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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=24-May-2013&lang=fr&s=7175
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=24-May-2013&lang=fr&s=7175
24-May-2013
by Rob Howard
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 This year’s ‘Accordions at the Castle’ festival, organised by Heather Smith, took place from May 12th to 17th at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool. It is fair comment to say that a great time was had by all!The opening concert, featuring Harry Hussey, Rosemary Wright, Murray Grainger & Alan Shute (accordina), Bert Santilly, Ray Burgon, Rob Howard, Heather Smith & Geoff Cook (sax), set the tone for the week, which was lively and all-action! The festival guests - Giancarlo Caporilli (Italy), Stefan Andrusyschyn (accordion) & Denise Leigh (soprano), David Vernon (accordion, bagpipes, Scotland), Gennaro Ruffolo (MusicTech midi accordion, Italy), Harry Hussey, Roy Hendrie (accordion with midi) & Dave Morrice (fiddle, Scotland), Rosemary Wright, and Bert Santilly - all performed brilliantly in their respective concerts. Roy Hendrie & Dave Morrice played for Scottish dancing several times. The orchestral workshops are at the heart of accordion festivals, and all the daily practice was heard to good effect in the final concert. The Buskers Band, led by Bert Santilly, opened by storming through several medleys of such fare as Lady is a Tramp, Limehouse Blues, Sweet Georgia Brown, Scotland the Brave, etc. The Intermediate Orchestra (MD Brian Jenkins) played the TV themes Last of the Summer Wine, Allo Allo, and Dad's Army. The Elementary Orchestra (MD Rosemary Wright). played Te Deum (Charpentier) and Tie a Yellow Ribbon. The Vintage Band played Anchors Aweigh, Donauwellen, Chasing Rainbows and Hear My Song Violetta, and the Swing Band played Charmaine, Amigo, Jersey Bounce and Zambezi. The trade show featured the Birmingham Accordion Centre, The Music Room (Cleckheaton), Limex (Roy Hendrie), Robaccord Publications (Rob Howard), and the Accordina stall (Alan Shute). Caroline Hunt was present with an eye-catching display of her antique accordions and memorabilia. Giancarlo Caporilli and Gennaro Ruffolo gave some amazing impromptu demonstrations of some of the antique accordions, such as the Tiger Combo Cordion and the Uniform Keyboard. There was also an organ/keyboard festival taking place in the hotel, ensuring that music was everywhere, day and night. Friday came, and it was all over…until the next time. For further information email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk |