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Highlights |
16th NOVAM National Accordion Competition for Soloists & Chamber Music - Netherlands
Breaking News: Passing of Jeff Lisenby - USA
“Marco Tamburini Award” for Salvatore Cauteruccio - Italy
Online: 21st International Festival of Performers on Musical Instruments, Krasnoyarsk – Russia
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
2021 National Accordion Convention Registration Now Open – USA
Two Film Soundtracks by Marco Lo Russo Rouge - Italy
2020 Cotati Accordion Virtual Winter Festival
Will Marshall New CD Release in January 2021 - Scotland
Video: Sergei Teleshev Plays “Orange Blossom Special”
Online: Rebel Reed Presents: "Exploring the Bellows" Workshops - USA
Bachtopus Ensemble Release 2nd Commission for 2020 - USA
Andrew (Andy) Glover Passes Away – New Zealand
New CD release: Corey Ledet Zydeco – USA
Future events |
Reading Books to Music in Wesseling - Germany
Heinrich Biegenzahn Concert Evening - Austria
Online: Virtual Accordion Camp IV - USA
Talisk Perform at Roazhon Celtic Live, Rennes – France
Childrens Corner |
New and Updated Sites |
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Highlights |
Happy New Year to all Accordionists & Enthusiasts Worldwideby Christine Johnstone |
 Accordions Worldwide wishes you all a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2021. We sincerely hope you have enjoyed the Weekly News over the last year, that you stay happy and healthy and 2021 sees the demise of Covid-19.We know you are all looking forward to providing live concerts again and we look forward to including news of these events this year. Please continue to send information on your CD releases, festivals, competitions, concerts (live or online) and children's events to: cjmusic@outlook.co.nz Please enjoy this joke below. Best wishes from the team at Accordions Worldwide! |
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16th NOVAM National Accordion Competition for Soloists & Chamber Music - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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| The 16th annual NOVAM (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Accordeon en Mondharmonica) National Accordion Competition for Soloists & Chamber Music will be held on March 14th, 2021 at the Amstelveen Music and Dance School in Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Netherlands. The competition offers four solo age group categories as follows: Youth: up to 11 years Section IV: 12 and 13 years Section III: 14, 15 and 16 years Section II: 17 to 19 years Chamber Music categories will be held for groups of up to 12 players without a conductor, 2 age group categories for players up to 16 years of age, and a category for Conservatory students and Professionals. The event will also include a free lunch break concert. Registrations close on February 8th, 2021. Download competition rules here in Dutch language: 2021NOVAMRules.pdf For details email: secretaris@novam.net |
Breaking News: Passing of Jeff Lisenby - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Video 1: Jeff Lisenby, 1990: Ease on Down the Road, Heinz Siemens youtube.Picture lower right: historic 1977 poster as ATG Champion. Accordions Worldwide sadly reports the untimely passing (Covid) of Jeff Lisenby on January 6th, 2021. Jeff was a wonderful gifted musician highly respected by all, with a large number of tributes currently posted on social media. He earned a Master’s Degree from The Conservatory of Music of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jeff was a two time national accordion champion and a bronze medalist in the Coupe Mondiale International Classical accordion competitions. “When I was a kid,” Lisenby said, “my goal was to win the world accordion championship, which was for ‘serious’ music. So I was practicing 7-8 hours a day when I was a teenager. I would get tired of practicing the ‘heavy’ music, and then I would start playing pop or jazz standard tunes and improvising on them. It was a good musical mix for me.” Lisenby used his genius on the accordion and keyboards to carve a niche market for himself and performed with the Nashville, Kansas City, and Los Angeles Symphonies, the Palm Beach Pops Orchestra, and a gig accompanying Luciano Pavarotti during part of his USA tour. Certainly not limited to classical music, Lisenby toured extensively with the Mills Brothers, Boots Randolph, and Brenda Lee, and accompanied Lee Greenwood, Donna Summer, Tricia Yearwood, Three-Dog Night, The Coasters, David Cassidy, Marty Stuart, Jo Dee Messina, Pam Tillis, Loretta Lynn, Roy Clark, and Dolly Parton, to name a few. Recently, Lisenby was honored to be the conductor/pianist/orchestrator for "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash”, for which he pulled from his extensive experience backing country artists in Nashville. Lisenby was also one of the first-call accordionists for recording sessions in Nashville. Projects he worked on included the Grammy-winning album: “Songs from the Neighborhood; the Music of Mister Rogers”, and jingles for Budweiser and Sutherland’s Lumber (which he also wrote and produced). Lisenby taught for Belmont University’s School of Music and was active in the Nashville recording scene. He also presented seminars for the ATG. Jeff Lisenby will be greatly missed by all. |
