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16th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015 LVAC TIMES

Europa We welcome this dynamic power Grayson Masefield Riders in the Sky trio, which was founded in 1994 by Hans (John) Kolbrich, & Milan Dvorecky. Virtuoso – Entertainer – World Champion! Grammy Award Winning! They cover a wide variety of music from For Grayson, we could say, the Happiness comes in many forms old German Polkas and sing-a-longs, to accordion is in his genes. Grayson was but none is sweeter than the happy joyful current Country music. Accordion, sound of Riders in The Sky. The group Trumpet, Guitar, Violin, Drums and born September 10, 1987 to two accordion- playing parents. Now what chance do you consists of guitarist Ranger Doug plenty of vocal harmonies can be heard (Governor of the Great State of Rhythm), from the group, with a strong groove and think this child would have of NOT playing the accordion? Grayson Masefield actually upright "bunkhouse" bassist Too Slim passion for what they do! (easily the sharpest wit in the West), began playing the accordion at the tender (King of the Cowboy The Band has evolved into a age of three. Besides having two accordion- Fiddlers), who sings lead and tenor nationally acclaimed group with a strong teaching parents, he grew up playing in the vocals, and accordionist following of fans ages 5-95. The Europa North Shore Accordion Orchestra and went (the Cow-Polka King), who plays both Band has a very active performing on to begin his classical training at ends against the middle" as they say, on schedule of over 60 performances a year. Auckland University and then on to France his "stomach Steinway." Their motto is “Polka Lives”. Those with the famous Frédéric Deschamps. who love polkas, young or old, will love Riders in the Sky is an American the sound of the Accordion, Violin and Grayson, in 2009, became the first Western Music and comedy group. The Europa Band's eclectic collection of person ever to win the prestigious Coupe Riders has won two Grammy Awards for over 350 songs Mondiale Virtuoso Classical and the Coupe MondialeVirtuoso Entertainment awards in their outstanding achievement in music. The Group has released a total of 4 the same year back to back. Grayson had Many of you may have heard them CD's to show their diversity and wide become a sought-after musician and has without even knowing it! They have range of musical styles. We look performed in many European countries composed and performed music for forward to Europa gracing the stage for including France, Spain, Germany, UK, several major motion pictures including our Wednesday concert including Finland, Portugal, Slovakia, (See page 7) Woody’s Roundup, (see page 6) dancing. New YEAR Savings – Register NOW! Already registered? Look at your With the start of a New Year comes a very mailing label – if it says “2015 REGISTRANT” special savings! Register now with this newsletter and above your name, then you are already registered SAVE up to $40 off your registration. It’s simple to act and have already received the Early Bird now: Go to page 4 of this newsletter and fill out the discount! form enclosed. Mail your registration with your deposit and we will credit your registration with the But wait, if you are already registered – NEW YEAR Early Bird savings! you can save even more with our Bring A Friend special. See the next article for details!

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Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015

