NORTHWEST ACCORDION NEWS

 Alpenfest!  Holiday Polka  Washington State Fair  Bringing Structure to Abstract Chaos  Accordion Social Reports from the Northwest Groups

VOL. 23 NO. 4 Northwest Accordion Society Winter Quarter 2013

Northwest Accordion News

NWAS News Deadlines NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1 The Northwest Accordion News is a quarterly newsletter published by the Northwest Accordion Inquiries, questions, suggestions, etc. Society for and by its members. The purpose of Contact Doris Osgood, 3224 B St., the NWAS News is to unite the membership by Forest Grove, OR 97116. (503) 357-0417. providing news of its members, and articles that E-mail: [email protected] instruct, encourage, and promote the playing of the accordion.

NWAS PUBLICATION PRIORITIES ♦ Advertising Mail letters & articles to: ♦ Original Compositions Northwest Accordion Society ♦ News from Our Members 5102 NE 121st Ave. #12, ♦ Instructive/Technical Articles Vancouver, WA 98682 ♦ Summaries from Regional Socials and Or e-mail to: [email protected] Events ♦ Coming Events ADVERTISING Articles will be printed if received prior to Full page $110.00 the publishing deadline. Should space be an Half page $55.00 issue, articles will be printed in the order in which Quarter $30.00 they are submitted. All decisions regarding Business card $10.00 publication will be made by the editors of the Prices are PER ISSUE. US Funds NWAS News. To submit articles for publication, mail Photo-ready Advertising (with accompanying check) them to the Vancouver, WA address listed. It is for this publication may be sent to: preferred that articles be submitted via e-mail as Northwest Accordion Society attached WORD documents or on a disc. Typed, 6453 SE Nathan Ct., Hillsboro, OR 97123 paper copy needs to be dark and clear to allow or e-mail [email protected] scanning and to minimize errors. Photographs sent for publication will be returned if they are accompanied with a SASE of Northwest Accordion News Staff correct size and adequate postage. Photographs Doris Osgood...... (503) 357-0417 may be sent electronically or on disc. To reprint articles or photographs from [email protected] Judith Ames ...... (360) 904-1524 magazines and newspapers, written permission [email protected] from the publisher is required. Please submit Colleen Halverson (Advertising) .....(503) 484-5064 the necessary “permission to print” with material [email protected] sent. Views in the articles and information printed NW Accordion Society Offi cers Bonnie Birch, President/Treasurer ...... (206) 622-4786 are those of the contributors and not necessarily Doris Osgood, Vice President/Communications ...... (503) 357-0417 those of the Northwest Accordion Society or its Judith Ames, Secretary/Technology ...... (360) 254-5245 advertisers. Advisory Board Rick Hatley, ...... (253) 288-0442 Dick Myking ...... (253) 537-0136 Is your membership renewal due? Birgit Ages ...... (206) 368-9720 Check your mailing label. A membership Cooksie (Kaserzon) Kramer ...... (425) 828-9104 application/renewal form is included on the Membership: last page. Send your renewals or change of Doris Osgood...... (503) 357-0417 address to: [email protected] Judith Ames ...... (360) 904-1524 Northwest Accordion Society [email protected] 5102 NE 121st Ave. #12 Vancouver, WA 98682

winter Quarter 2013 1 Northwest Accordion News Table of Contents Quarterly Update 2 Letter from the Editors Dear Members, 2 Quarterly Update Time passes more quickly these days it seems. 3 Letters to the Editor We’re preparing the winter issue of the magazine and 4 Holiday Polka autumn is in full swing. I’ve been hanging on to my last 7 The Typewriter blooms from summer; I think it’s time to give them up. 7 Northwest Accordion Youth Competition There are several things in this issue that I’d like 9 Bringing Structure to Abstract Chaos to bring to your attention. First, we’d like to thank Dick 10 The Accordion Takes on New Importance at Skultin for his interest, effort, and fi nancial support of Oregon’s Alpenfest the Youth Competition promoted in our last issues. Dick 11 Alpenfest with Shirley and Jim O’Brien had fi rst feared that he would be overwhelmed with 12 Breaking News: The Passing of entrants. As it happens, few young players entered the Carmen Carrozza competition. The music was challenging and the effort 13 Gary Blair on the Go to produce a recording was also challenging. In the end, 14 Autumn Accordion Social in Forest Grove a winner was selected as well as recognizing another 16 Musical Chord Tips from Gary Dahl young player. This was no small gesture from Dick; 19 In Remembrance Louis “Luigi” Rangan we are very grateful for his making a special effort to 20 Remembering Lisa Ward encourage and reward young accordionists. 20 Spokane Accordion Ensemble Next, I have to tell you that the contemporary music 21 The Vivace Accordion Orchestra of Spokane demonstrated by the elite, international accordionists 22 Seattle Social Report in recent competitions is a mystery to me. I get what 23 Seattle Accordion Socials classical music is; “contemporary classical” is another 23 Welcome New Members breed altogether. Music that wasn’t melodic, seemed to 24 Roland Announces 2013 go nowhere, didn’t seem to have a recognizable form, U.S. V-Accordion® Festival Winner and promoted the instrument to be used for percussion 24 Remembering Asher Barnea left me bewildered. I hoisted the white fl ag and asked for 24 Request from Poland someone to attempt to explain the form to those of us a 25 Pietka Scholarship Requests bit more “traditional”. Patricia Bartell met the challenge 25 Preparing for Leavenworth and provided the article in this issue. Thank you, Patricia. 26 Music Styles for Leavenworth 2014 Note that the socials in Seattle will be held at the 27 Divisions and Requirements for Competition West Seattle Senior Center exclusively beginning in 29 Tacoma Accordion Social December. While the Swedish Cultural Center is a very 30 Washington State Fair nice venue, parking and the general location was diffi cult 31 By the Way – for some members. The WSSC works best for most. 32 More from Gary Blair The Day of the Accordion will be here shortly after 33 About the Zwiefacher the Christmas holiday. Again, the event will be held at 36 Accordion Events Calendar the Crossroads Mall in Bellevue. The public stage has 38 Entertainers in the Northwest been a great venue for the day’s program. The Mall Letter from the Editors provides publicity and gives compensation for a portion Greetings! the day’s music in the public area. Our professional I am back to playing my accordion! And back to entertainers have enjoyed the venue and the audience working full-time. Even so, I enjoy working on the NWAS response is encouraging. The audience grows as the News. I get to see the articles and pictures before most day progresses; it’s fun to people watch. of you. Remember - if you want COLOR - ask for the Also, it’s not too soon to begin thinking about the link to our PDF version that we have available! Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration. Our We had a beautiful summer and colorful fall! (Will chairman, Bonnie Birch, has been working to fi nalize the we have a “real” winter (i.e. with SNOW!) as well? professional line-up and Steve Berg has been working I’ve heard great reports of the events that have on preliminary promotional material. Most of the program taken place - we have LOTS of reports in this edition is set. Getting the fi nal plan for workshops and schedule of NWAS News. Enjoy! And don’t forget to send in your is still a work in progress. Plan now to participate in the articles, pictures, etc. for the Spring issue by Feb. 1! competitions, performances at the gazebo, marching Judith Ames in the parade, and volunteering. It’s going to be a great ([email protected]) 2 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News Letters to the Editor time. In this issue you will fi nd Holiday Polka, composed Dear NWAS, by Wally Lazar. Wally is a resident of the Canadian prairie Thanks for reminding me about my need to pay for and has provided several compositions for the Northwest a renewal. Always enjoy it from cover to cover! Accordion Society. His handwritten compositions were Karen Halgren, Anacortes, WA engraved by our friend, Ron Ostromecki. His beautiful engraving transforms the music and makes it easier for Dear NWAS, all of us to read. Thank you both. Enclosed is my check for membership renewal. We thank our regular contributors and our faithful My address from May to October is... and from No- advertisers. Special thanks to Marjorie Rombauer, Eloise vember to April it will be... I’m one of those SnoBirds. Adaire, Ron Ostromecki, John Guiliani, and Cooksie Richard A. Srok, Lynnwood, WA Kramer. We also thank Petosa Accordions, Michael (Editors note: We truly appreciate notifi cation of change of Arralde/ Diamond Accordions, Castiglione Accordions, address or “sno-bird” addresses and dates.) Roland, Louis Traverso, Accordions N More and Bell and Reed. Michael Arralde and the Petosa family have Dear NWAS, supported the work we have done on the Northwest Thank you for this wonderful magazine! It is full of Accordion News since its beginning. We are very grateful information and I am always excited to see what the next for their support. Please support our advertisers! Paid issue has for reading. advertising has helped keep the cost of our quarterly Thank you! publication the same for a long while. When possible, Paula Wallenius, Woodinville, WA pursue the goods and services listed in this publication. It benefi ts all of us. Dear NWAS, Finally, I wish to thank Colleen Halverson and Even though I am unable to play my accordion Judith Ames for their faithful work on this publication. anymore, I do enjoy reading the Northwest Accordion The three of us make up the “staff”. Colleen and Judith News. And therefore I am renewing my membership for have “day jobs”; this publication requires considerable one more year. time and attention to detail. Errors happen, I’m sorry to Sincerely yours, say. We do our best to minimize those and know that Arthur, Swarnick, Port Angeles, WA you understand that this is an all volunteer staff. Judith and I have had some health issues this autumn but both Dear NWAS, of us are doing well, I’m glad to report. Thank you for listing me in the Northwest Entertain- Best wishes to you all for a joyful Christmas and a ment section. healthy, accordion fi lled year to come. Joe Szabo, Beaverton, OR Doris Osgood [email protected] Dear NWAS, I’m sending a check for 2 years of your wonderful publication. Thanks for all your had work. You are very much Donations for LIAC appreciated. Eldeen Gilbert, Sedro Wooley, WA You may send a check to: NWAS, 5102 NE 121st Ave. Unit 12 Deadline for submitting articles, Vancouver, WA 98682 OR pictures, advertisements, etc. Go to www.accordioncelebration.org and click on the donation button to donate by PayPal February 1 (Spring)

Thank you for your support! May 1 (Summer) August 1(Fall) June 19 - 22, 2014 Mark your Calendars! November 1 (Winter)

winter Quarter 2013 3 Northwest Accordion News Holiday Polka

Moderato W. Lazar

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4 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News

Holiday Polka pg 2

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winter Quarter 2013 5 Northwest Accordion News

Holiday Polka pg 3

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6 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News

The Typewriter Northwest Accordion

Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) was an American Youth Competition As mentioned in previous issues, Dick Skultin of composer of short, light concert pieces; many of which Montana wrote the music, made the appeal, and paid a were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under cash prize from his own pocket all in an effort to encour- the direction of Arthur Fiedler. As with all his other age young accordionists. He was disappointed that only compositions, Leroy Anderson wrote The Typewriter a few young players participated. However the ones that for orchestra, completing the wo rk on October 9, 1950. did showed their preparation and skill. The music was This particular orchestration was performed in a challenging and the competition was only to students June 12, 2011 concert by members of the National Or- aged fourteen and younger. chestra and Chorus of Spain in Madrid. The (typewriter) The winner of the $200 prize is Shauna Jensen of soloist is Alfredo Anaya. Watch his expressions and Canada, Bev Fess’s student. Also a $50 Honorable Men- actions throughout the video...wonderful! tion prize was awarded to Allison Wheeler of Oregon, Many of the younger crowd-- who may see this Dick Carlson’s student. Dick Skultin said, “I was pleased video--won’t remember the old typewriter. But we gee- with their effort and evident hard practice. Since I had zers remember it well. That was a long time ago. suffi cient time to critique their playing I wrote them each You will fi nd this rendition absolutely delightful. a letter prior to announcing winners (so they would pay This is for all the ancients who remember what a special attention to the critique and not the prize) and typewriter was! Enjoy! about a week later I sent them the prize check.” http://www.youtube.com/watch_ The Northwest Accordion Society is grateful for all popup?v=G4nX0Xrn-wo&sns=em that Dick has done to promote and encourage the ac- cordion.

