2012 News Archive
MAS NEWS UPDATE
January 25, 2012
Meeting Notes
Sunday, Jan. 22: the weather outside was dreary, but the music inside was … anything but.
Joan Grauman and Peter DiGiovanni presented a workshop on playing duets, with lots of practical information in a handout (see below) as well as tips on how to develop a second part/harmony (not included below but we will try to post it to the website or you can pick one up at the next meeting). The group tried several pieces together, switching off on the first and second parts.
One of the pieces was Peter’s very nice arrangement of “Drigo’s Serenade,” which we hope will pop up in an upcoming concert. Our idea is to feature duets in our member concert in May (Sunday the 20th at 4 pm at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church), so now is the time to find a partner, choose some music, and start practicing.
The workshop followed an uneventful election of officers for 2012. All of the incumbents had agreed to continue serving, and now it’s official.
Peter announced that the February 12 meeting will feature a dance party to celebrate our ninth birthday and also Valentine’s Day. Please sign up – by replying to this email – to play a dance tune. As usual we will also be looking for refreshments, and for volunteers to help set up beforehand and clean up afterwards.
Peter also announced that it’s membership renewal time: $20 for individuals and $30 for households. Membership cards will be filed with the name badges rather than being mailed out.
Joan made this announcement: If you would like to play for the group, for example a piece that runs too long to play in one of our regular concerts (more than 5 minutes) or a piece that you are working on and want to try in front of an audience, you should make yourself known and we’ll find a time for you to play during one of our meetings.
Gig Announcement
Strolling Accordionist Needed for Feb. 11 Gig in Arlington
This agent is looking for a strolling accordionist to play love songs/romantic music for Valentine’s Day shoppers in Arlington (presumably at a mall) on Feb. 11 from 2 to 4 pm.
If you are interested, please contact:
Amber-Therese Foster
Vice President
Last Call Entertainment
2325 Dulles Corner Blvd., Suite 500
Herndon, VA 20171
Office (703) 469-2222
Fax (703) 469-2221
Cell (703) 380-6836
[email protected]
www.LastCallEnt.com
www.myspace.com/lastcallbooking
Events
Michael Winograd Klezmer Trio featuring Patrick Farrell on accordion
Thursday, January 26, 6-7 pm
Free!
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
on the Millennium Stage
See http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=82277&source_type=B
The Dave Janesh Trio at An Die Musik
Saturday, January 28, 8 pm and 9:30 pm
An Die Musik
409 North Charles Street, Second Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
888-221-6170
410-385-2638
This unique ensemble is an accordion-based Jazz Group playing straight-ahead jazz standards. The group will feature Steve Yankee on Guitar, Ted Naperkoski on Drums, Dave Janesh on Accordion and Phil Ravita on Bass. We will be introducing guest Vocalist Jordan Antkowiak.
Tickets $10 and are available in advance or at the door by contacting An die Music at above phone numbers or at
http://www.andiemusiklive.com
http://andiemusiklive.com/EvntDtl1.cfm?&E1CNTR=4851&YR=2012&MN=1&DY=28&T=125946
Interplay Concert, featuring adult music makers with diverse abilities
Monday, January 30, 2012, 8 pm
Music Center at Strathmore
North Bethesda, Maryland
An evening, of eclectic music, exposition -- and dance.
Tickets $10, $5 for those with disabilities must be purchased by January 25 by calling 301-229-09829 or online at http://www.interplayband.org/
Parking on street or at Metro with a Smart or Credit Card
This concert will be filmed for a national documentary
NOTE: WMAS member Michael B. Rubin will be playing in this concert.
Accordionist Andrea Parkins & IRIS Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, February 12, 7 pm
Bohemian Caverns
2001 11th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Andrea Parkins - electric accordion & laptop electronics
Didier Petit – cello, electronics
Hans Tamman – guitar, electronics
Edward Perraud - drums and percussion
SUNDAYS@7@THE CAVERNS 2012
TRANSPARENT PROD. PRESENTS....
A 2012 Jazz Series@The Historic Bohemian Caverns
With IRIS, New York-based improvisers Andrea Parkins (electric-accordion & laptop electronics) and Hans Tamman (guitar, electronics) collaborate with Paris-based improvisers Edward Perraud (drums and percussion) and cellist Didier Petit to create original works of structured freedoms. This evening’s show - their premier stateside performance to follow theirJanuary 2012 recording and concert tour of Europe - is supported by the ensemble’s recent award from the French American Cultural Exchange.
All Shows $15
Advance tickets can be purchased on-line at: www.bohemiancaverns.com or (202) 299-0800; Info@http://www.transparentproductionsdc.org
Presenting the best in creative improvised music since 1997
Where 100% of the proceeds go to the artists
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DUETS & DON’TS -- Accordion Duet WorkshopJoan Grauman and Peter DiGiovanni
DO: find a partner with similar skills, goals and musical tastes and preferences
DON’T: feel that you are the lead musician. Two people playing the same instrument are a team playing one piece of music. It is not a team of a soloist and accompanist.
DO: practice separately to familiarize yourselves with the musical selections.
NOW THE WORK BEGINS:
DO: learn your partner’s musical strengths and use them! Does your partner do terrific sustained trills or glissandos? Then see to it that he/she gets the parts with trills and glissandos.
DO: encourage and support each other
QUOTES:
“Learn from each other. Everyone has something to contribute.” -- John Simkus & Stas Venglevski
“Get those notebooks cleaned up! These are orders from Mama Stella” and “Where are you now? Stop all that fritzin’ around and go PRACTICE!!” -- Mama Stella Allison to duet partner, Joan Grauman
LISTEN:
DO: listen to each other at all times. You must be aware of your partner’s part so you can support when he/she has the lead and take the lead when it’s your turn.
DO: make sure your register switches are compatible.
DON’T: two accordions should never be on the musette switch together. If one is using musette, the other needs to use a “dry tuned” switch.
BASSES:
DO: If you both play the basses the same way and keep the chords short and quiet, it’s OK for both to play the bass. It is generally preferable if only one plays the bass part.
DON’T: play the basses together if you are not exactly in sync. This will sound too muddy.
DYNAMICS:
DO: follow the dynamics markings or those you both create for your duet.
DO: “sing out” the melodies.
DO: Create interest. Ex.: slow down together, get suddenly soft together, take a “breath” together. It’s amazing how these small things can make a big difference in your music.
DO: make sure your beginnings and endings are clean and “speak” to the audience.
DO: as stated before, back off when your partner has an important run or solo part.
PERFORMING TIPS:
DON’T: don’t just sit and stare at your sheet music while playing your duet. You are a team! Smile – even try to look at your partner periodically.
DO: no need to hurry. Sit and prepare before you start to play. Check your switches and your straps. Make sure all of your sheet music is in front of you. Then, take a deep breath, smile to each other and try hard not to show how scared you really are! J
DON’T: don’t play something that is a little too difficult for the two of you and don’t rush through your pieces. Beautiful music does not mean “fast as lightening” music.
BIG DON’T: never get upset with your partner if he/she makes a mistake or two (or twenty). You may be the one who makes those mistakes the next time!
DO: practice and be as prepared as you can be.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
DO: choose material with fun-to-play parts for both players, relatively balanced in degree of difficulty
DO: look for interesting arrangements that utilize ear-pleasing techniques such as countermelodies and variations, parallel harmony, contrary motion, voice leading, and fills
DO: look for arrangements that establish a dialog between the two parts – call and response
DON’T: both play the exact same thing for very long, or expect one player to be satisfied playing rhythm only for the whole piece
REMEMBER:
Remember to listen to each other at all times, perform music you both enjoy and put in those little special touches that create “your special sound”.
And, remember at all times that you are playing ONE piece of music – together. ENJOY!
************************************************************************************************************************
January 25, 2012
Meeting Notes
Sunday, Jan. 22: the weather outside was dreary, but the music inside was … anything but.
Joan Grauman and Peter DiGiovanni presented a workshop on playing duets, with lots of practical information in a handout (see below) as well as tips on how to develop a second part/harmony (not included below but we will try to post it to the website or you can pick one up at the next meeting). The group tried several pieces together, switching off on the first and second parts.
One of the pieces was Peter’s very nice arrangement of “Drigo’s Serenade,” which we hope will pop up in an upcoming concert. Our idea is to feature duets in our member concert in May (Sunday the 20th at 4 pm at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church), so now is the time to find a partner, choose some music, and start practicing.
The workshop followed an uneventful election of officers for 2012. All of the incumbents had agreed to continue serving, and now it’s official.
Peter announced that the February 12 meeting will feature a dance party to celebrate our ninth birthday and also Valentine’s Day. Please sign up – by replying to this email – to play a dance tune. As usual we will also be looking for refreshments, and for volunteers to help set up beforehand and clean up afterwards.
Peter also announced that it’s membership renewal time: $20 for individuals and $30 for households. Membership cards will be filed with the name badges rather than being mailed out.
Joan made this announcement: If you would like to play for the group, for example a piece that runs too long to play in one of our regular concerts (more than 5 minutes) or a piece that you are working on and want to try in front of an audience, you should make yourself known and we’ll find a time for you to play during one of our meetings.
Gig Announcement
Strolling Accordionist Needed for Feb. 11 Gig in Arlington
This agent is looking for a strolling accordionist to play love songs/romantic music for Valentine’s Day shoppers in Arlington (presumably at a mall) on Feb. 11 from 2 to 4 pm.
If you are interested, please contact:
Amber-Therese Foster
Vice President
Last Call Entertainment
2325 Dulles Corner Blvd., Suite 500
Herndon, VA 20171
Office (703) 469-2222
Fax (703) 469-2221
Cell (703) 380-6836
[email protected]
www.LastCallEnt.com
www.myspace.com/lastcallbooking
Events
Michael Winograd Klezmer Trio featuring Patrick Farrell on accordion
Thursday, January 26, 6-7 pm
Free!