Dear Friends, Awakening! February New CD Release by Joan Cochran Sommers & Stas Venglevski is here and life is looking up! I am Awakening is a refreshing me feel like I am in one of the world’s doing very well and new release from duet accordionists classy jazz clubs – not looking back I can Joan Cochran to mention “Triplicity hardly believe that Sommers and Stas Trio” that carries you the first Las Vegas Venglevski (bayan) away to a concert hall! that will keep your International The entire head bobbing and Accordion album is wonderful toes tapping to Convention was 16 listening – and everyone wonderfully years ago this will find a favorite such performed and August!! This year as “Anticipation” or executed original we are offering an incredible new lineup of “Cocktail Party”! The compositions. talent and I do hope you will join us for this CD will be on sale at magical celebration of life! The the Convention store album features 12 original pieces Speaking of celebrating life, we have where you may get your copy masterfully performed by Stas and lots to celebrate this year in Las Vegas – and autographed by Joan and Stas. If you Joan. This CD conjures up many just cannot wait, then contact lots of old and new memories to share! You varied moods from pieces sounding at will undoubtedly find this year’s event filled Accordions International at 1-800-935- times like a famous Fellini sound track 0013 and we will take your order and with excitement. I strongly encourage you to or a jazz club or a concert hall, all of ship this new release. register early. Early Bird Savings will end which carries the listener away. The Remember, there is nothing March 17, 2015. Save the GREEN! Register title song will capture and inspire you like live music – so for the ultimate NOW! After St Patrick’s Day the savings will with the musical variations produced experience come to Las Vegas and hear go away! by two accordion greats! One of my Joan and Stas perform! Another great favorites reminds me a bit of the circus Come join us as we celebrate our 16th reason why the Las Vegas International and is titled “Hey Polka” – then there Anniversary with our Summer Solstice. Accordion Convention is said to be is “Invention in D Minor” that makes Personally, I am totally excited about this year’s simply THE BEST! new talent, which includes Riders in the Sky, Grayson Masefield, Eoruopa, and Luciano Testani. Returning will be the incredible Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra under Compare the Best Does Cost Less! the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers and other great stars. Come celebrate our 16th Compare the true cost of Las Vegas, at $36 a night for four nights, plus the resort fee of $10, plus Anniversary in style! Visit our website at attending any accordion hotel event in the cost of breakfast at $6 each, www.AccordionStars.com where you may even North America! comes to about $50 a night - so register online! Add up the following: event the answer is very clear – If you have not looked at airfares – do fees, travel costs, LVAC is a BARGAIN no so today – they are lower to Las Vegas than I hotel rooms and matter how you add it up. have seen in some time – and the hotel rate is meals - these total All this - plus the largest now at $36 ($44 premium room) a night + your true cost. Yes, lineup of world class resort fee. This really is the year to come to Las many say our event entertainment - plus invaluable Vegas. Please accept my personal invitation to fee seems high but workshops, and you will see join us in what surely will be our best year yet – remember it includes why the LVAC is by far the come celebrate life at our Summer Solstice in 7 wonderful meals least expensive event with the Vegas! and concerts for four most to offer for your dollar! If you have any questions or concerns phenomenal days OUR PROMISE TO YOU: – or just need some help finding an airfare to plus over 40 workshops and after Attend just once, and you’ll discover hours entertainment at Club Concerto! Las Vegas, give me a call toll free at 1-800-472- why people come back year after year 1695. I would love to hear from you. Register, FYI - costs of rooms and meals in saying, “Paul, I don’t know how you make your reservations, mark your calendar, a Marriott, Hyatt, Ramada or other do it – this event is really first class. and come celebrate! event hotels average $179 plus tax per What a wonderful week - what a night. Add in the meal costs in these bargain!”

hotels for two people for four nights Come join the best kept secret and your expenses can be well over in the accordion world! Book early Paul Pasquali $1200 before event fees and travel and save on the accordion event of a Las Vegas International Accordion Convention costs. lifetime! Page 2 Website: www.AccordionStars.com

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Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter BAF Special Mary Tokarski Honored! Bring A Friend Special Savings! Honorary Director 2015 There is nothing sweeter than spreading good news. And we have Tokarski Music Center in North We are most sweetened the deal even more. Simply Haven, Connecticut. Along share the news with your friends and honored to have Mary with teaching piano and you will save! For each new Tokarski as our 2015 accordion at her home in household that registers for the event Honorary Director! Northford, Connecticut, Mary you will receive a $35 credit. For Mary is a treasured travels extensively presenting example, if three of your friends performer, beloved Workshops and Master Classes register we will deduct $105 from your instructor, author, and invoice. Yes, it does pay to spread the on musical excellence, coaching friend to all. Mary has news! privately, and as a sought-after set the bar high for adjudicator for national and If you are already registered, decades. She performs international juries. She also simply write “REFERRED BY” and both nationally and your registration number on the served for many years as a Music internationally as a registration form and pass it along to Educator in the North Haven soloist, with symphony orchestras, with your friends. For those already Department of Education's Early string quartets and as a member of The 'K' registered you will find your Childhood Development Program at Green Trio. Mary has released two solo CDs, registration number on the top line of Acres Elementary School. the mailing label. If you need more “Music with Mary . . . with My Friends!” copies you can download them at and “Music with Mary . . . for My Friends!” Currently, Mary serves on the www.AccordionStars.com or simply – both of which received international Board of Directors for The American call our hotline 1-800-472-1695 and we acclaim. Mary is also a published author Accordionists Association (AAA) and is a will mail you more forms. and has done much to promote music in member of the Accordionists and Teachers Help us make the 16th Annual early childhood – carrying the accordion Guild, International (ATG). Make sure you Las Vegas International Accordion forward to new generations! attend at least one of Mary’s outstanding Convention the BEST ONE YET! classes and catch her powerful and For 20 years Mary served as Bring your friends – have more fun – captivating performance as we honor one of Director of Music Education at the and save money too! America’s great accordionists! Camp Concerto 2015 Three Full Days – August 17 – 20, 2015 Commanders House at Historic Fort Douglas Overlooking Beautiful Salt Lake City

