March 1, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends!
We hope you’re all well!
Our 20th birthday celebration, on February 12, featured a cake and a special surprise. Fortuitously, “Papa Joe” De Clemente and his wife Jan happened to be passing through town on the very weekend the club was meeting, so they paid us a visit. Papa Joe regaled the group with song after song, demonstrating the bells and whistles on his Roland, singing (he has a great voice!), and generally showing everyone a good time. To start out the afternoon, Peter DiGiovanni, Halina Banas-Jones (aka the “Tuneful Twosome”), and Michael Jones on spoons warmed up the room and set the tone with a slew of hit tunes. Phillip Kancianic, Joe Kulick, and Robert Ford performed as well, and a few people danced. The weather outside was cold and rainy, but inside couldn’t have been cheerier or brighter.
EXTRA, EXTRA: The March 1 edition of Accordion USA includes a story about our club and a look back over our 20 years, here.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on Sunday, March 19 at 4 pm, will be a guest-artist concert featuring accordionist Vladimir Mollov, along with his wife Annie on violin. Vladimir has performed for us before, but it’s been a very long time. This will be a great concert, so please invite your friends and family. It will be free for WMAS members; others will be asked for an $8 donation.
If you haven’t yet renewed for 2023, this will be a good time to do it. The fee is still $20 for individuals and $30 for households.
See you soon!
***********
March 20, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends,
Happy spring!
We ushered in the season yesterday with an absolutely beautiful concert by accordionist Vladimir Mollov, joined for the second half by his wife Annie Mollova on violin. Such chemistry between them! Their daughter Elitsa also took part: she sang (in Bulgarian), to her dad’s accompaniment, a piece composed and popularized by his uncle, a famous Bulgarian singer. The Mollovs’ playlist ranged from the tango “Por Una Cabeza” to Richard Galliano to Vladimir’s take on Bulgarian folk melodies to Serbian and Ukrainian folk tunes to Debussy to a gorgeous Swedish-style piece that Annie composed as a bridal processional — and more.
They attracted a nice turnout: 50-some people made the room feel full. About a dozen of us took part in a wide-ranging workshop that Vladimir offered after the refreshment break.
The Mollovs left us around 6:30 pm to drive back to Pittsburgh.
Karen Malan-Uribe and Mara Cherkasky, along with Luis Uribe on percussion, were the day’s able greeters. If they can do it, so can you! Please sign up to greet.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on Sunday, April 16 at 4 pm, will be a play-along. Let’s also plan to hold the conversation we postponed from January, about programming for the rest of the year and beyond. Please bring your ideas to the meeting.
See you soon!
***********
May 9, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends!
Here’s hoping everyone’s doing well and surviving the high pollen counts!
Robert Ford kicked off the April 16 meeting with a selection of favorites, including “Brazil,” “Despacito,” “Domino,” some Bolivian folk tunes, and three pieces by Astor Piazzolla: “Adios Nonino,” “Oblivion,” and “Libertango.” Afterwards, during the break, he played “L’Indifference.” An Italian-themed play-along followed the mini-concert.
During the business portion of the meeting, we discussed ideas for programs for the rest of the year, including guest-artist concerts. The executive committee met last evening to follow up on those ideas. Please keep the ideas coming!
At the May 21 meeting, Peter DiGiovanni will lead a half-hour workshop on left-hand rhythms, and then we hope to have another mini-concert (or a mini-mini-concert) by one of our members, plus a play-along if there’s time. Bring your accordions!
The June 18 meeting will be our annual member concert, and it's definitely not too early to get ready. We’re looking for solos, duets, ensembles, whatever, so please polish up a couple of your favorite pieces and share them with us!
Finally, we need greeters to play for 20 minutes or so as people arrive for meetings. This is a good opportunity to try out new pieces. Please let us know if you’re willing to be our May greeter.
Thanks, and see you soon!
***********
May 22, 2024
Dear WMAS members and friends,
Our May meeting, yesterday afternoon, opened with a nice set of piano tunes by Biswita Chaudhuri-Mozumdar. Peter DiGiovanni then presented a brief workshop on left-hand patterns, and we wrapped up with a play-along.
The June 18 meeting will feature our annual member concert. We’re looking for solos, duets, ensembles, whatever, so please polish up a couple of your favorite pieces and sign up to perform them for the group!
