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Highlights |
AAA Festival 2019, July 17 - 21, Pennsylvania - USAby Harley Jones |
The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) presents Festival 2019 from July 17 - 21 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort (Radisson Hotel) in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Guest artists include: Petar Maric, Michael Bridge, Sam Reider, Mario Tacca & Mary Mancini, Vesna Mihonovic (guest conductor), Joseph A. Natoli, Rachel Quirbach, Dr Robert Young McMahan, sure to make the AAA Festival 2019 an exciting musical event. Other activities include: Workshops, Junior and Senior Festival Orchestras, Carrozza Scholarship, Youth involvement Jazz Ensemble. For additional information, visit online at: 2019AAAFestival Also at 2019AAAFestival is the website link to Hotel Reservations. |
2019 Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival Success - Finlandby Harley Jones |
We are pleased to announce that for the second time in the Kokkola Winter Harmony, the recognition of the best European festivals, EFFE Label, was awarded for the years 2019–2020. The 21st Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival that ended on Sunday, February 17th was a huge week. "This year, the audience was about 5300", Artistic Director Raimo Vertainen says proudly, "a spectacular figure for an event during the very very cold Finland winter." Every day there were some free public events and top concerts for all ages including the young accordion virtuoso of our region. Different styles and types of music attracting more young people than ever to the many excellent concerts and musical events." Guest artists include Giorgio Dellarole (Italy), Oivind Farmen (Norway), Lars Karlsson (Sweden) and Esse Quintet (Russia), Trio Fratres, other artists listed on the posters as well as well known Finnish artists and orchestras. Download posters: 2019Kokkola.pdf "On Friday YLE broadcast a concert with the Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra, premiere of Veli Kujala's accordion concerto with soloist Petteri Waris and on Saturday Guardia Nueva performed to great acclaim. Thank you to the audience, performers, supporters and friends for this success. Now is the time to rest for a little and then begin work towards 9-16 February 2020." |
Foster and Allen Concert Tour of Scotland and Northern Englandby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Foster & Allen featuring Shayne Ward - Galway Girl Foster & Allen will tour Scotland and Northern England from March 13th to 30th, 2019. The Irish folk music duo are stars across the globe, having 30 new-release charting albums over a 40-year career, the only act in the world to do so. The story of Foster & Allen began back in the seventies when they were playing in country music bands around Ireland. In 1975 they got together a small group and went over to the UK to work the Irish music venues on a short tour. At the end of 1978 they released the single “A Bunch of Thyme” in Ireland, which entered the Irish charts and became their first top-selling No. 1 single. It stayed in the Irish Charts for 40 consecutive weeks, re-entering for a further 13 weeks. To date Foster & Allen have achieved album and video sales in excess of 20 million worldwide. Foster & Allen’s style and easy listening sound remains ever popular, especially the live concerts. March Concert dates: 13 Gaiety Theatre AYR 01 292 288235 14 Webster Memorial Theatre ARBROATH 01 241 435800 15 Motherwell Concert Hall MOTHERWELL 01 698 403120 16 The Maltings BERWICK-ON-TWEED 01 289 330999 17 The Sands Centre CARLISLE 01 228 633766 18 FTH Theatre FALKIRK 01 324 506850 19 Perth Concert Hall PERTH 01 738 621 031 20 Carnegie Hall DUNFERMLINE 01 383 602302 21 Howden Park Centre LIVINGSTON 01 506 340700 22 Elgin Town Hall ELGIN 01 343 543778 23 The Tivoli Theatre ABERDEEN 01 224 641 122 24 Eden Court Theatre INVERNESS 01 463 234234 26 The Barrowland Ballroom GLASGOW 0141 552 4601 27 The Grand Theatre LEEDS 08 44 848 2700 28 The Grand LANCASTER 01 524 64695 29 Thwaites Empire Theatre BLACKBURN 01 254 685500 30 The Civic Theatre ROTHERHAM 01 709 823621 |
First International Competition for Accordionists “Vivakordeon” – Bulgariaby Christine Johnstone |
The First International Competition for accordionists “Vivakordeon” will be held in the halls of the Bulgaria Concert Complex, 1 Aksakov Street, Sofia from April 5th to 7th. The event, which is founded by Daniela Dikova with Bulgarian accordionist Krassimir Sterev (both from the Ardenza Foundation), is for amateur accordionists and accordionists with professional orientation up to the age of 19 and aims to encourage all those whose dedication to the accordion is an expression of their love for music making. The international jury will comprise of well-known musical pedagogues from various countries and will award the Grand Prize of the “Vivakordeon”. The winner will be invited to perform at the Vivapiano Gala concert which will be held on April 7th. Applications close on 20th March 2019. Rules and entry information in Russian and English at: 2019Vivakordeon.pdf |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Video: Duet Evgenia Chirkova and Artem Malkhasyanby Harley Jones |
