MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PRESIDENT S MESSAGE

Transcription

1 APRIL 2013 EDITION Harold J. Estok Founder ALSI and REED BLOCK Inside this issue: President s Message 1 General Info. 2 Coming this month Happiness at ALSI Showcase Reviews President: Gordon Kohl Presidents Emeriti: (Founder) Harold Estok Ron Griffin Kjell Holmes Gloria Ensign Vice President: Mary Lou Erwin Meeting Coordinator: Bill Barr Editor/Secretary: Helen Estok Schoell Treasurer & Ensemble Director: Vicki Eriqat Recording Secretary: Sharon Marotte Newsletter/Webmaster: Bob Page Coming in June 5 Happiness Photos 6 Coming Events Credits 10 Calendar 11 Playing Around 11 Volume 20 Issue 4 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE by Gordon Kohl Hello Accordionists and Music Friends: I am amazed, perplexed, and at the same time not surprised because a new resurgence of immigrant accordion players and concert artists have emerged in the U.S. A wealth of new music styles with interesting music theory points are giving teachers, students and performers excitement at Accordion Conventions. Can you believe 7/8, 9/8, 11/8, 7/4 and 5/4 time signature selections with tempos in the presto range. Almost unbelievable to hear and follow. However we are learning music from new countries around the world. The acceptance from listeners of this music is growing with an audience schooled in music theory and accordion repertoires worldwide. I strongly encourage ALSI members to begin your own quest for a new fountain of youth studying new music to play or even just listen to. You will also learn quickly that music has no boundaries. People from all over the world love to play, hear, dance and sing this music. The accordion as an instrument that is entering a new growth and acceptance period in music instru me nt his t or y. Worldwide production of accordions is increasing. The pearl finish accordion, guitar, and drums of the 1950 s has been replaced with sparkle plastic finishes and beautiful artistic air -brush paint finishes. The diatonic accordion market is growing fast with young students eager to learn and play Mexican folk music, Tex-Mex, and Mariachi styles. I saw young children at the NAA convention in Dallas Texas play beautifully. Their music selec- MONTHLY NEWSLETTER April 2013 tions like Dark Eyes, Clarinet Polka, Jazz Magic and ethnic solos were very well received by a mostly adult audience. I hope that we all can become dedicated to playing and supporting accordion artists and their music performances. I am hopeful that in the months to come that past, present and new members of San Diego s ALSI Accordion Club will help build the excitement we have had in past years. Everyone s music and input is important to me and the ALSI Steering Committee. Give us ideas and/or help us market the club activities. Every new person touched by ALSI is worth our time, devotion and energy to make ALSI an even better place to visit each month. To all my fellow music friends have a great Springtime and I look forward to seeing more of you at the April ALSI club meeting. Gordon P.S. A great next six months of music is being planned for ALSI. Please be a member and do not miss all the fun.