“Marco Tamburini Award” for Salvatore Cauteruccio - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 Important recognition for accordionist Salvatore Cauteruccio. The Jury Acep, Unemia and PJF, awarded the Marco Tamburini VI edition prize to Salvatore Cauteruccio as musician of the year 2019, with the following statement: artist with a high stylistic figure and great humanity.The Marco Tamburini prize is now in its sixth edition and is organized by the Peperoncino Jazz Festival (artistic director Sergio Gimigliano) in collaboration with Acep and Unemia. It is dedicated to the well-known trumpeter Marco Tamburini, a musician who has always been close to the Festival, and who died prematurely. Accordionist Salvatore Cauteruccio has performed numerous concerts in Italy, Brazil, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, England, Albania, Slovenia and Germany, collaborating with the likes of Geoff Westley, Mariella Nava, Anna Mazzamauro, Amedeo Minghi, Paolo Vallesi and many others. |
Online: 21st International Festival of Performers on Musical Instruments, Krasnoyarsk – Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
 From January 18th to 31st, 2021, the city of Krasnoyarsk in Russia will host the 21st International Festival Competition of Performers on Musical Instruments.The competition includes a variety of age group categories for instruments including accordion, bayan soloists, duos, orchestras and ensembles which can include accordion, bayan and other instruments such as piano, woodwind, percussion, bass, synthesiser etc. Competitors in the 2021 event will compete by sending in video recordings of their performance. Performances can be recorded in the concert hall, classroom, at home, as well as during exams, credits, concert and other performances. Competition entries close on January 17th, 2021. Download competition rules in Russian language here: 2021KrasnoyarskRules.pdf For further details email: video-rus@mail.ru |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
GAPO - The Challenge of Time - UKby Alison Worthington |
 On December 22, "The Challenge of Time", Global Accordion Project Orchestra (GAPO), 85 accordionists from all over the world premiered on the London Accordion Orchestra Facebook & youtube. This was the last piece for 2020 written by Ian Watson and commissioned by members of the orchestra.I reached out to a few members of the GAPO orchestra to get their thoughts on being involved in this global project. "In these difficult moments in which only "social distancing" is heard, it has been a real pleasure to be able to make music surrounded by people who I do not know in person but who I know very well that our love for the accordion unites us. Undeniable the extraordinary work of Ian and Sam, always so close and attentive. I have participated in the 2 GAPO projects and I will continue participating in whatever they continue to prepare. Of course, as soon as all this happens, I can't find a better way to finish the project than playing all together in person." Jasone Camara Telleria - Zumarraga, Spain (participated twice). "I find the playing in the GAPO very interesting. I could concentrate on the melodies of my part and lay all the music into it. It works the senses. It is a special wonderful feeling to play with so many accordionists together, around the world. So we all stand together in this time and give ourselves an outstanding beautiful thing – music! The idea from Ian and Sam is so old and so good. In former times, the composers earned money from the dukes or kings, they were employed. Today, the composers go back to the roots and use the infinite possibilities of the net. Norbert Schneider - Essen, Germany (participated in all recordings) "With each piece, this virtual accordion orchestra seems to be evolving and improving. It’s so much fun to be part of these projects along with other accordionists from around the world!" Jane Christison - Kansas, United States. (participated in all recordings). "I had the chance to join GAPO. What a brilliant project! I like trying out new ways, so this was a great opportunity. Even more, as I saw that Ian Watson is the composer - I have seen him conducting the LAO at the