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
on the Millennium Stage
See http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=82277&source_type=B
The Dave Janesh Trio at An Die Musik
Saturday, January 28, 8 pm and 9:30 pm
An Die Musik
409 North Charles Street, Second Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
888-221-6170
410-385-2638
This unique ensemble is an accordion-based Jazz Group playing straight-ahead jazz standards. The group will feature Steve Yankee on Guitar, Ted Naperkoski on Drums, Dave Janesh on Accordion and Phil Ravita on Bass. We will be introducing guest Vocalist Jordan Antkowiak.
Tickets $10 and are available in advance or at the door by contacting An die Music at above phone numbers or at
http://www.andiemusiklive.com
http://andiemusiklive.com/EvntDtl1.cfm?&E1CNTR=4851&YR=2012&MN=1&DY=28&T=125946
Interplay Concert, featuring adult music makers with diverse abilities
Monday, January 30, 2012, 8 pm
Music Center at Strathmore
North Bethesda, Maryland
An evening, of eclectic music, exposition -- and dance.
Tickets $10, $5 for those with disabilities must be purchased by January 25 by calling 301-229-09829 or online at http://www.interplayband.org/
Parking on street or at Metro with a Smart or Credit Card
This concert will be filmed for a national documentary
NOTE: WMAS member Michael B. Rubin will be playing in this concert.
Accordionist Andrea Parkins & IRIS Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, February 12, 7 pm
Bohemian Caverns
2001 11th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Andrea Parkins - electric accordion & laptop electronics
Didier Petit – cello, electronics
Hans Tamman – guitar, electronics
Edward Perraud - drums and percussion
SUNDAYS@7@THE CAVERNS 2012
TRANSPARENT PROD. PRESENTS....
A 2012 Jazz Series@The Historic Bohemian Caverns
With IRIS, New York-based improvisers Andrea Parkins (electric-accordion & laptop electronics) and Hans Tamman (guitar, electronics) collaborate with Paris-based improvisers Edward Perraud (drums and percussion) and cellist Didier Petit to create original works of structured freedoms. This evening’s show - their premier stateside performance to follow theirJanuary 2012 recording and concert tour of Europe - is supported by the ensemble’s recent award from the French American Cultural Exchange.
All Shows $15
Advance tickets can be purchased on-line at: www.bohemiancaverns.com or (202) 299-0800; Info@http://www.transparentproductionsdc.org
Presenting the best in creative improvised music since 1997
Where 100% of the proceeds go to the artists
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DUETS & DON’TS -- Accordion Duet WorkshopJoan Grauman and Peter DiGiovanni
DO: find a partner with similar skills, goals and musical tastes and preferences
DON’T: feel that you are the lead musician. Two people playing the same instrument are a team playing one piece of music. It is not a team of a soloist and accompanist.
DO: practice separately to familiarize yourselves with the musical selections.
NOW THE WORK BEGINS:
DO: learn your partner’s musical strengths and use them! Does your partner do terrific sustained trills or glissandos? Then see to it that he/she gets the parts with trills and glissandos.
DO: encourage and support each other
QUOTES:
“Learn from each other. Everyone has something to contribute.” -- John Simkus & Stas Venglevski
“Get those notebooks cleaned up! These are orders from Mama Stella” and “Where are you now? Stop all that fritzin’ around and go PRACTICE!!” -- Mama Stella Allison to duet partner, Joan Grauman
LISTEN:
DO: listen to each other at all times. You must be aware of your partner’s part so you can support when he/she has the lead and take the lead when it’s your turn.
DO: make sure your register switches are compatible.
DON’T: two accordions should never be on the musette switch together. If one is using musette, the other needs to use a “dry tuned” switch.
BASSES:
DO: If you both play the basses the same way and keep the chords short and quiet, it’s OK for both to play the bass. It is generally preferable if only one plays the bass part.
DON’T: play the basses together if you are not exactly in sync. This will sound too muddy.
DYNAMICS:
DO: follow the dynamics markings or those you both create for your duet.
DO: “sing out” the melodies.
DO: Create interest. Ex.: slow down together, get suddenly soft together, take a “breath” together. It’s amazing how these small things can make a big difference in your music.
DO: make sure your beginnings and endings are clean and “speak” to the audience.
DO: as stated before, back off when your partner has an important run or solo part.
PERFORMING TIPS:
DON’T: don’t just sit and stare at your sheet music while playing your duet. You are a team! Smile – even try to look at your partner periodically.
DO: no need to hurry. Sit and prepare before you start to play. Check your switches and your straps. Make sure all of your sheet music is in front of you. Then, take a deep breath, smile to each other and try hard not to show how scared you really are! J
DON’T: don’t play something that is a little too difficult for the two of you and don’t rush through your pieces. Beautiful music does not mean “fast as lightening” music.
BIG DON’T: never get upset with your partner if he/she makes a mistake or two (or twenty). You may be the one who makes those mistakes the next time!
DO: practice and be as prepared as you can be.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
DO: choose material with fun-to-play parts for both players, relatively balanced in degree of difficulty
DO: look for interesting arrangements that utilize ear-pleasing techniques such as countermelodies and variations, parallel harmony, contrary motion, voice leading, and fills
DO: look for arrangements that establish a dialog between the two parts – call and response
DON’T: both play the exact same thing for very long, or expect one player to be satisfied playing rhythm only for the whole piece
REMEMBER:
Remember to listen to each other at all times, perform music you both enjoy and put in those little special touches that create “your special sound”.
And, remember at all times that you are playing ONE piece of music – together. ENJOY!
************************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
February 16, 2012
Meeting Notes
More than 50 people celebrated the club’s ninth birthday February 12 by playing and listening to music, and by dancing, singing, and eating cake decorated with hearts and musical notes. Karen Malan-Uribe and Mara Cherkasky, two of the club’s three founders (Anne Johnson is the third), blew out the candles, and the group sang “Happy birthday to US.” We also sang for Valentine Zadnik, whose parents named him for the saint’s day on which he was born.
It’s amazing to think that next year is our 10th anniversary. Let’s start thinking about a good way to mark it.
The meeting also featured Joan Grauman’s flea market, mainly dollar-each sheet music and accordion figurines, which raised $224 for the American Accordionist’s Association Youth Jazz Program. Everyone seems to enjoy the sale, so Joan will continue to set it up in the coming months and invites others to donate accordion- or other music-related items for the sale. Please note that ALL proceeds go to the Youth Jazz Program.
Next Month
The March 18 meeting will be a concert featuring guest artist Bonnie Birch, coming to us all the way from that other Washington, on the West Coast. Bonnie played and competed as a child, and even performed at Carnegie Hall at age 19, but then set aside her instrument for 30 years. Now she performs solo at restaurants, parties, weddings, and retirement homes, as well as in a dance band focusing on ballroom music, and in a Bavarian band with a tuba player. Bonnie is also a regular at the French American Chamber Bastille Day event and the popular Festa Italiana, in which she accompanies three opera singers on stage. In addition, she is the president of the Northwest Accordion Society and chief architect of the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration. We look forward to meeting her and hearing her play.
Bonnie Birch in Concert
Sunday, March 18, 1:30 pm – PLEASE NOTE EARLY START TIME!!
Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church
3435 Sleepy Hollow Road
Falls Church, Virginia
Announcements
Guitarist Needed for Ensemble
Lee Paulson’s group, the Ash Grove Players, is looking for a new guitarist. Anyone interested should show up at one of the jams held the first Friday and third Wednesday of the month, from 7 pm to 10:30 pm, at 1909 North Ohio Street in Falls Church, Virginia, near the East Falls Church Metro Station. The jams are independent of the group, although all the members of the group come from the jams. For more information call jam host Lilli Vincenz at 703-532-2731 or email her at [email protected]. For a map to the jam location, please email the webmaster.
ISO Musicians for February 26 Brunch at Fort Myer Officers’ Club
Our friends at Paul’s List, an over-50 singles group, is looking for musicians to play at a Sunday, February 26, brunch starting at noon at Fort Myer Officers’ Club. They aren’t paying, but this would be a good opportunity to practice playing in front of a crowd.
Please contact Seena King, 301-530-4884, or Mary Elkind, [email protected].
Fort Myer Officers’ Club is at 214 Jackson, in Arlington, with free parking adjacent to and across from the club. A photo ID is required at the Wright Gate, at the end of N. Meade Street and Marshall Drive, adjacent to the Iwo Jima Memorial, and at the Hatfield Gate, Washington Blvd.
Merv Conn Way
United Therapeutics, an organization located in Silver Spring, is planning to convert an existing walking path near Merv Conn’s house to an official “Merv Conn Way.” When construction is completed – probably in late April/early May, depending on Montgomery County approvals, permits, bonds, etc. -- they will hold a big launch party featuring a 21-accordion salute and a screening of Jeff Krulik’s film, The Legend of Merv Conn.
As you may recall, the February 2007 premiere of The Legend of Merv Conn also featured a 21-accordion salute (with many more than 21 accordions!). That event was hugely fun, so please think about participating in this one, too. Details will follow as they become available.
For Sale
Titano Stroller Converter Free-Bass Accordion - Price reduced to $1,700
Tube Chamber - Hand-finished reeds - Three treble reeds, two bass reeds -Dry tuned - 23 lbs.
Purchased new in 2001 by Joe Blumka from Ernest Deffner, Inc., New York; Karen Malan-Uribe bought it from Joe in 2003.
Includes case, back straps, new bass strap and three free-bass accordion books.
