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Highlights |
Final World Accordion Day Broadcast 6th June - International
CNIMA Masterclasses in August - France
Global Accordion Project Orchestra Second Performance – UK
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Review: Thousands of Visualizations For the 12th World Accordion Day
2020 All-Russian Competition Held in Vologda - Russia
Cancelled: 14th Accordion Art Festival - Italy
South Pacific Accordion Competitions Completed – New Zealand
New England Music Festival Updates – USA
Brandon McPhee New DVD Release - Scotland
Duo Marek Kalinowski & Peter Herz Free Concert - USA
“Tunes in the Hoose” Final of Season Three - UK
New Video by “Those Darn Accordions” Entitled “Quarantine”
Remembering and Honoring Eugene Ettore - USA
Microsoft News Random Facts - Accordion
Future events |
New Play "Accordions" at Moscow Theatre – Russia
New and Updated Sites |
Review: World Accordion Day Broadcast 23rd May - International
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
Jonas Vozbutas Wins Lithuania's Got Talent Competition - Lithuaniaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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| Video above: Jonas Vozbutas performing on Lithuania's Got Talent Finale Popular television show Lithuania's Got Talent – Superchildren aired their final on May 31st on TV3 where the fierce battle for the winner’s title was held. The winner was Jonas Vozbutas! The series began in March and accordionist Matthew Dudnik (who received three "yes’s") and Jonas Vozbutas, who received the "golden buzzer" both progressed to the next round. Jonas (whose teachers are Maryte Markeviciene and Frederic Deschamps), progressed right through to the super-final, where he competed against dancers, dance groups, singers and gymnasts. His performance of well-known classical music melodies impressed not only the jury, but also the television audience, who voted him the overall winner. First prize included 10 thousand Euro and his TV performances have achieved a lot of admiration in Lithuania and internationally. Jonas is going to spend part of his winnings on a new accordion!! Picture below: Jonas playing and on the right - his reaction when pronounced the winner! |
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Final World Accordion Day Broadcast 6th June - Internationalby Christine Johnstone |
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 One final broadcast6th June 2020 Broadcast WAD2020 Starting: * Rome 7.00 PM * Moscow 8.00 PM - * New York – 1.00 PM - * LA - 10 AM *Auckland – 5.00 AM (June 7th) * China - 9.00 AM broadcast (June 7th). Earlier broadcasts, 6th May, 9th May, 23 May are online at: WAD2020 Join us for the final episode of the World Accordion Day Project this Saturday. This episode will include messages & performances from past Coupe Mondiale World Champions Tutto a Dio - Augustinas Rakauskas & Greta Staponkute - Rakau, Liu Zhao, João Campos Palma, Carmine Sangineto, Mariya Kushnikova & Ma Qi. It will include interveiws and presentations with: Marko Štumperger- President of the Association of Slovenian Accordionists with guests Zoran Lupinc & Igor Zobin. Jacques Mornet & Ludovic Beier from CNIMA Blai Navarro García - International Public Relations Manager of Associació Catalana d'Acordionistes ACDA Yuri Shiskin & Alexander Poeluev from International Music Center 'Harmony' President Joseph Natoli & Executive Secretary Joan C. Sommers from the Accordionists & Teachers Guild International ATG Dr Helmi Harrington presenting A World of Accordions Museum & CIA Vice President Jörgen Sundeqvist representing Sveriges Dragspelares Riksförbund with guest Composer Fredrik Högberg. |
CNIMA Masterclasses in August - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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  The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix, have two workshops planned for August 3rd to 7th, 2020. Download brochure: 2020Stages.pdfThe first will be led by Franck Angelis (picture left), a very popular composer of contemporary accordion works. Franck will tutor students around the interpretations of his works. The second workshop will be led by composer Claude Thomain (picture right). If you are a fan of the innovative works of Claude then this workshop is for you. Come and work one of his pieces and also participate in an accordion orchestra. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
Global Accordion Project Orchestra Second Performance – UKby Alison Worthington |