2 Page 2 ALSI MEMBERSHIP AND GENERAL INFORMATION MEMBERSHIPS: current member renewal for twelve month term; the fee is $100 Gold, $25 U.S.A., $26 Canada, $27 for International delivery. (Current members can upgrade to gold membership at any time). For new members; partial year memberships can be purchased. Use this calculation as follows: Subtract $2 for each month that has elapsed for the calendar year. Therefore, if you are joining with a USA club membership in July, six months have elapsed, so 6 times $2 would be $12 to deduct and the formula would be: $25 - $12 = $13, thus the payment would be $13. Make check or money order payable to ALSI and send to: Helen Estok Schoell, at P.O. Box San Diego, CA The REED BLOCK is published once each month for delivery to members prior to the next meeting. (Meetings are the second Sunday of each month). Your input to the REED BLOCK is invited and should be submitted to Helen Estok Schoell or to Bob Page at webmaster@accordion-club-sandiego.org or to Mary Lou Erwin at: marylouerwin@att.net. DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles were written by the Editor. Unless so stated, no article is to be construed as an endorsement. Articles not written by the Editor may contain comments that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or ALSI. If you disagree with anything in The REED BLOCK or to post corrections, please let us know in writing. SPECIAL NOTICE TO RECORDING ARTISTS: If you have an audio/video CD/DVD you would like reviewed and written up in The REED BLOCK, please send us a professional copy and a short biography of the artist; include names, dates and places to the ALSI address above. Please include the price of the item including shipping and handling. If you want the package returned after the review, please include return postage with the package. CUT-OFF DATE: All contributors to The REED BLOCK please note: For next month all material is due fourteen days before the next meeting, accordingly the due date for the May 2013 issue is: April 22, This includes all items such as articles, upcoming events, playing around, accordion workshops, advertisements and ensemble schedules. Please make sure your material is received, in writing or , no later than that date. Please submit your input to Helen Estok Schoell (at above ALSI address) or to Bob Page at webmaster@accordion-club-sandiego.org or Mary Lou Erwin at marylouerwin@att.net. Thank you for your cooperation. ADVERTISEMENTS: Members may place one small ad per year at no charge, business cards are $6/per issue or $60/per year, quarter-page is $15/per issue, half -page is $25/per issue, full -page is $50/per issue, one -page event flyer is $25/per issue. Cost is doubled for ads placed by non -members. (All ads must be accordion related). MEETINGS: The club normally meets at 1:00-4:00 P.M. on the second Sunday of each month at the Mt Miguel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton Ave, Spring Valley, CA. STEERING COMMITTEE; Next meeting is on April 17th 10:00 am at the Coco s Restaurant in Mission Gorge area at Friars Road. NEXT CLUB MEETING will be on Sunday, April 14th at 1:00 to 4:00 pm in Bailey Hall at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village for the regular monthly meeting. (See flyer on next page). IF YOU HAVEN T ALREADY, RENEW MEMBERSHIP TODAY! Subscription & Membership Is only $25 USA, $26 CANADA $27 INTERNATIONAL, $100 GOLD.

3 Volume 20 Issue 4 Page 3 COMING THIS MONTH GORDON KOHL in Concert Presented by the Accordion Lover s Society International (ALSI) Club Gordon Kohl is a man with many talents. He is a career Accordionist, Music Educator, Clinician and Music Arranger. Since high school, he has been teaching accordion, piano and keyboard. He tells us his music journey has been very long and rewarding. He started playing professionally at the age of twelve. Gordon s playing credits include TV and radio commercials. He plays resorts, hotels, theme parks and a variety of gigs. On weekends he plays at any special event that needs a professional entertainer. Gordon has developed a special sound on his concerto digital accordion. He blends both the reed and the digital sound in his music. He conducts acoustic workshops in San Diego, as well as special workshops at conventions, accordion festivals, music camps and accordion clubs, using teaching materials he has developed. In these interactive workshops the attendees can participate by playing a variety of music. In addition, Gordon has been teaching at his accordion and piano school since the age of twenty. Some of his students have made music their careers. He stays in touch with the current trends in music education, by being a member of the AGG, NAA, and AFMA organizations. Gordon also loves to play with bands. Since the age of seventeen, he has rocked and rolled the night away. The current combo he is in has played together for twenty plus years. He also enjoys performing a variety of music styles from many cultures. As you can see Gordon is a competent, skilled, dedicated multicultural accordionist and entertainer who performs a variety of music styles. In Bailey Hall at Mt. Miguel Village 325 Kempton Avenue Spring Valley, CA Special points of interest: 12:45-1:30 PM OPEN PLAY OPPORTUNITY FOR GUESTS AND MEMBERS 1:35-2:15 PM WORK- SHOP Music Fill-ins and also phrasing for Strauss will be covered Klezmer Handouts will be given 2:15-2:45 INTERMIS- SION 2:45-4:00 PM CON- CERT COST OF CONCERT AND WORKSHOP MEMBERS $5 GUEST $6 Young Musicians are Welcomed to jam with us! First me Guest are FREE! PLEASE JOIN IN ON THE FUN

