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USA Celebrates World Accordion Day

The University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Orchestra celebrated World Accordion Day with their 49th annual Concert held on 23 May, 2010 at the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center in Kansas City. The following are pictures and the program from this event.   Serenade in E Major, Op. 22 by Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) On The Trail from 'The Grand Canyon Suite' by Ferde Grofé (1892-1972 ) Ballade for Accordion Orchestra by Fritz Dobler (b. 1927) Three Tango by Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) -Adiós Nonino -Close Your Eyes and Listen -Cité Tango The Star Wars Epic by John Williams (b. 1932) -Princess Leia's Theme -The Imperial March and The Forest Battle -Main Title: Star Wars Tango Fugitativo and Milonga Feliz by Gerie Daanen (b. 1952) Selections from Wicked by Stephen Schwartz (b 1948) -No One Mourns the Wicked -The Wizard and I -Dancing Through Life -Popular -Defying Gravity The Blackbird Polka by Vladimir Ushakov (b. 1968) All arrangements for accordion Orchestra have been prepared by Joan Cochran Sommers The UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra Some members of the UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra: Left to right: Kevin Friedrich, Betty Jo Simon, Ron Barrow, Amy Hatfield, Joan Cochran Sommers (Director), Don Lipovac, Samantha Jarquio, Lou LeBrun, Cathy Sue Weiss, Karen Scovel Boocock, Evan Maslak (percussion) Mickie Eichkorn, Christine Jarquio Left: Soloist Betty Jo Simon entertaining while the stage was prepared for the Tango Show Right: members of the orchestra with the Tango Video Backdrop Above and Below: The UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra in Concert directed by Joan C. Sommers with six time French National Dance Champions Louis Bar and Laura Cantu. Above and Below: Louis Bar and Laura Cantu are joined by students from their Louis & Company Dance Company located in Overland Park, KS Members of the UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra in Concert Above Left: Karen Scovel Boocock and Bob Eichkorn Above Right: Mickey Eichkorn, Christine Jarquio and Laura Lee Crandall Members of the UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra in Concert Above Left: Lou DeBrun and Cathy Sue Weiss Above Right: Don Lipovac, Evan Maslak Lou DeBrun Members of the UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra in Concert Left to right: Kevin Friedrich, Brian Steever (percussion), Betty Jo Simon, Ron Barrow, Amy Hatfield, Joan Sommers (director) and Don Lipovac