For more information or to register Phone 801-485-5840 or visit us online www.CampConcerto.com

Email: [email protected] Page - 5 2

Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015 Youth Mic-7 Scholarship ON SALE Awards Available! The Ultimate Sound for Amplified Accordion!

Each year we offer youth Discover for yourself why great scholarship awards to young accordion Gold Cost Savings! artists, including the late Art Van players. The scholarship pays for the youth to attend full time including all Damme, preferred Mic-7 to any other The hotel has warned that seven meals, concerts and workshops. accordion pickup system! The reason is Deluxe rooms maybe limited due to other simple – SOUND! scheduled events! All Your total cost including taxes & accordion players Mic-7 uses seven specialized resort fee at the Gold Coast will come to under the age of 18, studio quality electric condenser less than $52 per night if you book on block who are microphones to achieve a natural, rich – the lowest rate guaranteed. In today’s accompanied by a and smooth sound that surpasses any market that’s unheard of!! AND we are full time parent or very proud to announce a double savings: guardian attendee, are eligible. For a scholarship First, Deluxe Rooms are ONLY $36 and application visit our website Premium Rooms are ONLY $44 a night. AccordionStars.com or call our hotline Second, Resort fee is only $9.99 a night, and request a form. saving $3.36 over the regular resort fee when not booked with the accordion If your accordion club or convention group! someone you know has a youth We guarantee you will pay less by accordion player, then please spread booking on the convention block, than any the word! What a great opportunity for other offer! With all newly renovated your young accordion players to hear rooms you will find the Gold Coast and learn from the greats! comfortable and THE place to stay. Best of Size of microphone compared to a dime! all, it’s only an elevator ride away from the convention! Riders - Continued from page 1 other system on the market. With four The $36 deluxe rooms feature a microphones on the treble and three on rain forest shower. The premium rooms (at Monsters Inc., and Toy Story 2. the bass there are no hot or cold spots $44) feature a bright décor with a tub/bath combo. All rooms feature a new high-end Doing it the Cowboy Way since but pure quality and richness. It does bed for your sleeping comfort. Please note 1977, Riders has amassed over 6200 not stop there: Mic-7 separates the right that all Las Vegas properties do charge a live performances including 700 Grand hand from the left hand so that effects resort fee – but here is the good news: The Ole Opry appearances. They have like digital reverb can be added to the Gold Coast now includes FREE high-speed done nearly 300 national television right hand giving that wonderful wafting Internet. appearances, over 200 public radio sound often heard in recordings of Make your reservations with the shows, not to mention three television accordions that never seems to happen Gold Coast early and tell them you are series. Plus they have released more at home and yet keeps the left hand with the Accordion Convention. Our than 30 albums! clean and strong. We can only say try it group code is ACCORD5. If you book Riders in the Sky is famous for and you will become one of the with the convention rate, we guarantee the performing authentic renditions of old hundreds of satisfied customers. lowest room rate and resort fee with the classic cowboy and Western songs, as most perks! If rates drop then your rate will well as original works and various Now is the best time if you also drop, something Expedia and others comedic skits and songs. Opening have been thinking about getting a mic cannot guarantee! night will be one whale of a good time! system for your accordion. The kit IMPORTANT – the hotel has We are more than just a little excited to normally sells for $585. For a limited alerted us that the room rates after May th have Riders join us for our Sweet 16 time only you can buy one for just $385! 22, 2015 could easily skyrocket to over a Anniversary! Welcome Riders in the YES - that is a direct savings of $200! $100 a night. The longer you wait the less Sky! If you love the accordion this is a But don’t wait too long - the sale ends chance you have of getting a deluxe room. must-see appearance! For reservations call the Gold Coast today March 15 – e tu Brutus! 1-888-402-6278 (outside the U.S. +1 702- 367-1111).