4 Page 4 HAPPINESS AT ALSI By Sharon Marotte March 10, 2013!!! Happy St Patrick s Day to you, too!! It was a beautiful day to listen to accordion music!! Players around the village were: Cafeteria Vicki Eriqat, Crider 1 Marty Weinstein, Crider 2 Bill Barr, Brandel Sharon Marotte. Bill Barr was also the MC during the open mike time. The past two months folks have been able to acquire free sheet music & books because of the generosity of Phil & Alene Rizzo (Phil was very active with the Ensemble). They have moved to Florida and asked that their music be shared with ALSI. Al Jacobs entertained us with music on the piano before our meeting started he plays beautifully. Our first player was Ted Hill. I am so glad Ted is playing for us at ALSI meetings. His songs were: Moscow Nights & Russian Sailors Dance. Great job, Ted!! Claudia Wrona and her friend, Harold, joined us from Highlands which is quite a drive. Harold enjoyed the day very much it reminded him of his dad, who used to play the accordion. Claudia played for us: a European waltz, Fisherman from San Juan tango & Jalisco. Hope you can come back soon. Juergen Rosenfeld played next. He played a medley of international songs from Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Russia & Mexico. His songs included: Happy Wanderer, Hof brau haus, Tulips from Amsterdam, O Sole Mio, Russian Dance, Cielto Lindo, Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White. Juergen sure does love to play Thanks, Juergen!! Our next entertainer was Al Jacobs. His songs were: When Irish Eyes are Smiling, and Irish Jig, Tumbalalka, Orchichanya, and Those Were the Days. Always a pleasure to hear Al play. Steve Halpern was up next. He played his new baby Roland, 14 pounds. His songs were: More (Monte Cane), St. Louis Blues, Klesmer French Cajon Two Step. Good going Steve. Our last player before our cake/coffee break was Ron Griffin. Ron is our traveling member, so when he is in San Diego we like seeing him at ALSI. His songs were: Amore, La Vie En Rose, Valse de Montres. It was great to see some new faces at this meeting, mostly to hear Lou Fanucchi. We were all very excited for Lou Fanucchi to play after our break. Kjell Holmes was there so he got lots of hugs..great to see Gene Lloyd, Joe Colombo, Vivian Minella, and so many others I don t want to leave anyone out so will leave it at that!! See you all next month.