 Video 1: Song Without WordsVideo 2: Peace (first performance by the Global Accordion Orchestra in April 2020) On May 30th, the second performance of the Global Accordion Project Orchestra was premiered. The piece by Ian Watson (picture left) was entitled “Song Without Words” (sound and video editing completed by Sam Cullen), which was originally dedicated to the Watford Accordion Band at the 2018 Super Orchestra Day held in Rippley, UK. There were 200 applications to be part of this performance, and the final result featured 103 accordionists and 1 percussionist from around the world, with new participants from Austria, China and Spain. The next project has been announced as follows: the Global Accordion Project Orchestra is going to commission Ian Watson to write a special piece called “Horizon”. For details email: projectorchestraglobal@gmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Mirco Soprani Writes for Accordions Worldwide, Castelfidardo - Italyby Harley Jones |
 Accordions Worldwide is delighted to have the former Mayor of Castelfidardo Mirco Soprani, write regular articles for our accordions.com Weekly News. A reporter and journalist for many years, Mirco Soprani has a proud accordion history.Mirco Soprani was born in Castelfidardo (An) sixty years ago. From the age of 16 he collaborated as a correspondent with the local newspaper "Corriere Adriatico". Subsequently with "Il Messaggero" and finally "Il Resto del Carlino". At only 19 years, he joined the editorial staff of “Strumenti e Musica” directed by the legendary Bio Boccosi where the young Soprani worked closely with this accordion legend for 37 years. In this position, Mirco Soprani was involved in music publication, accordion magazine, national and international accordion events and collaborating with many artists. He became a freelance journalist in 1983. He also collaborated as a reporter with the radio station Radio Castelfidardo 1. A volleyball enthusiast, Mirco was firstly a referee and then took on the role of observer and then technical delegate in the national top flight. Mirco Soprani directed numerous newspapers, founding among others "Tutto Castello", a monthly he leaves once he entered politics. Mirco Soprani entered politics and was elected councilor in 1997. In 2001 he held the position of vice mayor and then became Mayor of Castelfidardo in 2006, a position he held continuously for ten years. Having been delegated to culture for 15 years, Mirco Soprani was personally involved in the PIF International Accordion Competitions and Festival bringing it to a new level over those years thanks to numerous innovations and the tireless work of the artistic directors (in order) Picchio, Lucanero, Pietrodarchi and Riganelli. With such an accordion heritage and experience with our industry, Accordions Worldwide is proud to welcome Mirco Soprani. Picture below: 2014 Mayor Mirco Soprani, Mirco Patarini and Vincenzo Canali making a presentation at PIF. |
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Review: Thousands of Visualizations For the 12th World Accordion Dayby Mirco Soprani |
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 The views of accordion fans from all over the world went beyond all expectations for the first 2 of the 4 contributions foreseen by the CIA for the "World Accordion Day". Online at WAD2020Event created in 2009, it is renewed every year in May with the aim of paying homage to the accordion through the diffusion of music videos and interviews from different associations from various parts of the world. The date of 6 May is not accidental, when in 1829 Cyrill Demian, organist and pianist of Armenian origin, accompanied by his sons Karl and Guido, filed an accordion patent in Vienna. 1st connection (6 May) - On the CIA website, in the special events section (at WAD2020 ) you can review the first edition program opened for the occasion by an interview with the president of the CIA Mirco Patarini. The coming videos followed: from Italy (in this case a tribute wanted by the Gervasio Marcosignori Association of Castelfidardo) with the participation of the musicians Mirco Patarini, Valentino Lorenzetti (both admirers and personal friends of Marcosignori), Antonino De Luca and Massimo Marconi who performed "Bel Fiore" written by Pietro Frosini, a piece particularly loved by the accordion poet, so much so as to include it on a permanent basis among his encores; from Portugal (next home of the “Coupe Mondiale”) by the president of the Mito Algarvio - Associação de Acordeonistas do Algarve João Manuel Afonso Pereira and with videos of the famous teachers and accordionists Nelson Conceiçao, João Barradas and João Frade; from the Czech Republic with the intervention of Professor Jirí Lukeš live from the Prague Conservatory; from Poland (a country that is not a CIA member today) with an interesting interview with the members of the famous "Motion Trio", complete with musical contributions; and from China (a real handover having hosted the latest edition of the Coupe Mondiale "), with various speeches starting with the president of the Chinese Accordionists Association Professor Li Cong. 2nd edition (9 May) - Contributions from Germany are visible from Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. (DHV) presented by the manager Georg Hettmann, an association that has been preparing for years to host the 2021 Coupe Mondiale, the year in which it will mark its 90th anniversary; Netherlands with talks by the head Vincent Van Amsterdam Nederlandse Organisatie voor Accordeon & Moundharmonica - NOVAM, Denmark with a very interesting interview with Professor Geir Draugsol of the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen and with Composer Martin Lhose with some videos of his concert pieces for accordion, and from Estonia, the highly active Estonian Accordion Society presented by the young Mikk Langeproon. 