Contact [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Nancy Leonard at Reston Italian Festival
Nancy will be performing with two other musicians
Tuesday, February 21, 6-9 pm
Il Fornaio
11990 Market Street, Suite 106
Reston, Virginia 20190
703-437-554
Rodger French Trio
Saturday, February 25, 7:30-9:30 pm
St. Elmo's Coffee Pub
2300 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia
703-739-9268
Accordionist Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 8:30 pm (7:30 dance instruction)
Artisphere
1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia
Tickets: $15
www.artisphere.com
**********************************************************************************************************************
February 16, 2012
Meeting Notes
More than 50 people celebrated the club’s ninth birthday February 12 by playing and listening to music, and by dancing, singing, and eating cake decorated with hearts and musical notes. Karen Malan-Uribe and Mara Cherkasky, two of the club’s three founders (Anne Johnson is the third), blew out the candles, and the group sang “Happy birthday to US.” We also sang for Valentine Zadnik, whose parents named him for the saint’s day on which he was born.
It’s amazing to think that next year is our 10th anniversary. Let’s start thinking about a good way to mark it.
The meeting also featured Joan Grauman’s flea market, mainly dollar-each sheet music and accordion figurines, which raised $224 for the American Accordionist’s Association Youth Jazz Program. Everyone seems to enjoy the sale, so Joan will continue to set it up in the coming months and invites others to donate accordion- or other music-related items for the sale. Please note that ALL proceeds go to the Youth Jazz Program.
Next Month
The March 18 meeting will be a concert featuring guest artist Bonnie Birch, coming to us all the way from that other Washington, on the West Coast. Bonnie played and competed as a child, and even performed at Carnegie Hall at age 19, but then set aside her instrument for 30 years. Now she performs solo at restaurants, parties, weddings, and retirement homes, as well as in a dance band focusing on ballroom music, and in a Bavarian band with a tuba player. Bonnie is also a regular at the French American Chamber Bastille Day event and the popular Festa Italiana, in which she accompanies three opera singers on stage. In addition, she is the president of the Northwest Accordion Society and chief architect of the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration. We look forward to meeting her and hearing her play.
Bonnie Birch in Concert
Sunday, March 18, 1:30 pm – PLEASE NOTE EARLY START TIME!!
Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church
3435 Sleepy Hollow Road
Falls Church, Virginia
Announcements
Guitarist Needed for Ensemble
Lee Paulson’s group, the Ash Grove Players, is looking for a new guitarist. Anyone interested should show up at one of the jams held the first Friday and third Wednesday of the month, from 7 pm to 10:30 pm, at 1909 North Ohio Street in Falls Church, Virginia, near the East Falls Church Metro Station. The jams are independent of the group, although all the members of the group come from the jams. For more information call jam host Lilli Vincenz at 703-532-2731 or email her at [email protected]. For a map to the jam location, please email the webmaster.
ISO Musicians for February 26 Brunch at Fort Myer Officers’ Club
Our friends at Paul’s List, an over-50 singles group, is looking for musicians to play at a Sunday, February 26, brunch starting at noon at Fort Myer Officers’ Club. They aren’t paying, but this would be a good opportunity to practice playing in front of a crowd.
Please contact Seena King, 301-530-4884, or Mary Elkind, [email protected].
Fort Myer Officers’ Club is at 214 Jackson, in Arlington, with free parking adjacent to and across from the club. A photo ID is required at the Wright Gate, at the end of N. Meade Street and Marshall Drive, adjacent to the Iwo Jima Memorial, and at the Hatfield Gate, Washington Blvd.
Merv Conn Way
United Therapeutics, an organization located in Silver Spring, is planning to convert an existing walking path near Merv Conn’s house to an official “Merv Conn Way.” When construction is completed – probably in late April/early May, depending on Montgomery County approvals, permits, bonds, etc. -- they will hold a big launch party featuring a 21-accordion salute and a screening of Jeff Krulik’s film, The Legend of Merv Conn.
As you may recall, the February 2007 premiere of The Legend of Merv Conn also featured a 21-accordion salute (with many more than 21 accordions!). That event was hugely fun, so please think about participating in this one, too. Details will follow as they become available.
For Sale
Titano Stroller Converter Free-Bass Accordion - Price reduced to $1,700
Tube Chamber - Hand-finished reeds - Three treble reeds, two bass reeds -Dry tuned - 23 lbs.
Purchased new in 2001 by Joe Blumka from Ernest Deffner, Inc., New York; Karen Malan-Uribe bought it from Joe in 2003.
Includes case, back straps, new bass strap and three free-bass accordion books.
Contact [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Nancy Leonard at Reston Italian Festival
Nancy will be performing with two other musicians
Tuesday, February 21, 6-9 pm
Il Fornaio
11990 Market Street, Suite 106
Reston, Virginia 20190
703-437-554
Rodger French Trio
Saturday, February 25, 7:30-9:30 pm
St. Elmo's Coffee Pub
2300 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia
703-739-9268
Accordionist Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 8:30 pm (7:30 dance instruction)
Artisphere
1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia
Tickets: $15
www.artisphere.com
**********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
March 29, 2012
Meeting Notes
Seattle accordionist Bonnie Birch stepped off the red-eye at Dulles early Sunday morning, March 18. Then, in the early afternoon she appeared fresh-faced and ready to perform with her Petosa. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show, a series of medleys in a variety of genres, enough to want to take it home with them: they bought almost all the CDs Bonnie had brought along.
After the concert, audience members had a chance to chat over refreshments and then play some Irish tunes together, under the direction of Joan Grauman and Peter DiGiovanni.
Here is Bonnie’s program:
- Irish: “Andrea’s Waltz,” “Danny Boy,” and some jigs
- Italian: Puccini’s 1918 “O Mio Babbino Caro”; Rossini’s 1830 “La Danza”; Gino Redi’s 1950s-era “Non Dimenticar”; Tosti’s 1886 “Marechiare”; plus “La Gazza,” a mazurka, and a Sicilian tarantella
- Norwegian: Grieg’s “Hall of the Mountain King” from the 1875 Peer Gynt Suite; “Lardvick’s Polka,” written by Grieg at age 15; and the modern “Caffe Peter’s Polka”
- French: “Valse d’Amelie” from the 2001 film Amelie; themes from Bizet’s 1875 Carmen; and the theme from the 1966 film A Man and a Woman
- Latin: Brasileirinho,” a 1947 choro by Waldyr Azevedo; and Jose Belmonte’s 1952 “Ecstasy Tango”
- Russian: “Brooklyn Memories” and “Dark Eyes”
- Classic Fusion: Led Zeppelin’s 1971 “Stairway to Heaven” and Mozart’s “Turkish March,” composed about two centuries earlier
- Classic American: “You Go To My Head,” written by J. Fred Koots in the 1930s and enhanced with Frank Marocco bass chords; and “Vanessa,” by Berne Wayne, who also wrote “Here She Comes, Miss America.”
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on April 15 at 4 pm, will feature Peter DiGiovanni’s group Russkiye Musikanti in a short concert and workshop/jam session. Peter will hand out sheet music, so please bring your accordion. We enjoyed Russkiye Musikanti a few years ago, and look forward to hearing and working with them again. Note that the meeting time will go back to its usual time: 4 pm. As always, we will be at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church in Falls Church, Virginia.
Please bring refreshments to share. Also, as usual, we welcome your help in setting up and cleaning up. A bonus: Joan will be bringing back the “flea market”: more old sheet music, music books, LPs, CDs, etc. All proceeds will go to the AAA Youth Jazz Program.
Are You Missing a Jacket?
Lee Paulson reports finding a black quilted jacket on a table by the door when she was closing up the room after the March 18 concert. She wasn’t sure whether it belonged to one of us or to a church member, but she hung it in the closet and you can retrieve it from there.
Frank Marocco’s Service
As you probably know, Frank Marocco died March 3. His service was recorded and is available for listening online, at:
www.frankmarocco.net/memorial.
If you would like to send a note to the family, here’s an address:
Anne Marocco
7063 Whitaker Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91406
*********************************************************************************************************************
March 29, 2012
Meeting Notes
Seattle accordionist Bonnie Birch stepped off the red-eye at Dulles early Sunday morning, March 18. Then, in the early afternoon she appeared fresh-faced and ready to perform with her Petosa. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show, a series of medleys in a variety of genres, enough to want to take it home with them: they bought almost all the CDs Bonnie had brought along.
After the concert, audience members had a chance to chat over refreshments and then play some Irish tunes together, under the direction of Joan Grauman and Peter DiGiovanni.
Here is Bonnie’s program:
- Irish: “Andrea’s Waltz,” “Danny Boy,” and some jigs
- Italian: Puccini’s 1918 “O Mio Babbino Caro”; Rossini’s 1830 “La Danza”; Gino Redi’s 1950s-era “Non Dimenticar”; Tosti’s 1886 “Marechiare”; plus “La Gazza,” a mazurka, and a Sicilian tarantella
- Norwegian: Grieg’s “Hall of the Mountain King” from the 1875 Peer Gynt Suite; “Lardvick’s Polka,” written by Grieg at age 15; and the modern “Caffe Peter’s Polka”
- French: “Valse d’Amelie” from the 2001 film Amelie; themes from Bizet’s 1875 Carmen; and the theme from the 1966 film A Man and a Woman
- Latin: Brasileirinho,” a 1947 choro by Waldyr Azevedo; and Jose Belmonte’s 1952 “Ecstasy Tango”
- Russian: “Brooklyn Memories” and “Dark Eyes”
- Classic Fusion: Led Zeppelin’s 1971 “Stairway to Heaven” and Mozart’s “Turkish March,” composed about two centuries earlier
- Classic American: “You Go To My Head,” written by J. Fred Koots in the 1930s and enhanced with Frank Marocco bass chords; and “Vanessa,” by Berne Wayne, who also wrote “Here She Comes, Miss America.”