5 Volume 20 Issue 4 Page 5 COMING IN JUNE Please send reservation request & check to: ALSI, P.O. Box San Diego, CA 92175

6 Page 6 HAPPINESS AT ALSI PHOTOS

7 Volume 20 Issue 4 Page 7 FEBRUARY SHOWCASE REVIEW SAMMY and TIINA ZEIN SHOWCASE FEBRUARY 10, 2013 by Bob Warner Our showcase in February was a delightful and informative presentation by our accordion duo of Sammy and Tiina, superb players of the 5-row chromatic accordion and husband and wife in life. The session consisted of two basic parts involving a detailed explanation of the chromatic keyboard and the performing section which we all had been anticipating for some time. This duo plays at a virtuoso level with a well worked out duet repertoire and great keyboard and bass technique. It s a real pleasure to hear their arrangements on their fine instruments. I m sure we all left this afternoon with a greater appreciation and understanding of the 5-row methods and techniques that Sammy described for us. To start, Sammy began his discussion of the keyboard design and arrangement of the order of the keys with large, easily viewed placards. I will cover the salient points of his discussions. First of all, Sammy s accordion employs the C system of keyboard arrangement. One s impression is that the keyboard design provides great flexibility in choosing which keys to play for any given phrase. The first three rows are necessary and two rows are repeated beyond the first rows. The keys are colored black and white in patterns which tell the player which way to go to play a run or other phrasing. A singular advantage is that all keys are the same size and shape. There are no different shaped black and white keys as in the piano accordion where you have to adjust fingering to navigate the keyboard. Because of the repeating patterns on the keyboard, it is very easy to change keys; not so with the piano keyboard. It is easy to grab four and five finger chords because of the compactness of the chromatic keyboard only a short reach is required. Because of the simplicity and uniformity of the layout of the keys it is generally easier to play faster on the chromatic keyboard. Off course, I know there are piano accordionists that would challenge this assertion. Additionally, again due to the compactness of the keyboard, there is a greater octave range available in this design. Sammy s Guillietti accordion also had a converter bass which provided standard Stradella or free bass with the push of a switch. They are also excellent sounding acoustic instruments. Now, on to the playing. They began with a PERSIAN MARCH, playing at a moderate tempo with a pleasing repeating melodic pattern. It had somewhat of a mid-eastern flavor. An interesting waltz piece followed called I WANT TO BE YOUR SHADOW. A pretty melody, Tiina s part did shadow Sammy s. Their choice of middle reed registers blended well. Changing genre, they played a beautiful arrangement of SUMMERTIME, a new addition to their repertoire. Back to Finland, HAPPY ACCORDION was a light, bouncy polka that got people clapping. Their next piece was of Lebanese origin, very much like a dance number with that special mid-eastern sound. Sammy then played a medley of French songs, very familiar and beautifully performed. To further demonstrate the capabilities of the chromatic system, Sammy played FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLBEE which is a challenge on any instrument. It was good! Per request, he played BYE BYE POLKA, also one of Sammy s favorites. This is a virtuoso piece, ending a truly fine program. The skills of this duo are remarkable; They are always well-rehearsed and make playing look easy. Keyboard technique is outstanding. It was a very entertaining afternoon. We hope to see them back soon.

8 Page 8 MARCH SHOWCASE REVIEW LOU FANUCCHI SHOWCASE MARCH 10, 2013 By Bob Warner We always look forward to having Lou give a program and, needless to say, we are never disappointed. Lou s presentations and performances are always professional and exciting in the extreme. He has become an icon in this area, a musician who plays the accordion and an accordionist who is a musician of the highest caliber. We were very pleased to have him take time from his busy schedule to join us today. His program was in two parts: 1) a teaching and demonstration tutorial on TEX MEX music and how to add that sound to your music and 2) solo performances that took the accordion into various musical genre at the highest virtuoso level. His arrangements are imaginative and brilliant, utilizing the entire range of which the accordion is capable. I want to emphasize that Lou plays the entire instrument. His left hand technique is nothing short of phenomenal. That shows up in everything he plays. During the tutorial, Lou discussed and demonstrated 10 different stylings of one or two bar lengths that characterize TEX MEX music. The methods depend heavily on the use of 3rds, arpeggios, chromatic runs, tremolo, flatted grace notes, syncopation and staccato repetition. For example, the use of diatonic repetitive thirds followed by chromatic passing thirds turns the beginning phrase of Beer Barrel Polka into TEX MEX with ease. By applying chromatic runs, more diatonic thirds and arpeggios the entire first section of the BEER BAR- REL became TEX MEX. The ease with which this was done was surprising. Lou combined all of the stylings into an original composition he called FLACO s TUNE. All of this was neatly presented in printed handouts for all of us to try on various songs in our repertoire. TEX MEX music is interesting, playful and exciting and if you have ever heard Lou take off on TEX MEX during one of his gigs you will know what I mean. After the break Lou played a group of virtuoso solos starting with SWING GITANE, a swinging tune of gypsy origin. During his performance he used a great sounding straight acoustic Petosa AM 1100 accordion. He followed this with a song from the movie EMILY, LA NOYE. OBLIVION by South American composer Astor Piazzolla was originally written for the bandoneon. Astor piazzola was a master of that instrument. Due to his notoriously famous stature Piazzola s music found acceptance in the higher echelons of the classical community. It gave the accordion the means to find more acceptance also. Lou is an extremely competent interpreter of this music. This piece has a sometimes mournfully, plaintive but beautiful melody that is repeated frequently. A well managed left hand supports the melody throughout. Next we heard MADE FOR WES- LEY, music I would define as very modern. It is a sophisticated composition having elements of swing, syncopation with crisp, fast rhythm and a fast moving bass accompaniment that was amazing. One of the defining elements of Lou s music and arrangements is his use of tough, edgy rhythms. You will rarely, if ever, hear bass chord bass chord from Lou. He then changed the simple, melodic OVER THE RAINBOW to a soaring group of modern, arranged improvisations where tempo and rhythm changed radically. It was an exciting piece. Lou s composition, CAFÉ A LA MODE was done in the style of a French musette, playfully busy on the right hand, sometimes dissonant in minor keys but always moving. ADIOS NONINO was another dramatic Piazzola piece that is based on a pretty, repeating melody that morphs into various improvisations and tempos, sometimes waltz, sometimes tango. It is a memorable composition with major technical difficulties throughout. Lou s performance was outstanding. He finished the program with Richard Galliano s composition WALTZ FOR MARGO. The piece goes right into its main melodic theme followed by variations using many runs and arpeggios in the musette style. The left hand busily sustains the ¾ tempo. It was a fine piece. Lou is a master of his instrument. He is always totally comfortable, playing with confidence, accuracy and displaying an immense technique all the while. His unusual repertoire entertains and inspires. We will wait for his next appearance here with anticipation.