winter Quarter 2013 7 Northwest Accordion News

8 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News Bringing Structure to Abstract Chaos have brought us new scales, new tonalities, and new By Patricia Bartell textures. I appreciate how my teacher, Kendall Feeney, In the stillness of the moment, a sound appears compares contemporary music to contemporary Art. th almost from nowhere and builds in tension as a layer of Prior to the 20 century, portraits captured the outside st rhythm begins to emerge. The sound takes an abrupt landscape of a person. In the 21 century, artists turn to spatters of tonal clusters and then silence. This became increasingly interested in depicting the internal silence creates an expectation that leads to a dynamic landscape of their subject. As a result, artwork no longer virtuoso explosion of unexpected sounds and special represented the external surface of the person but now effects as a new story unfolds. Ah, another contestant portrays the internal character or mood. Maybe the of the CMA Trophée Mondial World Championships person being drawn was eccentric; how would that be has just demonstrated the work of a contemporary characterized on canvas or how would the artist bring composer expressing something unique and different. that to the viewer? As I sit on the jury for the CMA Trophée Mondial Co ntemporary music requires new sound and watch these young musicians perform music that effects for the accordion that can bring an element of my college professor once called “ear stretching,” I surprise to our Western ears. To keep music evolving, am once again reminded of the purpose and need for composers look at the accordion in a new light. These this kind of music and what it adds to our culture. Tone composers are interested in creating new sounds for clusters and abstract sounds can be startling to new the instrument. As a result, artists use various bellow listeners but if we take a closer look and examine the effects, tap on their instrument, and use varying vibratos framework of contemporary music we quickly discover that provide amazing musical effect. It is similar to how unique aspects and develop an appreciation for the the revolutionary American Composer, Henry Cowell, music of our times. approached his piano writing. He felt that composers When we don’t know or understand contemporary before him had limited themselves to writing music for music, it’s easy to turn off our ears and conclude that the keyboard of the piano. Looking inside the grand it’s too strange, dissonant, chaotic, and random. We piano he saw more than just strings. He saw a harp might even ask, is this really music? Looking at the which would give him a vast range of new possible elements of music: rhythm, texture, structure, color, sounds. This expanded the sonic landscape of the dynamics, harmony, and melody, melody is only one piano. Composers now feel free to pluck the strings aspect of music making. Music always has a story or put paper on the strings and play the keys to create to tell. Sometimes these stories do not have a lyrical all sorts of different sounds. Beethoven moved beyond element. The energy behind a dramatic suspenseful what Mozart and Hayden had done, Wagner stretched story may rely primarily on rhythm and dissonance. our ears even more. If we look at television drama, there’s often dissonant One of our teachers here at the studio, Bratislav music in the background, but because we have a Manasijevic from Serbia, relates how contemporary “visual” landscape that accompanies the music, we compositions are an integral part of the education don’t hear the dissonance as something distasteful. of every accordionist and require at times special Does music need to keep evolving as time moves performance skills. A musician must be very careful forward? Absolutely. We don’t ride a horse and buggy about his dynamics and direction of music. Maybe to school, we don’t wear powdered wigs. Why should the piece is not centered around melody but it is an our music sound like music a hundred and fi fty years alive, momentous rhythm that captures the listener. ago? When we hear familiar music, it’s comforting Even if there is not one traditional melody in the entire and easy to receive. When the music is abstract and piece, there are other elements of music that are very unrecognizable it’s easy to turn off our ears unless we important in which we can hang our ears on. learn how to listen. We must fi nd what is interesting Music making is telling a story with your instrument. about the selection and ask ourselves, “What was the Contemporary music is a new story being told. When composer’s intention and what mood was he trying you hear this type of music, know that you will hear to project?” In every period of history, composers sounds and new combinations of musical elements put wrote music that spoke to their times. Composers of together that you’ve never heard before. Very exciting! the last 100 years refl ect this artistic reality. Just like As Willie Nelson wrote: “Goin’ places that I’ve never Beethoven spoke to his time, we need to speak to our been… Seein’ things that I may never see again.” time, which is urban and complicated. The infl uence of Remain seated and enjoy the journey of these other cultures has contributed to the changes we hear new stories. in contemporary music. These non-western cultures winter Quarter 2013 9 Northwest Accordion News The Accordion Takes on New plus a preview appearance one day earlier at a meeting Importance at Oregon’s Alpenfest of the Rotary Club of Wallowa County. Polka Express headlined a new free event, By Chuck Anderson Accordions at Alpenfest, at Terminal Gravity Brewery in Enterprise on Thursday. Because of cold and rain, More accordionists than ever entertained at what had been planned outdoors was moved into TG’s Oregon’s Alpenfest in Wallowa County in September upstairs venue, where smiling faces showed as a result of a project to bring the accordion to new Chuck said he hopes to continue the accordion prominence at Eastern Oregon’s annual four-day Swiss- feature in 2014 with more than two performers. Alpenfest Bavarian festival. has applied for grants to support a larger accordion Besides the two accordionists in The Polkatones presence at the festival. dance band – Linda White of Bellingham, Wash., The O’Briens also played along Main Street in and NWAS member Joan Blaser of Tillamook, Ore. Joseph during the weekend and serenaded at Alpenfest’s – Alpenfest hired another NWAS member, Colleen Alpine Breakfast at Wallowa Lake on Saturday. Halverson of Hillsboro, Ore., and Jim and Shirley O’Brien, billed as Polka Express. Legendary Swiss yodeler Lisa Ward also sang and played her buttonbox for her fi nal performance after appearing many times at Alpenfest. At age 78, Lisa is retiring from the rigors of multi-day festival assignments, although she said she will continue to accept individual gigs. Additionally, the Mirko Pressler Band traveled from Bend, Ore., for a Sunday performance with Mirko, the bandleader, playing his Diamond accordion. Total number of accordions at this year’s Oregon’s Alpenfest: 7. Not bad for a festival not designed to be an accordion event. “I’ve always loved accordion music,” explained Chuck Anderson, Alpenfest’s alpenmeister and president since 2011. “My late father played semi-professionally when he We want more accordionists! was a young man in Chicago, and I have inherited his In 2013, Oregon’s Alpenfest, Wallowa County’s Swiss- beautiful Galanti Bros. instrument. Because accordions Bavarian festival, introduced “Accordions at Alpenfest” are so important to Swiss and German folk music, I think to an appreciative crowd and expanded its Main Street having more of them at Alpenfest is a no-brainer, and I strolling accordionists’ program to the delight of visitors. want to see more in future years.” The Polkatones have been consistent stars at We aim to bring the accordion to greater prominence at Alpenfest, playing numerous times since the festival’s the 2014 edition of our festival, and we want you to be inception in 1975, always to audience enthusiasm. part of it! Besides the pair of accordionists, the band includes two Payment and publicity available other reed performers, two brass players and a vocalist. Until 2008, Alpenfest was limited to the small resort community at Wallowa Lake. When it was revived in 2012, its new format included nearby towns of Joseph and Enterprise in a four-day format. At Chuck’s initiative, Colleen joined the Alpenfest lineup in 2012 and again this year, performing at Alpenfest’s Alpine Art, Antique and Craft Fair in Joseph and as a street accordionist at various shops in downtown Joseph. Despite this being their initial appearance, the O’Briens, who perform together with their digital Roland accordions, played a major role during the entire festival 10 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News fi lled out to have the Sheriff reroute traffi c off Main Street Alpenfest with Shirley and Jim O’Brien but the lone Sheriff got a call and never showed up! We went down and came back to our starting place and it took a whopping 45 minutes to go 1/4 mile down and 1/4 mile back. Traffi c was very gracious passing when they could and honking in rhythm! It was a memory jog back to the small town parades of our past. The historic old Edelweiss building was a fairy-land of lights and decorations. On Saturday and Sunday we played for the breakfast diners inside rather than outside because of the cold weather. We kept warm by playing a lot of fast polkas. The cooks outside presented eggs anyway you like them, blueberry pancakes and sausages, all you care to eat. Inside there was hot cof- fee and many types of fruit juice. All of this for $8 and Thursday was the Opening Festivities at the Ter- kids free. There is a huge campground across from the minal Gravity Brewery which focused on the tapping of Edelweiss Inn on the South side of Willowa Lake and the fi rst keg. We shared the stage with Rep. Bob Jenson many campers came across for breakfast. We played (the longest serving member of the State Legislature 2 1/2 hours both days. When the whole place was full in Salem), the Enterprise Elementary School Band, (between 9 and 10) it really warmed up. It was a good 22-strong, Yodeler Lisa Ward and Bruce Coutant play- audience who pulled up chairs and listened long after ing the Alphorn. fi nishing breakfast. Bruce lives here and is one of two businessmen All in all, it has been a wonderful week, a little cold, in the US who builds Alphorns marketing them all over but good. We performed at seven major Alpenfest events the world. He really encourages a beautiful sound out over 5 days. Time to leave for Tucson – another 1,300 of that traditional Swiss horn. miles and a bit. It’s been a fun summer. After the keg was tapped, everyone got samples and we moved inside because it had dropped below 40 degrees. They asked everyone to come up to the second fl oor of the Brewery and over 100 crammed into the room. We played for two hours. There was just enough room for one couple at a time to dance and so they took turns! We have over 50 songs on our playlist that we have by memory and we played all but two of them. We played some Rock and Roll, Country Western, jazz and lots of polkas and waltzes. It was a really great audience. They just sat there in close quarters, listened, clapped and sang along. It was a peak experience for us. At noon on Friday, the Alpenfest Grand Proces- sion was billed at a parade down Joseph’s Main Street. Everyone was supposed to join in behind this Unimog which is really just a great huge duded-up farm tractor! Well, they put us up in the bed of this Unimog with a sound system including mics and two Peavy speakers. It was all to be powered by a little generator in the bed with us. Well, they couldn’t get the gen to start, we didn’t mind at all, and away we went with a group of people in cos- tume following behind telling folks on the parade route to join in. They did. Our Rolands with internal speakers are amazing. We set them at full volume and we know we could be heard because people were clapping on the street. We stopped at every intersection and people danced in the street to our music. All the papers were winter Quarter 2013 11 Northwest Accordion News Breaking News: agency of the Italian Government, after an outstanding The Passing of Carmen Carrozza performance at the Theatro di Pavia. By Rita Barnea Carrozza was the fi rst accordionist invited to per- Reprinted with permission form as featured soloist with major symphony orches- We are sad to report that the great Carmen Car- tras: The Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra under the rozza passed away June 17. Details of the funeral direction of Arthur Fiedler premiering Paul Creston’s and service will Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra; National Sym- be forthcoming. phony and New York Philharmonic under the direction Please respect of Andre Kostelznetz, premiering Alan Hovanhess’ the privacy of the Rubaiyat; Cincinnati Orchestra, under the direction of family at this time. Thomas Schippers; The Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, All details will be The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia posted as soon Pops Orchestra, The United States Navy Band, and the as it becomes list goes on and on. A legendary composer, arranger and available. world renown concert artist and educator, Carrozza was Carmen Car- a true inspiration to humanity. rozza was born in Carrozza’s success on the concert stage was a small town So- matched only by his contribution to the development lano in Calabria, of accordion literature. In this area, he collaborated Italy on July 20, with outstanding American composers: Robert Russell 1921. Carrozza Bennett, Henry Cowell, Paul Creston, Alan Havanhess, emigrated to the George Kleinsinger, Otto Leuing, Paul Pisk, Wallingord USA with his fam- Riegger, Elie Seigmeister, William Grant Still, Carlos ily when he was Surinach, Virgil Thompson, & Russian composer, Alex- nine years old. ander Tcherepnin. The family set- Carrozza considered solo concerts in Town Hall, tled in the town of New York City, as one of the high points in his career. Chappaqua in Westchester, NY, where Carrozza soon At these concerts, he performed and premiered all origi- began studying music, becoming profi cient on the violin, nal accordion works by the forementioned composers. piano and accordion. It wasn’t long before his love for It was a milestone in the history of the accordion. His the accordion became obvious and he found himself performances of the works of these composers opened concentrating solely on mastering this instrument and a new fi eld for the generations of accordionists to follow master it he did! Although the piano accordion was de- and gives to composers a new instrument to use as a veloped around the turn of the century in 1909, it was vehicle of musical expression. Concert accordionists of stated by one of Carrozza’s early professors that “the the future owe a debt of gratitude to Maestro Carrozza accordion wasn’t given birth until the young Carrozza for paving the way for them to the concert platform. placed his hands on the instrument.” Throughout the years Carrozza received numerous In 1937, he graduated from the Pietro Deiro Accor- awards and honorees from many different organizations, dion Conservatory in Greenwich Village, NYC where he associations and clubs. was awarded the highest honors and a gold medal for On March 17, 2002 Maestro Carrozza was honored his performance. He furthered his studies at the New by the American Accordionists Association and was the York Academy of Music specializing in theory, harmony, fi rst recipient presented with the prestigious “ Lifetime counterpoint and composition. Carrozza’s professional Achievement Award”. Shortly after this gala event, The debut took place in 1947 at the Philadelphia Academy Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund, (a fund for the of Music launching what was to be one of the greatest advancement of promising young accordionists and the careers of the century. commissioning of new works for the accordion) began He went on to triumph with appearances throughout in the spring of 2002. the concert halls in the United States ? (Carnegie Hall, Carrozza was a past president and an active Town Hall, Times Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Cen- governing board member of the American Accordion ter Music Hall, Philadelphia Academy of Music, just to Association (AAA), a national organization dedicated name a few) Canada, and Europe - (France, Germany, to the development of the accordion. He continued to England, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Italy). Carro- promote the accordion through educational workshops zza was presented with a gold medal by the E.A.L., an at schools, universities and private music studios. 12 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News Gary Blair on the Go