3rd edition (23 May) - For those who have missed the live broadcast on the web, it will be possible to review the films and interviews from the following countries on the CIA website: Austria, Finland, Belgium, Russia, the United States and Bosnia. View at WAD2020 4th edition (under construction for June 6) - Any association, group, orchestra, performer and teacher (even if not belonging to the CIA) who wish to join by promoting national and local accordion activities, can do so by registering in the appropriate CIA event space dedicated to the "World Accordion Day". |
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2020 All-Russian Competition Held in Vologda - Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
  The 2020 All-Russian Competition for performers of folk instruments was held in Vologda from April 10th to May 6th, hosted by the Vologda Regional College of Arts as part of the implementation of the national project "Culture".The online competition categories included soloists, ensembles and orchestras for a variety of instruments including accordion and bayan. More than 170 people from nine regions of Russia took part in the contest, with programs including works of different styles and genres. Winner of Accordion Group A: Dmitry Ryzhov - Vologda Regional College of Arts (Teacher Naumov Vyacheslav). The competition jury included well-known performers and teachers of leading universities in Russia: Alexei Petropavlovsky (Chairman of the jury), Sergey Osokin (picture above left), Eduard Akhanov (picture lower left), Pavel Ukhanov, Galina Misirkhanova and Evgeny Shchelinsky. For further details and a full list of winners in Russian language see: Russia News |
Cancelled: 14th Accordion Art Festival - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 Video above by the Accordion Art Festival Team: Renzo Ruggieri (Art Director), Claudio Azzaro (President), Giuseppe Di Falco (Secretary) and Andrea Di Giacomo (Secretary).Art Director Renzo Ruggieri has announced the cancellation of the 2020 Accordion Art Festival due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The festival was due to take place from June 19th to 21st in Roseto degli Abruzzi, TE, Italy. The next event will be held in 2021. |
South Pacific Accordion Competitions Completed – New Zealandby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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 On Saturday May 30th, 2020 the South Pacific solo classes took place at the Rose Centre in Belmont, Auckland. Rigorous planning to host these competitions under Level 2 Covid-19 restrictions had been weeks in the making, working closely with the Rose Centre. The programme and draw was completed in advance along with the music for judges sent in digitally. All 9 contestants appeared with only their drivers and performed to two judges, NZAA Life Member and CIA Ambassador Kevin Friedrich and NZAA President Sonja Palinich, as no audience was allowed. Thanks go to Renee Jeffries (picture left) in her new role as Competition Secretary with coping with this additional workload. On the day the NZAA Committee Under 30’s ran the event with Jessica Chen texting the drivers to bring in the contestants one by one, Tamba Carleton (compere and photography) and Bor-Kuan Song (video). Thanks also to Accordions Worldwide for cameras, video equipment and editing and Amber Masefield for results and certificates. The videos with results went up online at 5pm, along with the contestants receiving Mark Sheets, Time sheets and certificates online. Videos of the competitors and the results are online at: 2020SouthPac |
New England Music Festival Updates – USAby Peggy Falcetti |
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 The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been felt worldwide and led to many event cancellations including this year’s New England Music festival organised by the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM). The organisation have decided to transform their annual music competition into a new virtual format as it will be the safest and most effective way to hold the competition during the uncertain times of Covid-19. With this transition to a virtual competition, the students who had worked so hard to prepare their competition pieces will still be able to perform. Students will be working with their teachers and studios to record their performance and post a video for each of their categories onto YouTube. The judges will then be sent a scoresheet and video for each contestant and will score and critique each performance. Next year’s festival is planned to be held at the Boston Marriott Newton in Newton, MA from April 9th to 11th, 2021. For further information: peggyf1944@gmail.com |
