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Highlights |
The ‘Deutsche Akkordeon-Musikpreis (DAM)’, Bruschal – Germany
Squeeze & Queen? - Germany, UK
National Accordion Organisation of the UK (NAO) Championships 2012 - UK
2012 South Pacific Entries Closing, 40th NZAA Museum Display – New Zealand
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Hottest New Accordion Product!!!! - USA
Aleksandar Kolovski Performances, Skopje - Macedonia
‘14 Years Ago’ – Another Festival Success for Tom Duncan
Future events |
Clinic, Concert and Roland V-Accordion Festival Auditions, Las Vegas – USA
2012 Texas Folklife Big Squeeze Accordion Competition Semi-Finals and Finals - USA
Victor Prieto Concert, New York - USA
Pearl Fawcett-Adriano @ Guildford Accordion Club, Surrey – UK
Squeezebox Mania V, Texas – USA
Royal Academy of Music (RAM) Accordion Concerts, London – UK
Pascal Contet @ CNIMA J.Mornet, Auvergne - France
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert, New Jersey – USA
World Accordion Day Concert, Philadelphia – USA
VAV’s 10th Anniversary Concert, De Glind – Netherlands
New and Updated Sites |
eTracks MP3 Albums Added Online this Week
The Music of Eugene Ettore Performed by Rita Davidson is Released - USA
CNIMA J.Mornet Website Now in 11 Languages
CD Reviews |
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Highlights |
Third International Festival "Accordion Plus" 2012, Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Elizaveta Sedlova & Anastasia Mogucheva |
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 The third international festival "Accordion Plus" was held in Rostov-on-Don from 31 March to 2nd April. The event featured competitions and concerts and was organized by the International Music Center "Harmony" who have organized many previous concerts with such famous accordionists as Art Van Damme, Alain Musicini, Renzo Ruggieri, Viatcheslav Semionov, Yuri Shishkin and many more.Pictures above: Top, Rostov Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Lower, Alexander Poeluev shaking hands with Krikor Hurdayan, conductor of the Rostov State Folk Orchestra. The crowd for the Opening Concert arrived more than an hour before to enjoy the display of rare antique accordions and new accordions and demonstrations. The Opening concert, with over 1,300 audience, featured Slavko Mitrovic and the Serbian Folk Music Ensemble (photo below). The Russian folk orchestra "Don" under the direction of Krikor Hurdoyan performed with well known soloists Slavko Mitrovic, Alexander Poeluev and Alexey Shalygin. The next day was competitions with many entries. The junior open competition had over 60 entries in the category and competitions ran from 9am to 8 pm with the jury chairman being Alexander Poeluev. At the end of the event, the Oblast Philharmonic held a concert titled "Cinema and Tango". Roberto Molinelli (Italy, conductor) and Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (picture right lower, Italy, bandoneon & accordion) were featured. The concerts halls were full with people standing with the crowd not wanting to let the artists go, with encores and standing ovations. International Music Center "Harmony" President and famous artist, Yuri Shishkin (picture right) made a farewell speech at the most successful 2012 "Accordion Plus". Pictures below: Accordionist Slavko Mitrovic and the Serbian Folk Music Ensemble. Lower, crowd at the display of rare antique accordions. |
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The ‘Deutsche Akkordeon-Musikpreis (DAM)’, Bruschal – Germanyby Harley Jones |
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 The German Accordion Music Prize national competitions (Deutsche Akkordeon-Musikpreis) for accordion solo, duo, trio, chamber music and ensemble (up to 11 instruments) takes place in Bruschal, June 7th to 10th 2012.The event is organized by the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. (DHV) and the participants have already qualified at the state competitions which are open to all German students. The chamber music competitions happens every 3 years. For the first time the competition will take place 2012 in Bruchsal, with its magnificent baroque palace which offers plenty of room for competitions. A brochure about the event (German language) can be downloaded at: 2012Bruschsal As well as competitions there is the Opening Concert by Akkordeonorchester Untergrombach (Director Wolfgang Pfeffer), the group Quadro Nuevo are featured the next night, disco night in a tent with Matthias Matzke, lunch concerts and a musical street party in the city of Bruschsal. For further information email the DHV: info@dhv-ev.de |