In September, Gary wrote: I’ve just returned from the Carrefour Mondial de L’accordeon festival in Quebec which was just the best week I have ever had in my entire life! It was the 25th Anniversary and they pulled out all the stops and invited guests that they had had in the past 25 years that they admired.

I was one of these very fortunate people! The guest list was large and contained the likes of Jerome Richard (to me, the fi nest accordionist on the planet!) Pietro Adragna from Italy, Roberto Lucanero (Italy) Vladimir Dennisenkov (Russia). Paris Moscow Duo (France) Paname Swing (France) Matuto (Brazilian Bluegrass band!) , Accent ( featuring Cory Pesaturo) Plus many other fi ne accordionists from around the glide and locally upwards of 45,000 ( yes 45,000) people came to town for the event and it was simply the highest standard of music I have ever witnessed. I will be going to Castelfi dardo in a couple of weeks’ time followed by a music festival in Moscow, Russia! This being held at the Alfred Mirek (the late great Accordion History guru) museum and is a celebration of his life and passion for the accordion. So a busy time ahead...... wouldn’t have it any other way! Much has been written about the unique artistry of Maestro Carrozza and much more surely will be written in the future, but one critic apparently established for all times Carrozza’s esteemed position in the world of the concert accordionist when he proclaimed, “the violin has its Pagannini, the piano its Chopin – the accordion its Carrozza”,

winter Quarter 2013 13 Northwest Accordion News Autumn Accordion Social in vited us all to sing along. Forest Grove Dr. Steve Gordon came fully equipped with elec- tronics! On his Roland V accordion and his I-Pad music By Doris Osgood display, he played “Waltz for Nicky” and “Czardas”. “Socials” in Forest Grove have changed since the Kathy Grambsch of Vancouver followed with Pietro beginning twenty-two years ago. Some things haven’t. Deiro’s “Tranquillo Overture” and “Variations on a theme Then and now, I fret that the weather will be discourag- of Paganini”. Last performer before the refreshment ing, that nobody will show up, that there won’t be anyone break was Paul Bria. Paul played “Ericka” and “Big to play, and that I won’t be able to pay the bills. Then Bang Polka”. and now, my fretting was for nothing. The Tualatin Valley Accordionists performed To begin our afternoon’s program, 88 year old Ed immediately following the refreshments. The group is Makovsky was the fi rst performer. Ed travels from made up of players that meet monthly in Forest Grove, Pleasant Hill which is about 100 miles south of Forest several of whom travel from down river on the Columbia Grove. After sharing with me that he’d had freak ac- and the Oregon coast. The group played “Stars Fell on cident and a long stint at the burn unit in Portland; he Alabama”, “Kristiana Valsen”, “Down by the Old Mill performed as if nothing had ever happened. He started Stream”, and “Pretty Betty Polka”. Participating players with a rousing polka and went on to play “It Happened were: Dick Carlson, Mickie Eaton, Duane Navarra, on a Beach at Belli Belli”. Next up was Allison Wheeler Jack Jones, Colleen Halverson, Wil Knoop, Nancy of Roseburg, OR. She played an Americana medley Kaye, Marjorie Curkendall, Paul Bria, Jeanne Olson, which she’d worked out herself – a very nice rendition Ann Thompson, Emily Wheeler, Allison Wheeler, I must add. Before fl ying south for the winter, Geoff Levear of Portland was up next. He played “Cavatina” in memory of Carmen Signori. He also showed the results of his SKYPE lessons with Gary Blair by playing a Scottish jig entitled “Davy Nick Nack”. Emily Wheeler of Roseburg followed with a roaring rendition of “Repaz Band”. Ann Thompson and Doris Osgood played two Walter Wild Geoff Levear, and Doris Osgood. pieces, “Primrose Leonard Kosatka was up next playing the “Penn- Waltz” and “Happy sylvania Polka” and “European Waltz”. It was Lynn and Day March”. Lyle Schaefer who introduced the “European Waltz” to Our next us many years ago; it was perfect as an intro for our player shared featured player. Next was a fi rst time player at the social. that he was only Peter Neils cred- 86… Hans Fried- ited Eileen Hagen for richs has a million teaching him to play. tunes in his head. He very skillfully played He started with a two hymns. I only got bouncy old time the title of one, “Great tune and went on is Thy Faithfulness”. to play a waltz mu- Following Peter, Duane sette entitled “For His Navarra and Doris Neighbor Girl”. Osgood played “Let’s Dance the Polka”. Joe Szabo plays regularly at Nona Emi- Peter Neils la’s Ristorante in Alo- First time performer and a refugee from Texas… ha. After a long Satur- John Martin brought his MIDI equipment and played day night commitment “Lady Be Good” and “Lullaby of the Leaves”. John is an there, he looked fresh excellent representative of the skillful accordion com- and ready to play for munity throughout Texas. I’ ve called him a refugee in us. Joe played “Twilight fun but he has shared that he really loves Oregon. The Time” and “Cabaret”. weather, the mountains and the fruits are special to him. He added his voice to the latter piece and in- 14 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News Supporting our Chester Pietka Scholarship pro- gram for young players has provided the nucleus for our socials for the past ten years. The social provides a performance venue for many of us amateur players and an opportunity to raise money for the scholarship program. I shared with people that I’ve distributed $900 since last spring in Chester’s name. Money was sent to support the bursary program in Leavenworth as well as to Rebecca Brandao, Carmen Truffat, Leonardo Guer- raro, Austin Hampshire, Emily Wheeler, and Allison Wheeler. We couldn’t have done this without generous contributions from Gary and Peggy Thompson, the John Martin Pietka Family, and gifts from Ursula and Dale Bassett, After a late night’s commitment on Saturday, John the Columbia Estates Association, and the generous Giuliani drove 200 miles to be with us in Forest Grove contributions from those who participate in our 50/50 on Sunday. The effort he makes be encourage us is not drawing at each social. Paul Bria and Wil Knoop donated unnoticed. John played “O Marie”, and a snappy tune additional prizes for the drawing too. entitled “So What’s New”. Though this social didn’t represent the fi rst we had, Mark Greathouse we had players, audience, good weather, and great mu- isn’t usually around in sic. AND I paid the bills! We must transform the senior/ the autumn. He and his community center into a performance venue and restore wife travel regularly to the room before we leave. Special thanks to Dick and the Czech Republic for Patty Carlson, Joyce and Geoff Levear, Emily and extensive stays. Their Allison Wheeler, and Gary Osgood. They made quick travel schedule was al- work of it all. I appreciate that very much. tered this year and I So, we’ll gather in the spring for another social. I was glad! Mark played always regard that as the kick off for the great summer th Frosini’s “Bel Viso” and accordion season. Join us in Forest Grove on the 4 Galla Rini’s arrange- Sunday in April – April 27, 2014, just for the fun of it. ment of “Gitanerias”.

We had a num- ber of people make a special effort to join us to hear our featured performer. It’s been several years since Lyle Schaefer was free to travel to Or- egon for our social. Doris Osgood and Duane Navarra Several months ago when I had him check his work schedule, he declared that he could make the trip happen! We were so glad that he did. Lyle prepared a varied program complete with pieces like “Jealousy”, “Brazil”, movie themes, and fox trots. He played some lovely Swiss waltzes, polkas, and schot- tisches. Of course, no performance from him would be complete without his signature polkas. Lyle played his original “Accordion Pickin’ Polka”, the wild Meisner “Quick Step Polka”, and fi nished the afternoon with our favorite, “Achtung Los Polka”. Judging from the reaction of our audience, the music was well received. Allison and Emily’s Proud Grandpa, Dick Carlson winter Quarter 2013 15 Northwest Accordion News Musical Chord Tips from Gary Dahl Chord application skills is the great defi ciency most accordionists exhibit in their playing along with technique. We often describe Chord Melody skills as the Holy Grail that any musician must have to be a true professional. They are teaching chord applications to a melody. You may purchase Gary Dahl’s book online. http://www.accordions.com/ garydahl/


 DIMINISHED CHORDS Add Harmony (Starting Below) Aug. Chords Cont’d CC+ FD+ GE+ A FF+

B G+ CA+ D CC+ FD+

GE+ A FF+ B G+ CA+ D

Diminished Chords Never used Diminished triad = 1, 3, 5 Diminished 7th = 1, 3, 5, 7 (Most Commonly Used)

C Triad C 7 7th of C Major scale flatted twice Remember C 7th is the 7th degree flatted once. Diminished 7th means to flat the 7th of C7. (Flat B once) e.g. C (7) The 7 is left out in standard notation; always play a 4 part dim. chord for now. . . . There are only 3 different diminished chords. (D ) (F ) C E G A All share the same notes. Bass note will determine chord name and or characteristic.

(G ) (C ) (D ) (F ) (A ) D F A B C E G B

Add Harmony / Practice: (Letter name of the chord is the bottom note.) (all root positions) C D E E E F F G G A A B C

& Reverse

8va CC Dm C G7 C G7 C G7 C G7 G+

FG7 C G7 CG7 C loco C F C C



16 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News THE MINOR 7TH CHORD E.G. Play Cm in L.H. (not C7) (Accordion) Cm7 The Minor 7th Chord = 1, 3, 5, 7 A Minor triad with a little 7th chord flavoring.

Practice the following m7 chords using all inversions: Cm7 Gm7 Dm7 Am7 Fm7 Em7 Bm7 Em7 Am7 E.G. The Cm7 chord is a preliminary and passing chord for the 7th chord a 5th below. E.G. Fm7 Same 7th as F7 Remember. . . play roots in the bass Fm Triad Practice: (all 4 part chords) G7 Dm7 G7 Dm7 G7 C6 C7 Gm7 C7 Gm7 C7 F6

Note the 6th interval on the bottom note to avoid dissonance using m7 chords.

G7 (Listen) (Dissonant?) C6 The same melody using only G7. . . note the difference.

G7 G7 Dm7 G7 Dm7 C6 Now play the same melody using 6th intervals (2 notes only) No Dissonance

G7 (Using bottom note of G7) C6 * * * Note the dissonant sound.