festival in Austria and I definitely wanted to join this orchestra as basso player. The biggest challenge was actually, to take a reasonable video. "The challenge of Times" is very well reflecting the situation we have all been through recently. The ups and downs, the different moods." Marjeta Neftenbach, Switzerland. “It was a real pleasure to participate in the GAPO project. With covid 19, rehearsals are forbidden, concerts are cancelled and The Challenge of Time was a good opportunity to come together around music. Thank you for that, it's so important during this terrible period.” Jerome Ortet, the Ensemble d'accordeons de Falaise conductor. "Being able to play with accordionists from around the world is brilliant – especially in a time when meeting with others is restricted. Feeling a connection with others, and uniting people is something that was much needed by all. How often do you get a chance to play with people in the USA or New Zealand? There was a bit of nostalgia for me too as I grew up playing in competitions with Ian Watson, so I was keen to support this project. He was always a phenomenal player and someone I aspired to play like. The pieces he has composed are just incredible – they are so atmospheric and intricate. I cant wait for the next one!" Victoria Molnar, UK. Ian Watson has confirmed that this is the second piece in the 'Lockdown Trilogy' with the third piece to be written and recorded late March. The first in the trilogy was "Horizon" which premiered in August 2020. Detailed article at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=23-Oct-2020&lang=en&s=16959 |
2021 National Accordion Convention Registration Now Open – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Registrations are now open for the 34th Annual 2021 National Accordion Convention which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Richardson, Texas from March 17th to 20th, 2021. The 2021 Accordion Convention Theme is “From Classic to Folk - the World of the Accordion”. Social distancing and masks may be required and all government generated COVID-19 requirements will be adhered to. Thanks to Markus and Sabine Baggio, there will be multiple options available that range from a full-convention down to online only (virtual). 2021 Convention Presenters and Workshops as follows: * Private Lesson with the Professionals: 50 minute private session for $50 * Tutto a Dio - Improvisation, Playing Techniques * Tris Gour - Lead Sheets 1 and 2: Accompany Techniques * Sam Falcetti: Left-hand styles and Patterns; MP3 Files; Two for One * Bob Donovan: Configure and Program the FR4x and/or the FR8x * Gary Dahl: Gary Dahl, Tris Gour, and Dennis O'Toole: Publishers of the 2020 NAA Music Book * Arlyn Visentin: 15 Minutes of Fame; NAA Photo Booth * Walk In Clinic: Roland Technology Accordions * Sharon Seaton - Circle of Excellence; World of Accordions - Panel of Experts * Cory Pesaturo - Italian/French; Tango/Brazilian; Klezmer and Balkan * Richard Noel: From Acoustic to Digital; Prepare for all Occasions * Mike Middleton - Enhance your Acoustic Accordion * Randy McPeck: Accordion Bellows * Ginny Mac: Accordions and Western Swing * Matthais Matzke: Read Music vs. Understanding Music; Transcribe Pop Tunes to "Cool Accordion Tunes" * Shelia Lee: NAA Dance Band; Work Session Link - Convert Piano Music into Accordion Music * Gordon Kohl: Austria Music; Dance Favorites * Ian Fries: Proxima Digital Accordion, Stradella Bass Jazz Chords, Accordionist's hand. * Eli Davidsohn: Making Parties Fun * Gail Campanella: It is not about you! * Gary Blair: Scottish and Irish Music * Dick Albreski: Biographical Information |
Two Film Soundtracks by Marco Lo Russo Rouge - Italyby Rob Howard |
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| Concert artist, performer and composer Marco Lo Russo has, in recent months, composed two film soundtracks. The first musical production was made in collaboration with RAI Cinema entitled “Vado e Vengo”, directed by Fabrizio Nardocci. This film is a slice of Italian life that tells the story of a young man looking for his father from the province to the big city. The film invites you to reflect on the value of family and human relationships in a now liquid society. The second soundtrack is entitled “La Machetera” and was inspired by the 1975 law on the emancipation of women and against violence against women. It is based on the novel of the same name written by Esnedy Milan Herrera, writer, actress and former Cuban model, with whom Marco Lo Russo has shared several artistic projects in the past. For details email: staff@marcolorusso.com |
2020 Cotati Accordion Virtual Winter Festivalby Christine Johnstone |
