NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2014 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE

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1 OCTOBER 2014 Harold J. Estok Founder ALSI and REED BLOCK Inside this issue: President s Message General Information Happiness at ALSI Coming in December Coming in November 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 Accordion News 6 Calendar 7 Playing Around 7 Volume 21 Issue 10 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE by Gordon Kohl Happy Days to ALSI Best Wishes to you all. It is an exciting time of year for accordionists. The Oktoberfests, parties and family events are made special with your added accordion music. For six generations here in America immigrant families have heard the beautiful sound of our musical instrument, the accordion. Who would ever think that an instrument with its unique "reedy sound" would excite listene r s, d a n c e r s and players. Accordion sounds are heard in jazzy blues, county, pop and classical musicians on the world stage. I have estimated the popularity of the accordion to students just during my life time in San Diego County at around 13,000 in number. I feel my number would be 15,000 beg i n n i n g s i n c e The accordion, like the piano and guitar, are all unique instruments finding their place in our diverse multi-ethnic culture. Music is such an important part to the human element and society. It touches our soul, spirit, and emotional psychic. No wonder it brings joy to us who play this wondrous evolving instrument. It has arisen from a simple instrument with buttons with 30 internal s t e e l r e e d s t o an instruments with 594 reeds. WOW! Not to forget all the electronic innovations developed for the accordion to bring it into the 21st century. I would like to speak to our present musical adventures. Today, we all have an opportunity to build our; song library, knowledge and performance music sets. Take the "bull by the horns" and go out and play for NEWSLETTER October 2014 others. Practice your music, and play proudly for people in ALSI, family and, when inspired, for public venues. Points to practice that may help all of us instumentalists include: 1. Proper reading of music notation 2. A comfortable fingering pattern to a note sequence should be selected 3. Write down slur marks, bellow changes, phrase starts and endings, swells to pitch movement up and down (this is your bellow control) 4. Keyboard and bass touch: finger pressure - articulation, staccato, legato, non legato, marcato, and extreme dynamic power fortes. 5. Tempo - a reasonable tempo that is attainable for the performer adds a realism to a song. 6. Practice a melody to perfection. It is most important to listeners. 7. For dancers, a songs rhythm pattern or style is unique and must have a constant flowing pulse for dancing. (continued on page seven)

2 Page 2 GENERAL INFORMATION MEMBERSHIPS: New membership and renewal for year 2015 are; the fee is $100 Gold, $25 U.S.A., $26 Canada, $27 for International delivery. For new members; partial year memberships can be purchased. 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. 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 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or ALSI. CUT-OFF DATE: All contributors to The REED BLOCK please note: For next month all material is due two weeks before the next meeting, accordingly the due date for the November 2014 issue is: October 27th. This includes all items such as articles, upcoming events, playing around, accordion workshops, advertisements and ensemble schedules. 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 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. Next Meeting will be an Octoberfest performance on Sunday, October 12th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Seaport Village. STEERING COMMITTEE; Next meeting is on Monday, October 13th, 10:30 12:00 am in the Coco s Restaurant at Friar s Road. (NOTE: MEETING NOW HELD ON MONDAY) ALSI MEMBERSHIP OR RENEWAL APPLICATION FORM (Attention: All 2015 renewals are due by Nov. 1, 2014, per club by-laws) Membership/Newsletter Subscription for 2015 (please print) Date New Renewal Address Change Name First Last Spouse First Address City State Zip Code Telephone ( ) - address Make Check or Money Order payable to ALSI (Yearly membership fees: $25-USA, $26-Canada, $27-International, $100-Gold) Mail to: ALSI/REED BLOCK c/o Helen Estok Schoell P.O. Box San Diego, CA Call for questions

