2017 News Archive
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
January 26, 2017
WMAS started 2017 with a roomful of music that lifted spirits on a dreary day. We were a smallish group but large enough to make a lot of noise – and fulfill the quorum requirements of our bylaws. In a notably peaceful election, with no campaign speeches whatsoever, members approved the slate of candidates, so Peter DiGiovanni will remain president and Mara Cherkasky secretary-treasurer, while Robert Ford will move into the vice-presidential seat. As mentioned in previous emails, Joan Grauman was not a candidate for vice-president because she is preparing to move to Florida at the end of this year, and wanted to concentrate her energy on her responsibilities as our music director. So, for the time being, she’ll still be arranging guest-artist concerts, choosing music for and conducting the Holiday Orchestra, etc.
The main portion of the January 22 meeting was a play-along, in which participants passed out sheet music and the group ran through each piece. Jim Vandelly and Mara Cherkasky also led the group in playing a couple of well-known, simple pieces by ear. Jim also served as greeter, on his bayan, and Allison Weiss stepped in this month as refreshments coordinator. Thanks very much to both of you, and to those who brought music to share. Although we didn’t start playing until almost 4:30, we kept it up until almost 6:00 before anyone got up and started thinking about the refreshments.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Sunday, February 12 at 4 pm. Because the Church is a hypothermia center that day, we may need to wrap up a bit earlier than normal, possibly as early as 6 pm. Consequently, we will be moving our birthday/dance party to the March 19 meeting when we will not be so pressured. So, for the February 12 meeting, we will be honoring St. Valentine with our love for the accordion. We are therefore asking you – and your students -- to share your story of how and why you started with the accordion, and to play something (perhaps a love song) for us. If you and/or your students would like to “share and play,” please reply to this email and we’ll put you/them on the list. We are limiting each presentation to 5 minutes at this time, but you might get more time depending on how many folks want to present. Students get first dibs, though; please let them know!
UPCOMING EVENTS
WMAS member Sergio Fresco will be playing in
Songs of Migration and Longing (Canti de Emigrazione e Nostalgia)
Concert and Lunch
Sunday, February 5, 2017, at 1 pm
Casa Italiana
595 Third Street, NW (at F Street)
Washington, DC
Tickets: Adults $20, Children (12 and under) $10
202-638-0165, [email protected]
Peter DiGiovanni will be in the pit orchestra for a production of Fiddler on the Roof at HB Woodlawn High School, 4100 Vacation Lane, Arlington VA. Performance are at 7:30 pm on January 26, 27 and 28, and at 2:00 pm on January 28. See attached flyer for details.
LOWREY FESTIVAL ORGAN FOR SALE
We are in the process of downsizing because we are moving to a retirement place in July.
We have a Lowrey organ that we cannot take along with us because there will be no room for it in our apartment. We would like to find out if any of the members would be interested in purchasing it, setting a reasonable price for it themselves. The organ is in excellent condition. If this is not feasible, perhaps the church where you hold concerts may want to take it as a donation.
It is a Lowrey Festival with Magic Genie, Model M-126. Photo attached. The bench is not in the photo, but would go with the organ. We also have a number of music books and attachable earphones.
Thanks for your assistance. We live in Vienna, VA, near Tyson.
Jay & Louise Evertt
703-255-2896
[email protected]
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January 26, 2017
WMAS started 2017 with a roomful of music that lifted spirits on a dreary day. We were a smallish group but large enough to make a lot of noise – and fulfill the quorum requirements of our bylaws. In a notably peaceful election, with no campaign speeches whatsoever, members approved the slate of candidates, so Peter DiGiovanni will remain president and Mara Cherkasky secretary-treasurer, while Robert Ford will move into the vice-presidential seat. As mentioned in previous emails, Joan Grauman was not a candidate for vice-president because she is preparing to move to Florida at the end of this year, and wanted to concentrate her energy on her responsibilities as our music director. So, for the time being, she’ll still be arranging guest-artist concerts, choosing music for and conducting the Holiday Orchestra, etc.
The main portion of the January 22 meeting was a play-along, in which participants passed out sheet music and the group ran through each piece. Jim Vandelly and Mara Cherkasky also led the group in playing a couple of well-known, simple pieces by ear. Jim also served as greeter, on his bayan, and Allison Weiss stepped in this month as refreshments coordinator. Thanks very much to both of you, and to those who brought music to share. Although we didn’t start playing until almost 4:30, we kept it up until almost 6:00 before anyone got up and started thinking about the refreshments.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Sunday, February 12 at 4 pm. Because the Church is a hypothermia center that day, we may need to wrap up a bit earlier than normal, possibly as early as 6 pm. Consequently, we will be moving our birthday/dance party to the March 19 meeting when we will not be so pressured. So, for the February 12 meeting, we will be honoring St. Valentine with our love for the accordion. We are therefore asking you – and your students -- to share your story of how and why you started with the accordion, and to play something (perhaps a love song) for us. If you and/or your students would like to “share and play,” please reply to this email and we’ll put you/them on the list. We are limiting each presentation to 5 minutes at this time, but you might get more time depending on how many folks want to present. Students get first dibs, though; please let them know!
UPCOMING EVENTS
WMAS member Sergio Fresco will be playing in
Songs of Migration and Longing (Canti de Emigrazione e Nostalgia)
Concert and Lunch
Sunday, February 5, 2017, at 1 pm
Casa Italiana
595 Third Street, NW (at F Street)
Washington, DC
Tickets: Adults $20, Children (12 and under) $10
202-638-0165, [email protected]
Peter DiGiovanni will be in the pit orchestra for a production of Fiddler on the Roof at HB Woodlawn High School, 4100 Vacation Lane, Arlington VA. Performance are at 7:30 pm on January 26, 27 and 28, and at 2:00 pm on January 28. See attached flyer for details.
LOWREY FESTIVAL ORGAN FOR SALE
We are in the process of downsizing because we are moving to a retirement place in July.
We have a Lowrey organ that we cannot take along with us because there will be no room for it in our apartment. We would like to find out if any of the members would be interested in purchasing it, setting a reasonable price for it themselves. The organ is in excellent condition. If this is not feasible, perhaps the church where you hold concerts may want to take it as a donation.
It is a Lowrey Festival with Magic Genie, Model M-126. Photo attached. The bench is not in the photo, but would go with the organ. We also have a number of music books and attachable earphones.
Thanks for your assistance. We live in Vienna, VA, near Tyson.
Jay & Louise Evertt
703-255-2896
[email protected]
********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
February 22, 2017
At our February 12 meeting we tried something we’d never tried before, and it turned out to be a great idea: sharing stories about how we got started on the accordion. We’ve been together for well over a decade now so we thought we knew each other, but we’d never heard most of the charming, poignant, and/or funny stories members told. For the 30 or so folks in attendance, this was a wonderful way to celebrate, a bit early, Valentine’s Day and our love for the accordion.
Greeter Yimeng Huang did a wonderful job getting the meeting started with some of the pieces she’s worked up for her farmers market gigs. Thanks go to her, to all who presented, to Joanne Pankow for managing the refreshments, and to everyone who attended and brought snacks. We’re also grateful to those who make sure the club runs smoothly, and to Joan Grauman for coming up with the program idea.