 Video 1: Grand Finale Virtual Winter Festival 2020Video: ”Let It Snow" Grand Finale of "Cotati Accordion Festival - 2020" with Matthias Matzke (Germany), Pietro Adragna (Italy), Sergei Teleshev (USA), Maria Telesheva (USA), Gary Blair (UK), Cory Pesaturo (USA), Erica Mancini (USA), Elena Spitsa (Russia), Jamie Maschler (USA), Jack Garton (Canada), Jenny Conlee (USA), Jason Webley (USA), Tracey Collins (New Zealand). The Cotati Accordion Virtual Winter Festival took place online on December 19th and 20th, 2020. Over 15 accordionists from 8 different countries performed "from their homes to yours" during the event. |
Will Marshall New CD Release in January 2021 - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
  Will Marshall will release his new CD entitled “Destination Home” on January 25th, 2021.The album includes 25 original compositions written over the 2020 lockdown and recorded in November 2020. Guest musicians are accordionist Ian Muir, Archie McAllister (violin), Rory Grindlay (drums), Ade Mckenna (guitar and Tom Oakes (whistle). For details email: info@willmarshallmusic.com |
Video: Sergei Teleshev Plays “Orange Blossom Special”by Christine Johnstone |
| Enjoy this fast paced piece “Orange Blossom Special” by accordionist Sergei Teleshev and Veronika Shabashova (violin), recorded in Moscow, Russia. The piece was written in 1938 by Ervin T. Rouse about the passenger train of the same name. |
Online: Rebel Reed Presents: "Exploring the Bellows" Workshops - USAby Rob Howard |
 Accordionist Dallas Vietty began a 9 week online group class on January 6th, 2021 presented by Rebel Reed. The class is entitled “Exploring the Bellows” and is a bellows-centric survey of accordion techniques, mechanics, science and creativity.Topics include: How your accordion sound quality and timbre is affected by your bellows How your articulations, speed, and gentleness is dependent on your bellows Managing your air in phrases Use of the left side of your body to have control of your bellows Techniques to learn and implement bellows shakes and bellows stops Creating beauty and expression through dynamics using the bellows, and more! Each of these topics will be developed with interactive group class lectures, materials, assignments and class collaboration and discussion. |
Bachtopus Ensemble Release 2nd Commission for 2020 - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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| The Bachtopus Ensemble recently released their second commission from their 2020 Composers Commissioning Fund entitled “The Great Filter,” composed for them by Tony Kovatch. The inspiration for this piece comes partly from J.S. Bach, who developed elegant rules to yield an ocean of beautiful and complex music and partly from a contradiction in astrophysics called the Fermi Paradox. The Bachtopus ensemble includes accordionists Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Denise Koncelik, Mayumi Miyaoka and Jeanne Velonis. Their 2020 Composer Commissioning Fund is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC). |
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Andrew (Andy) Glover Passes Away – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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 Andrew Glover (Andy), former member of the North Shore Musicale Accordion Orchestra passed away suddenly, yet peacefully (non Covid) at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland in December 2020, surrounded by his family singing “Amazing Grace”.Andy was a well-known competitor at the New Zealand Accordion Association annual Championships and Festival, usually entering the “Accordion with self vocal” classes as well as a performing in the Musicale Orchestra. He also set up Singing Telegrams in New Zealand. Andy's composition Tender Tango (Solo) was selected as a test piece for an age category of the 2016 New Zealand Accordion Championships. In honor and remembrance of Andrew Glover, his composition is a free download to our readers. Download Tender Tango (Solo): mfa8051 |
New CD release: Corey Ledet Zydeco – USAby Christine Johnstone |
 Corey Ledet Zydeco will release his new CD on January 15th, 2021 recorded with Nouveau Electric Records. The album pays homage to Ledet’s family and musical heritage which are inextricably combined and includes liner notes and photos of Corey Ledet's musical lineage.The CD includes tracks such as “This is all I Want”, “Buchanan Ledet Special” and “Flip Flop & Fly”. Produced by Corey Ledet and Louis Michot Recorded at Dockside Studio, Maurice, LA, USA Engineered and Mixed by Justin Tocket Mastered by Mark Bingham at Nina Hwy Studio, Henderson, LA |
Future events |
Accordion Youth Summit (AYS) Meeting – USAby Joseph Natoli |