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on April 15 at 4 pm, will feature Peter DiGiovanni’s group Russkiye Musikanti in a short concert and workshop/jam session. Peter will hand out sheet music, so please bring your accordion. We enjoyed Russkiye Musikanti a few years ago, and look forward to hearing and working with them again. Note that the meeting time will go back to its usual time: 4 pm. As always, we will be at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church in Falls Church, Virginia.
Please bring refreshments to share. Also, as usual, we welcome your help in setting up and cleaning up. A bonus: Joan will be bringing back the “flea market”: more old sheet music, music books, LPs, CDs, etc. All proceeds will go to the AAA Youth Jazz Program.
Are You Missing a Jacket?
Lee Paulson reports finding a black quilted jacket on a table by the door when she was closing up the room after the March 18 concert. She wasn’t sure whether it belonged to one of us or to a church member, but she hung it in the closet and you can retrieve it from there.
Frank Marocco’s Service
As you probably know, Frank Marocco died March 3. His service was recorded and is available for listening online, at:
www.frankmarocco.net/memorial.
If you would like to send a note to the family, here’s an address:
Anne Marocco
7063 Whitaker Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91406
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
April 27, 2012
Meeting Notes
The April 15 meeting started on a festive note, with strolling accordionist Pat Racioppa offering folks a musical greeting as they arrived. After the announcements we sang “Happy Birthday” to Rosa Ford’s friend Suzanne Strump and to Bob Juszczyk.
We were excited to welcome back Russkiye Musikanti, an outreach group of the Washington Balalaika Society that first performed for us a few years ago. Decked out in gold-trimmed costumes of red, green, and/or black, the nine musicians played a number of pieces, including several that were composed or arranged by our own very talented president, Peter DiGiovanni, the group’s accordionist. The program and member names are listed below, but we would like to note in particular that Peter wrote “Welcome Sasha” for a Balalaika and Domra Association convention a few years ago to welcome Russian musician Sasha Tsygankov, whom Peter called “arguably the world’s best domra player.” “Prisla bom Pomlad” is Peter’s arrangement of a Slovenian waltz that he heard on a Don Lipovac album. “Sitting on a Rock” and “Ah Ti Bereza” are two pieces based on Russian folk melodies and arranged for prima balalaika solo. “Amerikanskiy March,” first performed in Carnegie Hall, was written by Vasiliy Andreev, the man who lifted the balalaika from its humble peasant roots to the symphony orchestra. “Song of the Volga Boatman” featured Dick Hulan on kontrabass balalaika, a huge, gorgeous instrument that Dick built himself.
After the concert, Russkiye Musikanti led about a dozen WMAS members in a group play-along of several Russian waltzes, folk songs, and Gypsy songs. By the end of the session, all were both energized and satiated. The lead sheets will come in handy for the next time we play these songs, so please save them.
Next Month
The May 20 meeting will be our annual spring member concert, and this year we are hoping to feature duets – following up on our January duet workshop -- but everyone is welcome to perform. Please sign up, though, by replying to this email, and please remember the five-minute rule. We look forward to seeing you at 4 pm on Sunday, May 20, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church in Falls Church, VA. Please check www.washingtonaccordions.org for directions and more information.
Update on Merv Conn Way
Our contact at United Therapeutics, the organization that is building “Merv Conn Way” adjacent to their new building in Silver Spring, tells us that they are still working on easements, agreements and design. We hope to put together a group to play a “21-Accordion Salute” -- actually a group rendition of Merv’s signature piece, “You Made Me Love You” -- at the opening ceremonies, so we’ll be keeping you posted.
If this announcement is news to you, please check the February 2012 update.
American Accordionists’ Association Festival
Please register soon for the AAA Festival – scheduled for July 11-15 in Baltimore -- so that Mary Tokarski and Joan Grauman can organize the seating for the orchestra. You can’t be included unless you’re registered; forms are available online at www.ameraccord.com. It does not cost extra to participate in the orchestra, but you need to note on your form that you would like to participate.
To get the special room rate, you’ll need to call the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel directly, at 410-752-1100, and say that you’re with the American Accordionists’ Association. If they say that there are no more rooms available at that rate, please let Joan know ([email protected]) and she will contact the hotel about increasing the number of rooms for participants.
For more information about the festival, please visit http://ameraccord.com/festival.html.
From Sue Smith:
In January Publishers Weekly reviewed Squeeze This! A Cultural History of the Accordion by Marion Jacobson, University of Illinois. www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-252-03675-0
There is a FaceBook page at Squeeze This! A Cultural History of the Accordion. It's easier to type in the name in the Search box than the full address.
From Joan Grauman:
We just received news that Frank Petrilli was featured on Mad Men the other night. He is playing the accordion in a restaurant scene. In early September, Frank cut his hair, got out his dad’s 1960s-era accordion, and spent the day on the set creating this short scene. We have been waiting since September to see this, then they played it early – so we missed it! Grrrrr. Linda Warren, who saw it and alerted Frank Petrilli (Seriously! He didn’t know it was playing last night either!), said that it will be aired again this season. We will let all of you know when we hear the date.
Donna Massey had been periodically giving accordion lessons to Christine Hendricks who had “played” the accordion in a Mad Men episode a while back. Christine asked Donna who she would recommend for a scene in an upcoming episode. They needed an Italian-looking man, late 40s-ish, who plays very well: Frank Petrilli!
You will see Frank for a moment in this scene online. He played “Santa Lucia,” but you won’t hear it online.
http://www.amctv.com/mad-men/videos/inside-episode-504-mad-men-mystery-date (shortly after 4:35 on the video)
Thank you, Frank Petrilli and Eddie Monteiro, for bringing some positive press to the accordion in the US! As you all know, Eddie is playing the accordion in “Evita” which is playing on Broadway through January, 2013. You can watch Frank and Eddie jamming afterhours at last year’s AAA Festival on YouTube (please cut and paste this link into your YouTube browser): http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=frank+petrilli+and+eddie+monteiro&oq=frank+petrilli+and+eddie+monteiro&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=youtube.3...7493.17238.0.18950.39.39.3.3.3.0.183.2676.28j5.33.0.
Russkiye Musikanti – April 15 Program
Daydreams Waltz – Jan Bohm, soloist
Letka Enka
Nad Polyami – Anya Titova, soprano
Russian Intermezzo **
Prisla bom Pomlad **
Welcome Sasha *
Sitting on a Rock / Ah ti bereza– Jan Bohm, soloist
Happy Gypsy *
Tsigan and Zaznobila– Anya Titova, soprano
Childhood Reflections *
Amerikanskiy March
Shostakovich Romance – Zhenya Tochenaya, soloist
Song of the Volga Boatman – Dick Hulan, soloist
Song of Restless Youth
Inner Peace *
Moldovenyaska – Zhenya Tochenaya, soloist
Tula Samovar
* Original composition by Peter DiGiovanni
** Arranged by Peter DiGiovanni
Russkiye Musikanti Performers on April 15
Jan Bohm – prima balalaika
Anya Titova – sekunda balalaika
Dick Hulan – kontrabass balalaika
Cindy Stroup – prima domra
Kathy Hulan – prima domra
Penny Weissman – prima domra
Zhenya Tochenaya – tenor domra
Peter DiGiovanni – accordion
Jim Coffey – percussion
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
May 29, 2012
Meeting Notes
WMAS celebrated spring with the annual member concert on May 20. The weather has been all over the place, but somehow we hit it right and were able to leave the doors open to let the beautiful day in and the music out to ride the breeze into the neighborhood.
A new feature at our meetings is to have music starting about 3:50, as people arrive, and wrapping up when we start the announcements a little after 4 pm. Given that we’re a roomful of musicians, we figured: why not give someone the opportunity to perform and also make things more festive for everyone else. Pat Racioppa took the inaugural gig at the April meeting, and Joan Grauman and JoAnn Pankow played this month: “Under Paris Skies,” “Domino,” “Zum Abschied,” and “Black and White Rag.”
One of the best reasons to hold a concert is to see what Ken Kunec will come up with in the way of jokes and songs, and he did not disappoint. The jokes will not be recounted here – you really had to be there – but his musical selections were “The Girl with Gardenias in Her Hair” and “The Loser,” whose chorus went: “You're close, but you're not quite there. I'd like to help you with your problem, but I sincerely do not care.” He learned that one at a past Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo.
In any case, the concert received rave reviews from the crowd in attendance.
Here’s the rest of the line-up:
Pat Racioppa: “Memories” (Webber)
Yimin Zhuang: “Rhapsody in Blue” (Gershwin)
Silvia Eberly & Michael Leggett: two polkas (Silvia played spoons on the second one)
Karen Malan-Uribe, Meryl Benenati, Yimeng Huang – “Mattinata” (Ruggiero Leoncavallo with a third part by Joan Grauman) & “Adios Muchachos” (H. Sanders)
Karen and Luis Uribe (on toy chimes): “Valse d’Amelie” (Yann Tiersen)
Donato Soranno, vocals, accompanied by Peter DiGiovanni: “O Sole Mio” and “Funiculi Funicula”
Robert Ford: “Oblivion” (Astor Piazzolla)
Paul Aebersold: “Slaves’ Chorus” from Nabucco (Verdi)
Joan and JoAnn - “Black and White Rag” (Botsford with second part by Stella Allison)
Peter DiGiovanni and Lee Paulson: “Florentiner March” (Julius Fucik)
Peter and Joan: “Waltz from Faust” (Gounot)
Mike Anderson: “St. Louis Blues” (Handy)
Michael Leggett – “Boehmischer Traum Polka” (the piece for which he took 2nd place in the vituroso category at the accordion competition in Whippany NJ)
Potomac Ensemble – “Mademoiselle de Paris” and “Varsity Drag”
Upcoming WMAS Meetings/Events
Sunday, June 10, 4 pm, Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church. Program: short concert by Andre Fry followed by jamming. Please bring your accordion. Robert Ford will provide pre-meeting music.