On that note, we have a plea: we need a volunteer to decorate the room for three meetings per year: our birthday, which we’ll celebrate this year at the March 19 meeting; Oktoberfest, which we celebrate annually at the September or October meeting; and the Holiday Concert in December. Connie Racioppa has done a fantastic job, with her hand-made centerpieces and other beautiful things, but now she’s stepped down and we need someone to take over. There’s no need to do the kind of elaborate work Connie did, but just to come up with simple ways to make the place look festive. Please reply to this email if you can help out, especially on March 19.
Our tradition is to celebrate our birthday with a dance party, and that’s what we’re doing this year, too. So we’re looking to you to play a dance tune or two (preferably a polka or waltz), or to teach a dance. Please reply to this email to sign up. We’re inviting folks from outside the club, and we want everyone to have a good time. As for refreshments, the club will provide a birthday cake, so members are encouraged to bring other types of dishes, i.e., not sweets. Thanks! See you in a few weeks!
And don’t forget to check out our website, at www.washingtonaccordions.org
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February 22, 2017
At our February 12 meeting we tried something we’d never tried before, and it turned out to be a great idea: sharing stories about how we got started on the accordion. We’ve been together for well over a decade now so we thought we knew each other, but we’d never heard most of the charming, poignant, and/or funny stories members told. For the 30 or so folks in attendance, this was a wonderful way to celebrate, a bit early, Valentine’s Day and our love for the accordion.
Greeter Yimeng Huang did a wonderful job getting the meeting started with some of the pieces she’s worked up for her farmers market gigs. Thanks go to her, to all who presented, to Joanne Pankow for managing the refreshments, and to everyone who attended and brought snacks. We’re also grateful to those who make sure the club runs smoothly, and to Joan Grauman for coming up with the program idea.
On that note, we have a plea: we need a volunteer to decorate the room for three meetings per year: our birthday, which we’ll celebrate this year at the March 19 meeting; Oktoberfest, which we celebrate annually at the September or October meeting; and the Holiday Concert in December. Connie Racioppa has done a fantastic job, with her hand-made centerpieces and other beautiful things, but now she’s stepped down and we need someone to take over. There’s no need to do the kind of elaborate work Connie did, but just to come up with simple ways to make the place look festive. Please reply to this email if you can help out, especially on March 19.
Our tradition is to celebrate our birthday with a dance party, and that’s what we’re doing this year, too. So we’re looking to you to play a dance tune or two (preferably a polka or waltz), or to teach a dance. Please reply to this email to sign up. We’re inviting folks from outside the club, and we want everyone to have a good time. As for refreshments, the club will provide a birthday cake, so members are encouraged to bring other types of dishes, i.e., not sweets. Thanks! See you in a few weeks!
And don’t forget to check out our website, at www.washingtonaccordions.org
********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
March 24, 2017
We’re another year older and better than ever! WMAS celebrated its 14th birthday last Sunday with a dance party because, after all, the accordion is capable of so much of the kind of music that makes you want to get up and dance. Lots of people offered up tunes, but the most notable had to have been the world premiere of the WMAS 14th Birthday Polka, composed by Peter DiGiovanni and performed by him along with Robert Ford and Mara Cherkasky. This piece and many others did indeed inspire people to dance, and a waltz lesson by Mike Rubin helped get more people onto their feet.
Old faces and new filled the room made festive and spring-like with big, colorful tissue-paper flowers and pastel tablecloths. The buffet beckoned with lots of delicious dishes contributed by members, and a scrumptious cake from Heidelberg Bakery. What more could you want in a birthday party?
Big thanks go to Karen and Luis Uribe for bringing the cake and serving as greeters to kick off the afternoon, to JoAnn and John Pankow for managing the kitchen, to Mara for handling decorations, to Joyce Day and Herb Fredrickson for teaching the Kreuzpolka, to Mike Rubin for teaching the waltz, to Ken Kunec for emceeing, and to everyone else who performed, contributed food, and took part in the fun – and cleaned up. Thanks also to Andrea Baumann for volunteering to handle decorations going forward. (By the way, instructions for making the paper flowers are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiSaPUWNZjE .)
Next Month
We’ll be seeing each other again soon! At the April 9 meeting Pat Racioppa will present a short workshop on “Spring-cleaning Your Accordion – Dos and Don’ts.” He will show products that work and those that will damage instruments, plus fabrics, brushes, etc. that work – and don’t work – on accordions.
We’ll follow the workshop with a play-along, so please bring some music to share or a piece to teach by ear, and we’ll run through as much of it as we can.
We need a greeter for next month, so please sign up by replying to this email, and please plan to bring snacks to share.
May Meeting
We are thrilled to host Stas Venglevski in concert at our May 21 meeting. As usual for guest-artist concerts we will be asking for a donation of $8 from non-members. A flyer is attached; please forward it to your family and friends and post it where people will see it. Stas is too good to miss, and we definitely want a big turnout for the concert. Thanks!
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Concert
The Washington Balalaika Society will be presenting its spring concert at 3 pm on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the Wakefield High School Theater, 1325 South Dinwiddie Street, Arlington VA. (The same program will be performed at 8 pm on Saturday, June 3, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater in Rockville MD). The 60-member WBS Orchestra is the largest Russian folk orchestra in the U.S. Our special guest will be operatic soprano Olga Orlovskaya. You can find more info at these websites:
Washington Balalaika Society: http://www.balalaika.org/
Olga Orlovskaya: https://www.operamusica.com/artist/olga-orlovskaya/#
For $15 group-rate tickets contact Peter DiGiovanni at 703-242-2160 or [email protected].
Don’t forget to check out the WMAS website, at www.washingtonaccordions.org.
********************************************************************************************************************
March 24, 2017
We’re another year older and better than ever! WMAS celebrated its 14th birthday last Sunday with a dance party because, after all, the accordion is capable of so much of the kind of music that makes you want to get up and dance. Lots of people offered up tunes, but the most notable had to have been the world premiere of the WMAS 14th Birthday Polka, composed by Peter DiGiovanni and performed by him along with Robert Ford and Mara Cherkasky. This piece and many others did indeed inspire people to dance, and a waltz lesson by Mike Rubin helped get more people onto their feet.
Old faces and new filled the room made festive and spring-like with big, colorful tissue-paper flowers and pastel tablecloths. The buffet beckoned with lots of delicious dishes contributed by members, and a scrumptious cake from Heidelberg Bakery. What more could you want in a birthday party?
Big thanks go to Karen and Luis Uribe for bringing the cake and serving as greeters to kick off the afternoon, to JoAnn and John Pankow for managing the kitchen, to Mara for handling decorations, to Joyce Day and Herb Fredrickson for teaching the Kreuzpolka, to Mike Rubin for teaching the waltz, to Ken Kunec for emceeing, and to everyone else who performed, contributed food, and took part in the fun – and cleaned up. Thanks also to Andrea Baumann for volunteering to handle decorations going forward. (By the way, instructions for making the paper flowers are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiSaPUWNZjE .)
Next Month
We’ll be seeing each other again soon! At the April 9 meeting Pat Racioppa will present a short workshop on “Spring-cleaning Your Accordion – Dos and Don’ts.” He will show products that work and those that will damage instruments, plus fabrics, brushes, etc. that work – and don’t work – on accordions.
We’ll follow the workshop with a play-along, so please bring some music to share or a piece to teach by ear, and we’ll run through as much of it as we can.
