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Highlights |
“Skerryvore” Video Tribute to NHS Workers - Scotland
Global Accordion Project Orchestra Performance - Worldwide
Emma Wollum Composes Covid-19 Song “Stay Away From Me” – New Zealand
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Free Album for WAD - "Harley Plays Gary" eTracks Album Released Online - New Zealand
"Day of Harmonica" Cancelled - Austria
New CD Release: Giants in the Trees Volume 2
ISME 34th World Conference Cancelled – Finland
Virus and Lockdown Jokes
Future events |
New and Updated Sites |
New Scandalli Website Now Online - Italy
New Article: “Vignettes, Short Pieces for Accordion” Delightful original compositions by Guy Klucevsek
Major Changes to the 2020 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships - New Zealand
CD Reviews |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
32nd International Festival "Bayan and Bayanists" and the VII International Bayanists and Accordionists Competition, Moscow – Russiaby Arseniy Strokovskiy |
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 Video above: 2019 Closing Concert. 2019booklet.pdfVideos of 4 major concerts and a report written by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif is at: 2019Moscow The 32nd International Festival "Bayan and Bayanists" and the VII International Bayanists and Accordionists Competition will be held at the Russian Academy of Music (RAM) Gnessin in Moscow from 13th to 20th December 2020. Event sponsors are the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Government of Moscow, Committee on Culture of the City of Moscow, Russian Academy of Music Gnesin, and the Friedrich Lips Charitable Foundation. The competition is for players aged from 18 to 32 years and will consist of three rounds - two qualifiers and one final. Contestants must not repeat any works and can use a bayan or accordion of any type, size, model (without electronics). The event organisation is led by Artistic Director Friedrich Lips and Alexander Gataullin (picture below). Applications close on October 25th, 2020. Further information about the competition in Russian and English including the entry form will be online by Monday: 2020Moscow |
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“Skerryvore” Video Tribute to NHS Workers - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
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 “Skerryvore” (which includes brothers Daniel on accordion and Martin Gillespie on pipes, whistles and accordion - picture below) have recorded a special single and video as a tribute to NHS workers fighting the coronavirus.The band was devastated to announce they had to cancel their 15th Anniversary concert at Inveraray Castle in June this year due to Covid-19. All tickets purchased will be refunded 100% in the next 10-14 days by the ticket platform Eventbrite. They wanted to move on with positivity, and look to the future with hope and optimism - hence this new recording. The single entitled “Everyday Heroes”, which was arranged, mixed and mastered by Scott Wood of Skerryvore will be released this week on Tyree Records and was written by accordionist and piper Martin Gillespie. Twenty other musicians joined in the recording including players from Mànran (which features accordionist Gary Innes - picture left). Because of the lockdown, the single and video were recorded remotely, in isolation, at various locations. All proceeds will go to the NHS Charities Covid-19 Urgent Appeal and they ask everyone to give it a listen and support this worthy cause. Donation details are on the Skerryvore website. For further details email: info@skerryvore.com |
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Global Accordion Project Orchestra Performance - Worldwideby Alison Worthington |
 Accordionists from around the world come together to form Global Accordion Project Orchestra (GAPO) and give this virtual performance of 'Peace' by Ian Watson.As the world has closed its doors on live music performance, it has created an opportunity to view music in a whole different way. Many performers over the years have used technology for teaching, showing solo/group performances or streaming live orchestras. The accordion world is no exception to this, and from lock down in the UK, Ian Watson (Music Director of the London Accordion Orchestra - LAO), and Sam Cullen (Principal Bass Player) created the “Global Accordion Project Orchestra”. The call was put out on March 21st, a video was posted on the London Accordion Orchestra page, inviting players from around the world to be part of this Virtual orchestra. On April 8th, the premiere was Facebook streamed and added later on You tube. The piece selected was entitled “Peace” by Ian Watson. This piece was selected as the inaugural global project as it was composed by Ian Watson, and he released copyright. It was inspired by his visit to the battlefields of Normandy and the beach landings of WWII. Leaders of the sections: 1st - Julie Luck (UK) 2nd - Marco Rottig (Germany) 3rd - Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) 4th - Kevin Friedrich (USA) Bass - Liz Finch (USA) Principal Percussionist - James Hulme (UK) There were 112 players from 15 different countries that submitted a video or audio file. Players used the LAO's 2017 performance at Union Chapel, as the backing or click track for their personal recordings. Each player's sound has been used, requiring 80 hours of editing to put this all together. What sounds like a simple task, learn an individual part, play the part, and record your part, was not the case for many players. The “behind the scene” photos of the camera and music stand set ups, have been quite creative, and shows the amount of time and effort that was required. Thank you Ian Watson and Sam Cullen from myself, and all players that took part in this exciting experience. If you missed out on being a part of this performance, or simply want to participate again, there will be another global project in May, details to be announced by the LAO. |