9 Volume 20 Issue 4 Page 9 ACCORDION NEWS AND COMING EVENTS RCAC ACCORDION CAMP SILVER FALLS Conference Center on June 9-14, 2013 near Sublimit, Oregon. Great learning and playing experience for all attendees. For more information contact Marlene Meissner at or marlenem26@msn.com. CONCERTO ACCORDION CAMP at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on June 17th. This experience is fantastic. The Concerto players get first hand knowledge for understanding how to use digital sounds, programming and blending with the acoustic reeds. For more information contact Paul Pasqualli at LEAVENWORTH INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CELEBRATION held in Leavenworth, Washington on June 20-23, Worthwhile, fun, and educational for everyone in a beautiful small town. (much like Julian or Big Bear). For more information check website KIMBERLEY OLD TIME ACCORDION COMPETITION held in Kimberley, British Columbia from July 8-13, Call or check AFNA ACCORDION FESTIVAL in the Los Angeles area on August 10th & 11th. Accordion and piano competition and an adult accordion orchestra experience. Contact Gordon Kohl for more information at: COUPE MONDIALE Aug. 17th to Aug. 25th, Competition and Concerts in Victoria, British Columbia. This prestigious and international event is hosted by the BC Accordion Society and they have announced one of the highest prize budgets this year with $50,000 in money prizes, instruments and awards. In addition to the individual competition, there will be the International Competition of Accordion Orchestras. For more information contact Aleksandar Milojevic, contact@bcaccordion.ca COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL will be held on the weekend of August 17th & 18th in the village of Cotati south of Santa Rosa. The Woodstock flavor of the event will feature World-class International Accordion Elite including Renzo Ruggieri, Cory Pesaturo, Frank Petrilli, the Steve Balich Polka Band among many others. For more information contact Scott Goree at LAS VEGAS INTERNATION ACCORDI- ON CONVENTION Oct. 28th to Oct. 31 at the Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada. This annual event features lunch and evening concerts, workshops and an international accordion orchestra that performs on the final concert of the event. The theme this year is The Carnival of Venice Extravaganza. For more information contact Paul Pasqualli at ACCORDION WORKSHOP with Gordon Kohl On Saturday, April 13th 2013 From 6 pm to 8:30 pm At La Bella Restaurant, 373 3rd Ave. Chula Vista Fee of $10 includes a meal. Topics include: Spring Time Music Sinatra Jazz Tunes Chords and Harmony Italian Music FUN!!! MUSIC FOOD! (For more info call Gordon at )