Squeeze & Queen? - Germany, UKby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 If you think, you have seen and heard almost everything – well – then you might have thought like myself! Walking up and down at this year’s Frankfurt Musikmesse, I had the pleasure of seeing wonderful new instruments and MIDI equipment, great artists at all accordion stands of the exhibition, but thought I saw something, I had not seen before, or let’s better say “heard” before. Two great young and good looking guys – one of them quite “particularly” dressed – making me lift my eyebrows and the other one, with an accordion quite “glamorously” decorated - hmmm – I say “hmmm” because not really the usual and common! Curiously I stopped and I was right: I had not heard this before….a voice, outstandingly strong peeking out of the large audience, without any amplification, in perfect harmony with the accordion. Picture right with writer in the middle. A very solid musical background for Roman D. Metzner (accordion, vocals) and Aaron Perry (professional classical singer) who have formed a Duo “The Royal Squeeze Box”, enchanting their audience and bringing back to the stage, the memories of the Queens with an homage to the legendary Freddie Mercury. A two man Show of 1 Accordion and 2 vocals replacing a whole rock band, orchestra, choir, being able to perform anywhere at all moments on any stage, from street performances to huge stages! “Living on My Own“ , “Bohemian Rhapsody“ and many others, and not missing of course “We Are the Champions“ - are just the right words for this new and fresh formation, where classic meets pop, where vocal completes the sound of the accordion, where memory meets presence and where dreams meet reality. See them on Frankfurt_Musikmesse_2012_Accordion_Live_Report. www.accordions.com/royalsqueezebox Videos of The Royal Squeeze Box http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=326 (My Bysicle) http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=327 (Bohemian Rhapsody) http://www.accordion-space4u.com/user.aspx?user=5&item=6&id=328 (We are the Champions) Write to them at http://www.royalsqueezebox.de or email: mail@royalsqueezebox.de |
National Accordion Organisation of the UK (NAO) Championships 2012 - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
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| The NAO UK Championships 2012 this year has moved to a new venue – the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. The event is to be held from 27th – 29th April and NAO Chairperson, Anna Bodell is pleased that it has attracted some 250 entries from across the United Kingdom including Orchestras from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. This year, as well as the Instrumental and Music Trade exhibitions, the festival will incorporate the UK Qualifying sections for the CIA Coupe Mondiale 2012 to be held in Spoleto Italy in August, the National Finals of the Roland V Competition in conjunction with Roland UK in which the UK Representative for the 6th International Roland competition will be selected, the NAO Composers’ Competition as well as the diverse Solo, Duo and Ensembles categories which go to make up this renowned UK competition. Saturday will also feature the traditional Scottish Celidh and Annual General Meeting of the Organisation. International guests include Pietro Adragna (picture middle, Italy), the current CIA Digital and CIA Virtuoso Entertainment Champion as well as 5th International Roland Champion, Julien ‘Speedy’ Gonzales (picture top, France) himself a Past Solo and Ensemble CIA Champion and Antonio Spaccarotella (picture lower), former winner of Castelfidardo Variete category and university tutor. For further information email: naouk@btinternet.com |
2012 South Pacific Entries Closing, 40th NZAA Museum Display – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 Entries close on April 15th for the 2012 South Pacific Accordion Championships & Festival, held in Auckland on Saturday June 2nd and Sunday June 3rd 2012. Download the 2012 NZ Prospectus.There are various solo categories for international competitors and festival performances available for all types of accordion combinations including orchestras with very appreciative audiences. The outstanding Raye Freedman Arts Centre is a venue that is ideally suited, with excellent acoustics, lighting and all its ‘state of the art’ facilities under one roof. The NZAA also wish to publicise the opening of the superb museum exhibition 'From Wakefield to Masefield'. This is the history of the accordion in New Zealand, from 1839 when explorer and accordionist Edward Wakefield arrived in New Zealand, to Grayson Masefield becoming the first New Zealander to win the coveted Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships title. The display was created by Kevin Friedrich to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA). The display includes historical information and displays of 40 years of NZAA activities, and compliments the permanent historical accordion display titled 'Accordion Gems - A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time' at the Dargaville Museum. A busload of accordionists from Auckland visited the Grand Opening, and among the attendees were many who had been significant contributors to the success of the NZAA during the 40 years of history. The Ribbon Cutting opening was conducted by NZAA President Sonja Palinich and NZAA founding member Marie Jones. The VIP opening was hosted by curator Kevin Friedrich, and attended by His Worship the Mayor and Mayoress of the Kaipara District Neil and Catherine Tiller, past President John Statham and Harley Jones – Public Relations Manager Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes, IMC-UNESCO as well as many invited guests. The exhibition will run through November 2012. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Ascoltate 2012, Kaunas - Lithuaniaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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 Photo above: top row is the competition winners, lower row the jury.lower photo is duet winners Gytis Kaušius and Egle Bartkeviciute (Lithuania). From April 3rd to 5th the international accordion competition ‘Ascoltate’ was held, for the 10th time, in Kaunas, Lithuania. In various categories (solo for classical and entertainment, duo, ensemble, orchestra and chamber music) candidates from 7 countries - Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina - faced an international jury consisting of K. Stonkus, E. Gabnys (Lithuania), H. Scheibenreif (Austria), D. Rakic (Bosnia-Hercegovina), V. Pligovka (Belarus) and S. Kacans (Latvia). In particular the younger participants performed with much devotion and enthusiasm, and the level of their presentations was really astonishing, and in addition the programs (usually a polyphonic work, an original and a virtuoso piece) were played exclusively by heart. The winner of each category was rewarded the ‘Grand Prix’, which had to be divided in the highest category: both V. Bendas (Ukraine) and S. Petuch (Belarus) charmed both jury and public by their presentations. In an evening concert Vladislav Pligovka (picture right), winner of several international competitions, showed his outstanding abilities not only as a classical accordionist but also on the musette accordion. All in all, M. Labanauskas and G. Lukošiene as organizers of ‘Ascoltate 2012’ were delighted about the huge success of their event. Grand prix winners ‘Ascolate 2012’: A1 Faustas Labanauskas (picture right lower, Lithuania) A2 Ignat Guliuta (Belarus) A3 Lukasz Filipiuk (Poland) A4 Gytis Kaušius (Lithuania) A5 Siniša Ljubojevic (Bosnia and Hercegovina) A6 Vasyl Bendas (Ukraine) and Stanislav Petuch (Belarus) B3 Vilius Mažeika (Lithuania) B4 Egle Bartkeviciute (Lithuania) B6 Jevgenij Vashilo (Belarus) C1 accordion duet Gytis Kaušius and Egle Bartkeviciute (picture above, Lithuania) E accordion orchestra ‘Grand accordeon’ (Ukraine) In the autumn 2014 the Trophée Mondial of the CMA will take place in Kaunas. For further information email: herbert@accordion-cd.co.at |
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Hottest New Accordion Product!!!! - USAby Harley Jones |
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| Quirky of New York, USA, has designed a collapsable accordion toaster what can save precious counter space. Like the accordion bellows, it can be squeezed down to a mere 2.5-inches wide so it's easy to store. See pictures above. With the toaster fully expanded you get your standard pair of toasting slots big enough to handle even bagels. Is there a failsafe to stop the toaster being used in the closed position? If not, it could well become one super hot accordion product, if turned on while closed! Another new product is the gama-go.com accordion file (pictured right). The company text reads: "Bring Harmony to your filing with the Accordion File! This letter-sized accordion folder puts a melodic spin on an office classic." Who would have thought of "melodic spin" text! |
Aleksandar Kolovski Performances, Skopje - Macedoniaby Harley Jones |
 Aleksandar Kolovski, born 1990 in Skopje, Macedonia, has had a number of competition successes in the last two years. Aleksandar Kolovski? has enjoyed several high profile concerts in Skopje, including the 65th IASTE Conference, the opening of a new French Institute, and for the Macedonian Olympic Committee. During the latter concert, Aleksandar was introduced to the the President of Macedonia George Ivanov and the Macedonian Minister for Culture Elizabeta Kanceska–Milevska, who congratulated him on his international competition successes in 2011 and offered assistance for his future competition plans. For further information email: akolovski@yahoo.com |
‘14 Years Ago’ – Another Festival Success for Tom Duncanby Rob Howard |
| The Accordions Worldwide news for April 10th 1998 included a report on the recent accordion festival in Blackpool, organized by Tom Duncan. One of the British accordion scene’s great unsung yet most prolific festival organizers, Tom Duncan, a retired Police Chief Superintendent, presented many top national and international accordionists at his festivals, such as Frank Marocco, Peter Soave, Barbara Ann Martindale, Gervasio Marcosignori, Jorgen Sundeqvist, Oivind Farmen, David Lukins, Dermot O’Brien, Seamus Shannon, and many more. INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION FESTIVAL - ENGLAND Contributed by David Batty The International Accordion Festival was held from March 26th to 30th at Pontins Holiday Centre, Lytham St Annes, Blackpool, Lancashire, England. There was a great variety of accordion entertainment including Steve Roxton (Jersey) who also demonstrated the accordion at Trade stalls. Barbara Ann Martindale (Canada) played a selection of classical pieces and presented a master class. Also performing were The Alexander Brothers, Alexander Korbakov (Russia), Roberto Enzo (Italy), Johnny Duncan and various accordion orchestras. Gary Blair (Scotland) with his ceilidh dance band provided dance music every evening. George Hicks organised a buskers workshop and the accordion auction included the sale of a 156-year-old instrument. |