And don’t miss Paul Aebersold’s boat party on Saturday, June 9. Please contact him at [email protected] for more details and to rsvp.
We have no formal program planned for July. Instead the whole meeting (July 22) will be a big jam session.
We will not meet in August, but Joyce Palmer is inviting WMAS members and their guests to a potluck picnic at her Capitol Hill home on Saturday, August 4, at 4 pm. Robert Ford will entertain, and some other (local) big names may be on the bill as well. Please put the date on your calendar, and stay tuned.
We will mark the 75th anniversary of the American Accordionists’ Association in March 2013 with a concert featuring our members playing music by AAA founders. That means Pietro Deiro, Charles Magnante, Pietro Frosini, Joe Biviano, Anthony Galla-Rini, and Charles Nunzio. This is not the easiest music to learn, so we’re giving you lots of notice!
AAA
The American Accordionists’ Association Festival is July 11-15 in Baltimore, just a short hop up the interstate. This is your chance to get your fill of accordions – and to hear the Potomac Ensemble in a large venue: at Cabaret Night on Thursday, July 12. See http://www.ameraccord.com/festival.html for more info.
America Sings With Russian Strings – June 2 Concert
The Washington Balalaika Society and the Reston Chorale
Saturday, June 2, 7:30 pm
Oakton High School Auditorium
2900 Sutton Road
Vienna, VA
Tickets $25 at the door; Advance $20 adults, $18 seniors; $15 students; children 12 and under free with an adult. Order online at www.balalaika.org or www.restonchorale.org.
The Rodger French Trio - Farewell Tour
Last Chance to see them play at The Caboose Cafe
Thursday June 7; 6:30 - 8:30 pm
2419 Mt Vernon Ave (in Del Rey)
Alexandria, VA
703-566-1283
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
June 18, 2012
Meeting Notes
What a pleasure to have Andre Fry with us again! His stunning June 10 program (see below) included pieces never before heard on the accordion, an original composition, accordion standards, and soulful Russian folk melodies. Seventeen-year-old Andre played flawlessly – of course -- and also showed new poise in introducing each piece.
The hors d’oeuvre course rated four stars as well. Robert Ford and his daughter Rocio put us in the mood with a short set starting about five minutes ahead of the meeting. It is always a treat to hear Robert play, and Rocio is amazing on the castanets.
Thanks to all for helping our club show its best face! Along with most of the regulars, we had several new people who wanted to see what WMAS is all about, and we were pleased to welcome a couple of members of the old garde as well. Years ago Lou Coppola and Sid Kowalczyk founded our predecessor club, the Accordion Association of Metropolitan Washington.
After refreshments, Joan Grauman led a play-along session for those who’d brought their accordions (and weren’t put off by having two such tough acts to follow). She passed out sheet music for a medley of familiar and Americana tunes that people might want to play at July 4 parties. By the way, please save all of these lead sheets that we give out (and use up all of our toner printing)!
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on July 22 just after the American Accordionists’ Association extravaganza in Baltimore, will be low-key. Please bring your accordion because we will be jamming. Here’s your chance to play with a group and just have fun. As usual, we will be at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Virginia, starting at 4 pm.
AAA Festival in Baltimore
As you are no doubt aware, the American Accordionists’ Association festival/competition will take place July 11-15 in Baltimore. If you haven’t already registered, please do so at www.ameraccord.com. Look for the “festival” section to download the registration forms.
On Thursday evening, July 12, the Potomac Ensemble will perform in “Italian Cabaret Night,” as will Robert and Rocio Ford – and many others. Friday evening will feature Stas Venglevski, Frank Petrilli, Vladimir Mollov and others in concert, and Saturday evening is the annual banquet, with the AAA Orchestra as well as Manny Bobenrieth and the US Army Strolling Strings. Those are just the evening highlights. During the daytime you will be able to hear nonstop music during competitions, youth ensemble and youth orchestra performances, workshops, and impromptu performances.
WMAS Picnic
We won’t be meeting in August, but Joyce Palmer is inviting WMAS members to her Capitol Hill home for an à la mode* potluck picnic on Saturday, August 4, at 4 pm. Strolling accordionist Nancy Leonard will welcome guests, and accordionist Robert Ford will perform with his daughter Rocio on castanets. Please contact Joyce at [email protected] to let her know you are coming and what dish you will bring. In return, she will provide you with details on location and parking.
*with accordion on top
Looking Ahead: AAA Founders’ Tribute Concert
From Joan Grauman
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the March 1938 American Accordionists’ Association (AAA), WMAS will hold an “AAA Founders’ Tribute Concert” at our March 2013 meeting. The performers? You, our members.
Many of the AAA founders -- active supporters of what was then a relatively new musical instrument -- were prolific composers, arrangers, performers, and teachers of the piano accordion. Thanks to the tireless efforts of AAA President Emerita Faithe Deffner, much of their music has been preserved and is still available for purchase through Ernest Deffner Publications, now located in Alexandria, Virginia.
I have gone through the Ernest Deffner catalogue and marked each selection that would qualify as “Founders’ Music.” Please contact me at [email protected], and I will email you the scanned catalogue pages. Then you can choose a piece, learn it, and perform it for us at the special tribute concert in March 2013!
What should you choose, you ask? Here are some suggestions: Pietro Deiro (not Deiro, Jr.) was the founding president of the AAA. He composed many lovely pieces and arranged hundreds. His music ranges from easy to moderately difficult. Pietro Frosini’s compositions: wonderful, showy, and mostly moderately difficult to very difficult. Anthony Galla-Rini’s arrangements: true replicas of piano and orchestral music, very well arranged, moderately to very difficult. Charles Nunzio and Joe Biviano’s compositions and arrangements are all relatively easy to play and well done. John Gart’s compositions: beautiful and difficult. Gene Von Hallberg has one arrangement in the catalogue, but I am not familiar with his compositions/arrangements. Gene taught the accordion with Joe Biviano in New York City in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Charles Magnante’s compositions and arrangements have been favorites for decades. They range from moderately to very difficult.
As the archivist of the AAA, I have a lot of information and wonderful old photos of the founders that I will bring to this concert. Feel free to contact me any time for information on any of these amazing men. We hope you will choose a piece to share with us on this very special occasion in 2013!
Accordionist needed for Children’s Opera
José Sacin is looking for an accordionist for the pit orchestra for the children’s opera Monkey See, Monkey Do, to be performed in September. Rodger French took this gig for last year’s edition, in Arlington, but he won’t be available this time. Please contact Mr. Sacin at [email protected].
Last Chance to Hear the Rodger French Trio!
Thursday, June 21, 6-8 pm
Del Ray Music Week Festival
In front of Vital
2201 Mount Vernon Avenue (at E. Custis Avenue)
Alexandria, Virginia
Rodger is moving to Argentina in July, so this is it for the trio, at least for the time being.
Bastille Day with Robert Jacobs and Gypsy Roots
Robert Jacobs and Gypsy Roots will be playing gypsy jazz at the Willard Hotel the afternoon of Bastille Day, July 14. In addition, Mr. Jacobs will be playing solo from 5 to 9 pm that same day in the Willard’s Café du Parc Bistro.
Accordions on the Air
From Louise Neu
On Monday, June 11, the CBC radio show As It Happens http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/ interviewed the person from Finland who has revived playing accordion during wrestling matches. http://www.kimmopohjonen.com/nav.php?url=accordion_wrestling.html
Coincidentally, the same show paid tribute to Wilf Doyle, the recently deceased 87-year-old accordion player who defined the music of the Maritimes.
Robert and Rocio Ford set:
Begin the Beguine (Cole Porter) – Robert solo
Malagueña (E. Lecuona) – duet
Granada (Agustin Lara) – duet
Torna Sorrento (De Curtis) – Robert solo
Andre Fry set:
Passacaglia (composed by J.S. Bach and transcribed by Andre)
Adagio Sostenuto, third movement of Impasse (by the French accordionist/composer Franck Angelis)
Waltz Allegro (Charles Magnante)
Lonely Accordion (Russian folk melody)
Czardas (Andre Fry)
Russian folk melody (Andre learned this by ear and doesn’t know its name)
Dance of the Furies from the opera (composed by Christoph W. Gluck for string orchestra and transcribed by Andre)
Encore: Czardas (Vittorio Monti)
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June 18, 2012
Meeting Notes
What a pleasure to have Andre Fry with us again! His stunning June 10 program (see below) included pieces never before heard on the accordion, an original composition, accordion standards, and soulful Russian folk melodies. Seventeen-year-old Andre played flawlessly – of course -- and also showed new poise in introducing each piece.
The hors d’oeuvre course rated four stars as well. Robert Ford and his daughter Rocio put us in the mood with a short set starting about five minutes ahead of the meeting. It is always a treat to hear Robert play, and Rocio is amazing on the castanets.
Thanks to all for helping our club show its best face! Along with most of the regulars, we had several new people who wanted to see what WMAS is all about, and we were pleased to welcome a couple of members of the old garde as well. Years ago Lou Coppola and Sid Kowalczyk founded our predecessor club, the Accordion Association of Metropolitan Washington.
After refreshments, Joan Grauman led a play-along session for those who’d brought their accordions (and weren’t put off by having two such tough acts to follow). She passed out sheet music for a medley of familiar and Americana tunes that people might want to play at July 4 parties. By the way, please save all of these lead sheets that we give out (and use up all of our toner printing)!
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on July 22 just after the American Accordionists’ Association extravaganza in Baltimore, will be low-key. Please bring your accordion because we will be jamming. Here’s your chance to play with a group and just have fun. As usual, we will be at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Virginia, starting at 4 pm.
AAA Festival in Baltimore
As you are no doubt aware, the American Accordionists’ Association festival/competition will take place July 11-15 in Baltimore. If you haven’t already registered, please do so at www.ameraccord.com. Look for the “festival” section to download the registration forms.