Concert at the Lyceum of Arts "St. Petersburg" by Duet Evgenia Chirkova and Artem Malkhasyan. Video published on Jan 13, 2019 |
James Crabb at 2019 International Chamber Music Festival – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
Scottish born accordionist, James Crabb performed at the 2019 International Chamber Music Festival held at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts in Nelson, South Island of New Zealand from January 31st to February 9th. The concert was entitled “Swedish Fantasy” and his program included Swedish composer Torbjörn Lundquist's saucy and jazzy 'Bewegungen' for accordion and string quartet and Schubert's A Major Duo for violin and piano with its soaring opening melody and lively teasing Scherzo. James Crabb was professor of classical accordion at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen, from 1995-2010 and held a long-standing guest professorship at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria. He is currently artistic director of the Four Winds music organisation and festival in Australia. Crabb has performed as soloist with many orchestras including BBC Symphony, BBC Scottish, Sydney and Melbourne Symphonies, London Philharmonic and London Symphony. |
Video: Quinteto Versatilis and Fernando Ávila Perform Cynthia - Brazilby Harley Jones |
Quinteto Versatilis and Fernando Ávila performs the Frank Marocco's composition, Cynthia named after one of his daughters. Fernando Ávila is an accordion player, composer and accordion teacher. In 2016, he graduated in the Bachelor's degree in music – Habilitation Popular Music – at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil where he is currently a student of the graduate program in music, working towards his master's degree in the area of musicology/ Ethnomusicology. He continues his accordion studies with Professor Oscar dos Reis. |
Concert and Masterclass with Giorgio Dellarole – Swedenby Christine Johnstone |
Italian accordionist Professor Giorgio Dellarole gave a concert and masterclass at Härnösand Folk School in Härnösand, Sweden this week. The event attracted students from all over the country and covered Baroque interpretations with performances of works by Bach, Scarlatti and Fescobaldi. Giorgio will now travel to Parma, Italy to give another masterclass next week. For details email: info@giorgiodellarole.com |
New Douglas Ward Compositions Now Online - UKby Anna Bodell of Charnwood Publications |
Two new works have been released by well known UK composer and performer Douglas Ward, published by Charnwood Publishing. DW952 Clown in a Pickle DW953 Horseplay Released two weeks ago were: DW950 Backstage Waltz DW951 Conundrum Douglas Ward is now listing over 80 compositions and arrangements of eSheet and printed music available from Charnwood Publishing Douglas Ward. Sample music pages online. Purchase with credit card online. |
Accordionist Wanted in Preston – UKby Christine Johnstone |
An experienced accordionist is wanted for a band in the Preston and Fylde areas. The group currently consists of a bass player and female lead singer. They both love the sound and feel of the accordion and believe it would enrich the material they want to perform. The group have also advertised for a lead guitarist too. They play an eclectic blend of Americana/Folk/Blues and Jazz (Jazz swing & some Gypsy swing). If you are interested please email: prodigalannie@gmail.com |
Future events |
Accordionist Karen Tweed Concerts and Workshops – UKby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionist Karen Tweed will tour England this month as follows: 21st February: concert in Bristol - email: info@newroombristol.org.uk 22nd February: concert at the Cambridge Folk Club in Cambridge - phone: +44 (0) 16 38 603986 23rd February: accordion workshop at Cambridge Folk Club in Cambridge which will cover playing and arranging tunes from Orkney, Scandinavia and Ireland. 24th February: concert at Carberry's Café in Norwich – email: earache-pulse@hotmail.co.uk 25th February: concert at the Croydon Folk Club in Croydon, Surrey – phone: 020 866 0 5919 27th February: concert at The Dragon Inn, Worcester with guests 'Monkwood Green Trio' email: a.rothery001@gmail.com or karenstweed27@gmail.com Karen Tweed has released 7 CD’s and gives private accordion lessons as well as teaching accordion performance skills, ensemble arranging and composition. She also assists duos and ensembles to sharpen their performance and arranging skills. |