10 Page 10 CREDITS by Mary Lou Erwin I hope you all had your fill of Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick s Day. Our March meeting was great due to the many people that were in attendance. Our attendees are what make the ALSI meetings work. So we really appreciate your being with us. Talk about appreciation, thank you to Lou Fanucchi for his successful workshop. Everyone said they learned so much from the day and that the music was wonderful. Yours truly was the official greeter and cashier. Of course everyone misses Helen and I ll give you an update on her later. For the March birthdays, Vicki Eriqat donated a delicious cake. Of course it was gone in no time flat. Other food donations were some grapes and those wonderful Girl Scout cookies. Unfortunately, the donor of these food items is anonymous. We never saw the little elf that brought them into the meeting. We had quite a set-up and clean-up crew for our refreshment time. Thanks to Sharon Marotte, Vicki Eriqat, Lois Lahoud and Al Piselli for their service. Refreshment time would not have happened without their valuable volunteer time. Jack Marotte did his regular awesome job manning our sound board. I wanted to take some time to thank everyone who A Very Happy Anniversary Wish In April To: puts their time into publishing and preparing the mailings of the Reed Block. Bob Page does the lay out; color coordinates and organizes the articles for the newsletter. Many people write articles for the newsletter either on a monthly basis or as guest writers. Finally, Mary Lou Erwin edits the Reed Block and gives feedback to Bob Page. Then the tedious work begins. Ted Hill and Al Piselli take care of the printing, stapling and mail out of the newsletters. Indeed, this is a team effort that goes on each month to keep everyone informed. Thanks again to all of you for making things work out for the month of March! UPDATES ON HELEN ESTOK SCHOELL By Mary Lou Erwin Helen would like to thank everyone that sent her get-well cards and visited her at the rehabilitation center. I believe that these two things let her know how much you miss her and care about her. For those that do not know, Helen has suffered two strokes in two months. Her left side of the body has been affected. Fortunately, she is recovering well due to her positive outlook and wonderful genes. Per her doctors she could be her old self within nine months or so. She now has a Speech therapist, Physical therapist, Occupational therapist and a Nurse providing services for her at home. Ron and her daughter, Mary Lou, also support her by taking care of her day-to-day needs. Happy Birthday to you all! 1st Kjell Holmes 19th Ted Hill 22nd Fred Ferino 22nd Ronald Wisley 22nd Millie Hansen

11 Volume 20 Issue 4 Page 11 ALSI MEETING CALENDAR April 14th - Workshop & Concert with Gordon Kohl. May 5th - Monthly meeting (More info. next month). June 9th - Catered Picnic at Lindo Lake Park. July 14th - Double Showcase Jonathan Engel & Al Jacobs C U S T O M C R A F T E D ( PLAYING AROUND Please share date, time and location of public appearances. Submit these, in writing, complying with the cut-off date, to Helen Estok Schoell or Bob Page. Louis Fanucchi Most Wednesday s at Romesco s in Bonita from 7 to 10 pm. Most Saturdays and Sundays from 2-5 pm at Salerno s Winery in Ramona. For more information call Lou at or online at Gordon Kohl Saturday, April 13th From 6 to 8:30 pm Gordon will be conducting a Workshop in Chula Vista at the La Bella Restaurant. (see page 9 of this newsletter for more details) For more information and availability. please call Gordon at

12 ALSI Statement Of Purpose: Monthly Newsletter ALSI is San Diego s forum for appreciating and performing accordion music, including the MIDI electronic accordion We welcome members who enjoy listening to or playing accordion music. We have an accordion ensemble group, monthly meetings, local concerts featuring local and internationally famous performers, an annual picnic and a monthly newsletter. BEQUESTS: A gift through your will or living trust will continue your support of ALSI as an important legacy in our community. The REED BLOCK c/o Helen Estok Schoell P.O. Box San Diego, CA APRIL 2013 EDITION