 The first Accordion Youth Summit meeting will be held online on January 9th, 2021 at 3pm EST.Organisers believe that the best way to secure the future and visibility of the accordion would be to make certain that enough young people become interested in pursuing and utilizing all the incredible traits of this wonderful instrument. Therefore, the Accordion Youth Summit is a strategic and calculated attempt to try something different to attract young players. Their aim is to build a synergistic coalition of many diverse minds to tackle a problem that needs critical and creative thinkers. Their focus will be to help analyze, discuss, and develop solutions toward this topic of engaging more young people to become happily motivated and involved with our instrument. If you love the accordion for the incredible instrument that it is, if you want to see it flourish in the future, then we must get youth interested in learning and performing on the instrument in growing numbers. For further details email: josephnatoli66@gmail.com |
Reading Books to Music in Wesseling - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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| A reading from the children’s book "Der kleine Trecki" will take place at Mines Spatzentreff in Wesseling, Germany on January 12th, 2021. The event is hosted by Mines Spatzentreff, the Akkordeon-Orchester Wesseling and Aigul Lennartz. Aigul will read for one hour accompanied by her children, Paul (8 years) with accordion and electric guitar and Andreas (5 years) with accordion. The story is about a small tractor that wants to grow up. Entry is free of charge. For details email: muemine@gmx.net |
Heinrich Biegenzahn Concert Evening - Austriaby Christine Johnstone |
  Accordionist Heinrich Biegenzahn (picture left) will perform at a Concert Evening at the Musikverein Wien in Vienna, Austria on January 15th, 2021 from 8pm to 10pm.He will be accompanied by Gyuhui Heo (picture right) on the cello. Their program will include works by Bach, Wagenseil, Chopin, Elgar and others. For details email: hbiegen@hotmail.com |
Online: Virtual Accordion Camp IV - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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| All accordionists are invited to attend the 2021 Virtual Accordion Camp IV, which will be held online on January 16th. The event will include workshops with tutors Jamie Maschler (Brazilian music), Rachel Bell, Alex Cumming and Jeremiah McLane who will cover a mix of Celtic, French, and English music. The event will also feature a meet-the-artist-style concert with camp staff. Workshop subjects include repertoire-building, bellows control and techniques for the left hand. For details email: info@virtualaccordioncamp.com |
Talisk Perform at Roazhon Celtic Live, Rennes – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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| Talisk (Scotland) will perform at the first 2021 Roazhon Celtic Live event at Parquet de Bal, Rennes on January 31st, 2021 at 4.30pm (February 1st at 4.30am UTC+13 and 6.30am UTC+13). The trio includes Mohsen Amini (concertina), Hayley Keenan (violin) and Graeme Armstrong (guitar). For details email: taliskmusic@gmail.com |
Childrens Corner |
Tremenda Polka Performed by 10 year old Accordionist Hillary Carroccia - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
| Video: 10 year old accordionist Hillary Carroccia from Italy playing Tremenda Polka by Castellina, a piece that has been popular and played by many other accordionists. Hillary's teacher is Elio Carroccia (father). |
New and Updated Sites |
Newly Available Sheet Music "Poetic Rhapsody" by Stas Venglevskiby Megumi Hada |
 The newly available sheet music of "Poetic Rhapsody" Catalog: vstas064 is online.Other eSheet Individual Compositions by Stas Venglevski. Catalog: vstas051 Meg Tango (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas052 Maurisa (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas053 A Song (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas054 Stas' Tune (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas055 Octobler Rondo (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas056 Summer Sunshine (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas057 Sunshine Return, accordion (solo )with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas058 In the Garden, accordion (solo) with music page sample and sound sample. Catalog: vstas059 Butterfly Swing, accordion (duet) with music page sample. Catalog: vstas060 K's Musette, accordion (solo) with music page sample. Catalog: vstas061 Shaking Waltz, accordion (solo) with music page sample. Catalog: vstas062 Ice Meadow, accordion (solo) with music page sample. Catalog: vstas063 Twelve Hot Tango Compositions For Accordion (solo) Catalog: vstas064 Poetic Rhapsody for accordion (solo) |
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