We also need a greeter to play for 20 minutes or so as people arrive for the meeting. This is a fun, low-stress opportunity to try out new pieces and practice playing in front of people.
Thanks, and see you soon!
ISO an Accordionist
The Manassas Symphony Orchestra is looking for an accordionist to perform with them in their summer production of “Oliver.” If you’re interested, please contact MSO personnel manager JennaMarie Warfield at [email protected]
Rehearsal and show dates and times are listed below. There will be stipend of $125 for all players.
Wednesday, June 21, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Wednesday, June 28, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Wednesday, July 5, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Saturday, July 8, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (only if needed)
Sunday, July 9, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Sitzprobe (Time TBD)
Tuesday, July 11 rehearsal - Evening TBD
Wednesday, July 12 rehearsal - Evening TBD
Thursday, July 13 Dress rehearsal - Evening TBD
Friday, July 14, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 2:00 pm
***********
July 31, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends!Our (indoor) summer potluck picnic on July 16 was a lot of fun! Somehow, without any real coordination, we had everything we needed for a complete meal, and it was all delicious. We must truly be in tune with one another! Robert Ford, Ken Kunec, and others ensured we had music from beginning to end. Thanks, all, for the "hot time, summer in the city!"
At our next meeting, on August 20 at 4 pm, Phillip Kancianic will present a workshop on Cajun and Zydeco music. Mark your calendars and bring your accordions—or your dance shoes. On September 17 we’ll welcome guest artists Mariachi Esmerelda. We’ll celebrate Oktoberfest on October 15, and in November we’ll start preparing for the Holiday Concert.
Sorry to be repetitive, but we still need someone to take on some of Joanne and John Pankow’s hospitality tasks. These include checking the supplies stored at the church to make sure we have enough coffee, napkins, and other items, and also making coffee, setting up for refreshments, and cleaning up afterwards. It’s always easy to find volunteers to help, but we really need someone to be in charge.
In addition, we need people to sign up as greeters: to play for 20 minutes or so as everyone is arriving for a meeting. This is a fun, low-stress opportunity to try out new pieces and practice playing in front of people—and to help start our meetings out on the right note. Who wants to sign up for August 20?
One more thing: Peter will soon be starting to work on arrangements and is open to suggestions for selections to include in the Holiday Concert program. If you would like to weigh in, contact him ASAP. at [email protected].
Thanks, and see you soon!
CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR ROSA FORD
Rosa N. Ford, Robert Ford's mom, passed away this past May 25th. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, August 10th, with congregation at 10 am, service at 11 am, and reception at 12 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 South Grant Street, Arlington VA 22202. If you plan to attend, please let Robert know by emailing him at [email protected] or calling/texting him at 703-380-3580.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute in Rosa's name to the Dementia Society of America, the Arthritis National Research Foundation, or Paralyzed Veterans of America. Thank you!
***********
September 5, 2024
Dear WMAS members and friends!
Phillip Kancianic and Andrée Comiskey led us on a tour of Balkan Camp, which they'd recently attended in upstate New York, during their amazing slide-and-video presentation at the August 20 WMAS meeting. Through their eyes we met instructors and participants, looked over the grounds and facilities, checked out the cuisine, and experienced performances of music and dancing. Phillip had signed up for accordion instruction and Andrée for singing, and the two demonstrated some of what they learned in a packed week. No one else from WMAS went, but we recognized Joan Grauman’s little granddaughter in one of the videos, obviously enjoying the music; her parents are part of a Balkan band. In the “hands-on” portion of the presentation, Phillip ran the group through some of the modal scales and right- and left-hand accordion parts he’d picked up, and Andrée sang a tune to the group’s accompaniment. Bravo, Phillip and Andrée! We look forward to your future Cajun and Zydeco workshop.
During the brief business portion of the meeting, WMAS president Peter DiGiovanni mentioned that no one has signed up to take over hospitality responsibilities from JoAnn and John Pankow, so refreshments will be minimal for the time being. You’re still welcome to bring snacks to share, but you may also need to set up the serving table and clean up afterwards, too.
It’s hard to imagine, when the temperature is forecast to hit 100 degrees, that the kids have gone back to school and fall is looming. But none the less it is, and there’s lots happening. On September 17 we’ll celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with guest artists Mariachi Esmerelda. Next will be Oktoberfest on October 15, and on October 29 the Holiday Orchestra will gather for its first rehearsal for the Holiday Concert.*
Check out the calendar for details. Hmm, we could really use a hospitality team for some of these events.