Brandon McPhee New DVD Release - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
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| Video: Walking on the Waves with Foster & Allen Popular accordion entertainer Brandon McPhee used the Covid-19 lockdown to his advantage by completing his new DVD “All I Want to Do”, which includes 19 tracks of songs and tunes. Brandon’s dedication to the entertainment world and work ethic has also led him into broadcasting and he hosts his own TV show ‘The Brandon McPhee Hour’ on The Keep It Country Channel – Sky Channel 376, Freesat 516 or Regional Freeview 87 in the UK. The DVD includes a bonus track “Walking on the Waves” with Foster & Allen. For DVD details email: robertcameron29@hotmail.com |
Duo Marek Kalinowski & Peter Herz Free Concert - USAby Christine Johnstone |
 Chicago Duo Marek Kalinowski (accordion) & Peter Herz (violin) provided a free concert last week in honour of all victims of the Covid-19 pandemic. The popular duo played in Illinois with a guest vocalist much to the delight of the neighbourhood who brought along their deck chairs and maintained physical distancing for an evening of entertainment. The duo will be guests at the upcoming Milwaukee Accordion Club meeting planned for June 22nd in Franklin, WI (subject to Covid-19 restrictions). The aim of the Milwaukee club is to stimulate a positive attitude toward the performance of music on the accordion by strengthening relationships with fellow musicians, expanding knowledge of the accordion and accordion playing, and by developing various musical programs to acquaint the general public with the education and entertainment values of the accordion. For concert details email: skylinerguy@gmail.com |
“Tunes in the Hoose” Final of Season Three - UKby Christine Johnstone |
| The final performance in the 10 week production (season 3) of “Tunes in the Hoose” was online on June 1st, 2020. This was the 300th episode and to celebrate, they gave a performance of an eightsome reel with 42 musicians from across the UK and beyond! The video includes accordionists Peter Wood (Shetland), Adam Young (drums & accordion - Cleish), Nicola Braid (Rosyth), Stuart Law (Blackwood), Chris Oxtoby (Maidenhead), John Simpson (Montrose), Helen Findlay (Menstrie), Brian Jacques (Durham), Steven Eddie (Tulllynessle), Keith Duncan (Aberdeen) and Kenny Donaldson (Alva). Season 4 of “Tunes in the Hoose” will begin this week. |
New Video by “Those Darn Accordions” Entitled “Quarantine”by Rob Howard |
 "Quarantine" performed in quarantine by Those Darn Accordions: Paul Rogers (vocals, accordion, piano, guitar), Susie Davis (vocals), Carri Abrams (vocal), Ian Luke (drums), Lewis Wallace (bass), Suzanne Garramone (cocktails), John Maxwell (guitar), Laura Rogers (vocal, guitar), Jonny Rogers (guitar).“Those Darn Accordions” recorded a new virtual video last week entitled “Quarantine” which features the whole cast of TDA plus their friend John Maxwell on dobro, Jonny Rogers on acoustic guitar and Laura Rogers on vocal. Everyone performed their part in their own homes and sent them to leader Paul Rogers to put together. TDA wish everyone “Stay safe and healthy!” |
Remembering and Honoring Eugene Ettore - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Video 1: “Rhapsodie Espagnol” composed by Eugene Ettore, performed by Rita Barnea at the 80th Anniversary AAA Festival in Washington DC.Video 2: "Prelude & Scherzo” composed by Eugene Ettore, performed by Rita Barnea. June 2, 2020 would have been Eugene Ettore’s 99th Birthday. In honor of his birthday, I am posting the link to the website I created to educate all about a unique, versatile and talented individual who made great contributions to the accordion world and musical world in general. I encourage you to visit this page at: Eugene Ettore I was extremely fortunate to be his student. He prepared me for my long career as a music teacher in the public schools. I played the accordion every day for my students! It is a fabulous asset to any music teacher! Eugene Ettore inspired all of his students with an approach which included discipline, encouragement, and kindness. Those of you who had a music teacher as a guiding light in their lives will understand the importance of having a teacher/mentor. The lifelong benefits and influence branch out into so many other areas of life. Eugene Ettore was well known as a talented composer for the accordion. He performed as both soloist and in the duet team, “Concert Duo” with Carmen Carrozza, his great friend. As a Renaissance man, Eugene Ettore also played the French Horn, and wrote method books for the accordion and French Horn. He was an artist, inventor, piano tuner/rebuilder and Braille transcriber etc. He was President of the AAA (American Accordionists’ Association) three times! I presented a lecture/concert workshop, “The Life and Music of Eugene Ettore” at the 2018 AAA Festival in Alexandria, Virginia. In honor of Eugene Ettore’s birthday, I