Zweifel Brothers Band Entertains - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Zweifel Brothers Band will entertain at the Milwaukee Accordion Club meeting on February 25th at Knights of Columbus Hall in Milwaukee. Brothers Keith and Mike play a variety of polkas, foxtrots and waltzes, plus ballroom type variety music. They have played together for 54 years, both as a band called “Stateline Playboys” who played country and rock music, before becoming the Zweifel Brothers. For further details email: skylinerguy@gmail.com |
Cobargo Folk Festival 2019 – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Skerryvore perform "The Rut", accordionist Daniel Gillespie. The Cobargo Folk Festival 2019 will take place at the Cobargo Show Grounds, Bermagui Road in Cobargo, New South Wales from March 1st to 3rd. The event promises a great line-up of artists including accordionist Sharon Shannon (picture left) from Ireland who plays a mix of traditional Irish with reggae, country, First Nation American, bluegrass, rap, dance, African and French Canadian pieces. Twice winners of Scotland’s Traditional Music ‘Live Act of the Year’ Award (2016 & 2011) is the band “Skerryvore” with accordionist Daniel Gillespie (picture right). This group plays a unique fusion of folk, rock and Americana pieces that represents all the different personalities and upbringing of the 8 band members who come from different regions of Scotland. Accordionist Emily-Rose Šárkova is a member of the ensemble “Chaika” (picture below) that performs uniquely original compositions and re-imaginings of traditional songs. They are influenced by a range of musical genres from contemporary jazz to the Balkans. For further festival details email: info@cobargofolkfestival.com |
Annual Grand Variety Concert – Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
The Royal Meath Accordion Orchestra will hold their Grand Variety Concert 2019 in St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda, on March 2nd 2019. This year’s concert will feature a wide variety of young talent from all over Ireland and some international guests including traditional musicians from the Dundalk Institute of Technology (Dundalk), the Chapel Street Band (Slane), contemporary and Irish traditional dancers and the Fabulous Maguire Family (from Wicklow) who have performed all over the world and were special guest performers at last year’s concert. In addition there will be recitals from the Royal Meath Accordion Beginner and Intermediate Orchestras. The night promises to be “one not to be missed”. For further details email Gerry Kelly: royalmeathao16@gmail.com |
Sunday Lunch Tango Concert – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
The Romano Viazzani Ensemble will entertain at the historic Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho, London on March 10th. The event is a lunchtime Tango performance and the ensemble will give a sneak preview of some of their new compositions to be featured on their future album “London Tango” along with some Piazzolla works and traditional tango too. Patrons can enjoy their lunchtime pizza while listening to the ensemble which includes Romano Viazzani (accordion), Corinna Hentschel (violin), Yaron Stavi (double bass), Jonathan Preiss (electric guitar), John Bailey (piano) and vocalists Joanna Strand & Jacqui Tate. For further details phone: 020 7439 4962 |
CNIMA Workshops - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix will hold two workshops from April 15th to 19th: The first is “The melody (secrets of interpretation)” by Jacques Mornet (picture left) which will cover how to give life to the notes and to ensure that the musical discourse suggests a dialogue, provokes emotion, and brings joy to the interpreter and the listener. The second workshop is “Chamber music with accordion” by Christine Rossi (picture right) for examination, a competition or just for fun, you prepare a chamber music piece? Christine Rossi is considered one of the important performers of classical and contemporary accordion as well as an outstanding teacher. During these courses, participants will be able to attend concerts, accordion exhibitions and demonstrations. For details email: cnima@wanadoo.fr |
Frédéric Deschamps International Masterclass at NAO Championships – UKby Christine Johnstone |