Joyce Palmer’s CHAOS ensemble served as our greeters on August 20 – thank you! And Peter, Halina Banas-Jones, and Michael Jones have signed up to greet on October 15, but we need someone for September 17. Who’s up for arriving by 3:40 pm and playing a few pieces as members and guests arrive for the concert?
*Regarding the Holiday Concert, please let Peter know if you plan to participate, even if you participated last year. You will not receive sheet music unless Peter knows to send it to you. Additional rehearsals will take place on November 12, December 3, and December 10 prior to the concert. All meetings/rehearsals in November and December (when we are on Eastern Standard Time) will begin at 2 pm. You must attend at least 3 of the 4 rehearsals, including the final, mandatory one on December 10. The music will be distributed via email to participants prior to the October 15 meeting. If you have any questions, you can call/text Peter at 703-919-5701 or email him at [email protected]. If you are not sure about participating, give him a call for a dose of encouragement.
Thanks, and see you soon!
All our meetings and events are listed on the calendar at https://www.washingtonaccordions.org/calendar.html. Please bookmark it!
***********
October 5, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends,
Our September 17 meeting featured a lively concert by Mariachi Esmerelda, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The audience tossed out a number of requests, which the musicians honored, and afterwards some of them stayed around for a jam session: a treat for those of us who’d brought our accordions.
Only days before the concert, we’d learned that Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church would be unavailable for us on the 17th, so club officers suddenly had to come up with a substitute venue. WMAS president Peter DiGiovanni found us a wonderful place: Faith Lutheran Church, just off Route 50, where the Washington Balalaika Orchestra rehearses each week. Thank you, Peter, for saving the day, and thank you, vice president Robert Ford, for making all the arrangements with the musicians. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Next Meeting
The October 15 meeting is almost upon us, and Oktoberfest will be the theme. Our greeters, Halina Banas-Jones, Michael Jones, and Peter DiGiovanni, will start playing about 3:45, so please come early for that, and, if you’d like, prepare a piece or two for an open mic. Afterwards, we’ll play Oktoberfest music together.
As for refreshments, you’re welcome to bring something, but we don’t have a hospitality team to help with preparation or service, and you’ll need to take any leftovers home with you.
See you soon!
All our meetings and events are listed on the calendar at https://www.washingtonaccordions.org/calendar.html. Please bookmark it!
***********
November 16, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends!
Our club’s vice president, Robert Ford, played a truly beautiful and moving mini-concert for us at the November 12 meeting. It was a perfect fall day, and he used the occasion to remember three beloved WMAS members we lost in the past several months: his mother, Rosa, who would have turned 92 that very day; Lee Paulson; and Silvia Eberly, who died just last month.
It being Veterans Day weekend, Robert started the program with Frank Marocco’s gorgeous arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Next he played three folk tunes from different parts of Bolivia: Tarija, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba, the latter being the birthplace of Robert’s fiancé Eliana. Robert and his family lived in Bolivia when he was young, and that’s where he learned to play the accordion. In honor of one of his mother’s favorite pastimes, he also played a medley of three classic tangos: “A Media Luz,” “El Choclo,” and “La Comparsita.” Then came one by Astor Piazzola, the haunting “Oblivion,” a favorite of Lee’s. Robert finished the set with the dramatic “Poet and Peasant Overture,” the piece he played at age 13 in the 1972 Coupe Mondiale in Caracas, Venezuela. Silvia always perked up when she heard him play it, Robert said, because of its Austrian-sounding sections.
Ken Kunec was our surprise greeter – on piano!
Following the program, the Holiday Orchestra rehearsed for a couple of hours. The next rehearsal will be at 2 pm on Sunday, December 3, just one week before the concert. The final rehearsal will be at 2 pm on Sunday, December 10, just before the concert itself, which starts at 4 pm.
MESSAGE TO ALL: A flyer for the concert can be downloaded from our home page here.
Please send it to your family and friends. We’d like to fill the room.
Also, please plan to bring cookies or finger food for the reception that will follow the concert. We also need volunteers to help decorate the room, starting about 2 pm.
Finally, if you’d like to play a solo (or duet or small ensemble) for the concert, please let us know. Depending on how many people sign up, we may have you play beforehand (as Silvia always did) or after, during refreshments.
See you soon! Happy Thanksgiving!
Dear WMAS members and friends!