am offering a free download of the recording of his original compositions: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/eTracks/inform/davidson/index.htm If you would like to see recent performances of some of his works, please visit: 1. Eugene Ettore: "Spanish Holiday, for Accordion": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFhxhXcb7pQ 2. Rita Barnea Workshop "Accordion Miniatures”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPyCpSxiT8E 3. Rita Barnea Workshop "Five O'Clock Rush”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-7JMjGdU1c If you wish to learn his music, please email me and I will send it to you as a free download. I hope that you enjoyed learning about Eugene Ettore. He greatly deserves to be remembered and recognized for his important contributions. I would love to see more accordionists learn and perform his works. I welcome any comments sent to me, Rita Barnea, at Ritabelll@aol.com. Cell: 201-675-4861 |
Microsoft News Random Facts - Accordionby Christine Johnstone |
 This week Microsoft News included a list of “100 Random Facts You'll Want to Share with Everyone You Know”.Included in these was the following: In the 1990s, North Korean teachers were required to play the accordion. Famously mysterious North Korea is full of surprises, not the least of which is its cultural fondness for the accordion. The musical squeezebox is known as the "people's instrument" because its convenient size makes it ideal to take on marches. For years, the accordion has been taught in North Korean schools. In the 1990's teachers were required to pass an accordion exam to apply for their job. |
Future events |
New dates for 38th VAMÖ Accordion Competition 2020 - Austriaby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 A new date has been set for the 38th VAMÖ Accordion Competition 2020 for soloists from EU-countries and foreigners living in Austria provided there are no further delays due to Covid-19.The competition will now take place on October 24th and 25th at the Waldmüllerzentrum in Vienna, Austria, organised by the Verband Der Amateurmusiker und Vereine Österreichs (Association of Amateur Musicians of Austria), Honorary President Prof. Hermi Kaleta (picture left). The deadline for registrations is September 1st, 2020. Click here for new competition information and rules: 2020VamoRules2.pdf Registrations can be sent by email to: akkordeon@vamoe.at |
New Play "Accordions" at Moscow Theatre – Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
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| A new play entitled “Accordions” by Valery Belyakovich, will be onstage at the Moscow Theatre in the South-West when quarantines are lifted. The play, which is expected to be a sell-out, features actors/accordion musicians Karina Dymont (lead female), Oleg Leushin (lead male) and accordionists Anton Belov, Mikhail Grishchenko, Alexey Matoshin, Maxim Lakomkin, Denis Nagretdinov, Andrey Sannikov, Farid Tagiyev and Alexander Shatokhin. The musical production will include a varied repertoire with dancing, a flurry of emotions and acrobatics. The musical story features brave accordionists who meet a mysterious conductor on their way, transporting them to the magical world of music. Musicians joke and play their instruments in a variety of genres until a beautiful stranger appears who they can not resist. For further information phone: 8-495-229-04-00 |
New and Updated Sites |
News in Russian Updatedby Harley Jones |
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| The Accordion Russia News has been updated with new items and is now available online. |
Review: World Accordion Day Broadcast 23rd May - Internationalby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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 Latest Episode 3, 23rd May 2020 Broadcast - Video now online at: WAD2020This episode includes messages & performances from past Coupe Mondiale World Champions Jianan Tian, Andrea Di Giacomo, Bozidar Boza Rajic, He Qian, Pawel Janas, Pietro Adragna & Vladimir Stupnikov. It also includes interviews and presentations with: HVÖ-Vice-President Dr. Herbert Scheibenreif & HVÖ-secretary Johannes Münzner Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) General Secretary & President of Suomen Harmonikkaliitto - Kimmo Mattila President of "Music Art" Nemanja Potparic Founder of "Center of Musical Art" & Chairman of the CIA Music Committee - Alexander Selivanov President of Accordeon Salon Jef De Haes from Belgium American Accordionists' Association Board Member Frank Busso The show hosts are CIA former President and current CIA Ambassador Kevin Friedrich (USA) and CIA Music Committee Deputy Chairman Grayson Masefield with technical assistance from CIA Public Relations Harley Jones. One final broadcast 6th June 2020 Broadcast WAD2020 Starting: * Rome 7.00 PM * Moscow 8.00 PM - * New York – 1.00 PM - * LA - 10 AM *Auckland – 5.00 AM (June 7th) * China - 9.00 AM broadcast (June 7th). |
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