Renowned French teacher Frédéric Deschamps will give an International masterclass at the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (NAO) UK accordion championships which will be held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool from April 26th to 28th, 2019. You can download from the NAO site the: Adelphi Hotel Booking Form Online UK Championship Entry Form Online UK Championship International Entry Form This year’s festival will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Organisation. The website also has some of the NAO's history, from the first Accordion Day in 1935, the formation of the NAO in 1949, the hosting of 5 CIA Coupe Mondiale World Competitions …… Part of the competitions will feature the CIA Qualifications for the forthcoming 72nd Coupe Mondiale to be held in Shenzhen, China. For further details email: naouk@btinternet.com |
1st International Accordion Competition in Montceau-les-Mines – Franceby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
The 1st International Accordion Competition Montceau-les-Mines will be held from 11th to 14th July at the Montceau-les-Mines Town Hall in the city of Montceau-les-Mines. The competition is open to all age groups and all accordion systems (button and piano). Categories include classical soloist, contemporary soloist, pop music soloist plus accordion groups and accordion with other instruments. There will also be a special category “City of Montceau-Les-Mines Prize” for competitors who have achieved a high level of performance and musical excellence. The winner in each category will receive a trophy plus a monetary prize. There is no charge for the public to attend the competition performances. Registrations close on May 30th, 2019. Competition Rules and Entry form at: 2019Montceau.pdf For further details email: ecoledemusique@montceaulesmines.fr |
International Summer Course and Accordion Orchestra Course - Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
The Agora association, founded by Marie-Andrée Joerger, Vincent Lhermet and Sylvain Tissot aims at promoting the accordion and helping young accordionists to deepen their instrumental, musical and language skills by meeting international teachers and artists of the highest level. The organisation runs masterclasses, concerts, seminars and other pedagogical projects throughout each year for accordionists of all ages and all abilities. The languages of instruction are English, French and German. This year’s courses include an International Summer Course and International Accordion Orchestra Course. Both will be held from August 5th to 9th at the Gartenhaus beim Hotel Hari, in Adelboden (CH). The courses will include individual tuition, group tuition, specialised movements and leisure activities, with a final concert on August 9th which will include guest performers. Tutors include accordion professors Marie-Andrée Joerger (picture left) and Vincent Lhermet (picture right), Bjarke Mogensen, Céline Rivoal and Sylvain Tissot, The deadline for applications is May 30th, 2019. For further information email: rencontres.agora@gmail.com |
New and Updated Sites |
Site Updated: 2019 Coupe Mondiale Entry System Goes Live, Shenzhen - Chinaby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
Site Updated: CIA Secretary General Kimmo Mattila announces that the 2019 Coupe Mondiale online entry system is now open for entries to the 72nd Coupe Mondiale from the 2019 General Competition Rules page: 2019CM-Rules CIA President Mirco Patarini invites all (41) CIA members to register delegates to the 142nd International Congress of Delegates which meets twice in Shenzhen. President Patarini invites competitors from all nations to please lodge their entries and praised the generous China/Shenzhen Government sponsorship which has afforded the opportunity to award 50 contestant subsidies towards airfare and free room and board. Subsidy applications must be received by 20 May 2019 so make your application today!! The 72nd Coupe Mondiale will be held from 12-17 August, 2019 in Shenzhen, China hosted by The Accordion Association of Chinese Musicians' Association (CAA). President Li Cong and his Organising Committee (picture below) welcomes everyone to enjoy famous Chinese hospitality and wonderful music in the modern Xixiang Music Valley facility in Shenzhen. The festival will feature competitions as follows: • 71st Coupe Mondiale • Masters Coupe Mondiale • Junior Coupe Mondiale • International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Junior International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Chamber Music - Classical • Chamber Music - World Music Entry closing date is 30th June 2019 and all entry and hotel information is online at: Coupe Mondiale |
New Compositions by Franco Cambareri - Australiaby Franco Cambareri |
Three new compositions by Franco Cambareri of Australia have been released. cfranco238 - A Bumbling Bee cfranco239 - Spicy Salsa cfranco240 - Blu Dolphin View sample page online, pdf format music sent to purchaser by email. |
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