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Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter

work during his artistic career. He Accordion Straps Luciano Testani appears regularly at the annual Carrefour mondial de l'accordéon de Guest Artist from Montreal SALE! Montmagny. A Club Concerto Grayson - Continued from page 1 Is your accordion looking a little discovery, Luciano has and Italy. He has also performed in tired, cracked and broken because your graciously agreed to Canada, the USA, Russia, Lithuania, straps look a appear on stage. His Portugal, China, New Zealand, and little like classical education Australia. Then in 2010 he won the these? provided him with a Trophée Mondial Classique World solid musical Accordion Championships and has since We have the foundation, which he retired from competitions. He has solution: Call relied upon to become a sought-after concert artist and Accordions continue mastering the presently continues his studies majoring International instrument he clearly loves – the in music at the HEMU - University of for their accordion. Music, Lausanne, Switzerland. special spring Over the years, Luciano has had the We are thrilled to have this strap sale. opportunity to meet and maintain Simply call 1- relationships with many of the greatest young energetic world-class performer join us this year at our 16th Annual 800-935-0013 (or 1-801-485-5840) and tell accordionists from around the world, Convention. will surely them you want the “spring strap sale” and has had the privilege of sharing the Grayson and you will save 15% off your order. stage with them on numerous occasions. astound you with his talent and musical Paul will even throw in free shipping He has recorded many collections of his entertaining prowess. within the USA. You may visit www.AccordionFactory.com for various available styles and pricing. Or simply call and we will assist you with the correct straps to make your accordion smile again! Lots of Great Seats Register Today! If you are considering coming to the Las Vegas International Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, Accordion Orchestra Needs YOU! please register Professor Sommers, our very own registered, then tell us you want to TODAY and Maestro Extraordinaire, is now preparing SAVE! We be in the orchestra. the 2015 program. If you want to be a part 2. Fill out the orchestra questionnaire strongly of this exciting orchestra, NOW is the time form online at AccordionStars.com recommend you to register. About 6-8 weeks prior to the make your hotel reservations and travel (or call us for a form)! event you will be mailed your parts to reservations immediately. If you wait rehearse. 3. Practice your assigned parts and until the last minute, you might be caught learn them before coming to Las paying much higher airfare and hotel The Orchestra’s past Vegas. performances have been very exciting. room rates. The $36 rate goes away May 4. Bring your music, your accordion, 22, 2015. Anyone who’s heard this magnificent orchestra under Maestro Sommers’ baton and a music stand to Las Vegas Enclosed please find a color would agree the sound is nothing less than (portable music stands will be available for purchase at the flyer with Early Bird registration form. glorious! Simply fill it out and return it to Convention store). Professor Sommers is excited to work convention headquarters at LVAC, 1760 5. Attend rehearsals, 3-5 PM each day with those dedicated to making this a great South 450 West, Salt Lake City, UT at the event with our illustrious 84115. event. If you are interested in joining this conductor, Joan Cochran-Sommers. Or go online to AccordionStars.com esteemed group and making accordion musical history, then the steps are simple. 6. Wear black and white to the where you may register & pay online. Thursday GRAND FINALE If you need additional flyers just ask us! 1. Register today, or if you are already performance!

Email: [email protected] Page - 7 16th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015

What’s Inside!

Riders • New Years Savings – Page 1 in the Sky • Europa – Page 1 Come to our Page 1 • Awakening CD Review – Page 2 16th Anniversary Celebration • The Best Costs Less – Page 2 June 22 – 25, 2015! Mary Tokarski • Registration Flyer - Pages 3-4 STARRING Page 5 • Bring-A-Friend Special – Page 5 Riders in the Sky Grayson Masefield • Youth Scholarships – Page 6 Joey Miskuli, Luciano Testani • Gold Coast Savings – Page 6 Mary Tokarski, Stas Venglevski Joan Cochran Sommers Grayson Masefield • Mic -7 – Page 6 Featuring Page 1 • Luciano Testani – Page 7 Europa Trio Pete Barbutti, Paul Betken, Jerry Cigler • Accordion Straps – Page 7 Gordon Kohl, Gina Brannelli • Register Today – Page 7 Liz Finch & MANY MORE! PLUS International Accordion Orchestra Page 7 The Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra & MORE – See flyer insert!

www.AccordionStars.com Toll free hotline – 1-800-472-1695 – outside the USA +1 801-486-1694