3 Volume 21 Issue 10 Page 3 HAPPINESS AT ALSI by Sharon Marotte September 14, 2014 found a bunch of us at Mt Miguel having lots of fun with accordion music to dance to. It was a hot day but cool inside with air conditioning to keep us cool. Players around the village were: Crider #1 Jerry Odling, Crider #2 Bill Barr, Brandel Vicki Eriqat, café Steve Halpern. Jack Marotte was the sound guy & Bill Barr MC. -Al Piselli was our first player of the day. His songs were: Funiculi, Funicula and La Donna Il Mobile. Great to have Al play for us, more please! -Jane Ford played a German folk song The Moon is Watching. Jane is a good player with lots of feeling in her music. -Erika Baier. What a treat to have Erika play a solo. Her song was a Polish Polka Krakoujak. Good job, Erika! -Juergen Rosenfeld & Heldegard are back from Germany. It s always good to have them back with us. Juergen s songs were: Happy Wanderer, several German songs which included Beer Barrel & Auf Weidersen. -Vicki Eriqat & Linda Hibbert played several songs they played at the Scandanvian Festival the night before our ALSI meeting. Danse Pa Make Skjner, Life in the Finnish Woods & Hugo s Hambo. -Jerry Odling had been playing French music lately and doing a good job. His songs were: Au Bistrot Du Port valse & Trompette Musette. -Steve Halpern played a mini showcase for us using both his accordions Petosa with reeds and his Roland, electronic 14 lb accordion. It was great to have his wife & daughter in the audience. Some of his songs were: Tango of the Roses, Tenderly, some Klezmer pieces, Autumn Leaves, My Funny Valentine, Summertime to name a few. Break Gordon Kohl brought cookies, Jane Ford in charge of kitchen. Diane Polinski played during the break, strolling around, doing a good job. -ALSI Ensemble included 14 accordion players, Lois Lahoud on percussion and Vicki Eriqat directing the group. They really filled up the stage with all of the players. Their songs: Slovenian Waltz No 1 & 2, Henrietta Polka, Give Me My Heart Back, Finn Polka, Green Valley Waltz, Liechtensteiner Polka, Beer Barrel, Henrietta Polka. Great Job! Gordon Kohl joined the group and put in lots of fills & thrills. -Bob Page graced the stage to play Life in the Day of a Fool. He returned later to play again. -Garret Kasler is a long time student of Gordon s. He is a senior at USD. He played a medley of Irish songs, Funiculi, Funicula, Annie s song (John Denver s song for his wife), Clarinet Polka, So Nice, Take Five. Come back any time to play for us!!!! -Bob Page finished off the day playing several songs, of course in fine style: Stardust, Memories, Tea for Two, Moonlight Serenade. We ended up with a nice crowd for our Sept meeting. We always have fun what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Next month we will be at Seaport Village hope you can join us.

4 Page 4 COMING IN DECEMBER ALSI PROUDLY PRESENTS: FRANK PETRILLI TRIO IN CONCERT On Sunday, December 14, 2014 At 2:30 pm in Bailey Hall. Frank Petrilli was born and still lives in Los Angeles, California. He started playing the accordion at age 7 and by age 16 was playing professionally. In late 2006, Frank began intensive study with the great jazz accordionist Frank Marocco which quickly evolved into a very close friendship. By virtue of their close relationship and mutual love of jazz, Frank Petrilli became Frank Marocco s protégé and Frank Marocco often commented that Frank Petrilli was like the son he never had. Unfortunately, this relationship ended far too soon with Frank Marocco s untimely passing on March 3, Later that year at the end of summer, Frank performed at the Fif Castelfidardo festival which is one of the most prestigious festivals in Europe. As the booking agent and artistic director of the Vibrato Jazz Club where Frank has frequently performed, Pat Senator wrote, Like his mentor, Petrilli gives new life to the accordion with impeccable phrasing and a smooth, fluid style. You will enjoy the music stylings of Frank s accordion and can expect some very good music coming from him in the future. ---

5 Volume 21 Issue 10 Page 5 COMING IN NOVEMBER ACCORDION LOVERS SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL (ALSI) PROUDLY PRESENTS OUR 20TH ANNUAL HERITAGE DAY. Come dressed up in your ethnic costume, bring a friend, and enjoy an afternoon of fantastic music, special guests, and delicious food for just $8.00 per person with advance reservations only. No tickets at the door. There s a prize for best costume too. RSVP as soon as possible to join us at The Bailey Hall Auditorium. Highlights Accordion Music from around the world Ethnic Costumes Delicious food catered by Boston Market Dessert Potluck Date: 11/9/2014 Time: 1:00 4:00 PM Where: BAILEY HALL AT MT. MIGUEL COVENANT VILLAGE 325 Kempton Ave., Spring Valley, CA Contact person: Mary Lou Erwin Phone: marylouerwin@att.net Website: Heritage Day Festival Registration Form November 9, 2014 at 1-4 pm in Bailey Hall at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in Spring Valley. Advance Tickets $8 per person Names in party: Number attending: Amount Enclosed: $ Please forward this form and payment to: ALSI c/o Helen Schoell at P.O. Box San Diego, CA by November 1, 2014

6 Page 6 ACCORDION NEWS & EVENTS ACCORDIONS: SO HOT RIGHT NOW. (Article excerpted from the Atlantic Monthly On-Line) When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame fetes Krist Novoselic later this year, it'll be well-timed recognition. Not for his band Nirvana certainly doesn't need the publicity but for his instrument. He may be the first accordionist ever inducted, an honor that comes at a time when the accordion is experiencing a striking resurgence in popularity. Proudly accordion-centric acts like Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire, and The Lumineers win Grammies and top chart spots. Older ones, like Flogging Molly, They Might Be Giants, and Neutral Milk Hotel, now enjoy cherished-cult-icon status. In 2009, Carnegie Hall hosted its first solo accordion performance in 30 years. Accordion diehards and retailers say it really does feel like a comeback for the instrument, whose previous heyday ended in the 60s. What s surprising isn t so much that the accordion s hip now; it s how culturally dominant it used to be. Petosa Accordion s clientele has transitioned over the decades from early-century players who were trained in classical accordion from a young age, to lone solo accordionists pursuing it as a hobby, to, now, players affiliated with musical groups. Nirvana s Novoselic just stopped in the store a few months ago. Owner Joseph M. Petosa said the age of customers has also changed, with 60 percent now under the age of 30, whereas 10 years ago it was only 10 percent. Over the years the demand has increased to the point where they are now selling more accordions than they can produce. COMING IN OCTOBER ALSI Annual OctoberFest Performance near the fountain area at Seaport Village. Join us on October 12th from 1 to 4 pm where continuous accordion music will be presented by club members & Ensemble. Contact Bill to sign up. (There will be no regular club meeting in October. Please note new location for event.) Happy Birthday to you! 10/3 Jane Ford 10/6 Erika Baier 10/17 Barbara Odling 10/19 Gloria Ensign

7 Volume 21 Issue 10 ALSI MEETING CALENDAR October 12th Octoberfest Celebration at Seaport Village. November 9th Monthly meeting with Heritage Day Celebration. December 14th Monthly meeting with Concert featuring Frank Petrilli Trio And Showcase with Jenny Amaya. Page 7 PRESIDENT S MSG (cont.) (continued from page one) 8, Practice and review technique: improvise ornaments, and harmony around your song s melody lines. 9. Develop your tool box of musical tricks that will add charm, brilliance and heightened technique to a song s performance and character. 10. Develop your best 25, 50, 75 or 100 songs and make a list. Now your are ready to go out and enjoy being an accordionist for life. P.S. Enjoy Oktoberfest at Seaport Village! All the best of health to everyone, your friend Gordon 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 Mary Lou Erwin or Bob Page. Louis Fanucchi Most Tuesday s at Café Zucchero in Little Italy from Most Sundays from 2-5 pm at Salerno s Winery in Ramona.. (More info. at or online at for his calendar. Gordon Kohl Plays Casuals, Weddings Dances and Special Events. Gordon s Combo is noted for their repertoire of ethnic music such as Italian, French, German and Latin, Their speciality is OctoberFest music. For more information and future availability. please call Gordon at:

8 ALSI Statement Of Purpose: 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. Monthly Newsletter On October 12th Join us at the ALSI gathering as we celebrate Octoberfest accordion music with open performance by our members and Ensemble at Seaport Village. Accordion Lover s Society International From 1:00 to 4 :00 pm. Come and join us for Showcase featuring Chuck At Seaport Village In the San Diego Harbor area The REED BLOCK c/o Helen Estok Schoell P.O. Box San Diego, CA OCTOBER 2014 EDITION