We hope you’re all well!
Our 20th birthday celebration, on February 12, featured a cake and a special surprise. Fortuitously, “Papa Joe” De Clemente and his wife Jan happened to be passing through town on the very weekend the club was meeting, so they paid us a visit. Papa Joe regaled the group with song after song, demonstrating the bells and whistles on his Roland, singing (he has a great voice!), and generally showing everyone a good time. To start out the afternoon, Peter DiGiovanni, Halina Banas-Jones (aka the “Tuneful Twosome”), and Michael Jones on spoons warmed up the room and set the tone with a slew of hit tunes. Phillip Kancianic, Joe Kulick, and Robert Ford performed as well, and a few people danced. The weather outside was cold and rainy, but inside couldn’t have been cheerier or brighter.
EXTRA, EXTRA: The March 1 edition of Accordion USA includes a story about our club and a look back over our 20 years, here.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on Sunday, March 19 at 4 pm, will be a guest-artist concert featuring accordionist Vladimir Mollov, along with his wife Annie on violin. Vladimir has performed for us before, but it’s been a very long time. This will be a great concert, so please invite your friends and family. It will be free for WMAS members; others will be asked for an $8 donation.
If you haven’t yet renewed for 2023, this will be a good time to do it. The fee is still $20 for individuals and $30 for households.
See you soon!
***********
March 20, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends,
Happy spring!
We ushered in the season yesterday with an absolutely beautiful concert by accordionist Vladimir Mollov, joined for the second half by his wife Annie Mollova on violin. Such chemistry between them! Their daughter Elitsa also took part: she sang (in Bulgarian), to her dad’s accompaniment, a piece composed and popularized by his uncle, a famous Bulgarian singer. The Mollovs’ playlist ranged from the tango “Por Una Cabeza” to Richard Galliano to Vladimir’s take on Bulgarian folk melodies to Serbian and Ukrainian folk tunes to Debussy to a gorgeous Swedish-style piece that Annie composed as a bridal processional — and more.
They attracted a nice turnout: 50-some people made the room feel full. About a dozen of us took part in a wide-ranging workshop that Vladimir offered after the refreshment break.
The Mollovs left us around 6:30 pm to drive back to Pittsburgh.
Karen Malan-Uribe and Mara Cherkasky, along with Luis Uribe on percussion, were the day’s able greeters. If they can do it, so can you! Please sign up to greet.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting, on Sunday, April 16 at 4 pm, will be a play-along. Let’s also plan to hold the conversation we postponed from January, about programming for the rest of the year and beyond. Please bring your ideas to the meeting.
See you soon!
***********
May 9, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends!
Here’s hoping everyone’s doing well and surviving the high pollen counts!
Robert Ford kicked off the April 16 meeting with a selection of favorites, including “Brazil,” “Despacito,” “Domino,” some Bolivian folk tunes, and three pieces by Astor Piazzolla: “Adios Nonino,” “Oblivion,” and “Libertango.” Afterwards, during the break, he played “L’Indifference.” An Italian-themed play-along followed the mini-concert.
During the business portion of the meeting, we discussed ideas for programs for the rest of the year, including guest-artist concerts. The executive committee met last evening to follow up on those ideas. Please keep the ideas coming!
At the May 21 meeting, Peter DiGiovanni will lead a half-hour workshop on left-hand rhythms, and then we hope to have another mini-concert (or a mini-mini-concert) by one of our members, plus a play-along if there’s time. Bring your accordions!
The June 18 meeting will be our annual member concert, and it's definitely not too early to get ready. We’re looking for solos, duets, ensembles, whatever, so please polish up a couple of your favorite pieces and share them with us!
Finally, we need greeters to play for 20 minutes or so as people arrive for meetings. This is a good opportunity to try out new pieces. Please let us know if you’re willing to be our May greeter.
Thanks, and see you soon!
***********
May 22, 2024
Dear WMAS members and friends,
Our May meeting, yesterday afternoon, opened with a nice set of piano tunes by Biswita Chaudhuri-Mozumdar. Peter DiGiovanni then presented a brief workshop on left-hand patterns, and we wrapped up with a play-along.
The June 18 meeting will feature our annual member concert. We’re looking for solos, duets, ensembles, whatever, so please polish up a couple of your favorite pieces and sign up to perform them for the group!
