structure.
Her first book, Learn and Laugh with Music, was an instructional guide for teachers on how to use music to teach ESOL students.
After collaborating for six months, Uribe faced another challenge: finding a publisher. In the end, she decided to self-publish the book.
"It really was an incredibly collaborative effort between the three of us. We worked so well together and our love for the accordion comes out in this book," she said.
When she’s not practicing accordion or doing presentations, Uribe enjoys hiking, knitting and reading historical fiction, especially James A. Michener.
She's the founder of the Washington, DC-area accordion club: the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society.
********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
October 22, 2010
Meeting Notes
Some who attended last Sunday’s meeting – a concert with guest artist William Cosby – may have wondered why we waited so long to invite him. The answer is that he only recently picked up the accordion again after a 30-year break. What an amazing musician! And what a beautiful and flawless performance he offered us.
On a warm and sunny fall afternoon, 75 people came to hear Mr. Cosby. One of them was Mort Herold, whom Cosby recognized for his many contributions to the accordion world. “Mort is one of my heroes,” he said, adding: “If there is accordion royalty, Mort is accordion royalty.”
[Googling Mort Herold brings up this, from the November 1948 issue of Accordion World (New York): Before an audience of 3500 which filled the huge Chicago Civic Opera House, Mort Herold, accompanied by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, played his way into the Accordion Hall of Fame.]
Anyway …
William Cosby, now 65, studied with Tito Giudotti and Anthony Galla-Rini, often performing with Galla-Rini. He participated in many competitions, walking away with three consecutive ATG national titles, two silver medals and one bronze in the Coupe Mondiale, and two AAA jazz titles. In 1969 he joined the U.S. Military Academy Band as an accordion soloist. Nine years later, however, he put away his accordion and turned to the piano, and to conducting, arranging, producing demos, and other musical endeavors. Last year a Rocker Switch Excelsior came into his possession and he started playing again. As his bio notes, “when he puts on his accordion, he has come home.”
On the October 17 program were Pietro Deiro’s “Tranquillo Overture,” Galla-Rini’s 1938 arrangement of “Malaguena,” Pietro Deiro’s “Quick Silver” (Cosby played it the way he used to play it at age 14, “when you’re fearless and you just go for it”), Charles Magnante’s arrangement of “Midnight in Paris,” and Cosby’s own 1978 composition, “High Energy Sonata,” among other selections.
If you missed the concert, CDs are available at www.Athameinc.com.
Coming Up
Blob’s Park this Sunday
Mike Surratt and the Continentals are on the bandstand this Sunday, October 24, at Blob’s Park (www.blobspark.com) in Jessup, Maryland. Contact Nancy Leonard if you are going, at [email protected]. She is reserving a table for 4:15.
WMAS Orchestra
Everyone is encouraged to join the WMAS Orchestra and play in the Holiday Concert on December 12. The first rehearsal will be Sunday, November 14, at 4 pm, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, our usual meeting place. Please let us know if you will be participating. The other two rehearsals will be after the November 21 meeting, and at 2 pm the day of the concert.
If you would like to play a solo or duet in the concert, please let us know that, too, but keep in mind the 5-minute limit. We often have too much of a good thing (a very long concert), so some people may be asked to play during dinner rather than during the concert itself. Joining the orchestra is a good way to get a chance to play, and you’ll have a chance to practice playing with other people and following a conductor – its own set of skills.
Valtaro Night April 16, 2011
WMAS will be sponsoring a Valtaro evening with Dominic Karcic and Ray Oreggia on April 16, 2011, at Marco Polo Restaurant on Maple Avenue in Fairfax. Please mark your calendars for this fun event, which will include a buffet dinner and lots of good Italian Musette dance music. You may recall that Dominic and Ray performed at the May 2008 WMAS meeting.
Washington Balalaika Society Concerts November 20 and 21
Saturday, November 20, 8 pm ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville MD
Sunday, November 21, 3 pm ~ Kenmore Performing Arts Center, Arlington VA
Ticket information at http://www.balalaika.org
Charles Nunzio RIP
Charles Nunzio, the last surviving member of the American Accordionists’ Association founders, died earlier this week. He would have been 98 on October 30. A visitation and memorial service are tentatively planned for October 29 and 30 in Basking Ridge, NJ. Arrangements are through Gallaway and Crane (908-766-0250). The family is asking for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to the AAA or the Alzheimer's Association.
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
December 17, 2010
Message from the Executive Committee
Our annual Holiday Concert took place last Sunday, December 12, at 4 pm, and was followed as usual by a giant potluck feast. With all the good music and good food, people stayed and stayed. Still, the emails flew later that evening. Here are some exerpts:
From Peter:
WOW! It just keeps on getting better. I want to thank you all for your continued work for our great club. We had wonderful performers, a great emcee, spirited dinner music, a wonderful picture board [put together by Tom Leonard], and more words of support and encouragement than I have heard in a long time. It was especially nice to see Dale Wise, who has agreed to be honored at our March meeting on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Everyone did a great job with the food, and the kitchen crew was positively awesome. Everything was seamless. The orchestra and Potomac Ensemble did well, and Joan's last-minute coaching was exactly what was needed. The concert lasted almost two hours, and hardly anyone got up before it was over (no doubt for fear that they would miss something wonderful!). I am proud of you all, and you can all be proud of the role you played. Thanks again.