Emma Wollum Composes Covid-19 Song “Stay Away From Me” – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
 The New Zealand Police were so impressed with a song by New Zealand accordionist and vocalist Emma Wollum that they posted her video on their Facebook page as part of their NZ Creative Genius series.They wrote: "NZ Creative Genius Emma Wollum from Auckland is an accomplished accordionist, singer and comedian. Here is her brilliant song ‘Stay Away from Me’. You’ll be singing it all day. This is not an easy time, let’s get through it with humour, grace, empathy and a bit of kiwi ingenuity. We are all in this together!" The video is above for you to enjoy. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Brooklyn Accordion Club Zoom Online Meeting - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 You are welcome to join the Brooklyn Accordion Club Quarantined Social and Q & A on Zoom this Sunday, April 12th, 2020 2:00-2:40 (EST).Zoom is an online meeting app that you can download for free and as long as you have a device with camera/mic and internet, you can join the meeting from anywhere in the world! Please email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com with your questions about accordions in general, and other participants will try their best to provide you with an answer or suggestion during the Zoom meeting. To participate in this event, please RSVP by sending an email to: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com A Zoom meeting ID and password will be shared with you upon RSVP. If you are an experienced accordionist, we appreciate your expertise for answering the questions during the meeting. If you are a virtuoso accordionist, and willing to share music via Zoom during the meeting, we greatly appreciate it. This is a pilot program. You are all welcome to join. Stay Well. |
Free Album for WAD - "Harley Plays Gary" eTracks Album Released Online - New Zealandby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
 Harley Plays Gary is a newly released mp3 album of Gary Daverne compositions that Harley Jones has recorded in past years. The recordings include solo, solo with NZ Symphony Orchestra, duet and trio Gary Daverne works. These recordings have been compiled into a new eTracks mp3 album Harley Plays Gary available from major online websites.Free Album to celebrate World Accordion Day (WAD) on 6th May. The new mp3 album courtesy of Gary Daverne and Harley Jones is available free of charge until 7th May by sending your email request to musicforacc.com@yahoo.com For this promotion, a number of other tracks like the Harmonious Blacksmith, Flight of the Bumble Bee, Le Cou Cou are added to this World Accordion Day celebration. View full track information including sound samples at: Harley Plays Gary |
"Day of Harmonica" Cancelled - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 The Austrian government has cancelled all public events until the end of June, 2020.Therefore the Austrian "Day of Harmonica" scheduled to take place in Hinterstoder from May 21st to 24th is cancelled too! |
New CD Release: Giants in the Trees Volume 2by Christine Johnstone |
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 Video: Giants in the Trees - "Center of the Earth" (LIVE Official Video) from their first album.Rock band “Giants in the Trees” have released their second album Giants in the Trees Volume 2 (CD cover above) which includes a collection of ten songs and a lyric booklet. The group includes Krist Novoselic (accordion - picture left), Erik Friend (drums), Ray Prestegard (guitar) and Jillian Raye (bass & vocals). The video above also includes Jennifer Johnson (vocals). They love to create melody and variety in their music and strive for personality within each of their songs. It's fair to recognize some classic Country with the banjo, slide and accordion and their goal is to have as much fun as possible! |
ISME 34th World Conference Cancelled – Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
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 Susan O’Neill (ISME President) and Elina Laakso (Chair, Helsinki 2020 Conference Committee) have announced that the International Society of Music Education (ISME) is cancelling the 34th World Conference that was due to take place in Helsinki, Finland from August 2nd to 7th, 2020. This decision was reached through a unanimous vote of the ISME Board on March 30th, 2020 after consultation with the Helsinki 2020 Conference Team and Uniarts Helsinki.They value their biennial, face-to-face meetings and the opportunities they afford for sharing and discussing scholarship and practice, celebrating music making, and networking both formally and informally with colleagues from around the world. Sadly, as a result of COVID-19 and the travel and economic impact that is happening around the world, it is no longer feasible for ISME to hold an international conference in Helsinki in 2020. However, they are working on plans to reimagine some opportunities for virtual presentations and meetings that will enable them to honour their professional responsibility to share significant research and practice. They will provide more information about their plans for virtual activities as soon as possible. In addition, the ISME Board will be spending the next few months reviewing options for holding the next ISME World Conference in 2022. An announcement will be made to all members as soon as a decision is reached by the Board. |