We also need a greeter to play for 20 minutes or so as people arrive for the meeting. This is a fun, low-stress opportunity to try out new pieces and practice playing in front of people.
Thanks, and see you soon!
ISO an Accordionist
The Manassas Symphony Orchestra is looking for an accordionist to perform with them in their summer production of “Oliver.” If you’re interested, please contact MSO personnel manager JennaMarie Warfield at [email protected]
Rehearsal and show dates and times are listed below. There will be stipend of $125 for all players.
Wednesday, June 21, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Wednesday, June 28, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Wednesday, July 5, 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Saturday, July 8, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (only if needed)
Sunday, July 9, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Sitzprobe (Time TBD)
Tuesday, July 11 rehearsal - Evening TBD
Wednesday, July 12 rehearsal - Evening TBD
Thursday, July 13 Dress rehearsal - Evening TBD
Friday, July 14, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 2:00 pm
***********
July 31, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends!Our (indoor) summer potluck picnic on July 16 was a lot of fun! Somehow, without any real coordination, we had everything we needed for a complete meal, and it was all delicious. We must truly be in tune with one another! Robert Ford, Ken Kunec, and others ensured we had music from beginning to end. Thanks, all, for the "hot time, summer in the city!"
At our next meeting, on August 20 at 4 pm, Phillip Kancianic will present a workshop on Cajun and Zydeco music. Mark your calendars and bring your accordions—or your dance shoes. On September 17 we’ll welcome guest artists Mariachi Esmerelda. We’ll celebrate Oktoberfest on October 15, and in November we’ll start preparing for the Holiday Concert.
Sorry to be repetitive, but we still need someone to take on some of Joanne and John Pankow’s hospitality tasks. These include checking the supplies stored at the church to make sure we have enough coffee, napkins, and other items, and also making coffee, setting up for refreshments, and cleaning up afterwards. It’s always easy to find volunteers to help, but we really need someone to be in charge.
In addition, we need people to sign up as greeters: to play for 20 minutes or so as everyone is arriving for a meeting. This is a fun, low-stress opportunity to try out new pieces and practice playing in front of people—and to help start our meetings out on the right note. Who wants to sign up for August 20?
One more thing: Peter will soon be starting to work on arrangements and is open to suggestions for selections to include in the Holiday Concert program. If you would like to weigh in, contact him ASAP. at [email protected].
Thanks, and see you soon!
CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR ROSA FORD
Rosa N. Ford, Robert Ford's mom, passed away this past May 25th. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, August 10th, with congregation at 10 am, service at 11 am, and reception at 12 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 South Grant Street, Arlington VA 22202. If you plan to attend, please let Robert know by emailing him at [email protected] or calling/texting him at 703-380-3580.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute in Rosa's name to the Dementia Society of America, the Arthritis National Research Foundation, or Paralyzed Veterans of America. Thank you!
***********
September 5, 2024
Dear WMAS members and friends!
Phillip Kancianic and Andrée Comiskey led us on a tour of Balkan Camp, which they'd recently attended in upstate New York, during their amazing slide-and-video presentation at the August 20 WMAS meeting. Through their eyes we met instructors and participants, looked over the grounds and facilities, checked out the cuisine, and experienced performances of music and dancing. Phillip had signed up for accordion instruction and Andrée for singing, and the two demonstrated some of what they learned in a packed week. No one else from WMAS went, but we recognized Joan Grauman’s little granddaughter in one of the videos, obviously enjoying the music; her parents are part of a Balkan band. In the “hands-on” portion of the presentation, Phillip ran the group through some of the modal scales and right- and left-hand accordion parts he’d picked up, and Andrée sang a tune to the group’s accompaniment. Bravo, Phillip and Andrée! We look forward to your future Cajun and Zydeco workshop.
During the brief business portion of the meeting, WMAS president Peter DiGiovanni mentioned that no one has signed up to take over hospitality responsibilities from JoAnn and John Pankow, so refreshments will be minimal for the time being. You’re still welcome to bring snacks to share, but you may also need to set up the serving table and clean up afterwards, too.
It’s hard to imagine, when the temperature is forecast to hit 100 degrees, that the kids have gone back to school and fall is looming. But none the less it is, and there’s lots happening. On September 17 we’ll celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with guest artists Mariachi Esmerelda. Next will be Oktoberfest on October 15, and on October 29 the Holiday Orchestra will gather for its first rehearsal for the Holiday Concert.*
Check out the calendar for details. Hmm, we could really use a hospitality team for some of these events.