We need a greeter for next month, so please sign up by replying to this email, and please plan to bring snacks to share.
May Meeting
We are thrilled to host Stas Venglevski in concert at our May 21 meeting. As usual for guest-artist concerts we will be asking for a donation of $8 from non-members. A flyer is attached; please forward it to your family and friends and post it where people will see it. Stas is too good to miss, and we definitely want a big turnout for the concert. Thanks!
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Concert
The Washington Balalaika Society will be presenting its spring concert at 3 pm on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the Wakefield High School Theater, 1325 South Dinwiddie Street, Arlington VA. (The same program will be performed at 8 pm on Saturday, June 3, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater in Rockville MD). The 60-member WBS Orchestra is the largest Russian folk orchestra in the U.S. Our special guest will be operatic soprano Olga Orlovskaya. You can find more info at these websites:
Washington Balalaika Society: http://www.balalaika.org/
Olga Orlovskaya: https://www.operamusica.com/artist/olga-orlovskaya/#
For $15 group-rate tickets contact Peter DiGiovanni at 703-242-2160 or [email protected].
Don’t forget to check out the WMAS website, at www.washingtonaccordions.org.
********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
April 22, 2017
Happy Earth Day!
What’s a better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than spring cleaning!? The Accordion Society thought so, so our April 9 meeting featured a workshop by Pat Racioppa on “how to spring-clean your accordion.” Focusing on the exterior only, Pat demonstrated simple methods, using regular household products such as toothbrushes and car polish, to clean the dust out of the bellow folds and the fingerprints off the exterior plastic and chrome parts. Of course, this shouldn’t be a once-a-year chore; it should be a routine, to keep dust from getting inside the instrument and clogging the works.
Following the workshop, Robert Ford (our new vice president) led a play-along. A new project is to have more of a purpose in our play-alongs from now on: we’re hoping to create a Fun Band. To that end, we’re asking everyone to do a few things:
We thank Pat for the workshop, Jim Vandelly for greeting, and all others who helped make the meeting a success.
Speaking of which, we’re extremely grateful to JoAnn for all the work she does to manage the refreshments. But she shouldn’t have to do it alone! Who among you can commit to helping JoAnn in the kitchen, organizing refreshments, setting up, and cleaning up? If you are willing to contribute to our club in that way, please let us know by replying to this email.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WMAS’s May meeting, on the 21st of the month, will be a guest-artist concert by the wonderfully entertaining and virtuosic accordionist Stas Venglevski. Stas is coming in from Milwaukee, and we want to show him how much we appreciate him. Please invite your family and friends, and please print out and distribute the attached flyer. The concert will take place, as usual, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, VA. It starts at 4 pm, and refreshments will follow (hint: please bring some). Members enter free, but we’ll be asking nonmembers for a $8 donation.
JoAnn Pankow and Joan Grauman will be the greeters.
Simone Baron Concerts and Workshop
Accordionist Simone Baron – you may remember she’s visited our club – has been artist-in-residence at the Strathmore (Bethesda) and will be playing two concerts there in May: the 10th and the 24th. Tickets are just $17. She’ll also be conducting a free workshop, World of the Accordion, on May 17. All events start at 7:30 pm. See
https://www.strathmore.org/events-and-tickets/air-simone-baron for more information and to buy tickets.
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Concert
The Washington Balalaika Society will be presenting its spring concert at 3 pm on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the Wakefield High School Theater, 1325 South Dinwiddie Street, Arlington VA. (The same program will be performed at 8 pm on Saturday, June 3, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater in Rockville MD). The 60-member WBS Orchestra is the largest Russian folk orchestra in the U.S. Our special guest will be operatic soprano Olga Orlovskaya. You can find more info at these websites:
Washington Balalaika Society: http://www.balalaika.org/
Olga Orlovskaya: https://www.operamusica.com/artist/olga-orlovskaya/#
For $15 group-rate tickets contact Peter DiGiovanni at 703-242-2160 or [email protected].
Don’t forget to check out the WMAS website, at www.washingtonaccordions.org.
*********************************************************************************************************************
April 22, 2017
Happy Earth Day!
What’s a better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than spring cleaning!? The Accordion Society thought so, so our April 9 meeting featured a workshop by Pat Racioppa on “how to spring-clean your accordion.” Focusing on the exterior only, Pat demonstrated simple methods, using regular household products such as toothbrushes and car polish, to clean the dust out of the bellow folds and the fingerprints off the exterior plastic and chrome parts. Of course, this shouldn’t be a once-a-year chore; it should be a routine, to keep dust from getting inside the instrument and clogging the works.
Following the workshop, Robert Ford (our new vice president) led a play-along. A new project is to have more of a purpose in our play-alongs from now on: we’re hoping to create a Fun Band. To that end, we’re asking everyone to do a few things:
- Contribute music that is not too complicated and has more than one part;
- Keep your play-along music in a binder so we can play it at subsequent meetings; and
- Practice the music you receive at the play-alongs.
We thank Pat for the workshop, Jim Vandelly for greeting, and all others who helped make the meeting a success.
Speaking of which, we’re extremely grateful to JoAnn for all the work she does to manage the refreshments. But she shouldn’t have to do it alone! Who among you can commit to helping JoAnn in the kitchen, organizing refreshments, setting up, and cleaning up? If you are willing to contribute to our club in that way, please let us know by replying to this email.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WMAS’s May meeting, on the 21st of the month, will be a guest-artist concert by the wonderfully entertaining and virtuosic accordionist Stas Venglevski. Stas is coming in from Milwaukee, and we want to show him how much we appreciate him. Please invite your family and friends, and please print out and distribute the attached flyer. The concert will take place, as usual, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, VA. It starts at 4 pm, and refreshments will follow (hint: please bring some). Members enter free, but we’ll be asking nonmembers for a $8 donation.
JoAnn Pankow and Joan Grauman will be the greeters.
Simone Baron Concerts and Workshop
Accordionist Simone Baron – you may remember she’s visited our club – has been artist-in-residence at the Strathmore (Bethesda) and will be playing two concerts there in May: the 10th and the 24th. Tickets are just $17. She’ll also be conducting a free workshop, World of the Accordion, on May 17. All events start at 7:30 pm. See
https://www.strathmore.org/events-and-tickets/air-simone-baron for more information and to buy tickets.
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Concert
The Washington Balalaika Society will be presenting its spring concert at 3 pm on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the Wakefield High School Theater, 1325 South Dinwiddie Street, Arlington VA. (The same program will be performed at 8 pm on Saturday, June 3, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater in Rockville MD). The 60-member WBS Orchestra is the largest Russian folk orchestra in the U.S. Our special guest will be operatic soprano Olga Orlovskaya. You can find more info at these websites:
Washington Balalaika Society: http://www.balalaika.org/
Olga Orlovskaya: https://www.operamusica.com/artist/olga-orlovskaya/#
For $15 group-rate tickets contact Peter DiGiovanni at 703-242-2160 or [email protected].
Don’t forget to check out the WMAS website, at www.washingtonaccordions.org.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
May 30, 2017
Stas Venglevski lived up to his reputation and performed a perfect concert for about 60 people on Sunday, May 21. Stas is one of the world’s top accordionists, so it was especially exciting for our little club to host him. And he’s fun, too: an all-around great guy. The play list included standards such as Malagueña, Russian and French folk songs, Stas’s own compositions, and much more.
