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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=24-May-2019&lang=en&s=15460
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=24-May-2019&lang=en&s=15460
24-May-2019
Joyce Davis, Long Time UMKC Accordionist Passes Away - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
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 Joyce Christine Davis (1955 – 2019)The University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Accordion family recently lost one of their longest-term players, Joyce Davis. Joyce Christine Davis, 63, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on May 2, 2019 after a short illness. Joyce was born August 7, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the only daughter of Lawrence and Zelma Davis. She had three brothers, Larry, Gary and Ronnie. Joyce had just retired from a 31-year career working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a department of the United States Federal Government. After beginning accordion lessons in Kansas City with Cecil Cochran when she was eight years old, Joyce continued with Joan Cochran Sommers throughout her advanced studies, receiving her Bachelor of Music in Accordion Performance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Music in 1978. Joyce was a member of the renowned UMKC Accordion Orchestra for many decades playing accordion parts, as well as being entrusted with the bass accordion and elektronium parts. After the 50th anniversary and retirement of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra in 2011, Joyce continued to play bass accordion in the UMKC Chamber Accordion Ensemble. In addition to the 1975 International Accordion Symposium held by Joseph Macerollo at the University of Toronto, Joyce attended many major accordion conventions throughout the United States. Joyce performed with her fellow UMKC colleagues including Jody Gillis on his senior recital and was one of the soloists performing the Bach/Vivaldi Concerto in A minor with the UMKC Symphony Orchestra alongside Jeff Lisenby, Robert (Bob) Sattler and Karen Fremar. Joyce participated in the International tours of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra to Europe (Germany, Switzerland and Austria - 1979), the United Kingdom (England and Scotland - 1987), Russia and Scandinavia (Stockholm, Moscow, Leningrad, Tallinn and Copenhagen - 1989) and New Zealand and Australia (1994). She also participated in accordion competitions and concerts throughout the United States. She most recently performed with the UMKC Chamber Accordion Ensemble at the 2018 80th Anniversary of the American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) in Alexandria, VA (Washington, DC). For her graduation from the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), Joyce’s Senior Concert Recital on April 29, 1978, included: Sonata in D Major and Sonata in G Major by Antonio Soler, Sonata No. 1 (in one movement) by William Kuehl, Divertissement pour Accordeon (Serenade and Gigue et Cortege) by Wolfgang Jacobi, Sonata for Two (Allegro guisto and Finale) by George Fiala with Ron Dake - Soprano Saxophone, Rhapsody by Janis Medins and Polonaise in E Major by Franz Liszt, arr. Anthony Galla-Rini. In addition to her active participation in the various UMKC Accordion performance groups throughout her career, Joyce had her own private accordion students plus she also taught accordion for the Music Arts Institute (MAI) and the United Teachers Of Music in Independence, Missouri. Joyce served as Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) for many years. She was also on the Board of Directors for the Mid-America Music Association (MAMA) for 22 years. Before the use of music notation software programs became mainstream, Joyce had a unique skill as a music copyist. Her stunning calligraphy can be seen on many scores published by Ernest Deffner Publications in New York (sample below). A memorial service will be held in her honor on June 1st, 2019, at 10:30 AM, at the First Assembly of God Church, 3711 S. Whitney Ct., Independence, Missouri. The UMKC Chamber Accordion Ensemble comprising director Joan Cochran Sommers, Kevin Friedrich, Samantha Jarquio Wagner, Christine Jarquio Nichols, Ron Dake, Ron Barrow, Betty Jo Simon and Cathy Sue Weiss will perform at the Memorial Service in honor of their dear friend and long-time fellow performer Joyce Christine Davis. They will perform two pieces Joyce liked to play including The Last Spring, Op. 34, No. 2 by Edvard Grieg and Flight, Mov. 3 ‘Arrival’ by Ian Watson. Joyce will be laid to rest in Brooking Cemetery, 10004 E. 53rd St, Raytown, MO, 64133, USA. Joyce will be dearly missed by her many accordion friends and family. |
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