On Thursday evening, July 12, the Potomac Ensemble will perform in “Italian Cabaret Night,” as will Robert and Rocio Ford – and many others. Friday evening will feature Stas Venglevski, Frank Petrilli, Vladimir Mollov and others in concert, and Saturday evening is the annual banquet, with the AAA Orchestra as well as Manny Bobenrieth and the US Army Strolling Strings. Those are just the evening highlights. During the daytime you will be able to hear nonstop music during competitions, youth ensemble and youth orchestra performances, workshops, and impromptu performances.
WMAS Picnic
We won’t be meeting in August, but Joyce Palmer is inviting WMAS members to her Capitol Hill home for an à la mode* potluck picnic on Saturday, August 4, at 4 pm. Strolling accordionist Nancy Leonard will welcome guests, and accordionist Robert Ford will perform with his daughter Rocio on castanets. Please contact Joyce at [email protected] to let her know you are coming and what dish you will bring. In return, she will provide you with details on location and parking.
*with accordion on top
Looking Ahead: AAA Founders’ Tribute Concert
From Joan Grauman
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the March 1938 American Accordionists’ Association (AAA), WMAS will hold an “AAA Founders’ Tribute Concert” at our March 2013 meeting. The performers? You, our members.
Many of the AAA founders -- active supporters of what was then a relatively new musical instrument -- were prolific composers, arrangers, performers, and teachers of the piano accordion. Thanks to the tireless efforts of AAA President Emerita Faithe Deffner, much of their music has been preserved and is still available for purchase through Ernest Deffner Publications, now located in Alexandria, Virginia.
I have gone through the Ernest Deffner catalogue and marked each selection that would qualify as “Founders’ Music.” Please contact me at [email protected], and I will email you the scanned catalogue pages. Then you can choose a piece, learn it, and perform it for us at the special tribute concert in March 2013!
What should you choose, you ask? Here are some suggestions: Pietro Deiro (not Deiro, Jr.) was the founding president of the AAA. He composed many lovely pieces and arranged hundreds. His music ranges from easy to moderately difficult. Pietro Frosini’s compositions: wonderful, showy, and mostly moderately difficult to very difficult. Anthony Galla-Rini’s arrangements: true replicas of piano and orchestral music, very well arranged, moderately to very difficult. Charles Nunzio and Joe Biviano’s compositions and arrangements are all relatively easy to play and well done. John Gart’s compositions: beautiful and difficult. Gene Von Hallberg has one arrangement in the catalogue, but I am not familiar with his compositions/arrangements. Gene taught the accordion with Joe Biviano in New York City in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Charles Magnante’s compositions and arrangements have been favorites for decades. They range from moderately to very difficult.
As the archivist of the AAA, I have a lot of information and wonderful old photos of the founders that I will bring to this concert. Feel free to contact me any time for information on any of these amazing men. We hope you will choose a piece to share with us on this very special occasion in 2013!
Accordionist needed for Children’s Opera
José Sacin is looking for an accordionist for the pit orchestra for the children’s opera Monkey See, Monkey Do, to be performed in September. Rodger French took this gig for last year’s edition, in Arlington, but he won’t be available this time. Please contact Mr. Sacin at [email protected].
Last Chance to Hear the Rodger French Trio!
Thursday, June 21, 6-8 pm
Del Ray Music Week Festival
In front of Vital
2201 Mount Vernon Avenue (at E. Custis Avenue)
Alexandria, Virginia
Rodger is moving to Argentina in July, so this is it for the trio, at least for the time being.
Bastille Day with Robert Jacobs and Gypsy Roots
Robert Jacobs and Gypsy Roots will be playing gypsy jazz at the Willard Hotel the afternoon of Bastille Day, July 14. In addition, Mr. Jacobs will be playing solo from 5 to 9 pm that same day in the Willard’s Café du Parc Bistro.
Accordions on the Air
From Louise Neu
On Monday, June 11, the CBC radio show As It Happens http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/ interviewed the person from Finland who has revived playing accordion during wrestling matches. http://www.kimmopohjonen.com/nav.php?url=accordion_wrestling.html
Coincidentally, the same show paid tribute to Wilf Doyle, the recently deceased 87-year-old accordion player who defined the music of the Maritimes.
Robert and Rocio Ford set:
Begin the Beguine (Cole Porter) – Robert solo
Malagueña (E. Lecuona) – duet
Granada (Agustin Lara) – duet
Torna Sorrento (De Curtis) – Robert solo
Andre Fry set:
Passacaglia (composed by J.S. Bach and transcribed by Andre)
Adagio Sostenuto, third movement of Impasse (by the French accordionist/composer Franck Angelis)
Waltz Allegro (Charles Magnante)
Lonely Accordion (Russian folk melody)
Czardas (Andre Fry)
Russian folk melody (Andre learned this by ear and doesn’t know its name)
Dance of the Furies from the opera (composed by Christoph W. Gluck for string orchestra and transcribed by Andre)
Encore: Czardas (Vittorio Monti)
**********************************************************************************************************************
WMAS NEWS UPDATE
July 29, 2012
Meeting Notes
Last Sunday’s jam session was a first for us and, based on the comments of many participants afterwards, an experience we want to repeat. It was sort of like “show and tell” in kindergarten; it gave everyone who could drum up the courage the opportunity to be on stage. The idea was for folks – whoever wanted to – to learn a song by ear, preferably an easy one with minimal chord changes, and to play it for the group. Then, as others caught on they would join in, and we would play the song repeatedly so people had a chance to get it.
Picking up a song by ear is a learned skill – and a good one to have if you want to play with others at a party or in some other ad-hoc context -- so the more we do it, the easier it will become.
Ken’s sing-along demonstrated that it’s easier to learn by ear when you’re singing than when you’re playing the accordion. His contribution brought everyone into the circle, and the percussion instruments he distributed were a big hit. So was the little girls’ choir, made up of Donna and Val’s granddaughters. We hope to hear from them again.
We followed the jamming (and break for refreshments) with a play-along with sheet music shared by a couple of members.
Thanks to all for a fun afternoon! Especially to Lee Paulson for greeting us with tunes as we arrived at the meeting!
Upcoming Events
Remember: we will not be meeting in August, but Joyce Palmer has invited WMAS members to a house concert/picnic at her Capitol Hill home on Saturday, August 4, at 4 pm. Please email Joyce at [email protected] to let her know you are coming and what dish you will bring. The concert will feature Robert Ford; and the party will start with strolling accordionist Nancy Leonard greeting folks as they arrive, from about 4 to 4:30 pm.
The September 23 meeting will feature guest artist Emmanuel Trifilio, from Argentina, on bandoneon. Please mark your calendars now!
Greetings to Joe Fertitta
President of the Maryland Accordion Club and WMAS member Joe Fertitta celebrated his 80th birthday on July 27. Many happy returns, Joe!
American Accordionists’ Association Festival
WMAS was a big presence at this year’s AAA Festival, July 11-15 at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Baltimore. Our members competed, performed, and enthusiastically participated in all the events. Of course, having Joan Grauman on the AAA board is a big plus. She helped plan the festival and pushed for the inclusion of many of the younger and less well-known (to us) but very exciting performers.
For four days straight, hundreds of accordion enthusiasts enjoyed jazz, Gypsy jazz, classical, opera, folk, and modern music in concerts and workshops -- between rehearsals and trips to the exhibit hall to try out new instruments and look over CDs, books, sheet music, and accordion-themed clothing and jewelry. Of course, one of the best things about the festival is that it provides an opportunity to spend time with old friends, and new ones, too.
Several WMAS members participated in the Festival Orchestra and won trophies in the competitions, while others relaxed and enjoyed the festivities.
Featured performers who are also part of WMAS included the Potomac Ensemble, Robert Ford and his daughter Rocio (on castanets), and some members of the Busso Music School Show Band. WMAS members also performed at the opening night “Press and Squeeze” party.
Next year AAA will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a gala festival in Manhattan. Save the date: August 14-18, 2013, at the New Yorker Hotel, across from Penn Station.
By the way, the AAA Festival received lots of media coverage. Here are some links:
Baltimore Sun:
· http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-accordionists-festival-20120707,0,1658065,full.story
· http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bal-md-accordion-festival-pg,0,6578241.photogallery
· http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bal-accordionists-pg,0,167232.photogallery
· http://www.baltimoresun.com/videogallery/70955734/Entertainment/VIDEO-Accordionists-converging-on-Baltimore (video)
· http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/events-entertainment/ph-ca-accordion-accompanist-0711-20120710,0,6241662,full.story (Youth Jazz Program)
WBAL TV:
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/Accordions-make-music-in-Baltimore-this-weekend/-/10131532/15497542/-/131tbv2/-/index.html
WMAS is on Facebook!
Join our page (search Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society) so you can post messages and photos, and see what others have posted.
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
September 25, 2012
Meeting Notes
Bandoneonist Emmanuel Trifilio and guitarist Ramón González, two extraordinary musicians, entranced a roomful of rapt listeners at last Sunday’s WMAS meeting. While many members of the audience play or hear accordions on a daily basis, most had never before seen a bandoneon, much less heard one played. Rose-Marie Coppola expressed best what many of us felt: she clasped her hands to her heart as the first tune flowed from the instruments.
The duo played three tango styles: straight tangos, milongas (fast tangos), and waltzes, all of them popular among tango dancers. Some of the tunes were recognizable, in particular Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango”; others were new to our ears but no less beautiful.
Emmanuel comes from Argentina, the home of the tango, and Ramón is from Venezuela, or “northern Argentina,” as Emmanuel joked. The bandoneon is a diatonic instrument; unlike our piano accordions, each of its buttons plays a different note depending on whether the bellows are being squeezed in or pulled out. Emmanuel explained that he mostly plays while pulling the bellows out to save having to learn different fingerings for each piece. He would have to think fast if he switched bellows direction because the bandoneon’s keyboards are randomly configured.
The tango developed in the immigrant neighborhoods of Bueno Aires, Argentina, in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The bandoneon was invented in Germany in the mid-19th century and presumably was brought to Argentina by immigrants, but Emmanuel said no one knows for sure who brought it or how it became associated with the tango.
Emmanuel’s instrument was made in Germany in the 1930s by the Alfred Arnold (“AA” or “Doble A”) company, which went out of business in 1949. The tango entered a dark age starting in the mid-1950s, and bandoneons stopped being manufactured at all. But the dance and the music associated with it have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, and perhaps the production of new instruments will follow.
If you would like to hear more of Emmanuel and Ramón, they play at Chimichurri restaurant (http://chimichurriresto.com/) on Rockville Pike on Friday evenings and at Panas restaurant (http://panasgourmet.com/) in Bethesda on Saturday evenings. The duo’s regular Wednesday evening gig at Rumba Café in Adams Morgan DC is on hold for now, though. We are organizing a group to go to Chimichurri on Friday, November 2; please reply to this email if you would like to be included.
Hats off, by the way, to Sunday’s “greeters”! Our warm-up act, Karen Malan-Uribe on accordion and Luis Uribe on glockenspiel, was greatly entertaining.
Coming Up – Oktoberfest
After the Sept. 23 program, Joan Grauman distributed Oktoberfest sheet music and the group ran through it. Please practice these pieces, as we will play them at our next meeting, on October 21, our annual Oktoberfest celebration. You may also sign up (by replying to this email) to play a solo (or a duet, trio, etc.), but please stick to appropriate Oktoberfest (Bavarian, Austrian) dance music, especially polkas and waltzes. Anyone who was not at the September meeting and would like to receive the sheet music in PDF format, please email Joan at [email protected].
We’re happy that Herb Fredrickson and his dancers will be back again this year to both perform and teach. Paul Aebersold will open the celebration with 15-20 minutes of German tunes starting about 3:45.
Besides your instrument and dance shoes, please bring German/Austrian dishes to share and invite your friends and family.
WMAS Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 21, 4 pm
Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church
3435 Sleepy Hollow Road
Falls Church, Virginia
ISO Accordionist for November 3 Italian Night in Woodbridge
Roe Dohm is looking for an accordionist who will be able to play mostly Italian music at her neighborhood’s Italian Night on Saturday, November 3. The event will take place at River Ridge over 55 Community in Woodbridge, Virginia. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Accordionist Needed for Children’s Opera
The Opera Guild of Northern Virginia is seeking an accordionist for a children’s opera called "Monkey See Monkey Do" to be presented December 2-7, 2012, and April 21-25, 2013. The opera is 30 minutes long.
This is a paid gig for a skilled musician.
Please contact Jose Sacin at [email protected].
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September 25, 2012
Meeting Notes
Bandoneonist Emmanuel Trifilio and guitarist Ramón González, two extraordinary musicians, entranced a roomful of rapt listeners at last Sunday’s WMAS meeting. While many members of the audience play or hear accordions on a daily basis, most had never before seen a bandoneon, much less heard one played. Rose-Marie Coppola expressed best what many of us felt: she clasped her hands to her heart as the first tune flowed from the instruments.
The duo played three tango styles: straight tangos, milongas (fast tangos), and waltzes, all of them popular among tango dancers. Some of the tunes were recognizable, in particular Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango”; others were new to our ears but no less beautiful.
Emmanuel comes from Argentina, the home of the tango, and Ramón is from Venezuela, or “northern Argentina,” as Emmanuel joked. The bandoneon is a diatonic instrument; unlike our piano accordions, each of its buttons plays a different note depending on whether the bellows are being squeezed in or pulled out. Emmanuel explained that he mostly plays while pulling the bellows out to save having to learn different fingerings for each piece. He would have to think fast if he switched bellows direction because the bandoneon’s keyboards are randomly configured.
The tango developed in the immigrant neighborhoods of Bueno Aires, Argentina, in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The bandoneon was invented in Germany in the mid-19th century and presumably was brought to Argentina by immigrants, but Emmanuel said no one knows for sure who brought it or how it became associated with the tango.
Emmanuel’s instrument was made in Germany in the 1930s by the Alfred Arnold (“AA” or “Doble A”) company, which went out of business in 1949. The tango entered a dark age starting in the mid-1950s, and bandoneons stopped being manufactured at all. But the dance and the music associated with it have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, and perhaps the production of new instruments will follow.
If you would like to hear more of Emmanuel and Ramón, they play at Chimichurri restaurant (http://chimichurriresto.com/) on Rockville Pike on Friday evenings and at Panas restaurant (http://panasgourmet.com/) in Bethesda on Saturday evenings. The duo’s regular Wednesday evening gig at Rumba Café in Adams Morgan DC is on hold for now, though. We are organizing a group to go to Chimichurri on Friday, November 2; please reply to this email if you would like to be included.
Hats off, by the way, to Sunday’s “greeters”! Our warm-up act, Karen Malan-Uribe on accordion and Luis Uribe on glockenspiel, was greatly entertaining.
Coming Up – Oktoberfest
After the Sept. 23 program, Joan Grauman distributed Oktoberfest sheet music and the group ran through it. Please practice these pieces, as we will play them at our next meeting, on October 21, our annual Oktoberfest celebration. You may also sign up (by replying to this email) to play a solo (or a duet, trio, etc.), but please stick to appropriate Oktoberfest (Bavarian, Austrian) dance music, especially polkas and waltzes. Anyone who was not at the September meeting and would like to receive the sheet music in PDF format, please email Joan at [email protected].
We’re happy that Herb Fredrickson and his dancers will be back again this year to both perform and teach. Paul Aebersold will open the celebration with 15-20 minutes of German tunes starting about 3:45.
Besides your instrument and dance shoes, please bring German/Austrian dishes to share and invite your friends and family.
WMAS Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 21, 4 pm
Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church
3435 Sleepy Hollow Road
Falls Church, Virginia
ISO Accordionist for November 3 Italian Night in Woodbridge
Roe Dohm is looking for an accordionist who will be able to play mostly Italian music at her neighborhood’s Italian Night on Saturday, November 3. The event will take place at River Ridge over 55 Community in Woodbridge, Virginia. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Accordionist Needed for Children’s Opera
The Opera Guild of Northern Virginia is seeking an accordionist for a children’s opera called "Monkey See Monkey Do" to be presented December 2-7, 2012, and April 21-25, 2013. The opera is 30 minutes long.
This is a paid gig for a skilled musician.
Please contact Jose Sacin at [email protected].
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
November 3, 2012
Meeting Notes
This year’s Oktoberfest, on October 21, had it all (almost): accordionists playing solo and en masse, polkas and waltzes, dancers in lederhosen and dirndls, door prizes, bratwurst and sauerkraut, and … near beer. About 75 people turned out to sing, dance, eat, and play, and everyone seemed to go home happy.
Special thanks go to Paul Aebersold for being our Oktoberfest “greeter,” playing German and Austrian folk music at the opening of the meeting, and to Herb Fredrickson and his Bayrisch and Steirisch dance group for the dance presentation and lessons.
As always, we are grateful to our members who routinely take on extra duties. Ken Kunec was an entertaining emcee, Lee and Ron Paulson made the room look beautiful, JoAnn and John Pankow and their kitchen crew did a superb job with the food, Joan Grauman provided sheet music and conducted the Oktoberfest orchestra.
Last but not least, thanks to everyone who played, sang, danced, and ate, and otherwise helped make the day a success!
COMING UP
– November meeting, Annual Holiday Concert, Rehearsals
Our next meeting is only about a week away: Sunday, November 11, at 4 pm. Don’t miss it: a concert by Jim Vandelly on bayan and accordion, followed by a rehearsal of the holiday concert orchestra. The concert and rehearsal have become traditions for November, and we always look forward to them because they signal the start of the holiday season.
At the October meeting Joan Grauman distributed sheet music for the holiday concert. Please practice this for the first rehearsal, at the November 11 meeting. We won’t rehearse again as a group until Sunday, December 9, and then we will have just one more: at 2 pm on Sunday, December 16, just before the 4 pm concert.
No one has signed up yet as a “greeter,” for the November 11 meeting. This entails playing from 3:45 until a little after 4 pm when the meeting starts. If you would like to volunteer to play, please reply to this email.
*It’s not too late to sign up for the holiday orchestra. Please contact Joan at [email protected] for PDFs of the sheet music.
DATES TO REMEMBER
November 11, 4 pm: Jim Vandelly concert and rehearsal for the holiday concert
Sunday, December 9, 4 pm – rehearsal for the holiday concert
Sunday, December 16, 2 pm – dress rehearsal for the holiday concert
Sunday, December 16, 4 pm – Annual Holiday Concert and Potluck
Please plan to attend all of the rehearsals if you are playing in the concert. All events take place at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Virginia.