Greeters JoAnn Pankow and Joan Grauman set the tone for the day with their own expert playing.
As always, thanks to everyone who helped make the meeting a success!
Looking Ahead – the June and July Meetings
The program for our June 11 meeting is our annual member concert. This is a great opportunity to let your fellow members hear what you’ve been working on, so please sign up for a 5-minute slot by replying to this email. Even if you decide not to perform, please bring your instrument, music stand, and binder because the fun band will practice if there’s time following the program.
On July 23 we are excited to welcome back Argentine bandoneonista Emanuel Trifolio and his trio for a concert. This is a bonus guest-artist concert generously sponsored by some long-time WMAS members who are fans of the musicians. Be sure to invite your friends and family, especially those who love the tango, for this special treat.
We need greeters for both June and July. Please sign up!
And please remember that we won’t be meeting in August.
***********************************************************************************************************************
May 30, 2017
Stas Venglevski lived up to his reputation and performed a perfect concert for about 60 people on Sunday, May 21. Stas is one of the world’s top accordionists, so it was especially exciting for our little club to host him. And he’s fun, too: an all-around great guy. The play list included standards such as Malagueña, Russian and French folk songs, Stas’s own compositions, and much more.
Greeters JoAnn Pankow and Joan Grauman set the tone for the day with their own expert playing.
As always, thanks to everyone who helped make the meeting a success!
Looking Ahead – the June and July Meetings
The program for our June 11 meeting is our annual member concert. This is a great opportunity to let your fellow members hear what you’ve been working on, so please sign up for a 5-minute slot by replying to this email. Even if you decide not to perform, please bring your instrument, music stand, and binder because the fun band will practice if there’s time following the program.
On July 23 we are excited to welcome back Argentine bandoneonista Emanuel Trifolio and his trio for a concert. This is a bonus guest-artist concert generously sponsored by some long-time WMAS members who are fans of the musicians. Be sure to invite your friends and family, especially those who love the tango, for this special treat.
We need greeters for both June and July. Please sign up!
And please remember that we won’t be meeting in August.
***********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
June 25, 2017
WMAS celebrated a lovely late-spring Sunday afternoon with the annual member concert. Although it felt as if we’d just met -- the June 11 meeting fell only three weeks after the May 21 meeting – we had a good lineup and a good turnout. Our new vice-president, Robert Ford, did a great job as greeter and, well, vice-president in the absence of president Peter DiGiovanni. Opening the meeting, he expressed relief that he didn’t have to emcee as well; Ken Kunec had noticed the email at the last minute and turned up ready and armed with accordion and Internet jokes. (He also expressed gratitude to JoAnn Pankow for handling the kitchen.)
The lineup represented our membership well: younger and older, newcomer and old-timer, newly converted to the accordion and lifetime player; and the playlist comprised a nice range of musical styles and periods as well. Robert asked each performer to describe briefly how he/she came to the accordion; this request elicited some true stories but also many amusing ones.
Thanks to all who participated and helped ensure the success, yet again, of a WMAS meeting! We all appreciate your contributions.
Next Meeting
At our next meeting, on July 23, we are excited to welcome back bandoneonista Emanuel Trifolio and his tango trio. This will be a bonus guest-artist concert generously sponsored by some long-time WMAS members who are fans of the musicians. It’s free for everyone – members and nonmembers – so be sure to invite your friends and family, especially those who love the tango, for this special treat. A flyer is attached.
We need someone to please sign up to greet, and we need everyone to please bring snacks to share.
Please note that we are meeting the FOURTH Sunday in July, not the third.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival on the Mall starts this coming Thursday, and the free concert that evening features two fabulous bands: Beausoleil (Cajun) and the Tex-Maniacs (conjunto). Check out the program at http://www.festival.si.edu/schedule .
Admission to every single festival event is free!
Check out the WMAS website at www.washingtonaccordions.org
********************************************************************************************************************
June 25, 2017
WMAS celebrated a lovely late-spring Sunday afternoon with the annual member concert. Although it felt as if we’d just met -- the June 11 meeting fell only three weeks after the May 21 meeting – we had a good lineup and a good turnout. Our new vice-president, Robert Ford, did a great job as greeter and, well, vice-president in the absence of president Peter DiGiovanni. Opening the meeting, he expressed relief that he didn’t have to emcee as well; Ken Kunec had noticed the email at the last minute and turned up ready and armed with accordion and Internet jokes. (He also expressed gratitude to JoAnn Pankow for handling the kitchen.)
The lineup represented our membership well: younger and older, newcomer and old-timer, newly converted to the accordion and lifetime player; and the playlist comprised a nice range of musical styles and periods as well. Robert asked each performer to describe briefly how he/she came to the accordion; this request elicited some true stories but also many amusing ones.
Thanks to all who participated and helped ensure the success, yet again, of a WMAS meeting! We all appreciate your contributions.
Next Meeting
At our next meeting, on July 23, we are excited to welcome back bandoneonista Emanuel Trifolio and his tango trio. This will be a bonus guest-artist concert generously sponsored by some long-time WMAS members who are fans of the musicians. It’s free for everyone – members and nonmembers – so be sure to invite your friends and family, especially those who love the tango, for this special treat. A flyer is attached.
We need someone to please sign up to greet, and we need everyone to please bring snacks to share.
Please note that we are meeting the FOURTH Sunday in July, not the third.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival on the Mall starts this coming Thursday, and the free concert that evening features two fabulous bands: Beausoleil (Cajun) and the Tex-Maniacs (conjunto). Check out the program at http://www.festival.si.edu/schedule .
Admission to every single festival event is free!
Check out the WMAS website at www.washingtonaccordions.org
********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
August 14, 2017
July Meeting
We usually think of July as a quiet month for our club, but at our July 23 meeting WMAS pulled in a record crowd – well over 100 people – to catch the Trifilio Tango Trio. The concert showcased Argentine-born Emmanuel Trifilio on bandoneon, Devree Lewis on cello, and Cristian Perez on guitar, three wonderfully talented and personable young musicians who truly know how to engage an audience. The play list included pieces we expected to hear from a tango group and a number of beautifully complex, original compositions by Mr. Trifilio; there was even a set that honored the four seasons of Washington DC. Following the show, the trio’s CDs sold out in about a minute. If you missed out you can buy them online at www.trifiliotangotrio.com. Their site will also tell you where you can see them again.
Thanks go to our greeter for the day, Janice Lavoie – and also, briefly, Robert Ford. Janice recently returned to the club after more than a decade away, and we’re thrilled to have her back.
Thanks also to everyone else who helped make the day a success, especially the WMAS member who so generously sponsored the concert.
Next Meeting
As you know we will not be meeting in August. We will see each other next on Sunday, September 17, at 4 pm for a play-along and fun-band session. Please bring music to share, including Oktoberfest music to practice in preparation for our October 15 meeting/party. If you don’t have the music and would like to receive it in PDF format, please email [email protected].