Future events |
Baillies Mills Accordion Band Concert, Northern Ireland - UKby Harley Jones |
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| The Baillies Mills Accordion Band perform in concert with the local Harmony Ladies Choir on April 14th, at the Island Hall, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. The local choir will be joined by German Choir FrauenTerz from Ladenburg, Germany. The Baillies Mills Accordion Band, from Cargycroy, Lisburn, County Antrim, was founded in June 1939 to provide music for a fete. The band was formed by four local brothers named Campbell, aided by the local families of Patterson, Hilland, Pettigrew and Mackin, each of whom had two members each in the band. By 1977 band funds were so low that a meeting was called to discuss the seriousness of the situation, and it was agreed that a concert should be planned, to be held in Carryduff Unionist Hall in February, 1978. This concert was so successful that it continues annually to the present day, now held in Ballynahinch Leisure Centre every November. To celebrate its 60th birthday in 1999 the Baillies Mills Band played at the Belfast Waterfront before a capacity audience, with several supporting artists. They returned again to the Waterfront to celebrate 70 years in existence, in 2009. Since 1978 the Band has made 5 albums and a DVD which recorded the Band's visit to Bergen, Norway, in 2010. Other visits include 4 trips to Scotland, and shorter tours for weekends to Fermanagh, and several locations in Donegal. In November, 9th to 11th, the Baillies Mills Accordion Band will visit London, and will perform in The Lord Mayor’s Show. Informaiton: bailliesmills.com |
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Clinic, Concert and Roland V-Accordion Festival Auditions, Las Vegas – USAby Rob Howard |
 On April 13th and 14th, Southern Nevada Music, 1881 S. Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146 is the venue for a Clinic, Concert and V-Accordion Festival auditions, with Steve Albini and Tatiana Semicahastnaya. The time schedule includes: April 13th, 2pm until 6pm - V-Accordion clinic and V-Accordion Festival competition auditions April 14th, 1pm until 5pm - Concert and V-Accordion Festival competition auditions The Roland-USA V-Accordion Festival finals will be held on Sept. 29 in Los Angeles, CA. For information regarding the Roland-USA V-Accordion Festival please visit: http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-accordion_festival/ or email: steven.albini@rolandus.com |
2012 Texas Folklife Big Squeeze Accordion Competition Semi-Finals and Finals - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
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| Texas Folklife is pleased to announce the names of the eight young squeezeboxers who will advance to the semifinal stage of the sixth annual Big Squeeze accordion contest: Peter Anzaldua, 15, of Brownsville; Candice Cerda, 17, of San Benito; Omar Garza, 17, of Mission; Luis Gonzales, 16, of Grand Prairie; Zeth Lara, 12, of San Benito; Juan Longoria III, 11, of Brownsville (son of 2007 champion!); Michael Ramos, 16, of Dallas; Isaiah Tellez, 13, of Pasadena. The Big Squeeze 2012 semifinals for up-and-coming musicians will be held in Austin at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Saturday, April 28. Emceeing this year’s semifinals contest will be Joe Nick Patoski, iconic Texas author and Texas Folklife’s emcee for the annual Accordion Kings & Queens Festival. Each semifinalist will play two songs and the judges will choose up to four finalists afterward. Finalists will then compete before the large, enthusiastic audience of accordion fans at the Accordion Kings & Queens Festival on June 2. This is the 23rd annual "Accordion Kings & Queens," and it just might be the very best, ever! So put on your dancing shoes and bring your friends, family and a picnic to Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston for the best, free squeezefest on the planet! The finals and the Accordion Kings and Queens Festival is on 2nd June. For further information, email: info@texasfolklife.org |
Victor Prieto Concert, New York - USAby Rob Howard |
| Jazz accordionist Victor Prieto, with Chris Cheek (sax), Peter Slavov (bass) and Fernenc Nemeth (drums), performs at Terraza 7, 40-19 Gleane St, Elmhurst, New York 11373, on April 19th, 9.30pm. For further information email: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
Pearl Fawcett-Adriano @ Guildford Accordion Club, Surrey – UKby Rob Howard |
 Pearl Fawcett-Adriano is in concert at Guildford Accordion Club on Friday April 20th, 7.30pm. Guildford AC, formed in 1990, meets at Ripley Village Hall, High St, Surrey GU23 6AF.For further information email: myra@guildford-accordion-club.org.uk 8 CD's available at Pearl Fawcett-Adriano |