Future events |
30th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival, California - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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| The 30th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival will be held at La Plaza Park in Cotati, California on August 22nd and 23rd, 2020. The festival is a two-day, multi-cultural, non-profit, multi-generational accordion extravaganza! The event boasts over 40 bands on seven stages including the Jam Tent, Polka/Zydeco, two main stages, Accordion's Apocalypse Stage, Student Stage, and Friar Tuck's Pub. For further information email: info@cotatifest.com |
New and Updated Sites |
World Accordion Day Streaming Programby Harley Jones |
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  The CIA is pleased to welcome you to World Accordion Day (WAD) on the official Coupe Mondiale Facebook streaming platform. Since 2009, each May 6th, the CIA has been promoting World Accordion Day. Our first WAD was held on 6th May 2009, marking the 180th birthday of the accordion - May 6th 1829, the date the accordion was first patented, in Vienna, Austria, by Cyrillius Demien. For 2020, with so much of the world in lockdown and restricted to their homes, the CIA is running a 12 hour WAD show on the Coupe Mondiale Facebook streaming. All recordings, interviews and performances will also be published on the World Accordion Day website and the World Accordion Day China server and local China platforms. The show hosts are CIA former President and currrent CIA Ambassador Kevin Friedrich (USA) and CIA Music Committee Deputy Chairman Grayson Masefield with technical assistance from CIA Public Relations Harley Jones and Accordions Wordwide staff. Broadcast times will be published here and on the WAD website in the next few days. |
New Scandalli Website Now Online - Italyby Elisa Lanari, Scandalli Accordions |
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 While we are at home to fight against the spread of Coronavirus, we have worked hard to finish the new Scandalli website. www.scandalli.comWith great pleasure I would like to inform you, that starting from today, Scandalli are pleased to announce that their new website is now on line!!! We decided to focus on a simple and intuitive website, as well as aesthetically appealing. The new website, available in Italian and English and is also accessible on all mobile devices. The main novelty is the introduction of the “INFO”, section, where you will find: Useful information - useful tips, things to do or not to do in order to keep your instrument perfect over time Maintenance - the main parts that make up the accordion, instructions and solutions to small problems. Warranty extension - form to fill in to request the warranty extension. To stay updated about fairs, new products, events, visit the News Section which will be continuously updated. Happy web surfing! |
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New Article: “Vignettes, Short Pieces for Accordion” Delightful original compositions by Guy Klucevsekby Joan Grauman Morse |
 An article on “Vignettes, Short Pieces for Accordion” by Guy Klucevsek is now available online. Read in detail the review by Joan Grauman about this "delightful and mesmerizing book" containing 24 of Guy Klucevsek’s compositions for accordionists of all skill levels.Full information by Joan Grauman including links to sound samples and purchase online at: VignettesArticle |
Major Changes to the 2020 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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 Updated Site: The NZAA has announced major changes to the 2020 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Championships for Saturday 30 May 2020. The event will not be a public event due to the Covid-19 situation and the number of categories has been reduced to the major South Pacific Accordion Championship categories. The NZ World Accordion Day Concert has also been changed and will now be a video concert without audience. For the South Pacific Championships, the NZAA has booked a small hall, Rose Centre, Devonport, where contestants only will perform without audience, to a small jury. Additionally, the NZAA has also made provision to run these classes digitally by contestants using their phone to video from home if use of the hall is prevented by New Zealand Government Covid-19 regulation. With these plans in place, the competitions will definitely be taking place for these categories and the message by the NZAA to potential entrants is "Keep Practising" as there is definitely going to be a competition. This might be a template for other accordion associations to follow at this difficult time. |
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CD Reviews |
Romano Viazzani Ensemble "London Tango" CD Reviewby Rob Howard |
 Rob Howard has written a CD review on the debut album released last month by the Romano Viazzani Ensemble entitled "London Tango". CD Reviews IndexThe group had planned an album launch concert in London, UK, which has had to be postponed indefinitely because of Covid-19. |
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