Other Events
Trifilio Tango Trio at All Souls Church, Unitarian
Friday, September 15, 5:30 pm
15th and Harvard Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Free admission, see http://www.all-souls.org/
Una Noche en Mexico: Mexican Music 1500s-1940s
September 17, 4pm
Middleburg United Methodist Church,
corner of Washington and Pendleton Streets
Middleburg, Virginia
The concert will feature accordionist Jose Alfonso Valadez, along with celebrated Mexican singer Dolores Martinez, violinist Cynthia Saucedo, and cellist Alan Saucedo Estrada.
Free admission. Reception with homemade tamales following the concert.
See http://middleburglife.com/middleburg-concert-series-joins-embassy-mexico-present-una-noche-en-mexico/ , email [email protected] or call 540-303-7127.
The concert will be repeated on Tuesday, September 19, at the
Mexican Cultural Institute
2829 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Don’t forget to check the WMAS website, www.washingtonaccordions.org
**********************************************************************************************************************
August 14, 2017
July Meeting
We usually think of July as a quiet month for our club, but at our July 23 meeting WMAS pulled in a record crowd – well over 100 people – to catch the Trifilio Tango Trio. The concert showcased Argentine-born Emmanuel Trifilio on bandoneon, Devree Lewis on cello, and Cristian Perez on guitar, three wonderfully talented and personable young musicians who truly know how to engage an audience. The play list included pieces we expected to hear from a tango group and a number of beautifully complex, original compositions by Mr. Trifilio; there was even a set that honored the four seasons of Washington DC. Following the show, the trio’s CDs sold out in about a minute. If you missed out you can buy them online at www.trifiliotangotrio.com. Their site will also tell you where you can see them again.
Thanks go to our greeter for the day, Janice Lavoie – and also, briefly, Robert Ford. Janice recently returned to the club after more than a decade away, and we’re thrilled to have her back.
Thanks also to everyone else who helped make the day a success, especially the WMAS member who so generously sponsored the concert.
Next Meeting
As you know we will not be meeting in August. We will see each other next on Sunday, September 17, at 4 pm for a play-along and fun-band session. Please bring music to share, including Oktoberfest music to practice in preparation for our October 15 meeting/party. If you don’t have the music and would like to receive it in PDF format, please email [email protected].
Other Events
Trifilio Tango Trio at All Souls Church, Unitarian
Friday, September 15, 5:30 pm
15th and Harvard Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Free admission, see http://www.all-souls.org/
Una Noche en Mexico: Mexican Music 1500s-1940s
September 17, 4pm
Middleburg United Methodist Church,
corner of Washington and Pendleton Streets
Middleburg, Virginia
The concert will feature accordionist Jose Alfonso Valadez, along with celebrated Mexican singer Dolores Martinez, violinist Cynthia Saucedo, and cellist Alan Saucedo Estrada.
Free admission. Reception with homemade tamales following the concert.
See http://middleburglife.com/middleburg-concert-series-joins-embassy-mexico-present-una-noche-en-mexico/ , email [email protected] or call 540-303-7127.
The concert will be repeated on Tuesday, September 19, at the
Mexican Cultural Institute
2829 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Don’t forget to check the WMAS website, www.washingtonaccordions.org
**********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
September 23, 2017
WMAS had a fun and well-attended “back-to-school” meeting on Sunday, September 17. We held a play-along, as we do periodically to give ourselves the opportunity to learn from each other and play a variety of genres. In between new pieces, we ran through Oktoberfest music, in preparation for next month’s meeting, on October 22. Thanks go to Robert Ford, who opened the meeting as the greeter, and thanks also to everyone else who helped make the meeting a success. Unfortunately, the meeting ended sooner than we’d planned, and we apologize to those who brought music that we didn’t get a chance to play. Sleepy Hollow is going through changes (see below), which means we too must change. But please keep the sheet music you received, and we’ll start with it next time we hold a play-along.
NEXT MONTH
The time and place for our Oktoberfest meeting have changed! It will take place on at 4 pm on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 S. Grant Street, Arlington, Virginia 22202-2548.
Calvary United Methodist is only 0.6 mile from the Crystal City Metro station. Get Directions https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Crystal+City+Metro+Station,+1750+S+Bell+St,+Arlington,+VA+22202/Calvary+United+Methodist+Church,+South+Grant+Street,+Arlington,+VA/@38.8557028,-77.0587443,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7b72672927fad:0x96c04cc4e239331b!2m2!1d-77.0514099!2d38.8580227!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7b6d611db92c5:0x2ec855d8b5b49fc1!2m2!1d-77.0571883!2d38.8529602
As for parking, there’s a small lot adjacent to the church, as well as street parking. In addition, parking is open at Linden Resources, on 23rd Street just west of the church, and at the office building at 701 23rd Street, diagonally across from the church.
See the church website, www.calmeth.org, for more information.
Sleepy Hollow United Methodist now has a theater group using its space, and we’re having to work around that. So PLEASE watch for date and venue changes as we figure out a long-range plan. Information will be posted on our website, www.washingtonaccordions.org, and sent to you via email.
One more thing, music: WE NEED A GREETER for the Oktoberfest meeting, to play from 3:45 to 4:05 pm. Please sign up by replying to this email. Thanks! And we need people to play dance tunes for the party. Please sign up for a 5-minute slot.
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September 23, 2017
WMAS had a fun and well-attended “back-to-school” meeting on Sunday, September 17. We held a play-along, as we do periodically to give ourselves the opportunity to learn from each other and play a variety of genres. In between new pieces, we ran through Oktoberfest music, in preparation for next month’s meeting, on October 22. Thanks go to Robert Ford, who opened the meeting as the greeter, and thanks also to everyone else who helped make the meeting a success. Unfortunately, the meeting ended sooner than we’d planned, and we apologize to those who brought music that we didn’t get a chance to play. Sleepy Hollow is going through changes (see below), which means we too must change. But please keep the sheet music you received, and we’ll start with it next time we hold a play-along.
NEXT MONTH
The time and place for our Oktoberfest meeting have changed! It will take place on at 4 pm on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 S. Grant Street, Arlington, Virginia 22202-2548.
Calvary United Methodist is only 0.6 mile from the Crystal City Metro station. Get Directions https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Crystal+City+Metro+Station,+1750+S+Bell+St,+Arlington,+VA+22202/Calvary+United+Methodist+Church,+South+Grant+Street,+Arlington,+VA/@38.8557028,-77.0587443,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7b72672927fad:0x96c04cc4e239331b!2m2!1d-77.0514099!2d38.8580227!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7b6d611db92c5:0x2ec855d8b5b49fc1!2m2!1d-77.0571883!2d38.8529602
As for parking, there’s a small lot adjacent to the church, as well as street parking. In addition, parking is open at Linden Resources, on 23rd Street just west of the church, and at the office building at 701 23rd Street, diagonally across from the church.
See the church website, www.calmeth.org, for more information.
Sleepy Hollow United Methodist now has a theater group using its space, and we’re having to work around that. So PLEASE watch for date and venue changes as we figure out a long-range plan. Information will be posted on our website, www.washingtonaccordions.org, and sent to you via email.
One more thing, music: WE NEED A GREETER for the Oktoberfest meeting, to play from 3:45 to 4:05 pm. Please sign up by replying to this email. Thanks! And we need people to play dance tunes for the party. Please sign up for a 5-minute slot.
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Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
September 29, 2017
Hello again!
This is a busy season and we’ve had a few more schedule changes that we wanted to tell you about as soon as possible so you can get them on your calendars.
As you know, our October 22 meeting will place at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 S. Grant Street, Arlington, Virginia (see www.calmeth.org for more information), and we’ll be celebrating Oktoberfest. The start time is the usual: 4 pm. Mona Berch has kindly signed up to greet but we still need people to sign up to play polkas, waltzes, Rhinelanders, and the like. Also, please plan to bring an Oktoberfest-themed dish or snack to share.
Our occasional Accordion Flea Market will set up at both the October and November meetings, so please don’t forget your wallets. ALL PROCEEDS from these flea markets will help support the Youth Jazz and Youth Orchestra programs at the annual American Accordionists’ Association Festival, specifically by paying for youth participants’ lunches. Joan Grauman has underwritten these lunches for the past six years by donating all proceeds from our WMAS flea markets and from the sales of her solo CD. If you would like to donate sheet music, accordion figurines, accordions, music stands, or anything musical to this sale, please inform Joan, at [email protected].
By the way, the AAA Festival will be back in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2018! Mark your calendars: July 11–15, 2018.
HOLIDAY ORCHESTRA! Yes, it’s that time again!! At the October meeting Joan Grauman will be distributing packets of music for the 15th annual WMAS Holiday Concert. You are encouraged to play in the orchestra if you are a WMAS member, have an accordion and have at least a beginner’s grasp of it, and can read sheet music. Rehearsals will take place at the WMAS meeting on Sunday, November 12; on SATURDAY, November 18 at 4 pm; and on Sunday, December 3, at 4 pm (if we can find a venue). There is also a mandatory rehearsal at 1:45 pm on December 10, just before our Holiday Concert (which starts at 4 pm).
As in previous years, Joan will be creating MP3s of all the music; you will be able to download these and practice along with them at home.
Looking forward to seeing you on October 22!
OTHER EVENTS
Arco Belo Ensemble
Monday, October 9, 7:30 pm
Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Society | 2813 12th St NE, Washington, DC
Tickets: $8
Simone Baron reimagines and expands the accordion’s possibilities with her hybrid chamber jazz ensemble, Arco Belo. Drawing from jazz and folk soundscapes as well as original work, the troupe skips effortlessly from odd and infectious meters to funk grooves, neo-baroque compositions and post-romantic cadenzas. Bold, innovative, and gloriously off-beat, Arco Belo serves as an intoxicating introduction to the virtuosic creativity of WJMF’s 2017 Artist-in-Residence, Simone Baron.
Information and Tickets: https://www.wjmf.org/events/arcobelo/
Box Office Number: 202.777.3250
There are loads of accordion events during this season. See our website for more: www.washingtonaccordions.org.
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September 29, 2017
Hello again!
This is a busy season and we’ve had a few more schedule changes that we wanted to tell you about as soon as possible so you can get them on your calendars.
As you know, our October 22 meeting will place at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 S. Grant Street, Arlington, Virginia (see www.calmeth.org for more information), and we’ll be celebrating Oktoberfest. The start time is the usual: 4 pm. Mona Berch has kindly signed up to greet but we still need people to sign up to play polkas, waltzes, Rhinelanders, and the like. Also, please plan to bring an Oktoberfest-themed dish or snack to share.
Our occasional Accordion Flea Market will set up at both the October and November meetings, so please don’t forget your wallets. ALL PROCEEDS from these flea markets will help support the Youth Jazz and Youth Orchestra programs at the annual American Accordionists’ Association Festival, specifically by paying for youth participants’ lunches. Joan Grauman has underwritten these lunches for the past six years by donating all proceeds from our WMAS flea markets and from the sales of her solo CD. If you would like to donate sheet music, accordion figurines, accordions, music stands, or anything musical to this sale, please inform Joan, at [email protected].
By the way, the AAA Festival will be back in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2018! Mark your calendars: July 11–15, 2018.
HOLIDAY ORCHESTRA! Yes, it’s that time again!! At the October meeting Joan Grauman will be distributing packets of music for the 15th annual WMAS Holiday Concert. You are encouraged to play in the orchestra if you are a WMAS member, have an accordion and have at least a beginner’s grasp of it, and can read sheet music. Rehearsals will take place at the WMAS meeting on Sunday, November 12; on SATURDAY, November 18 at 4 pm; and on Sunday, December 3, at 4 pm (if we can find a venue). There is also a mandatory rehearsal at 1:45 pm on December 10, just before our Holiday Concert (which starts at 4 pm).
As in previous years, Joan will be creating MP3s of all the music; you will be able to download these and practice along with them at home.
Looking forward to seeing you on October 22!
OTHER EVENTS
Arco Belo Ensemble
Monday, October 9, 7:30 pm
Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Society | 2813 12th St NE, Washington, DC
Tickets: $8
Simone Baron reimagines and expands the accordion’s possibilities with her hybrid chamber jazz ensemble, Arco Belo. Drawing from jazz and folk soundscapes as well as original work, the troupe skips effortlessly from odd and infectious meters to funk grooves, neo-baroque compositions and post-romantic cadenzas. Bold, innovative, and gloriously off-beat, Arco Belo serves as an intoxicating introduction to the virtuosic creativity of WJMF’s 2017 Artist-in-Residence, Simone Baron.
Information and Tickets: https://www.wjmf.org/events/arcobelo/
Box Office Number: 202.777.3250
There are loads of accordion events during this season. See our website for more: www.washingtonaccordions.org.
**********************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
October 29, 2017
Although WMAS members and guests had to fight detours and huge traffic backups related to last Sunday’s Marine Corps Marathon, they were richly rewarded with a festive and fun Oktoberfest. How could it be otherwise when you combine live accordion music, dancing, and great food in one room? And, of course, a lovely group of people such as ourselves! Greeter Mona Berch created the perfect prelude to the party with a good selection of pieces. Then, several soloists and duos performed; Herb Fredrickson and Joyce Day taught the German dance “Jaegermarsch”; and Mistress of Ceremonies Joan Grauman led the large group of accordionists in an Oktoberfest jam. Thank you, everyone, for the fun and good company, and for supporting the flea market, which raised a nice sum for the American Accordionists’ Association youth program. Special thanks go to Robert Ford for arranging for WMAS to use his church for the October meeting!
(We will be back at the Sleepy Hollow UMC for the November meeting – just two weeks away).
One important piece of business was addressed at the October meeting. The Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, Karen Uribe, proposed the Committee’s slate of candidates for 2018: Peter DiGiovanni – President; Robert Ford – Vice-President; and Mara Cherkasky, Secretary/Treasurer. These three, all incumbents, have agreed to serve in their current capacities for the upcoming year, but any other member who would like to run for one of the positions should contact Karen at [email protected]. Elections will take place at the January meeting.
November meeting
The November 12 meeting will feature a hands-on workshop by Joan Grauman on strengthening your hands through some simple musical exercises. These exercises, created by the marvelous jazz accordionist and accordion teacher Joe Cerrito, have greatly improved Joan’s skills, and she would like to share them with us.
The flea market will be back, so bring your checkbooks, and the meeting will also feature our first rehearsal of the holiday music. If you still need the sheet music, please contact Joan at [email protected].
Please, please, please attend the November 12 meeting! It will be a refresher course on working with a conductor as well as understanding HOW she will conduct these particular pieces. It’s also good for orchestra participants to hear how parts sound together. Expert accordionists and beginners alike need this. And please come early to hear our greeter Jim Vandelly!
