Accordion Convention Website
Convention Accordion Band Orchestra Information
Thursday is “Accordion Orchestra Day”
Join one, two, or all three groups!
For 2009, your convention team is taking another approach. Three music directors have simplifying the music and are scheduling practice during the day and band performances on Thursday evening. The primary focus is to develop, teach, and perform music that can be taken back home to become a local hit.
For those of you who are NOT interested in accordion bands, you are encouraged to visit the dealers, hold informal jam sessions, or just listen to learn new techniques. Once the schedule is up, other presenters may be interested in conducting some workshops.
Printed Music and Sounds Tracks are available now:
Orchestra Performance Training Workshops
2009 NAA Texas FolkLife Organization Accordion Performance Group
(Arrangements and recorded soundtracks by Shelia Lee, Mario Pedone, and Debra Peters)
ALL accordionists and button box players are ENCOURAGED to participate no matter – what level player you are. This “new group performance” idea is to perform with a background accompaniment – just like singers use professionally. Each selection is in the key of C-F-or G. AND ALL will be playing the same PART – LEAD. The less experienced can play chords, the more advanced are expected to “play off the melody”. This sounds like a “jam” with one exception – There will be a FULLY ORCHESTRATED SOUNDTRACK playing – just like at a Professional Stage Production.
The player that plays by ear – can learn with the recorded audio, button boxes will have tablature written out, and then a simple lead line with chords and words for the rest. AND you probably already know the songs! These are now available downloadable from Shelia Lee .There will be 3 to 5 selections performed from a list of 13 available. These can be used for your own public performances – designed for the solo player.
The FolkLife name originates from the fact that Shelia is working withTexas Folklife to perform "an Orchestra of Accordion players" at their annual event Accordion Kings & Queens - June 6, 2009 at Miller Outdoor Theater in Houston. All interested accordionists are invited to participate. Please register at the music download link.
Contact Shelia for more information: slee@sheliaLee.com
Nick Ballarini and “Accordion Fusion Band” Jam Session Workshop/Rehearsal
Musical Selectionst: *Our Love Is Here to stay, Jambalaya, Beer Barrel Polka, Charade, Besame Mucho.
Accordion Fusion Band, under the direction of Nick Ballarini, will be the nucleus of a play-along workshop. This should be an eye opener and pleasurable for all participants. *Music will be mailed to registrants upon request and receipt of their NAA Convention fee. Participants would include acoustic and MIDI accordion players, hopefully playing the compatible orchestral sound(s) available on their instruments. Anyone requiring amplification should plan on setting up prior to this workshop/rehearsal. It may be necessary for amplification equipment to be shared because of space limitation. The presenters will set limits on volume control for all participants as to create a totally compatible orchestra.
This is open for Acoustical and MIDI players that want to explore their improvisational options and/or play along with the band.
This is a hands-on event, so bring your accordion and music stand. For more information and music, contact Nick at Nick Ballarini@sbcglobal.net.
The NAA “Club Accordion Orchestra” directed by Dee Langley
Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and special guests join hands!
The NAA “Club Accordion Orchestra” is open to everyone and will have two workshop/rehearsals to prepare their songs for the concert on Thursday evening. Selections include songs from the NAA Accordion Band Album plus a new arrangement of Under Paris Skies available only online and free of charge beginning January 26. The workshop/rehearsal is free as is Under Paris Skies; however, there is a fee of $15 for the NAA Accordion Band Album. Contact Dee Langley for registration. SqueezerMN@Yahoo.com
- The core musical selections for the dance band are as follows:
* All I have to do is Dream - Everly Brothers
* Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys
* Wipe Out - Surfaris
* Amour del Bajo Corales - Columbian folk song (waltz)
* Under Paris Skies - Free download click here
Dee Langley will be using the book she composed in 2008. If you did not purchase one last year, order your personal copy of the musical arrangements (all parts) this year. The cost is $15 per book. Dee's e-mail address is SqueezerMN@yahoo.com or dlangley@airaccordion.com, or just call her (we suggest Dee) at 612-781-8192.
Attention All Convention Youth!
Plan to join Albreski's NAA Youth Band, details to follow
YOUTH ACCORDION BAND
Dick Albreski, Director
The goal of this workshop is to have less experienced accordionists gain some personal information that could improve their playing ability. This is for youth between the ages of 6 and 19. The goal is to have a concert performed by the available youth to include a minimum of 4 mass band selections, one or two duets and several solo presentations. All youth are encouraged to enter the National Accordion Contest by recording a video during the convention.
Band music will be available once the participant has registered. Each member will be encouraged to perform a solo or duet. All solos or duets must be prepared in advance of the convention. Participants will be encouraged to arrive as early as possible to receive individual attention to the band music and massed band practice.
Contact Dick Albreski at juaccord@Hotmail.com or call him direct at 405-721-0564. Be part of the new generation.
Orchestra Director Training Workshop
New in 2009, this workshop is designed to teach two techniques:
- Directing an accordion orchestra
- Performing in an orchestra while following a director
Mary Tokarski will coordinate a training session that is NOT preparing for a specific concert. Anyone interested may have a chance to “direct” the orchestra as a training/critiquing session.
Hopefully, we will have several “directors” and orchestra participants. The music will be relatively easy, so bring your accordion AND your director’s baton. Yes, Mary will even provide the baton.