Dissonant Intervals Practice: F7 Cm7 F7 Cm7 F7 B 6 B7 Fm7 B7Fm7 B7 E6

D7 Am7 D7 Am7 D7 G6 A7 Em7 A7 Em7 A7 D6

Note: The m7 passing chord used for each 7th chord is always a 5th higher. (accordion basses are organized in 5ths)

5th E.G. Dm7 Cm7 Fm7 Am7 Gm7 is a passing chord for C7 5th C7 G7 F7 B7 D7  winter Quarter 2013 17 Northwest Accordion News PEG O’ MY HEART (This song is usually harmonized poorly) (Use all 4 part chords unless noted throughout the course) Easy going speed. Bass clef is added to demonstrate L.H. usage. 3 p from repeat C7/ G C9 Gm7 / C 8va B6 Gm7 Dm7/ A A

Bass clef added to show L.H. applications M m (G ) m

Single Notes 1 Single Notes Cm7 Cm7 C9 C7 Gm7 C9 2 F7 F7

7 m m 7 7

B6 Cm7 Dm7 D F7/ C D Dm7 Dm7Cm7 F m7/ B

Use single notes in R.H. 3 part M m m d

2 Cm7 F9 F9(13) B 3 part

m 7

Note how (slash) signs match up with L.H. bass notes.

PRACTICE ALL CHORDS WITH INVERSIONS Chord Review: B B6 Gm7 Dm7 A C7 G Cm7 F7 F9 D

Dm7 Fm7

 18 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News In Remembrance up into his 90’s. Every time he saw my husband he’d Louis “Luigi” Rangan say, “Want to take lessons?” On a regular basis, I re- ceived phone calls that always started with, “This is the October 3, 1915 – September 5, 2013 IRS calling.” There would be an impish giggle to follow. By Doris Osgood “How are you? Ima fi ne.” We were both playing at an event in Portland. After I’d fi nished, Luigi was on play- My husband and I ing tunes from Fiddler on the Roof. He stopped in the came to Oregon as new- midst of “If I Were a Rich Man” and said, “Ifa I were a lyweds in 1968. Gary’s richa man, I wouldn’t position at the National be playing ‘cordion.” Bank of Oregon had us I loved the sto- going to social gather- ries that Chester Pi- ings from time to time. etka recalled from On one such bank event, his days with Luigi in we were at Gracie Han- the 1930’s. He, Luigi son’s Gay ‘90’s in Port- and another player land. There was a strolling accordionist that evening. had a regular spot As it happens, that was my fi rst encounter with Luigi on the radio play- Rangan. ing live on Sunday Gary and I left Oregon for about 10 years and mornings. Ches- returned in the early ‘80s. By then my boys were old ter said that they enough to allow my getting back to my accordion. I made wouldn’t have seen connections with accordionists in the greater Portland the music they were area then and started the Forest Grove Socials a few going to do until the years later. Luigi was a friend from the start. Luigi was a professional accordionist and teacher Luigi, continued on page 29 Castiglione Accordions We are one of the principle people in selling the new “Virtual Roland Reedless” Accordions Please visit our web site, www. castiglioneaccordions.com Click on Roland and then look and listen to the Audio-Visual demonstration of the instrument.

Importers and Exporters Featuring Castiglione, Beltuna, Scandalli, Guerrini, Excelsior, Dallapé, Tyrolean and more All types of accordions - piano, diatonic, chromatic button New and Used - MIDI and Electronics Buy - Sell - Trade - Repair - Tune [email protected] http://www.castiglioneaccordions.com Phone: (586) 755-6050 Fax (586) 755-6339

winter Quarter 2013 19 Northwest Accordion News

Remembering Lisa Ward Spokane Accordion Ensemble

We have a busy month of November ahead of us with three upcoming concerts; two will be in Spokane and one in Coeur d’Alene. Our theme is Classical and Classics, and we are looking forward to introducing our audience to some popular classical pieces and the composers who wrote them. Our conductor, Bev It is with great sadness that we announce that Lisa Fess, will arrive the week ahead to help fi ne tune us Ward, Alpenfest’s Swiss yodeler for many years, has at rehearsals and direct us at concert time. We were died slightly more than a month after her fi nal perfor- very fortunate to have found Bev two years ago. Even mance at Oregon’s Alpenfest on Saturday, Sept. 28. though she lives in Calgary, she graciously always Lisa passed away at her home near Sacramento fi nds time for us and travels when we need her. When at age 78. Bev is not here our President, Eileen Webber leads Regarded by many as the best Swiss singer- us in rehearsals and makes sure all of the basic work yodeler in the United States, Lisa had performed is done. Their hard work, expertise and enthusiasm throughout the U.S., Canada and Switzerland. is the much needed bright light that has inspired and She appeared at the first Alpenfest in 1975, pulled our group together. Thank you Bev and Eileen! the 2012 and 2013 Alpenfests in their new three- Sam Thomas, recent winner of The Trophée community format and many Alpenfests in between. Mondial, will be performing some solos at the concerts. Lisa was born in Diibendort, Switzerland, and im- We also have a quintet, plus bass, which will perform migrated to the U.S. in 1958. She quickly established Palladio; most people will recognize this as the theme herself as a premiere yodeler and enthralled audi- song played in the DeBeer’s diamond commercials. ences at countless Swiss festivals and other events. After a short break for the holidays we will be back to work Her quick, lively yodeling technique made her preparing for a June concert that we are very excited about. a featured soloist at the hugely popular Mt. An- Lastly and most importantly we wish to gel (Ore.) Oktoberfest for more than 35 years and acknowledge and thank The Spokane and Inland at Oktoberfests in Hawaii for more than 30 years. NW Accordion Club for their very generous donation to our ensemble. We will put the funds to good use with the purchase of new music for our library.

On Friday January 31 2014 a Zwiefacher dance with live music by Chris Barnes and Kris Johansson, at the Lake City Community Center 12531 28th Ave NE, Seattle 98125. Cost $10. Dance lessons start at 7:30 and live music at 8:00 prompts throughout the evening, waltzes and polkas too. Info [email protected]

20 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News

The Vivace Accordion Orchestra very simple: watch and listen. At the same time. Right...” of Spokane We performed beyond our expectations and the audiences at the Victoria Music Conservatory were By Robynne Snow very enthusiastic. Spectators were amazed at what we had accomplished in such a short time. Cherie, “It had been 35 years since my last music who came from Spokane for the event, remarked, competition and it was thrilling to be surrounded by such “As a non accordion playing spectator, the caliber passion and positive energy. It was great fun making of the talent of the music really blew me away. This new friends and hearing the talent from kids to gray hairs was definitely NOT ‘your grandma’s’ accordion competing from across the globe.” This was a sentiment music. The orchestras were great and closing my from Diane Guffi n that was shared by the members of eyes I could hear the strings, the horns, flutes...” the newly formed Vivace Accordion Orchestra at the We continue to rehearse in preparation for our Coupe Mondiale Orchestra competition in August 2013. concert in Spokane on December 1. We will perform as we did in Victoria with a few added pieces and another member: Pam Beckstrom. It was an exciting, challenging summer of music. We made good friends and learned a great deal through the experience, thanks to Patricia and Collins and the newest teacher at the studio, Bratislav Manasijevic. As Corrie said for all of us, “It was really great being able to work under Collins Loupe and Patricia Bartell. The music, the challenge of the competition, the locale of the event, it was all very memorable. It really is an honor to be part of a group like the Vivace Accordion Orchestra!”

In preparation for the competition, students and teachers from Patricia Bartell’s Able To Play Music Studio gathered together in June to form the Vivace Orchestra. The members of the orchestra are: Patricia Bartell, Bratislav Manasijevic, Yev Nosov, Naomi Harris, Corrie Sams, Kurt Wismer, Diane Guffin, Robynne Snow, Helen Byrne, Lillian Deck, Gabriel Soileau, Mel Collyer, John Soileau. Amazing work was done in 4 weeks to prepare such complicated pieces. The repertoire for the two round event was diverse and exhilarating: Passacaglia (Bach), Preludium and Fugue (Seibur), Gothic Suite: Choral, Minuet, Toccata (Boellman), Gernika (Gorka Hermosa), La Boda de Luis Alonso (Jimenez) and the New York Tango (Galliano). We were very grateful to be guided by an accomplished conductor from the Spokane area, Collins Loupe. We were amazed by his talent; he was amazed by the versatility of our instruments. As Helen, a member of the orchestra, said, “I have been a member of a professional symphony orchestra for over 30 years, and I take a lot of things about playing in an orchestra for granted. I’ve never thought much about the fact that a lot of musicians have never worked with a conductor. (This is both a blessing and a curse.) But Collins, bless his brave heart, was up to the nearly Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration impossible task of turning our fl edgling ensemble into June 19 - 22, 2014 a pretty high-fl ying group within a very short time. It’s Music Festival for the WHOLE Family! winter Quarter 2013 21 Northwest Accordion News

Seattle Social Report by lots of runs, which Einar plays so well. He concluded By Marjorie Rombauer with “Festival” by Derbenko, which featured impressive bellows shaking. A social was not scheduled for August, so we move into September. We met at the Swedish Club this month. Two scheduled performers were unable to attend as ex- pected, but we heard inspiring performances by others. Jon Pers- son appeared playing a Roland electronic accor- dion. He uses it particularly when he is working on orchestral ar- The full Folk Band concluded the scheduled rangements to performances. This group plays a wonderful variety of be recorded on Scandinavian music and regularly plays for dances. a card used with Our popular Brigit Ages was there with her accordion, the Roland. He and Phil Ages too, playing his usual assortment of acquired the instruments – guitar, accordion, mandolin, and penny Roland about a whistle. Others were Vicki Brodine (whose picture I year ago and is mistakenly labeled “Sarah” in a previous report), and still learning how Kris Johansson, playing fi ddles, and Jim Noyes on best to use it. He bass. They began with “Marianne Niemnan Ikon Valse” began his program with a new arrangement of Bach’s (“Marion berry Waltz”) and “Raffl es Pols,” composed by “Partita in E” that he has been working on. He wanted a friend of Vicki’s. The next number, “Vaasa Virtonen, a to see if he could go from beginning to end without polka, was a real workout for the bass player in some stopping – and he did, a continuous fl ow of notes. Then parts. At this point, my notes depart from their play list, he played numbers featuring orchestral arrangements, perhaps because they played an expanded program “LaCumparsita,” a medley from “Phantom of the Opera,” to fi ll some of the time void left by the absence of two Khatchaturian’s “Sabre Dance,” and the Russian Sailor’s performers. Their play list continues: “Lappanrantan Dance.” All demonstrated Jon’s mastery of the accor- Humppa,” “Kesan Tullessa” (a waltz), “Brigit’s Hambo,” dion, though the bass of the accordion was sometimes “Aku Valse,” and “Lapin Tango.” My notes record that faint, which Jon attributed to a battery about to die. they also played a Midsummer Dance with a lovely Next, Einar Tapio departed from his usual program melody, enhanced by the fi ddles, with the bass playing of Scandina- harmony and the accordion providing background. They vian fireworks also played a schottische, and I had to restrain myself polkas and to keep from dancing. I particularly enjoyed a waltz for such to play a which Kris sang. His voice blended very well with the jazz number, fi ddle and other instruments. Fats Waller’s John Giuliani responded to a request that he play arrangement of his accordion to complete the evening. He played two “Honeysuckle numbers impromptu and then was asked to play the Rose.” It had “Beer Barrel Polka.” That brought others to the stage fireworks too with instruments, and the audience joined to sing. They and was great! continued with “Oh, Marie,” and that was the end of an He followed that entertaining evening. with great ar- rangements of “Bluesette” by Toots Thielmans and “The Lady and the Waltz” by W. Beltrami. Then he played October 12, 2013 a traditional Finnish polka, “Iitin Tiltu” and “Mono,” a We had a special musical treat this evening as we met schottische with lots of fancy fi nger work. The waltz that at the West Seattle Senior Center. Featured visitors were followed, “Vals Pikant,” was a lovely melody surrounded Pekka Pentikäinen and Perttu Paappanenanad all the way from Finland, playing the violin and accordi- 22 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News Seattle Accordion Socials on, and each playing Seattle Accordion Socials meet on the 2nd Monday small of each month, 7:30-9:30 PM chro- matic No meetings in July and August. accordi- ons for All Socials, beginning in Dec. 2013 through 2014, some will be permanently located at the West Seattle Se- numbers. I made no attempt to record the foreign titles nior Center (WSSC), 4217 SW Oregon St., Seattle, of the many numbers they played, but I did record some WA, 98116. WSSC phone (days) 206-932-4044. impressions. The violin usually carried the melody or was Hosted by Birgit Ages: 206-368-9720 and John otherwise prominent. Themes of the numbers tended Giuliani: 425-255-2121 to be short and repeated, and they were frequently in a minor key. They played a tango, schottische, a wed- Donation $5.00 (includes coffee and cookies-some- ding march (slow and stately), and a wedding polska times homemade, by Birgit and Phil) from Sweden (lively! quite a switch from the march). A Swedish waltz followed, minor and slow and gentle, Nov. 11 -Swedish Club: Featuring, Mike Marinkov- with fast temp changes and minor-major modulations. ich, Harold Nygaard, Lenny Luzzi and his Primo When the violinist switched to the chromatic instru- Basso Band, Louis Traverso and “A Round Robbin” ment, they played a fast and tricky duet. There was a (please bring your accordion and join in and play) slow, sentimental waltz, two minor but lively Norwegian numbers with a bass drone, and a hambo with a haunt- Dec. 9 -WSSC: Featuring, Toby Hanson & The Smi- ing melody. They concluded with a favorite Norwegian lin’ Scandinavians, Alan Bridgeford, Phil and Birgit waltz, beginning in minor and segueing to a light, playful Ages (partly Christmas Program), John Giuliani and theme. What a treat! the annual “Christmas Play Along”, (please bring your accordion)

Jan. 13, 2014-WSSC: Featuring, Lyle Schaefer, Jamie Maschler, David Locke, TBA and our monthly “Round Robin” (please bring your accordion)

Feb. 13 -WSSC: TBA and our “Round Robbin” (please bring your accordion)

Feb. 22 – Day of the Accordion – Crossroads Mall, Bellevue, WA noon – 9 PM

A local treat, the Bonnie Birch Trio, followed, Welcome New Members with Bonnie on the accordion, Nick on the guitar, and Paul on the tuba. They played an “Octoberfest Around Hans Friedrichs, Hillsboro, OR the World” program. After they played Paul and Nick Izumi Harris, Spokane, WA sang two German songs. The world tour featured a Roen Hogg, Corvallis, OR Grieg number and music from Sweden, Spain (dance Jack Jones, Beaverton, OR from “Carmen,”) America, Russia, and Italy. They played Richard Pylilo, Bellingham, WA Jewish and Austrian music and J. Strauss’ “Radetzky Remember, you are welcome to give gift March.” Then they returned to Germany to play “Lili Mar- memberships! The membership form is on the lene” and “Happy Wanderer,” with the audience singing last page of this publication. along, of course. You may request hard copy, PDF (elec- Another grand evening of music! tronic), or both. You may also pay for more than one year at a time, if you like.

winter Quarter 2013 23 Northwest Accordion News Remembering Asher Barnea Roland Announces 2013 From the Accordion USA Web site U.S. V-Accordion® Festival Winner We are so sorry to inform readers that after a fairytale Sergei Teleshev Advances to marriage just four months ago, Rita Barnea (Editor of International V-Accordion® Festival in Rome the United States National Accordion News) has sadly lost her new husband and love of her life, Asher. He Los Angeles, CA, September 20, 2013 — Roland passed away after a very short battle with cancer; a dis- Corporation U.S. is pleased to announce that Sergei ease that had unknowingly spread throughout his body. Teleshev of Eugene, Oregon is the winner of the 2013 It was only a few weeks ago, that Rita and her late Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival. The talent showcased husband Asher were in attendance at the 75th An- by this year’s contestants was strong, and Roland niversary of the American Accordionists’ Association applauds all who participated. As the U.S. champion, (AAA), where Rita had the great pleasure of proudly Sergei advances to compete with regional winners from introducing her new husband to many of her ac- around the world during the 7th Roland International V- cordion family and friends. After she recently moved Accordion Festival, taking place in Italy on October 19, to Florida to begin her new life with Asher. It is al- 2013. Sergei also received two prizes: a new FR-8x, most unimaginable that such tragedy has struck. Roland’s latest fl agship V-Accordion, and a trip to the international festival in R ome. On behalf of all the accordion world and the many Accordionist and 2009 U.S V-Accordion Festival friends from around the globe that Rita has made dur- winner Alicia Baker was one of this year’s U.S. judges ing her years as editor of the United States National and called Sergei to share the good news with him. “I Accordion News, we offer our sincerest condolences, was so honored to be the person to tell Sergei he’d won. as she copes with this incredibly sad time in her life. I remember how inspired I was, and delivering that same Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Rita at: good news to him was extremely cool,” said Alicia. [email protected] U.S. contestants entered the contest one of two ways: YouTube® video submission or participation within Rita Barnea the 66th Coupe Mondiale. Both amateurs and profes- 9858 Glades Road, #229 sionals were eligible and encouraged to participate. Boca Raton, Florida 33434 Audition videos were accepted online this summer for the U.S. “pre-selection round,” and entrants performed on either an acoustic or digital accordion during this Request from Poland round. U.S. contestants chosen from the top U.S. video submissions and the top-placing U.S. contestants at the The following is a request from a beginning player Coupe Mondiale then advanced into the “fi nal selection in Poland. He is looking for an accordion arrangement; round.” $300 individual scholarships were also awarded he’s found the music mentioned on web sites but isn’t to the top U.S. contestants at the Coupe. skilled enough to play from the lead sheets. It you can Since stakes were much higher during the “fi nal help, he would be thrilled. selection round,” the U.S. fi nalists were loaned V-Ac- cordions and required to use the instrument exclusively Hi, during this round. Roland V-Accordions combine the I’m beginner accordionist from Poland, having kind familiar nuances of a traditional accordion with the ver- request: since longer time I’m trying to fi nd notes of satility of a modern digital musical instrument and faster “Battle Cry of Freedom” arranged for accordion (found response, higher sensitivity and precision. your site during another attempt) - unfortunately, some- With the growing number of accordion enthusiasts how Google isn’t helpful in my “quest for notes” at all. in the U.S. and around the world, competing in this Perhaps someone of you could send me PDF/JPG/Other one-of-a-kind annual event sponsored by Roland gives fi le with notes (or download link), or at least redirect me unique musicians a chance to share their music across to someone, who could help me with this? borders. Many thanks in advance. For more details, please visit www.RolandUS. uszanowanie / regards com/V-AccordionFestival. Zbigniew Baniewski [email protected]

24 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News Preparing for Leavenworth Pietka Scholarship Requests June 19 – 22, 2014 By Doris Osgood My name is An- Last year’s accordion celebration in Leavenworth thony Pierce. I am 18 was our best. There was outstanding entertainment from years old and I have professional players and outstanding entertainment pro- been playing the ac- vided by many amateur accordionists from throughout cordion since I was the northwest. The competition was especially good too. about 14. Under the Rod Miller and I were thrilled that we could fully fund awe-inspiring tutoring the bursary requests from our young competitors. The of Cooksie Kramer I bursary program will continue for 2014. The competi- have become fairly ef- tion portion of the accordion celebration costs money. fi cient at playing and I The bursary is an additional, extra ordinary expense. I have loved every min- hope that you will be able to help and donate to support ute of it. I have played that program. at my school many It’s not too early to begin thinking about participat- times and somehow ing in the accordion celebration next June. There is a I have become re- competition category for most players. Rod and I would nowned as that “ac- love to add more categories but it’s cost prohibitive. So, cordion kid”. Hey, the we will continue with the categories that were estab- nickname could be lished for 2013. worse! But it has been so fantastic being able to share Just to clarify: “Open” categories are for all players my passion with other people and it has really increased – amateur or professional, any age. The “Variety” cat- my confi dence, not only in my playing but in myself as egories are for amateurs only. Note that there is a time well. I am very eager to see what the future holds for limit for each performance; a player isn’t required to use me and my accordion. I can only hope it will be as fun all of the time allotted; players are not to exceed the time and memorable as these past few years. I don’t think I designated. There are also specifi c music requirements. will ever stop playing the accordion; it has become just In addition to competing, you have the opportunity another expression of who I am. to perform. I will begin scheduling performances at the gazebo and grange in May. Longer programs may be played at the grange; the gazebo time slots are 15 minutes each. To prepare, we encourage our perform- I started accor- ers encountering the general public to play audience dion because no- friendly music. Ethnic music, standards, and old time body I know plays dance tunes are best. To support the Bavarian quality it. I have learned of the community, we encourage those that can to wear more in America their Bavarian style clothing too. Remember to pack any than in France. I special equipment that you might need – music stands, had a choice be- stools, clothespins… tween accordion Players, don’t forget that we will have a parade. and piano because The music is in the key of C: Happy Wanderer, Beer those were the only Barrel, and Edelweiss are the standards. Start working instruments for my on those now. age. We rented If you haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer, then bought an ac- many different jobs will be available. We need people cordion so I can to provide information, man the counter at the festhalle, practice at home. sell shirts and tickets, man the door for workshops, and Sometimes I like to more. Scheduling will begin in May for all of those posi- play for guests at tions. It is work… but it’s also fun. Volunteers make this home and I really enjoy playing. event happen. – Max E. Hoeke We need YOU! Consider supporting the Leaven- worth International Accordion Celebration with your play- ing, your time, and your money. The plans are coming together for LIAC 2014; it’s going to be a great time. winter Quarter 2013 25 Northwest Accordion News purposes. This category requires 1 music selection Music Styles for Leavenworth 2014 which will not exceed 4 minutes performance time. This is an “open” category; amateurs and professionals of It’s time to begin thinking about competing at Leav- any age may participate. The March is not considered enworth next June. We want to be clear about som e as an Old Time selection for this competition. basics for the competition. Any player, professional or amateur, is eligible to play in any “Open” category. In the CLASSICAL MUSIC is played only in the Classical cat- “Variety” categories, only amateurs may play. Below is egories; LIGHT CLASSICAL music may be played in the some clarifi cation about music styles and the competi- Leavenworth Open, Duet, Band, and Varieties divisions. tion categories. The BAND and DUET categories each require one For the purpose of this competition, “Old Time” refers to Old Time selection plus another piece from any other the manner and style in which the selection was written music genre. Competitors may choose to play old time or is being played, not to the selection’s age or ethnic music exclusively; in that event a different dance style nd origin. Old-time music is fi ttingly described as the style will be used for the 2 piece. Note that there are two and tempo predominantly and successfully used for Duet divisions: Duet 2 is for amateur competitors ages executing the polka, schottische, and waltz throughout 17 and under. a broad cross-section of North American and European The VARIETY category is for amateur players only. The communities during the past few centuries. All cultural competitor will play one Old Time piece. The second styles are equally acceptable as long as the selection is piece may be Old Time or a selection from any genre played in the manner used by the culture of origin. With (popular, jazz, and light classical, or old time music from this as a guide, the decision of the adjudicators is fi nal. a different dance style.) CLASSICAL/CONTEMPORARY describes the category We also have a category called EVALUATION. This of music which follows the original form and intent of category will have a panel of qualifi ed accordionist the composer; repeats may be omitted to fi t the time reviewing the performance. The purpose is to give the requirement. The printed sheet music is provided to player an opportunity to have their playing evaluated the judges. in a constructive and helpful manner without having to LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC is based on a classical compete. This category does not have monetary awards piece or theme but is reinterpreted to have entertainment but the award is in the helpful comments obtained. All value; it does not have to follow the format of the original evaluations will be composition. done at the Grange. Bell & Reed DIATONIC DIVISION: Diatonic accordions of all types/ Professional play- ACCORDION styles are allowed but only “old-time” music selections ers are allowed in all permitted. This category is open to amateur and Open categories, and WOODWIND duets, bands, and professional accordionists. * * * diatonic categories. Digital, electronic, amplifi ed and MIDI accordions are not ac- They may also par- REPAIR cepted in any division. If any of these systems are installed ticipate in the EVALU- only the acoustic accordion will be allowed. TUNING ATION category. The LEAVENWORTH OPEN requires the competitor to SALES ALL categories, except play three selections. One Old Time selection is required. RENTALS March and Classical The competitor may play 2 other selections from genres require one Old Time INSTRUCTION such as jazz, popular, and light classical. Serious clas- selection. Competitors sical music is not appropriate. If the competitor chooses * * * have time restraints to play additional old time music for the category, the and will present their www.bellandreed.com music must be selected from the 2 remaining old time Old Time music along tel (206) 696-9054 dance styles. Old Time music is defi ned in rule #8. The with other music styles competitor will present 3 pieces and will confi ne the 115 Prefontaine Pl S (401) within time defi nitions presentation to 12 minutes or less. given. Competitors Seattle, WA 98104 The MARCH category has been reinstated to LIAC. are not required to by appointment One march will be played; the music may come from play for the entire any country. Since “Old Time” refers to dance music, time segment but the march has been removed from that defi nition for our must play the required music for each category.

26 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News

Divisions and Requirements for Competition 2014 Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration *Open Categories - Open to both Professionals and Amateurs*

Category Age (if any) Category Code Fee Leavenworth Open All LV-O $35 Classical Open All CL-O $20 March All M-O $20 Accordion Duets - 1 18 & over AD-1 $20 (per entrant) Diatonic All DI-O $20 Bands All BA-1 $15 (per band member)

*Amateur Categories - Amateurs only*

Category Age Category Code Fee Variety 1 70+ V-1 $20 Variety 2 60 - 69 V-2 $20 Variety 3 19 - 59 V-3 $20 Variety 4 13 - 18 V-4 $10 Variety 5 11 - 12 V-5 $10 Variety 6 10 & under V-6 $10 Accordion Duets - 2 17 & under AD-2 $10 (per entrant) Classical 15 & under CL-A $10

*Non-competitive - Evaluation - Open to both Professionals and Amateurs* Evaluation All (non-competitive) E-O (@ GRANGE) $15

*SEE RULES AND NOTES FOR IMPORTANT EXPLANATIONS*

Leavenworth Open - 3 selections - 1 must be Old Time - max time: 12 minutes

Classical Open - 1 selection - max time: 8 minutes

March - 1 selection - max time: 4 minutes

Diatonic - 2 selections - both must be Old Time - max time: 8 minutes

Accordion Duets - 18 & over - 2 selections - 1 must be Old Time - max time: 8 minutes

Accordion Duets - 17 & under - 2 selections - 1 must be Old Time - max time: 8 minutes

Band Competition - 2 selections - 1 must be Old Time - max time: 10 minutes.

Variety (1 - 6) - 2 selections - 1 must be Old Time - max time: 8 minutes

Classical - 15 & under - 1 selection - max time: 8 minutes

Evaluation - non-competitive - 1 or 2 selections may be played - will take place at the Grange.

winter Quarter 2013 27 Northwest Accordion News Grandpa Reaches 89 years of age Does not need more than one accordion

90 Bass “Traviata” Leaks but plays fairly well $150.00 120 Bass “Noble” Excellent Condition $600.00

120 Bass “Elkavox” Midi (installed by Arralde) $3995.00 120 Bass “Excelsior” Gold Model Recently spot tuned by Arralde $6000.00

Borsini Accordion - Excellent condition. Treble 4 sets & Bass 5 sets of handmade reeds - 25 lbs. Keyboard 18 ¾”. Dry tuned. Air tight bellows with stereo pickups. 120 Bass “Petosa” Millennium. Like new, recently service $ 2195.00 by Petosa - $3995.00 Call Grandpa Luigi in Kent, WA for more info - 206-550-7806 28 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News but we only had fi ve accordionists performing and one Tacoma Accordion Social singer. Lyle Schaefer was our fi rst player. He played Submitted by Eloise Adair songs from the 1970’s, “A Horse with No Name”, 12 September 2013 “Story in Your Eyes”, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, Many of our accordion friends worked at the “On a Clear Day” and “I Can See You Clearly Now”. Washington Fair in Puyallup for the fi rst 5 days. I was Dennis Perry played “Canadian Sunset”, “Return to there the fi fth day so we were ready for our social. We Me”, “Charlie Was a Boxer” and “Nightie Night Until had 35 in attendance at our meeting. Wilbur Wybenga Tomorrow”. Richard Svensson had new accordion, was fi rst to play. He played “Nidelven”, “Bella Mia” ,”An an electronic one. He played Reginella Campanola”, Old Log Cabin for Sale” and “Yellow Bird”. Our next “Marina”, “Lokkeren”, “In Heaven There is Pancakes” player was Edith Barrett who played at the fair played and “Frosty the Snowman”. Diane Crews sang “Heart for us “Ole Guapa”, “Tango Serenade”, “Springtime in of Mine” for us. San Remo” and “Polka Brilljante”. Randall Tron played “Memories Are Made of This”, Randall Tron was our next performer playing “Pepperoni”, “Peg o My Heart” and “Beer Barrel Polka”. “Never on Sunday”, “Easy Lovin” ,”Just Because” Next we hear Dick Myking play “Saturday Waltz”, “Cattle Call” and “Amazing Grace”. Eloise Adair “Olands Toser” and “Frank’s Polka”. We had time left then played “Isle of Capri”, “Marianna Waltz”, “Black so Lyle Schaefer played again. He played “Room Full and White Rag” and “Polka Dot Polka” which she of Roses” “Rose Marie” “Sonnen & Thrannen” “The wrote. Dennis Perry was our next entertainer playing Last Time I Saw Henry” and “Too Fat Polka”. “Josephine”, “See “X0u In September” and “Goof us”. Diane Crews, our singer was next singing Luigi, continued from page 19 “Skylark”. Then Lynn Swanson played “Shangri La”, rd “Turkish Rhondo”, a medley “Green Leaves of Summer” morning of the program. Their 3 player would arrange and “September Song “. Dick and Mark Myking were the music the ensemble would play and they would es- up next. They played “Caller’s Waltz”, “Oland’s Toser” sentially sight read. Chester said that every Sunday Luigi and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”. Then Mark played would say, “Thatsa too hard!” The trio also borrowed a some Cajun music, “Ai Ai Ai 0”, “Julie Band Cajun car during that same time to travel to Chicago for a Galla Waltz” and “Bayon Pon Pon Two Step”. Rini workshop and concert. Can you imagine? Luigi Rangan was born in Arba, Italy. As a 12 year 10 October 2013 old he and his family left Italy for the United States and This was our Oktoberfest program and David came to Portland, OR. His father and brother pursued Emter began “Prune Song Waltz”, “Otice Eddies work in terrazzo fl ooring, which can be found in older Polka”, “Beer Barrel Polka” and “Evening Waltz”. Then buildings around Portland today. After learning to play we had Michael Barbarossa playing “Across the Plains the accordion, Luigi decided to make his life’s career & Ohio Polka”, “Happy Trails”, “Pennsylvania Polka” “ as a musician. He was soon in demand, playing all Grabbar Hussen Schottische” and “Liechtensteiner over the city. He built a large studio and had many stu- Polka’. Since we only had 29 at our program we only dents. There’s hardly an adult in Portland who learned had seven performers so that got to play an extra to play the accordion that didn’t start with Luigi long piece. Ray Reusch was next playing “Muchen Hetz & ago. Luigi lost his best friend and wife, Doris, in 1994. Gaudi”, “Der Alte Peter”, “Es War in Boeherwald” and As a 90 year old he called me to say that he “The Rambling Boy”. could only play for an hour standing… he’d had Our next performer was Ray Benz playing “Alte a fall. He only recently retired. “Well, what’s age? Kameraden Marsch” and “The Thunderer March”. You have to keep your thoughts young,” he said. Eloise Adair was next playing “Liechenteiner Polka”, It’s hard to give up people from the Greatest Gen- “Engelberger Landler”, “Barbara Polka” and “In eration. Luigi was an example for all of us. He was a Munchen steht ein Hofbrauhaus”. Randall Tron great entertainer and a fi ne musician. He had a vast played his accordion with very deep sounding bass. number of friends and colleagues in the music com- He played “Wooden Heart”, “Just Because” and “Blue munity in Portland. He’d played with members of the Skirt Waltz”. Then we got to listen to Dick Myking Oregon Symphony often and was a regular accom- playing “Appenzeller Froliche”, “Happy Wanderer”, panist for groups like the Mandolin Society. His family “Rosenstagstellar” and “Doggone Accordion Polka”. misses him; he was dear to everyone who knew him. 14 November 2013 Arrivederci, Luigi We had 39 in attendance at our November meeting

winter Quarter 2013 29 Northwest Accordion News Washington State Fair By Dick Myking

The Washington State Fair (offi cial new name) is going strong and NWAS members had a good time and did a great job. The interest in accordion matters is improving all the time. Many of the people we talked with were very excited about playing, learning, fi xing or giving their accordions. We have always displayed the instruments, but this year we had little placards with printed information about that particular accordion. I also began giving free lessons for the fi rst time, and several people came in the booth to take a lesson. The only downer was that Rick Hatley could only be there a few hours for two of our days. He still has a great A little girl name grace came into the booth for a lesson on our attitude and does what he can, so Rick is a tremendous 12-bass. inspiration for all of us.

Connie Armer with a high school girl who plays harp. She was very excited about taking a lesson (from me). Joe Geldmacher in the booth talking with our neighbor from the Barbershop booth. This was the best picture of our banner.

Judy, Jean, Bill and Charlie make up the Charlie Watkins Country Group. They performed for one hour.

Other performers, each playing one hour:  Edith Barrett and Jim Leonhard, both are ac- cordion players. Jim plays a MIDI, Edith an This is the best picture of what our booth displayed. Connie acoustic. Armer stands behind Ray Reusch. Both Connie and Ray are  Richard Svensson on a 14 lb. digital accordion students of mine. operated by Richard and powered by eight AA batteries.  Dick Myking – acoustic accordion.

30 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News By the Way – On our last day in Canada we drove over to a delightful From Doris Osgood butterfl y garden (humid and colorful) - the little jewels fl ew about amongst the fl owers and trees and water During the Baseball World Series 2013, Game 6 features, turtles, and birds and teased us. between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Next we landed at the Butchart Gardens, my favorite Sox, the Boston Band, Dropkick Murphys, performed the place of all my travels. I was in slow gear so we needed National Anthem, with band member Tim Brennan on to cautiously and slowly navigate the separate gardens/ accordion. The USA Today newspaper wrote “Dropkick themes. I was overjoyed by all the savvy placement Murphys sang the most Boston national anthem ever. of flowers -- such nuanced combinations to fit the Their rendition had an accordion, a banjo, and four microclimate. The dahlias were showing off --and made members of the band screaming. It was so Boston it a big impression. I found the tall colorful+ lobelia and hurt.” will include them in my plans, too. We ate in their dining North America was well represented at the Roland V room overlooking a Mediterranean sunken pool, with International Competition in Rome in October. Sergei water feature and picture perfect fl owers all around; the Teleshev and Michael Bridge performed beautifully. food was good, too, and the dessert -- a work of art. We Sergei represented the United States and Michael did a little shopping - found even more music (duets) represented Canada. There is good coverage of their and new back straps for my instrument! performances and of the radio interview of Sergei As hard as we tried to relocate our Leavenworth at www.accordionusa.com. Both played impressive Parademeister, Rod Miller… he and his wife have programs and were very well received in Rome. We are decided that Kelowna, BC is the right place for them. proud of them. The link to Sergei’s Final Round in Rome: He’d sold his home some time ago in Kelowna and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGf7a5nOBfw had considered some communities closer to all of us. My husband is always on the hunt of good musical In the end, Canada was declared home. Throughout DVD’s. Recently he purchased a real treasure entitled, December, Rod and Barb will be moving to their new “Piazzola Forever”. It’s a 2 disc collection of Argentinean home in West Kelowna. Congratulations to them. tango music performed by a septet featuring accordionist Accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman performed with Richard Galliano. Galliano was responsible for famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Jamey Haddad, Cyro Baptista arranging all of the music for the group consisting of 2 and the NY Philharmonic for their 2013 Opening Gala on violins, a cello, string bass, violin and accordion. Galliano September 25, 2013. The performance was broadcast played a chromatic accordion (sans grill), a bandoneon, live on WQXR radio and will be televised on “Live and an accordina. The musicianship was outstanding. from Lincoln Center” on PBS stations nationwide on You may wish to check it out. December 31st, 2013 at 8:00 PM EST. The accordionist Coupe Mondiale Experience from Connie Weimer: is seated just to the conductor’s right and easily seen On August 17, accordion playing friend Jeanne and I during the performance. drove up to Victoria, Vancouver, BC via the Ferry at Port Angeles. (We’d traveled to Spokane last October for an international event too) We’d registered for all the events at the “Olympics” of accordion competition -- the World Coupe Mondiale. We attended events for seven nights. We are overwhelmed with such a terrifi c combination of talents was on display. The competitors from 24 countries had to memorize diffi cult material and play for 7-9 judges. We’d registered to participate in the International World Orchestra and I’d been practicing every day. We had two rehearsals and then 90 of us crowded onto a small stage and sounded great on Tuesday evening. I was in the Nancy, Gary, Doris, Dan, Terry, Wil, Judy and Paul last/back row - so could only watch the players around me and jump in -- for 90% of the songs. The combo of Home concerts are gaining popularity; a classic songs from Les Mis will ring in my head for years and performance venue reborn… Recently my husband years. Such a thrill!

winter Quarter 2013 31 Northwest Accordion News and I – along with several accordion friends – attended a soiree in Portland that featured Dan Newton. Dan is a well-known accordionist from Minnesota. Abbie Weisenbloom hosts 100 home concerts each year in her Portland home! Her Victorian style house has a stage built into the front of the living-room; on this particular evening there were 40 people in the audience. Not all programs have accordionists, however in early December an accordion duo from Denmark will be featured. Abbie hosts a wide variety of musical styles - folk groups, string players, woodwinds. The “home concert” venue has an intimate quality that can’t happen in large performance halls. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Remember to submit your articles and other information to our magazine address: NWAS News 5102 NE 121st Ave Unit 12, Vancouver, WA 98682 Check the web site, www.nwasnews.com for current events and updates. More from Gary Blair

Since we last spoke I’ve been around a few places. Had a blast at the 25th Anniversary of the Carrefour Mondiale de L-accordeon in Montmagny Quebec,,,, Simply the greatest line up of talent I have ever seen and an amazing festival ! We had the likes of Jerome Richard , Paname Swing, Matuto, Ro- berto Lucanero etc etc. Its a huge festival and had around 35000 people to the town that weekend! I have also just returned from Russia where I played at the Alfred Mirek Accordion Museum in Moscow. The festival was called “the accordion is the Soul of Russia” Again. it was a fantastic line up including, Vincenzo Ab- braciante, Miroslav Levsukh, and his wife Vlada. Alexander Korbakov and many Others. Another outstanding festival!

32 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News About the Zwiefacher By Patrick McMonagle repeats of (2 pivot + 2 waltz) followed by 4 repeats of (4 pivot + 2 waltz). The score is titled by the song name, in The Zwiefacher (pronounce it Tswee-fakh-er) is an some Alpine German dialect. Also following is the same Alpine folk dance and music form popular in Bavaria tune in Griffschrif. and Austria. It is also found in Switzerland, the Czech Dancers and musicians best approach with a sense Republic, and the Alsaice region of France and in a of humor. Perfectionists quickly become irritated by few classical pieces. Consider it dance music played too frequent variance in expectations, written scores, in mixed rhythms, usually Waltz and One-step/pivot. hearing, and the outcomes from feet or fi ngers. The (3/4 & 2/4 or Ohm-pa-pa & Ohm-pa.) Polka or mazurka Zwiefacher simply a delightful puzzle, more active than measures occasionally sneak in. Some Zwiefachers crosswords. have excessively unique time signatures. In the Pacifi c One hint for group play: Assign a bass instrument NW many speak of the Zwiefacher with reverence due a metronome duty; playing only the “pa” notes in Ohm- a living mythology from the days of the old gods. In pa-pa or Ohm-pa measures. Dancers often depend on Bavaria and Austria it is currently a healthy part of the this rhythmic clue. social dance scene. Musicians actively work up new A few other web pages an accordion player may variations to challenge dancers. appreciate: It has a long standing folk tradition with occasional  www.volksmusikschule.at/english.htm Franz’s spikes of popularity into royal presence. Scores in English language site on the Striesche the mixed rhythms dates into the 1400’s, though no Harmonika. one knows if it was considered dance music. The fi rst  www.stammtischmusik.at/noten/noten.shtml Zwiefacher records are from the 1700’s. These are not Franz’s German language site with links to stone discs played by Fred Flintstone’s pterodactyl. No; more Walzer, Polka and Schottisch scores. at that time an unmarried couple dancing in a face to Most accordion players can read that much face hold was doing something immoral and illegal. And, German without help. if a musician was present, they were doing it in public!  Hear the Ladril tune played by a popular band, Thus; arrest records. no chubby folks in lederhosen here: Search At an unknown time, the mixed rhythms and face to Youtube for deitsch wirtshaus. Or, search face dancing were united into the present Zwiefacher. Amazon and download it for less than a dollar. Now face to face dancing is acceptable, even among most conservatives. Dancing separately, rubbing and shaking various body parts now draws the tisk-tisks. The Austrians and Bavarians are especially proud The Chester Pietka Scholarships are of the tradition. To see dozens of copyright free scores available for young accordionists. Young on the web Google Zwiefacher Franz Fuchs. The web people ages 18 and under, taking lessons site is in German but knowing “Nach Oben” is a “Browse from a recognized teacher, or wishing to Back” click may be enough to navigate the scores. do so, may submit a written request for The scores are available in both standard notation scholarship funds for the purpose of taking and Griffschrif, a simplifi ed score for button boxes, the lessons. Requests are to be submitted to Steirische Harmonika.The Zwiefacher most commonly Doris Osgood, 3224 B St., Forest Grove, OR known in the USA is “Alte Kath” with a simple pattern 97116 or e-mail [email protected]. of 2 Waltz steps followed by 2 Pivot steps. The tune is In addition to giving personal information, easy to fi nd on the web, and easy to get confused about. students are to share their age, interest and The name is often spelled in Austrian and Bavarian dialects; “Oide Kath” and “Unser alde Kat” are two such their goals for playing the accordion. These variations. “Alte Kath” has been around long. Evidence scholarships are open to the young people includes more names; “Seidener Zwirm”, “Oafache”, within the Pacifi c Northwest, not just the Bockshamerisch” and “Suppn”. There are scholarly greater Portland area. claims that the average old Zwiefacher tune has about 4 names. Sometimes different tunes will have the same names while tune variants shift time signatures. A Zwiefacher score follows. The melody was fi rst known to me as Ladril. The dance pattern is usually 4

winter Quarter 2013 33 Northwest Accordion News

Reprinted with Permission

34 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News

Reprinted with Permission

winter Quarter 2013 35 Northwest Accordion News

Accordion Events Calendar BROOKINGS ACCORDION CLUB By Doris Osgood BROOKINGS, OR [email protected] 4th Sat. monthly 2-4 PM, Evergreen Federal S&L, 850 Chetco Ave. Brookings, OR, Pres. Cami Meccia 541- NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY SOCIALS 469-807 SEATTLE, WA EASTSIDE JAZZ nd 2 Monday monthly: West Seattle Senior Center Bellevue, WA Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10 Contact: John 3rd Tuesday monthly, Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 7:30 Giuliani 425-255-2121 or Birgit Ages 206-368-9720 PM beginning January 2012. Contact: Cooksie Back up contact: Bonnie Birch 206-622-4786. Music 7:30 PM – Kramer 425-828-9104 9:30 PM. EMERALD VALLEY ACCORDION CLUB NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY SOCIALS EUGENE, OR TACOMA, WA 1st Monday monthly: 7:00 – 9:30 PM Veterans’ 2nd Thursday monthly Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, Memorial Bldg. 1626 Willamette St. Secretary Linda st March 13 Lutheran Church 121 & Park Ave. across Gunn 541-726-6330 [email protected] V.P. Lou from PLU Library 7:00 – 9:30 PM Marzano Social time 6 PM, business 6:45 PM contact: Dick Myking 253-537-0136 FAIRBANKS ACCORDION CLUB NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY SOCIALS FAIRBANKS, AK FOREST GROVE, OR Mondays weekly 6 – 8 PM Pioneers Home, open to all th 4 Sundays April and October. Forest Grove free reed instruments. Contact: Christine Upton 907- Community Center, 2037 Douglas St. Forest Grove, 457-3392 OR. 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM. Contact: Doris Osgood 503-357-0417. FIVE VALLEY ACCORDION ASSOCIATION April 27 and October 26, 2014 MONTANA 5VAA Jams are 1- 5 Pm ACCORDION CLUB OF CENTRAL OREGON Dec. 8 Rustic Hut, Florence BEND, OR Dec. 22 no jam- Christmas Break ND 2 Saturday Monthly, noon – 2 PM Aspen Ridge Jan. 12 Eagles, Hamilton Retirement Home 1010 NW Purcell Blvd, Bend Jan. 26 Rustic Hut, Florence Members provide entertainment one Sunday Feb. 12 Jokers Wild, Missoula monthly also. Contacts: Lillian Jones, 541-536-1531 Pres. Helen Brady 370-8452 [email protected] or Karl Kment, 541-548-0495 [email protected] [email protected] Montana – NW Accordion Association ACCORDION CLUB OF ROSEBURG Dec. 15 Eagles, Kalispell ROSEBURG, OR Contact: Ken Kenmille 407-3514 3rd Monday monthly 6:30, 553 Little Valley Rd. all NWAA Jams 2 – 5:30 PM Roseburg Montana – Great Falls Accordion Players Pres. Karen Cordell 553 Little Valley Rd. Roseburg, Dec. 22 Elks OR 97471 541-784-1911 [email protected] Jan. 19, 2014 Moose Jams are 1 PM – 5 PM ACCORDION CLUB OF VANCOUVER Contact Pat Sharp for info: 406-452-4546 VANCOUVER, B.C. www.meetup.com/Accordion-Club-of-Vancouver GEM STATE ACCORDION CLUB contact: Haike Kingma, [email protected] IDAHO Caldwell Library Community Rm Caldwell, ID ACCORDION INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SOCIETY 3rd Saturday monthly 1 – 4 PM SANTA BARBARA, CA for information contact: Dianne Lansing slansing757@ nd 2 Sunday monthly 1 – 3 PM Vale Verde Retirement gmail.com Theatre 900 Calle de los Amigos, Santa Barbara, CA AIMS P.O. Box 4511 Santa Barbara, CA 93140 HUGO’S ACCORDION BAND Info: Heinz Trick 805-685-2260 MT. VERNON, WA www.santabarbaraaccordions.com 2nd and 4th Monday monthly 2:00 - 4:00 PM President, Duane Stowe 16580 Peterson Rd

36 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News

Burlington, WA 98233 360-757-4826 dstowe@ the Global Credit Union Bldg. Exit #280 off I-90. clearwire.net 6 – 9 PM, $3. at the door

HOUSTON BAY AREA ACCORDION CLUB TUALATIN VALLEY ACCORDIONISTS HOUSTON, TX FOREST GROVE, OR ND 2 Wednesday monthly 5 – 9 PM Joe Brikha, Pres 1st Sat. monthly 10 AM – 1 PM Forest Grove Library [email protected] www.bayareaaccordionclub. Pacifi c Ave. Contact: Paul and Judy Bria 503-591- com 0504 [email protected] MEDFORD ACCORDION CLUB YUMA ACCORDION CLUB MEDFORD, OR Yuma, AZ th 4 Monday monthly 7 - 9 PM: Central Point Senior every Tuesday, November - March at the Yuma Food Center 123 N. 2nd St, Central Point, OR Jeannette Bank at 2404 E 24th Street, Yuma, AZ Dewey, Pres. 1029 SE Rogue Dr. Grants Pass, OR President, Coreen Bergholm @ [email protected] 97526 541-471-7455 or Ginger Purdy @ [email protected] OKANAGAN ACCORDION CLUB VICTORIA ACCORDION CLUB KELOWNA, BC VICTORIA, B.C. CANADA Tuesdays weekly Sept. – May, Senior Center on 1st Sunday Monthly 2:30 PM, Victoria Edelweiss Club Richter 108 Niagra St., James Bay District Victoria, BC Info contact: Rod Miller 250-317-9088, Lela Bourne Contact: John 250-386-7282 or 250-477-3098 [email protected] BUTTON BOX CAMPS JULY AND SEPT ROGUE RIVER ACCORDION CLUB for information contact: Joseph Smiell Jr. 812 Bantry ROGUE RIVER, OR Way Benica, CA 94510 - camps held at Heildman nd 2 Friday monthly. 4 – 6 PM Council Chambers Lodge, Norden, CA near Donner Pass Rogue River City Hall, 133 Broadway St. Rogue River, OR. Pres. Margot Turrell 206 Creekside Grants DAY OF THE ACCORDION Pass, OR 97526 541-479-9409 [email protected] February 22, 2014, Crossroads Center Bellevue, WA ROSE CITY ACCORDION CLUB RCAC ACCORDION CAMP- SILVER FALLS PORTLAND, OR CONFERENCE CENTER June 8 – 13, 2014 near 3rd Saturday monthly. 1 – 5 PM Milwaukie Public Sublimity, OR. Camp treasurer: Marlene Meissner Safety Bldg, SE 32nd & Harrison, Milwaukie, OR. 503-463-9909 [email protected] Pres. Wayne Tiusanen [email protected] LEAVENWORTH INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION www.rosecityaccordionclub.org CELEBRATION June 19- 22, 2014 Leavenworth, SEQUIM ACCORDION SOCIAL WA. www.accordioncelebration.org www.nwasnews. SEQUIM, WA com 2nd Sunday, Odd numbered months, 1:00 – 4:00 PM FAIRBANKS SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL Sequim Senior Center 921 E. Hammond St; July , 2014 on the campus of U. of Alaska Fairbanks. next meeting January 11 contact: Jeannie Berg- www.fsaf.org contact 907-474-8869 [email protected] 360-683-5620 ACCORDION CELEBRATION – Historic Wallace SIERRA NEVADA ACCORDIONS Wallace, ID August , 2014 www.wallaceIdahoChamber. com RENO, NV John Covarelli, Pres. 775-848-3777, sqeezebox2@ COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL gmail.com Cotati, CA August 16 - 17 , 2014 www.cotatifest. com 707-664-04444 SPOKANE ACCORDION ENSEMBLE SPOKANE, WA INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CONVENTION weekly rehearsals 6- 9 PM Eileen Webber, Pres. 509- Las Vegas, NV, August 17 - 21, 2014 at the Gold Coast 290-6858 [email protected] Hotel, Las Vegas USA: 1-800-472-1695 outside USA: 1-801-486-1695 SPOKANE AND INLAND NORTHWEST ACC. CLUB [email protected] SPOKANE, WA 4th Monday monthly, 1520 W. 3rd and Maple in Spokane, at Continued on page 39

winter Quarter 2013 37 Northwest Accordion News Lynn Haldeman Entertainers in the Northwest Leader of Haldeman’s OOM-PAH Boys Submit your public performance schedules to Doris Osgood 3224 B St Der Rheinlander Restaurant Portland, OR Forest Grove, OR 97116 [email protected] Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun. 5 PM – 9 PM Alpiners USA Contact: Lynn Haldeman 1200 NE 199th Ave. Portland, www.alpinerusa.com with Joe Domitrowich OR 97230 503-328-6099 [email protected] Juan Barco – Band Greg Meier Contact: 23091 23rd Ave. W. Brier, WA 98036 For scheduling information write: 38572 Park Ave. 425-775-8150; cell 206-356-1878 Sandy, OR 97055 503-668-7002. Fax 503-668-1058 [email protected] Corky Bennett Wednesdays at Polo Lounge, Fridays w/ 9th St. Band Andy Mirkovich Reno Senior Center, Saturdays at Bavarian World Full schedule private engagements website: www.corkybennett.com Master Classes by appointment: 425-451-1256 email: [email protected] Murl Allen Sanders 775-287-2050 Full schedule private engagements, regular Bonnie Birch performances in synagogue and church, composing, website: bonniebirch.com and teaching. For scheduling information: write 1107 1st Ave. www.murlallensanders.com For scheduling #1003 Seattle, WA 98101. information write: [email protected] PO Box 206-622-4786, email: [email protected] 30553 Seattle, WA 98113, 206-781-8196 Chuck Berger Lyle Schaefer Accordion Repair and Public Performance For scheduling information write: 9028-60th Ave For information call: 503-254-0996 East, Puyallup,WA 98371-6299 253-848-0778 [email protected] [email protected],. Charlie Brown Sam’s Variety Gems Sam Pecorilla: home 541-847-2282, cell 541-321- Contact: [email protected] 9088 hm 253-857-6557 cell 253-376-5487 Smilin’ Scandinavians Frank Calapristi Dec. 14 Renton VFW Dakota Club 7 – 11 PM Winter schedule at King Ludwig’s, Wed, Thurs. Sun. Jan. 18 Bothell Sons of Norway 8 – 11 PM nights; tour groups as needed Feb. 2 Swedish Club Seattle 11:45 AM – 1 PM For scheduling information write PO Box 1057 April 19 Bothell Sons of Norway 8 – 11 PM Leavenworth, WA 98826 509-548-0155 For scheduling information contact: Toby Hanson [email protected] 11123 216th St. E Graham, WA 98338 Gary Dahl 253-875-8580 [email protected] For scheduling information write 509 Valley Ave. NE http://smilinscandivanians.com #5 Puyallup, WA 98372 Dennis Schadduck Phone/fax 253-770-9492 China Jade Restaurant 87th & Greenwood Ave. N [email protected]; www.accordions.com/ Seattle Sunday nights. garydahl; www.beltuna.com Joe Szabo Tom Demski (Mr. Flash) Fri – Sat. 6:30 – 9:30 PM Nonna Emilia’s Ristorante For scheduling information write: 518 9th St. SW Aloha, OR Puyallup, WA 98371 253-840-9277 For scheduling information: 13484 SW Devonshire Dr. [email protected] Beaverton, OR 97005 503-641-2313 Folk Voice Band Syl’s Ya Sure Ya Betcha Band (WA) For scheduling: Birgit Ages 206-368-9720 folkvoice@ Syl’s Arizona Dance Band and Polka Band folkvoiceband.com; http://folkvoiceband.com Dec. 21 Sons of Norway Bothell 8 – 11:30 Happy Hans’ Music Hans Rainer, Jr. Dec. 31 Sun Valley Park Apache Junction, AZ Dec.7 Berliner Pub Renton, WA 6 – 10 PM Full schedule in Mesa and Apache Junction, AZ Dec. 21 Berliner Pub Renton WA 6 – 10 PM November - April Dec. 31 German House Seattle 8 PM – 12:30 AM (Jan.- April, Nov. Arizona Schedule, 480-357-2585) For scheduling information write Hans Rainer, JR For scheduling: Sylvia Jorgensen, WA contact: 253- 24613 231st Ave. SE Maple Valley, WA 98038 845-9321, cell 253-678-7682 425-413-6562 [email protected] WWW. [email protected], www.fjordsong.com HAPPYHANSMUSIC.COM 38 winter Quarter 2013 Northwest Accordion News

SVEA Trio Svea Trio- Richard Svensson and Bjarne Jacobsen 206-523-3245, [email protected] www. NW Accordionaires winwins.com/sveatrio/ Contact: Cooksie Kramer 425-828-9104 Trio Voronezh With Sergei Teleshev Most of our professional players keep their current and http://triovoronezh.com/TrioVoronezh/Concerts.html updated performance schedules on their web sites. Feb. 9 Ridgeview H.S. Redmond, OR 2 PM and 6:30 Advance scheduling is diffi cult and often fl uid. Consult PM the contact information and web addresses for up to date March 1 Smith River, CA Lucky 7 Casino information. Support them when you can. March 6 – 7 Evanston, WY March 13 Cody, WY March 14 Gardiner, MT March 15 Pondera, MT Continued from page 37 March 16 Hobson, MT March 17 Fort Benton, MT VICTORIA ACCORDION FESTIVAL March 22 Eureka, MT Victoria, British Columbia August , 2014 March 26 Ronan, MT www.bcaccordion.ca 1-778-433-8700 March 28 Libby, MT March 29 Worley, ID and New Castle, WY ALPENFEST March 30 Cheyenne, WY Alpenfest Sept. 25 - 28 2014 Wallowa County, OR, March 31 Fort Morgan, CO Oregon’s Little Switzerland Enterprise, P.O. Box 301 April 1 Johnson City, KS Joseph, OR 97846 Details: oregonalpenfest.com or April 3 Joplin, MO 541-432-0209. Cell 541-398-1096 Diane Young ACCORDION EXTRAVAGANZA www.accordionmusictricities.com EDMONTON, ALBERTA September 2014 For scheduling information: 509-460-1602 www.edmontonaccordion.com [email protected]

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winter Quarter 2013 39 Northwest Accordion News

Northwest Accordion Society

5102 NE 121st Ave. Unit 12 Vancouver, WA 98682

www.nwasnews.com

Membership Application All funds in U.S. Currency

Membership Type: New Membership Renewal

Regular Membership Student Membership Patron Membership North America Age 18 and Under $35/year U.S. funds U.S. - $20.00 U.S. $15/year Canada - $25 (U.S. Funds) Canada $20/year (US funds) Outside North America $35 (U.S. Funds)

Gift Membership from:

Name: (Please Print) Street Address: City: State: Zip: Country: Telephone: ( ) E-mail Address: (This will be used for INTERNAL to NWAS only and will not be sold or distributed elsewhere) I would like to receive the _____Electronic version (PDF) _____Hard copy ____Both types Please mail to: Northwest Accordion Society, 5102 NE 121st Ave. Unit 12, Vancouver, WA 98682. Include SASE (Self Addressed STAMPED Envelope) for membership card All funds in U.S. Currency

40 winter Quarter 2013

Northwest Accordion Society 5102 NE 121st Ave., Unit 12 PRESORTED Vancouver, WA 98682-6164 STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BRB

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Current Members Your membership renewal date is specifi ed on the mailing label. Please assist our volunteer staff by sending in your renewal form before that date. Change of Address To avoid delay and extra cost, send address changes to the above address, or email as soon as possible. There is a $5 charge to resend undeliverable issues. New Members We encourage all individuals interested in supporting, playing, and/or promoting the accordion to become members. Membership forms are inside the back cover.

NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY Membership 5102 NE 121st Ave., Unit 12, Vancouver, WA 98682-6164 www.nwasnews.com