The other rehearsals are scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 4 pm; Sunday, December 3, 4 pm (tentative); Sunday, December 10, 1:45 pm (MANDATORY), just before the 4 pm concert. Please mark your calendars!
Lost and Found
Did you accidentally pick up Mike Rubin’s Oktoberfest music book at the October meeting? He wrote his name on the upper right-hand corner of the cover and made notations inside, so he would like to have it back. If you have it, please bring it to the November meeting and exchange it for another copy. Thanks!
Any Web Designers Among Us?
Is there anyone out there who would like to volunteer to create a new website for us in WordPress or SquareSpace? Our current one was created in Dreamweaver, which is overly complicated for our purposes and also expensive. Please reply to this email if you could handle this task for us. Thanks!
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Concert on Sunday, November 19, 2017
The Washington Balalaika Society will be presenting its fall concert at 3 pm on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at the Kenmore Theatre for the Performing Arts, 201 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington Virginia. The 60-member WBS Orchestra is the largest Russian folk orchestra in the U.S. It is well-rehearsed and sounds great.
You can find more info at http://www.balalaika.org/
For $15 group-rate tickets contact Peter DiGiovanni at 703-919-5701 or [email protected]
Check out the WMAS website at www.washingtonaccordions.org
***********************************************************************************************************************
October 29, 2017
Although WMAS members and guests had to fight detours and huge traffic backups related to last Sunday’s Marine Corps Marathon, they were richly rewarded with a festive and fun Oktoberfest. How could it be otherwise when you combine live accordion music, dancing, and great food in one room? And, of course, a lovely group of people such as ourselves! Greeter Mona Berch created the perfect prelude to the party with a good selection of pieces. Then, several soloists and duos performed; Herb Fredrickson and Joyce Day taught the German dance “Jaegermarsch”; and Mistress of Ceremonies Joan Grauman led the large group of accordionists in an Oktoberfest jam. Thank you, everyone, for the fun and good company, and for supporting the flea market, which raised a nice sum for the American Accordionists’ Association youth program. Special thanks go to Robert Ford for arranging for WMAS to use his church for the October meeting!
(We will be back at the Sleepy Hollow UMC for the November meeting – just two weeks away).
One important piece of business was addressed at the October meeting. The Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, Karen Uribe, proposed the Committee’s slate of candidates for 2018: Peter DiGiovanni – President; Robert Ford – Vice-President; and Mara Cherkasky, Secretary/Treasurer. These three, all incumbents, have agreed to serve in their current capacities for the upcoming year, but any other member who would like to run for one of the positions should contact Karen at [email protected]. Elections will take place at the January meeting.
November meeting
The November 12 meeting will feature a hands-on workshop by Joan Grauman on strengthening your hands through some simple musical exercises. These exercises, created by the marvelous jazz accordionist and accordion teacher Joe Cerrito, have greatly improved Joan’s skills, and she would like to share them with us.
The flea market will be back, so bring your checkbooks, and the meeting will also feature our first rehearsal of the holiday music. If you still need the sheet music, please contact Joan at [email protected].
Please, please, please attend the November 12 meeting! It will be a refresher course on working with a conductor as well as understanding HOW she will conduct these particular pieces. It’s also good for orchestra participants to hear how parts sound together. Expert accordionists and beginners alike need this. And please come early to hear our greeter Jim Vandelly!
The other rehearsals are scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 4 pm; Sunday, December 3, 4 pm (tentative); Sunday, December 10, 1:45 pm (MANDATORY), just before the 4 pm concert. Please mark your calendars!
Lost and Found
Did you accidentally pick up Mike Rubin’s Oktoberfest music book at the October meeting? He wrote his name on the upper right-hand corner of the cover and made notations inside, so he would like to have it back. If you have it, please bring it to the November meeting and exchange it for another copy. Thanks!
Any Web Designers Among Us?
Is there anyone out there who would like to volunteer to create a new website for us in WordPress or SquareSpace? Our current one was created in Dreamweaver, which is overly complicated for our purposes and also expensive. Please reply to this email if you could handle this task for us. Thanks!
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Concert on Sunday, November 19, 2017
The Washington Balalaika Society will be presenting its fall concert at 3 pm on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at the Kenmore Theatre for the Performing Arts, 201 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington Virginia. The 60-member WBS Orchestra is the largest Russian folk orchestra in the U.S. It is well-rehearsed and sounds great.
You can find more info at http://www.balalaika.org/
For $15 group-rate tickets contact Peter DiGiovanni at 703-919-5701 or [email protected]
Check out the WMAS website at www.washingtonaccordions.org
***********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
November 20, 2017
We had a nice turnout for our November meeting, a hands-on workshop by Joan Grauman on how to improve your technique through a series of exercises developed by renowned jazz accordionist and educator Joe Cerrito. Joan swears the exercises have helped her play things that had previously eluded her, and some of us – who bought Joe’s two volumes of exercises – hope we’ll be able to say the same in a few months.
Jim Vandelly, newly returned from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, kicked off the meeting with a set of favorites. It was good to have him back!
After the workshop, Joan led the Holiday Orchestra through its first rehearsal. The second rehearsal, on Saturday, November 18, went well, although about half of the Orchestra members were not able to attend. We now have about two weeks to practice individually – with the MP3s – before the December 3 rehearsal, at which point we should be sounding terrific. It’s important that you use the MP3s because the trick to playing with others is not only learning the notes but also taking cues from the conductor and paying attention to your fellow musicians while also maintaining your concentration. As some of us well know, we can play a piece perfectly at home alone and then mess it up completely while playing with the group and in front of an audience. Rehearsals are the solution to all these issues. Remember, the December 3 rehearsal will take place at Calvary United Methodist Church in Arlington, the same place where we held our Oktoberfest meeting. On the day of the concert, we’ll have our final rehearsal starting at 1:45 pm, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist.
Following the Holiday Concert, we’ll be holding a potluck dinner as usual. Please plan to bring main dishes and salads; that’s what we’ll want to have plenty of. Appetizers work less well at a potluck, and there’s never a shortage of desserts no matter what, so let’s concentrate on the main course. If you need ideas, please ask. Closer to the event we’ll be asking for volunteers to help set up, handle the kitchen, and clean up, so please think about offering your services, especially if you’re not playing in the Orchestra.
Please send the attached flyer to your family and friends, and print it out and post it where people will see it.
See you soon!
www.washingtonaccordions.org
***********************************************************************************************************************
November 20, 2017
We had a nice turnout for our November meeting, a hands-on workshop by Joan Grauman on how to improve your technique through a series of exercises developed by renowned jazz accordionist and educator Joe Cerrito. Joan swears the exercises have helped her play things that had previously eluded her, and some of us – who bought Joe’s two volumes of exercises – hope we’ll be able to say the same in a few months.
Jim Vandelly, newly returned from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, kicked off the meeting with a set of favorites. It was good to have him back!
After the workshop, Joan led the Holiday Orchestra through its first rehearsal. The second rehearsal, on Saturday, November 18, went well, although about half of the Orchestra members were not able to attend. We now have about two weeks to practice individually – with the MP3s – before the December 3 rehearsal, at which point we should be sounding terrific. It’s important that you use the MP3s because the trick to playing with others is not only learning the notes but also taking cues from the conductor and paying attention to your fellow musicians while also maintaining your concentration. As some of us well know, we can play a piece perfectly at home alone and then mess it up completely while playing with the group and in front of an audience. Rehearsals are the solution to all these issues. Remember, the December 3 rehearsal will take place at Calvary United Methodist Church in Arlington, the same place where we held our Oktoberfest meeting. On the day of the concert, we’ll have our final rehearsal starting at 1:45 pm, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist.
Following the Holiday Concert, we’ll be holding a potluck dinner as usual. Please plan to bring main dishes and salads; that’s what we’ll want to have plenty of. Appetizers work less well at a potluck, and there’s never a shortage of desserts no matter what, so let’s concentrate on the main course. If you need ideas, please ask. Closer to the event we’ll be asking for volunteers to help set up, handle the kitchen, and clean up, so please think about offering your services, especially if you’re not playing in the Orchestra.
Please send the attached flyer to your family and friends, and print it out and post it where people will see it.
See you soon!
www.washingtonaccordions.org
***********************************************************************************************************************
Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
November 17, 2018
Ken Kunec’s singalong at the November 11 meeting was so much fun that Joan Grauman, who claims not to like to sing, was moved to shout, “We have the best accordion club!” Of course, we knew that, but this meeting provided more evidence than most. The offerings ranged from “America the Beautiful” in honor of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, to the irreverent “Ghost Chickens in the Sky,” to the rousing “Cielito Lindo,” with backup vocals provided by Luis Uribe and Robert Ford. If you missed the real thing but have access to Facebook, please check out the photos and short video on our page.
Getting the meeting started was Jerry Jacoby, an old friend who now lives in Minnesota but was out east for a visit. It was great to have him back!
The second half of the meeting was a rehearsal for the Holiday Concert. A large group turned out, and we sounded pretty good for it being just our second rehearsal -- but of course we have to sound great after only four. Please practice with the MP3s!! Remember, we will rehearse again on Sunday, December 2, at 4 pm, at Sleepy Hollow Church, and again on December 16, at 1:45 pm. The concert itself starts at 4 pm on the 16th, and a potluck follows. If you’d like to sign up to play a solo (or duo, trio, etc.), please let us know. Depending on how many sign up, some people will be asked to perform during the potluck so we can keep the music flowing throughout the event.
A concert flyer is attached, in both PDF and JPG formats. Please send it to your friends and family, and post it on your Facebook page or anywhere else people will see it. Thanks!
UPCOMING EVENT
Cody McSherry will be performing at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage on Tuesday, November 20 at 6 pm! More here: http://wwwkennedy-center.org/Video/Performance/67482
Happy Thanksgiving, and see you soon!
www.washingtonaccordions.org
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November 17, 2018
Ken Kunec’s singalong at the November 11 meeting was so much fun that Joan Grauman, who claims not to like to sing, was moved to shout, “We have the best accordion club!” Of course, we knew that, but this meeting provided more evidence than most. The offerings ranged from “America the Beautiful” in honor of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, to the irreverent “Ghost Chickens in the Sky,” to the rousing “Cielito Lindo,” with backup vocals provided by Luis Uribe and Robert Ford. If you missed the real thing but have access to Facebook, please check out the photos and short video on our page.
Getting the meeting started was Jerry Jacoby, an old friend who now lives in Minnesota but was out east for a visit. It was great to have him back!
The second half of the meeting was a rehearsal for the Holiday Concert. A large group turned out, and we sounded pretty good for it being just our second rehearsal -- but of course we have to sound great after only four. Please practice with the MP3s!! Remember, we will rehearse again on Sunday, December 2, at 4 pm, at Sleepy Hollow Church, and again on December 16, at 1:45 pm. The concert itself starts at 4 pm on the 16th, and a potluck follows. If you’d like to sign up to play a solo (or duo, trio, etc.), please let us know. Depending on how many sign up, some people will be asked to perform during the potluck so we can keep the music flowing throughout the event.
A concert flyer is attached, in both PDF and JPG formats. Please send it to your friends and family, and post it on your Facebook page or anywhere else people will see it. Thanks!
UPCOMING EVENT
Cody McSherry will be performing at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage on Tuesday, November 20 at 6 pm! More here: http://wwwkennedy-center.org/Video/Performance/67482
Happy Thanksgiving, and see you soon!
www.washingtonaccordions.org
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Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Update
December 31, 2017
Happy New Year, everyone! We hope your holidays have been good so far.
This has been a good year for our club, and we’re looking for more of the same in 2018. Thanks to all who’ve participated and helped out in various ways, especially with the 15th annual Holiday Concert and Potluck on December 11. The 2017 Holiday Orchestra was the best ever! We also had a great lineup of soloists; an amazing emcee, Ken Kunec, and conductor, Joan Grauman; a brave crew working miracles in the kitchen; lots of people pitching in to set up and clean up; two intrepid greeters, Chuck Silio and Mara Cherkasky; and, of course, our wonderful audience. We couldn’t do without you! In all ways, it was a delightful evening!
Our next meeting falls on Sunday, January 21, at 4 pm, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist. We’ll be holding a play-along, so please bring your instrument, music stand, and 20 or so copies of easy sheet music to share.
We do have a little business to conduct at the January meeting: electing officers for the coming year. The slate consists of the three incumbents: Peter DiGiovanni as president, Robert Ford as vice-president, and Mara Cherkasky as secretary/treasurer. If you’re a member and can’t make the meeting, please email us your vote.
Did you sign up to greet at the January meeting? If so, please let us know; we forgot to write it down. Regardless, if you’re interested in greeting, please let us know and we’ll sign you up for this month or an upcoming one. You’ll start playing about 3:45 pm and continue until the meeting starts a few minutes after 4 pm.
Thanks, and see you soon! Check out our website at www.washingtonaccordions.org.
December 31, 2017
Happy New Year, everyone! We hope your holidays have been good so far.
This has been a good year for our club, and we’re looking for more of the same in 2018. Thanks to all who’ve participated and helped out in various ways, especially with the 15th annual Holiday Concert and Potluck on December 11. The 2017 Holiday Orchestra was the best ever! We also had a great lineup of soloists; an amazing emcee, Ken Kunec, and conductor, Joan Grauman; a brave crew working miracles in the kitchen; lots of people pitching in to set up and clean up; two intrepid greeters, Chuck Silio and Mara Cherkasky; and, of course, our wonderful audience. We couldn’t do without you! In all ways, it was a delightful evening!
Our next meeting falls on Sunday, January 21, at 4 pm, at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist. We’ll be holding a play-along, so please bring your instrument, music stand, and 20 or so copies of easy sheet music to share.
We do have a little business to conduct at the January meeting: electing officers for the coming year. The slate consists of the three incumbents: Peter DiGiovanni as president, Robert Ford as vice-president, and Mara Cherkasky as secretary/treasurer. If you’re a member and can’t make the meeting, please email us your vote.
Did you sign up to greet at the January meeting? If so, please let us know; we forgot to write it down. Regardless, if you’re interested in greeting, please let us know and we’ll sign you up for this month or an upcoming one. You’ll start playing about 3:45 pm and continue until the meeting starts a few minutes after 4 pm.
Thanks, and see you soon! Check out our website at www.washingtonaccordions.org.