Squeezebox Mania V, Texas – USAby Rob Howard |
 Grammy Winners Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox present Accordion Masters and Maniacs from around the world at Squeezebox Mania V on Saturday April 21st. This year's all day, cross-genre accordion festival will take place at Jovitas, 1619 South 1st Street, Austin, TX 78704. Patio stage runs from 5-8 pm, featuring Johnny Degollado y su Conjunto, Shawn Nelson and the Ramblers, the University of Texas Conjunto, plus many more of Austin's top squeezebox players. The 8 pm indoor show will feature Texas Accordion Kings, Santiago Jimenez Jr. & Chris Rybak, Debra Peters, Charles Thibodeaux, plus special performances by Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox. For further information email: squeezeboxmaniausa@gmail.com |
Royal Academy of Music (RAM) Accordion Concerts, London – UKby Rob Howard |
  Ksenija Sidorova and Stefan Ciric's Easter concert at the Royal Academy of Music on Sunday, 15 April at 6pm. Tickets £15 (concessions £12.5) from the RAM's Box Office 020 7873 7300On Tuesday April 24th at 7.30pm in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall, Royal Academy of Music, students will perform music featuring accordion, including works by Sofia Gubaidulina, JS Bach, Franck, Yuji Takahashi and Mozart. Tickets £7 (concessions £5) from the RAM's Box Office 020 7873 7300 For further information email: K.INGRAM@ram.ac.uk |
Pascal Contet @ CNIMA J.Mornet, Auvergne - Franceby Rob Howard |
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 Pascal Contet leads an accordion course at CNIMA J.Mornet, Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne, central France, April 23rd to 25th. He concludes the course by performing in concert at the church in La Bourboule, near Saint-Sauves, on Wednesday April 25th.For further information email: pascalcontet@wanadoo.fr |
Accordion Pops Orchestra Concert, New Jersey – USAby Rob Howard |
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| The Accordion Pops Orchestra (MD Al Terzo) perform in concert in aid of the Bergenfield Ambulance Corps on Sunday April 29th, 2pm, at Bergenfield High School, 80 S. Prospect Ave, Bergenfield, New Jersey. For further information email: webmaster@accordionpops.com |
World Accordion Day Concert, Philadelphia – USAby Rob Howard |
 A World Accordion Day concert takes place on May 6th, 2pm until 4pm, at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6500 Tabor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Various players will perform.For further information email: thomasgroeber@hotmail.com |
VAV’s 10th Anniversary Concert, De Glind – Netherlandsby Rob Howard |
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| The accordion orchestra Velpse Accordeon Vereniging (VAV) celebrate their 10th anniversary on May 12th, 7.30pm, with a concert at Dorpshuis De Glindster, de Rudolphlaan 2, De Glind. Also appearing will be the RAC from Bennekom and AVO from Oosterbeek. |
New and Updated Sites |
eTracks MP3 Albums by Franco Cambareri Now Online – Internationalby Harley Jones |
 The eTracks part of the MusicForAccordion.com website starts its 2nd week and has already grown to over 730 MP3 tracks available. Priced at only € 0.70 a track with most albums costing € 8.00 or less its great value.New Albums this week are: 2 albums by Franco Cambareri Mystique A La Francois |
eTracks MP3 Albums Added Online this Weekby Harley Jones |
  New eTracks MP3 Albums have been added this week:Yuri Shishkin has now 6 eTracks MP3 albums online. Friedrich Lips now has 22 eTracks MP3 albums online. Now over 730 eTracks MP3 available of all types of music from only € 0.70 for each track. Its great value. The advantage of eTracks is that you can download the MP3 files to your computer or other sound device such as ipod, iphone etc. You can purchase the sound files individually or as an album for a special price. There are no postage costs or delivery charges. You are sent the download code within 24 hours. |
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The Music of Eugene Ettore Performed by Rita Davidson is Released - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea |
 A new eTracks Rita Davidson Album titled "The Music of Eugene Ettore" has been released. This coincides with the 90th anniversary of the birth of Eugene Ettore (1921-1985).Rita Davidson writes: “For the first time, the music of Eugene Ettore is available worldwide to accordionists. As you listen to these virtuoso selections, you will realize the great value and musical contribution that he made to accordion repertoire.” Click Rita Davidson Album to read the tracks list and hear sound samples. |
CNIMA J.Mornet Website Now in 11 Languagesby Jacques Mornet |
 The CNIMA J.Mornet website has now been updated into 11 different languages. View the updated list of seminars, available with full board. |
CD Reviews |
Grayson Masefield eTracks MP3 Album Reviewby Joan C. Sommers |
 CD Reviews Index for the Review of Grayson Masefield Etracks MP3 Album, English, reviewed by Prof Joan Sommers. |
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