From Mara:
We outdid ourselves again! The room was full of amazing talent, and both the orchestra and the ensemble sounded great. Plus the dinner was delicious.
From Joan:
We have had wonderful support through the years and this has helped to make our events so successful. Ron Paulson’s adorable wooden creations looked great on our tables. Thanks for the beautiful centerpieces, Lee and Ron! Juliette collected money at the door and then worked in the kitchen. Eugene and Ronnie once again spent most of the concert in the kitchen as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
From Lee:
They did a monumental job in the kitchen, and with a smile too!
From JoAnn:
I was amazed by the efforts of our "volunteers." It would have been a disastrous mess without them. Such wonderful organization. I took notes!
January Meeting - IMPORTANT
At the January 9 meeting, we will be holding the annual election for WMAS officers. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else as a candidate for president, vice president, or secretary-treasurer, please contact Mara as soon as possible.
However, the current officers are willing to continue in their present roles, so, barring any other nominations, the slate will be as follows:
President - Peter DiGiovanni
Vice President - Joan Grauman
Secretary-Treasurer - Mara Cherkasky
Nominations will also be accepted at the January meeting prior to the election.
If you cannot attend the January meeting and would like to vote (members only), please send an email.
Following the election, Dick Dangel and Peter DiGiovanni will present a workshop on working with lead sheets, developing chords, bass runs, and making your playing sound more interesting. Bring your accordions and your questions – this is a hands-on workshop. There will be time afterwards for playing and jamming.
November Meeting
Mara was out of town for the November meeting and was not able to send out an update, so here is a brief summary from Joan:
It has become a tradition at the November WMAS meeting for Jim Vandelly, one of our favorite musicians, to play a short concert, and to follow the concert with a Holiday Orchestra rehearsal, led by Joan Grauman. As always, Jim delighted everyone with his beautiful arrangements of mostly Russian and Ukrainian folk tunes on both Russian bayan and piano accordion. The well-attended orchestra rehearsal was also a success as everyone was prepared and sounded great!
Looking Ahead
Val-taro Night at Marco Polo Restaurant in Vienna, Va.
Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 6 – 9 pm, promises to be an evening to remember. WMAS is planning something different: a special dinner/dance party at the Marco Polo Restaurant, 245 Maple Avenue W., Vienna Va., 22180. And there could be no more perfect entertainment than Dominic Karcic and Ray Oreggia, who will be performing their uniquely wonderful Val-taro Musette style music for our listening and dancing pleasure. The event will feature a sumptuous dinner buffet, so come hungry! Tickets will be sold in advance, and will be in the $30-35 range per person plus cash bar. WMAS members and guests will have first priority, as seating is limited. Final details (menu, pricing) and tickets will be available at the January meeting. But you can reserve your space now by e-mailing Peter DiGiovanni at [email protected].
Potomac Ensemble to Perform April 2 in Honor of Mary Tokarski
Mary Tokarski will be the honoree at the 2011 edition of the American Accordion Musicological Association Festival, scheduled for April 1-3 in Whippany, NJ. The Potomac Ensemble is (collectively) excited to be among the performers invited to play for Mary – and all her fans -- at the Saturday night, April 2, testimonial dinner. Bruce Gassman will warm up for the Ensemble (just joking), and Lenny Feldmann will emcee.
Get this on your calendar now. The festival will also feature workshops, competitions, and lots more music.
http://www.mamtg.org/Accordion.html
Sergio Fresco at Cantina Mamma Lucia
Sergio, a WMAS member, will perform at Cantina Mamma Lucia on Saturday, December 18, from 6 to 9pm. The restaurant is very close to Arundel Mills Mall near BWI (1350 Dorsey Rd. (Rt.176), Hanover, MD 21076. He will be there again on January 22.
From Mike Surratt
Only about 10 days until the New Year’s Eve party! I only have 19 tickets left -- so, if you plan on attending - contact me asap - I have to give The Knights of Columbus a head count a week before!
Here is the official webpage http://www.mikesurratt.com/NYEDANCE.htm
and if you need any more info,
email [email protected]
Also, come and see the Continentals (www.polkasarecool.com) at Blob’s Park (www.blobspark.net) the day after Christmas starting at 4pm.
Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mike Surratt
www.mikesurratt.com
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December 17, 2010
Message from the Executive Committee
Our annual Holiday Concert took place last Sunday, December 12, at 4 pm, and was followed as usual by a giant potluck feast. With all the good music and good food, people stayed and stayed. Still, the emails flew later that evening. Here are some exerpts:
From Peter:
WOW! It just keeps on getting better. I want to thank you all for your continued work for our great club. We had wonderful performers, a great emcee, spirited dinner music, a wonderful picture board [put together by Tom Leonard], and more words of support and encouragement than I have heard in a long time. It was especially nice to see Dale Wise, who has agreed to be honored at our March meeting on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Everyone did a great job with the food, and the kitchen crew was positively awesome. Everything was seamless. The orchestra and Potomac Ensemble did well, and Joan's last-minute coaching was exactly what was needed. The concert lasted almost two hours, and hardly anyone got up before it was over (no doubt for fear that they would miss something wonderful!). I am proud of you all, and you can all be proud of the role you played. Thanks again.
From Mara:
We outdid ourselves again! The room was full of amazing talent, and both the orchestra and the ensemble sounded great. Plus the dinner was delicious.
From Joan:
We have had wonderful support through the years and this has helped to make our events so successful. Ron Paulson’s adorable wooden creations looked great on our tables. Thanks for the beautiful centerpieces, Lee and Ron! Juliette collected money at the door and then worked in the kitchen. Eugene and Ronnie once again spent most of the concert in the kitchen as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
From Lee:
They did a monumental job in the kitchen, and with a smile too!
From JoAnn:
I was amazed by the efforts of our "volunteers." It would have been a disastrous mess without them. Such wonderful organization. I took notes!
January Meeting - IMPORTANT
At the January 9 meeting, we will be holding the annual election for WMAS officers. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else as a candidate for president, vice president, or secretary-treasurer, please contact Mara as soon as possible.
However, the current officers are willing to continue in their present roles, so, barring any other nominations, the slate will be as follows:
President - Peter DiGiovanni
Vice President - Joan Grauman
Secretary-Treasurer - Mara Cherkasky
Nominations will also be accepted at the January meeting prior to the election.
If you cannot attend the January meeting and would like to vote (members only), please send an email.
Following the election, Dick Dangel and Peter DiGiovanni will present a workshop on working with lead sheets, developing chords, bass runs, and making your playing sound more interesting. Bring your accordions and your questions – this is a hands-on workshop. There will be time afterwards for playing and jamming.
November Meeting
Mara was out of town for the November meeting and was not able to send out an update, so here is a brief summary from Joan:
It has become a tradition at the November WMAS meeting for Jim Vandelly, one of our favorite musicians, to play a short concert, and to follow the concert with a Holiday Orchestra rehearsal, led by Joan Grauman. As always, Jim delighted everyone with his beautiful arrangements of mostly Russian and Ukrainian folk tunes on both Russian bayan and piano accordion. The well-attended orchestra rehearsal was also a success as everyone was prepared and sounded great!
Looking Ahead
Val-taro Night at Marco Polo Restaurant in Vienna, Va.
Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 6 – 9 pm, promises to be an evening to remember. WMAS is planning something different: a special dinner/dance party at the Marco Polo Restaurant, 245 Maple Avenue W., Vienna Va., 22180. And there could be no more perfect entertainment than Dominic Karcic and Ray Oreggia, who will be performing their uniquely wonderful Val-taro Musette style music for our listening and dancing pleasure. The event will feature a sumptuous dinner buffet, so come hungry! Tickets will be sold in advance, and will be in the $30-35 range per person plus cash bar. WMAS members and guests will have first priority, as seating is limited. Final details (menu, pricing) and tickets will be available at the January meeting. But you can reserve your space now by e-mailing Peter DiGiovanni at [email protected].
Potomac Ensemble to Perform April 2 in Honor of Mary Tokarski
Mary Tokarski will be the honoree at the 2011 edition of the American Accordion Musicological Association Festival, scheduled for April 1-3 in Whippany, NJ. The Potomac Ensemble is (collectively) excited to be among the performers invited to play for Mary – and all her fans -- at the Saturday night, April 2, testimonial dinner. Bruce Gassman will warm up for the Ensemble (just joking), and Lenny Feldmann will emcee.
Get this on your calendar now. The festival will also feature workshops, competitions, and lots more music.
http://www.mamtg.org/Accordion.html
Sergio Fresco at Cantina Mamma Lucia
Sergio, a WMAS member, will perform at Cantina Mamma Lucia on Saturday, December 18, from 6 to 9pm. The restaurant is very close to Arundel Mills Mall near BWI (1350 Dorsey Rd. (Rt.176), Hanover, MD 21076. He will be there again on January 22.
From Mike Surratt
Only about 10 days until the New Year’s Eve party! I only have 19 tickets left -- so, if you plan on attending - contact me asap - I have to give The Knights of Columbus a head count a week before!
Here is the official webpage http://www.mikesurratt.com/NYEDANCE.htm
and if you need any more info,
email [email protected]
Also, come and see the Continentals (www.polkasarecool.com) at Blob’s Park (www.blobspark.net) the day after Christmas starting at 4pm.
Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mike Surratt
www.mikesurratt.com
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