HURRICANE SANDY
In asking around about how WMAS members had made it through the storm, we learned that a huge tree fell on Lou and Sigrid Silvia’s roof and did massive damage. During the derecho in June a tree fell and crushed both of their cars. In between Sigrid was struck by a car and spent months recuperating. If you want to send them a note, please reply to this email, and your message will be forwarded to them.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ciné-Concert: Alice Guy Blaché, Transatlantic Sites of Cinéma Nouveau
November 10 at 2 pm
National Gallery of Art, East Wing Concourse, Auditorium
Musical accompaniment by Kim and Kathryn Kluge, featuring Joan Grauman on accordion
Alice Guy Blaché (1873–1968) is a unique figure in the history of cinema—a woman positioned squarely at the front lines of international technological change that first distinguished the cinema as a form of mass entertainment. From production and distribution to early sound technology and independent direction, she participated in all aspects of the evolving motion picture business. This program features a selection of early films that Guy made in France for Gaumont, followed by restored single-reel subjects produced by her American company Solax, and finally a reconstruction of one of her three surviving independent features. The original score by composers Kim and Kathryn Kluge creates a conversation between past and present. The program is presented in association with the University of Maryland symposium "Alice Guy Blaché: Transatlantic Sites of Cinéma Nouveau, 1896–1920." With special thanks to Caroline Eades, Elizabeth Papazian, Brian Real, Kim Tomadjoglou, Swedish Film Institute, Embassy of France, and Library of Congress. Films on the program include: Alice Guy tourne une phonoscène (1905), early Gaumont films from the Sieurin Collection (1899–1900), Five O'Clock Tea (1905), Greater Love Hath No Man (1911), Mixed Pets (1911), Falling Leaves (1912), The Ocean Waif (1916), and Parson Sue (1912). (Total running time approximately 100 minutes, followed by discussion)
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Concert
The 55-member Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra will be having its Fall Concert on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the Kenmore Theater, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA. The theme for this performance is "Russian Favorites." The program was selected based on a survey of the orchestra members who chose their favorite pieces that the orchestra has played over the past 25 years! Soloists include sensational soprano Olga Orlovskaya and balakaika virtuoso Andrei Saveliev. The same performance will be presented in Maryland on Sunday, November 18 at 3:00 pm at Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD (half mile from Metro). Contact Peter DiGiovanni at 703-919-5701 or [email protected] for more information.
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
November 16, 2012
Meeting Notes
Jim Vandelly made everybody happy when he performed for us on November 11, even when the notes emanating from his bayan formed melancholy Russian melodies. Jim’s November concert has become a tradition for our club, and we always look forward to his advice on bellows shakes, bass patterns, and life in general, alongside the music.
Following another of our traditions, we also used part of the November meeting to rehearse for the Holiday Concert.
Silvia Eberly stopped by to serve as musical greeter before running off to a gig at Café Mozart, so we filled the church hall with music from the meeting’s start to its finish.
Thanks very much, Jim and Silvia! And to all who attended.
Coming Up
Our Holiday Concert and Potluck is just one month away, on Sunday, December 16, and we have lots to do to get ready. As mentioned, we’ve already held one rehearsal for the orchestra, and we have scheduled just two more. If you would like to play in the orchestra, please contact Joan Grauman at [email protected], and please plan to attend the two remaining rehearsals, both at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, our usual meeting place.
Sunday, December 9 at 4 pm (no meeting; rehearsal only)
Sunday, December 16 at 2 pm, just before the 4 pm concert
Sunday, December 16 at 4 pm – Holiday Concert, followed by a potluck dinner
We have room in the concert for a limited number of solos, duets, and small ensembles, so please let us know if you would like to sign up. However, the focus will be on the orchestra, and we urge you to join in. Ken Kunec will be master of ceremonies again this year, and Yimin Zhuang will be the greeter.
Other things to remember:
Please bring a dish for potluck.
Spread the word about the concert and invite your friends and family.
$7 donation for nonmembers.
2013
Our calendar for next year is starting to fill out. Jim Vandelly will be back on Sunday, January 13, to lead a workshop and jam session, and we will also elect officers for 2013. Peter DiGiovanni, Joan Grauman, and Mara Cherkasky are willing to continue as president, vice-president, and secretary/treasurer, respectively, but if you want to nominate yourself or someone else as a candidate for one of the positions, please contact Lee Paulson at [email protected].
On February 10 we will celebrate our 10th birthday with a dance party, cake, and lots of music.
As other meetings and events are scheduled we’ll post them on the WMAS calendar. Please make it a habit to check the website often!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
For more holiday accordion music:
The Potomac Accordion Ensemble will perform at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland, on Saturday, December 8, from 6:30 to 8 pm.
The ensemble will also perform at Dublin Roasters Coffeehouse, Frederick, Maryland, on Saturday, December 15 from 1 to 3 pm. Please see the WMAS calendar for more details.
The Maryland Accordion Club’s Holiday Concert will take place on Saturday, December 8, from 2 to 5 pm, at the Bloomsbury Community Center in Catonsville, Maryland. Dale Wise will emcee and Jim Vandelly, among many others, will perform.
From Mary Kay Stine:
MVLE, sheltered workshops for the intellectually disabled in Springfield and Chantilly, would love it if any accordionists would like to come play for them during the day Monday through Friday.
I do a "music therapy" program most Tuesday mornings in Chantilly 10:30-12:00. If anyone wants to come then, please give me a call at 703-481-5252 or write me at [email protected].
The terrific volunteer coordinator, Sabrina, would especially like to schedule Christmas programs in December, but other times are fine too. She can be reached at [email protected] or 703-796-9602.
The people are so much fun to be with. They are so enthusiastic and just love music.
Accordion Repair Website and Book
Submitted by George Bachich
Napa, CA
Want to know how to diagnose and repair your own accordion? Check out AccordionRevival.com, a website dedicated to helping people repair their own accordions. Currently displaying 32 illustrated articles on diagnosing the most common problems and making the most commonly needed repairs, the site is a significant new resource to accordion players everywhere.
Currently posted articles address changing reed leathers, freeing sticking keys, trouble-shooting silent reeds, voicing reeds, finding air leaks, waxing reeds, replacing bellows gaskets, installing rhinestones, replacing bellows tape, installing a new bellows, properly adjusting keyboards and bass machines, and much more. Website owner George Bachich, of Napa, California, says more articles are on the way, and that the site will eventually be a complete reference on repairing and tuning accordions, including detailed step by step instructions on how to make all kinds of repairs, where to get the proper materials and parts, and how to make the special tools needed for each task. It is amply illustrated with close up color photographs of the repairs in progress.
The site also offers the accordion book you've been waiting for. PIANO ACCORDION OWNER'S MANUAL AND BUYER'S GUIDE clearly explains how accordions work, what goes wrong, problems to watch out for when buying a used accordion, how to quickly identify reed configurations, tone chambers and mute chambers, how to diagnose and locate air leaks, how to safely open and inspect your accordion, and how to recognize when reed valves need to be changed. It explains how to identify and evaluate musette tuning, reed quality, handmade reeds, and how to decide which accordion is right for you.
Points made in this 164 page soft cover book are amply illustrated with over 40 color photographs. The glossary alone comprises a quick course on how accordions are constructed and how they function. This book contains useful new information for everyone, beginner to life-long accordionist. It is an excellent primer for the AccordionRevival.com website, as it provides the context and background knowledge needed to fully understand and appreciate the articles posted there.
PIANO ACCORDION OWNER'S MANUAL AND BUYER'S GUIDE fills a void in the available accordion literature. For a convenient single source of all you need to know about acoustic piano accordions, order this book, either by mail from the author, George Bachich, Accordion Revival, P.O. Box 3238, Napa, CA 94558, or online at AccordionRevival.com. The price is $25 plus $5 shipping and handling.
George Bachich
Napa, CA
[email protected]
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
January 2, 2013
If “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” rendered by a host of accordions aren’t the most heavenly expressions of Christmas joy, then it’s hard to say what is.
Our annual holiday concert, on December 16, was a resounding success, filled with music of the season (and some not). It was also a wonderful leadup to a sumptuous potluck feast and lots more music. At the end of the evening couples continued to dance as volunteers collapsed the tables and cleaned up the room.
Thank you, everyone who helped make the event a success, whether you performed, cooked, decorated, set up the room, cleaned up, or simply showed up and enjoyed the evening.
Christmas is called the season of miracles, but our group is something else! Special kudos to the kitchen crew and the room transformation team who morphed the room from concert mode to dining mode in just minutes, it seemed.
One WMAS friend has called our concert her favorite holiday event, and a newcomer expressed amazement at not knowing about us before. She called the event one of the season’s best-kept secrets.
Best wishes to you and your family on this eighth day of Christmas! And here’s hoping for a wonderful and musical New Year!
Note from Joan Grauman:
Thanks again for all of your support and enthusiasm that helped to make our Holiday Concert a huge success! AccordionUSA editor Rita Davidson came down from New Jersey for the event and she has, once again, done a fine job putting together December’s accordion news, including an article about our club, at http://www.accordionusa.com/#art1296http://www.accordionusa.com/#art1296. Rita’s son took the photo of us at the end of the concert with Rita’s phone.
Next Meetings
Jim Vandelly will lead a jam session at our next meeting, at 4 pm on Sunday, January 13. This will be a great way to ease into the New Year, so please put the date on your calendar, and don’t forget to bring your accordion. And snacks to share, please.
If you would like to sign up as the “greeter,” please let us know right away.
Please note that we are meeting on the SECOND Sunday in January, February, and March due to holidays and other scheduling issues.
Membership Renewal
If you intend to renew your membership for 2013 and have not yet done so, now is a great time. Individual memberships are still $20, and family memberships just $30. Your dues provide funds for guest artists to perform for us and educate us, as well as for refreshments for meetings, postage, office supplies, photocopying, decorations, etc. Please see Peter DiGiovanni during the next meeting to renew, or you can mail your dues to Mara Cherkasky at 603 Rock Creek Church Road, NW, Washington, DC 20010. Your continued support of our great club is appreciated!!!
Jersey Shore Relief Fund
Bruce Gassman recently performed in a benefit concert for the Jersey Shore Relief Fund. If anyone wants to donate to this fund, here are some details:
Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, set up by Gov. and Mrs. Christie. Tax EIN number: 36-4745729. This is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Contact Bruce Gassman at: [email protected] for a mailing address and more information.
Message from Jim Vandelly
Vladimir Titarenko asked me to say hello to all WMAS members who still remember him. He also told me how much he misses our accordion club.