Joyce Palmer’s CHAOS ensemble served as our greeters on August 20 – thank you! And Peter, Halina Banas-Jones, and Michael Jones have signed up to greet on October 15, but we need someone for September 17. Who’s up for arriving by 3:40 pm and playing a few pieces as members and guests arrive for the concert?
*Regarding the Holiday Concert, please let Peter know if you plan to participate, even if you participated last year. You will not receive sheet music unless Peter knows to send it to you. Additional rehearsals will take place on November 12, December 3, and December 10 prior to the concert. All meetings/rehearsals in November and December (when we are on Eastern Standard Time) will begin at 2 pm. You must attend at least 3 of the 4 rehearsals, including the final, mandatory one on December 10. The music will be distributed via email to participants prior to the October 15 meeting. If you have any questions, you can call/text Peter at 703-919-5701 or email him at [email protected]. If you are not sure about participating, give him a call for a dose of encouragement.
Thanks, and see you soon!
All our meetings and events are listed on the calendar at https://www.washingtonaccordions.org/calendar.html. Please bookmark it!
***********
October 5, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends,
Our September 17 meeting featured a lively concert by Mariachi Esmerelda, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The audience tossed out a number of requests, which the musicians honored, and afterwards some of them stayed around for a jam session: a treat for those of us who’d brought our accordions.
Only days before the concert, we’d learned that Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church would be unavailable for us on the 17th, so club officers suddenly had to come up with a substitute venue. WMAS president Peter DiGiovanni found us a wonderful place: Faith Lutheran Church, just off Route 50, where the Washington Balalaika Orchestra rehearses each week. Thank you, Peter, for saving the day, and thank you, vice president Robert Ford, for making all the arrangements with the musicians. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Next Meeting
The October 15 meeting is almost upon us, and Oktoberfest will be the theme. Our greeters, Halina Banas-Jones, Michael Jones, and Peter DiGiovanni, will start playing about 3:45, so please come early for that, and, if you’d like, prepare a piece or two for an open mic. Afterwards, we’ll play Oktoberfest music together.
As for refreshments, you’re welcome to bring something, but we don’t have a hospitality team to help with preparation or service, and you’ll need to take any leftovers home with you.
See you soon!
All our meetings and events are listed on the calendar at https://www.washingtonaccordions.org/calendar.html. Please bookmark it!
***********
November 16, 2023
Dear WMAS members and friends!
Our club’s vice president, Robert Ford, played a truly beautiful and moving mini-concert for us at the November 12 meeting. It was a perfect fall day, and he used the occasion to remember three beloved WMAS members we lost in the past several months: his mother, Rosa, who would have turned 92 that very day; Lee Paulson; and Silvia Eberly, who died just last month.
It being Veterans Day weekend, Robert started the program with Frank Marocco’s gorgeous arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Next he played three folk tunes from different parts of Bolivia: Tarija, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba, the latter being the birthplace of Robert’s fiancé Eliana. Robert and his family lived in Bolivia when he was young, and that’s where he learned to play the accordion. In honor of one of his mother’s favorite pastimes, he also played a medley of three classic tangos: “A Media Luz,” “El Choclo,” and “La Comparsita.” Then came one by Astor Piazzola, the haunting “Oblivion,” a favorite of Lee’s. Robert finished the set with the dramatic “Poet and Peasant Overture,” the piece he played at age 13 in the 1972 Coupe Mondiale in Caracas, Venezuela. Silvia always perked up when she heard him play it, Robert said, because of its Austrian-sounding sections.
Ken Kunec was our surprise greeter – on piano!
Following the program, the Holiday Orchestra rehearsed for a couple of hours. The next rehearsal will be at 2 pm on Sunday, December 3, just one week before the concert. The final rehearsal will be at 2 pm on Sunday, December 10, just before the concert itself, which starts at 4 pm.
MESSAGE TO ALL: A flyer for the concert can be downloaded from our home page here.
Please send it to your family and friends. We’d like to fill the room.
Also, please plan to bring cookies or finger food for the reception that will follow the concert. We also need volunteers to help decorate the room, starting about 2 pm.
Finally, if you’d like to play a solo (or duet or small ensemble) for the concert, please let us know. Depending on how many people sign up, we may have you play beforehand (as Silvia always did) or after, during refreshments.
See you soon! Happy Thanksgiving!