4th European Festival of Accordion Orchestras 2006, Prague - Czech Republic

The Czech Accordion Association and the Concert and travel agency Club Tours Agentur Prague are organizing an International competition for accordion orchestras as a part of the 4th European Accordion Festival in Prague. This will take place from April 20th to 23rd 2006, and applications to compete must be received by January 15th 2006.

For further information email CTA@IOL.CZ

The festival will be held in the impressive hall of the Vinohrady National House and in other representative city halls. All registered non-professional accordion orchestras may participate. Accordion orchestras and friends from all over the world are welcome to this great international music show.

Categories include:-

I. Junior Accordion Orchestras
Orchestras of 12 and more musicians - at least 70% of the members must be under the age 16 years. These bands may also include other instruments with at least 10 accordions. Free choice of program without any limitations.

II. Classical Music
Orchestras of 12 and more musicians, no age limit. Bands may also include other instruments in addition to at least 10 accordions. One test piece must be played.
Level: 5

III. Light Music
Orchestras of 12 or more members with no age limit, either consisting mainly of accordions or of other instruments (where the accordion predominates). Free choice of program - no test piece.
 

A New Premiere from Dr William Schimmel, New York - USA

Dr William Schimmel will present his new work, Capriccio Brasilia - for accordion, vocals and melodica - in a world premiere performance on November 19th at Christ and St Stephen's Church in the Lincoln Center area of New York City. The concert is presented by Composers' Conference, and Dr Schimmel will be interviewed before the performance as part of a 'Meet the Composer' grant that he received for this piece. Joining him in the performance will be Allyssa Lamb on vocals and melodica.

Here is what Dr Schimmel says about the piece: "Capriccio Brasilia celebrates the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer, who designed Brasilia, and the various cultural influences it embraces. Through the process of compositional reality, various Brazilian musics mesh - whether it be the ¾ - 6/8 Chamame (accordion), the kinship between North African and Flamenco influences (vocals), or the slightly out of tune renderings of Tom Jobim (melodica). The irony is, however, that the city of Brasilia sets up an eerie distance between the buildings and its culture, yet the curved structures have an unmistakeable sense of musicality. Capriccio Brasilia examines this very paradox".
 

Music China - International Exhibition for Musical Instruments and Services, Shanghai - China
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Virtually every type of musical instrument and MI accessory was on display at the show, whether from the east or west, electric or acoustic, or for classical musicians or rock artists - with the accordion industries from several countries represented. Music China has certainly carved a permanent space for itself in the international trade fair calendar. The show statistics speak for themselves: over 619 exhibitors from 19 countries, 34,000sqm of floor space, and a record 25,156 visitors from 61 countries - 17% more than last year.

Foreign exhibitors at the event generally stated three major reasons for being at Music China: firstly, to gain exposure for their brands & products, secondly to make direct sales to the market or find a local distributor, and thirdly to get a first-hand look at what is going on in the Chinese market.
"Music China is gaining momentum," said Betty Heywood (pictured), Director of Trade Fairs for Messe Frankfurt in Shanghai.

"We have already starting receiving bookings for the 2005 show, and will need to add another half-hall at least to accommodate the demand. It is a very exciting time for the MI industry in China".
Music China is organized jointly by Messe Frankfurt, INTEX Shanghai Co, and the China Music Instrument Association. The next show is scheduled for 19th to 22nd October 2005, again at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

For more information, email info@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.
 

Sir Jimmy Shand Recordings Digitally Remastered, Scotland - UK
Contributed by Jimmy Shand Junior

Sir Jimmy Shand (1908-2000) had one of the longest and most commercially successful recording careers of any accordionist worldwide, beginning in 1933 and lasting until the turn of the century. He also has the distinction of being the first accordionist to be knighted, by HM Queen Elizabeth in 2000. The Shand family now owns the copyright on most of these recordings, and has had a series of digitally remastered CDs produced - all offering high quality sound reproduction.

The titles issued to date include: 'Jimmy Shand and His Music', 'Vintage Classics Volume 1', 'Waltzing Through the Years', 'Old Tyme Classics Vol 1', 'Old Tyme Classics Vol 2', and 'Jimmy Shand Plays His Favourite Hymns'. The next CD to be released - in early December - is titled 'Music Wi' a Dunt'. This will be an anthology of Scottish country-dance music recorded by Jimmy Shand in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

For further information email Jimmy Shand Junior: graeme_noble40@hotmail.com
 

"The Carelli accordion has the number 291 on the back, and it is reddish burgundy with a pearl inlay key. Do you have any information on this instrument?'. Email Kelly Hoyle SGHOYLE@aol.com
 

New & Updated Sites
http://www.accordions.com/taa - The 2005 Texas Accordion Association details are now on-line, contributed by Norman Seaton. The progressively minded TAA is constantly looking for new ideas and suggestions.

http://www.accordions.com/atg - Details are available of the 2005 ATG (Accordionists and Teachers' Guild Int.) Convention.

http://www.comune.castelfidardo.an.it - A full list of all the results from the Citta di Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition (October 2004) is now on line.