Harold J. Estok Founder MONTHLY ALSI and REED … · Deiro and Pietro Fros-ini. The music composi-tions and transcriptions they have written are still played world-wide today. A few

March”. Anthony Galla-

Rini has given us a beau-

tiful arrangement of

“Malaguena” and numer-

ous orchestrations in-

cluding “God Bless

America”, his “Paragon

March”, and “2001, A

Space Odyssey”.

The accordion as a

musical instrument is

very popular to play to-

day. Adults who played

accordion as children

and teens are returning

to their music instru-

ment of choice. The

desire, energy and de-

termination that so

many players show is

motivating, inspiring and

a tremendous delight to

see. To see and hear

William Cosby play

“Koncerstuck” for an

international audience at

the ATG Festival was a

thrill. He had not played

for 20+ years profes-

sionally. He and I judged

an AFNA “King Solo”

competition category

years ago. The winner

chosen was non other

(continued on page 8)

by Gordon Kohl

Hello ALSI Friends:

Wonderful! and Fun!

The ALSI meeting in July

was very successful. Ac-

cordionists played duets

and Jonathan Engel

played a very nice Mini

Showcase program. It

would be nice to hear

young teens play again

soon at ALSI. Our patio

break has been enriched

with music. For July,

Linda Banuelos played

several musical selec-

tions. We hope to con-

tinue this concept

throughout the year.

In my travels to ac-

cordion events, it is evi-

dent that many accordi-

onists are playing and

studying the accordion

as a serious music in-

strument. The accor-

dion giants such as An-

thony Gall-Rini, Charles

Nunzio, Frank Gaviani,

John Molinari, and Art

Van Damme have left a

wealth of knowledge

and music for today’s

aficionados and music

students to expand on.

We do not want to for-

get Pietro and Guido

Deiro and Pietro Fros-

ini. The music composi-

tions and transcriptions

they have written are

still played world-wide

today.

A few accordion se-

lections worth looking

for include; Charlie

Magnante’s “Accordion

Boogie”, “A Gay Ran-

chero” and “Poet and

Peasant Overture”.

Pietro Deiro wrote a

very nice starting over-

ture titled “Tranquillo

Overture” and his

“Pietro Deiro Return

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

AUGUST

2010

August 2010 Volume 17 Issue 8

MONTHLY

NEWSLETTER

Inside this issue:

President’s

Message

1 &

8

General

Information

2

Happiness at ALSI 3-4

Showcase Review 5

Coming Next

Month

6

Playing Around 6

Credits 7

Accordion Music 9

Calendar 11

Accordion Events 11

Music Theory 10

Coming This

Month

11

Harold J. Estok Founder

ALSI and REED BLOCK

President:

Gordon Kohl

619-427-4344

Presidents Emeriti:

(Founder) Harold Estok

Ron Griffin

Kjell Holmes

Gloria Ensign

Vice President &

Meeting Coordinator:

Bill Barr

619-337-1111

Vice President &

Communications Director:

Mary Lou Erwin

619-448-9588

Editor/Secretary:

Helen Estok Schoell

619-584-4970

Treasurer &

Ensemble Director:

Vicki Eriqat

619-563-5586

Newsletter/Webmaster:

Bob Page

760-451-3641

ALSI MEMBERSHIP AND NEWSLETTER GENERAL INFORMATION

Page 2 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

MEMBERSHIPS: current member renewal for twelve month term; the fee is $25.00 U.S.A., $26 Canada,

$27.00 for International delivery. 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 151357 San Diego, CA

92175. The REED BLOCK is published once each month for delivery to members prior to the next meet-

ing. (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 email to Bob Page at webmaster@accordion -club-sandiego.org or

Mary Lou Erwin at [email protected].

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. If you disagree with anything in The REED BLOCK,

please let us know in writing.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RECORDING ARTISTS: If you have an audio/video tape cassette 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, date 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

two weeks before the next meeting, accordingly the due date for the September 2010 issue is: August 30,

2010. This includes all items such as articles, upcoming events, playing around, accordion workshops, ad-

vertisements and ensemble schedules. Please make sure your material is received, in writing or email, no

later than that date. Please submit your input to Helen Estok Schoell (at above ALSI address) or email to

Bob Page at webmaster@accordion -club-sandiego.org or Mary Lou Erwin at [email protected].

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

Next Meeting will be on Sunday, August 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Bailey

Hall in the Mt. Miguel Covenant Village. —

— ALSI Steering Committee —

The ALSI Steering Committee Meetings are usually held the Wednesday after the monthly ALSI

meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend, to share ideas for our club, and have lunch and get ac-

quainted with the workings of ALSI. Please contact Sharon Marotte at 619-286-3948 for a reserva-

tion. Our next meeting will be August 11th, Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Denny’s Res-

taurant at the intersection of Clairemont Mesa Blvd & Hwy 163.

Page 3 Volume 17 Issue 8

HAPPINESS AT ALSI

by Sharon Marotte

Our July 11

th

ALSI meeting is again history.

This meeting featured several duets, with lots of

variety. Our players at other spots on the cam-

pus were: Brandel - Erika Baier, Cafeteria -

Vicki Eriqat, Crider #1 - Kari Andrews,

Crider #2 - Jane Ford. Gordon Kohl, Presi-

dent, and Bill Barr, Vice President, were our

MC’s for the day. The ALSI scrapbook from

this past year was on display and will be at the

August meeting for all to look at – our club is

busy as shown in our scrapbook. This scrap-

book has been my project for the past several

years – I can only make a book if our members

do things and you do!!

Erika Baier & Sharon Marotte played two

duet pieces – Grus Von der Seine (greetings

from the River Seine) and Blondes Gift (Blonde

poison). Blondes Gift happens to have been a

favorite for John Cesinger.

Gloria Ensign & Leslie Sanders enter-

tained us next.

Leslie is a har-

monica player

so he brought 8

different har-

monicas, as

each one is a

different key.

He used three -

key of C, G, F. They played together three

songs, Ain’t She Sweet, Five Foot Two & Yes

Sir, that’s my Baby. Leslie lives in the same

retirement village as Al Kaufenberg.

Jonathan Engel (15) and his sister, Ilana

(13) played the Blue Danube waltz by Strauss.

They did a great job – hope to see them back

again!!

Next up was Gordon Kohl & Margarita

Romero. They played well together – their

songs were Under Paris Skies and El Relicario.

Their songs were good & Gordon did real good

with his fills to enhance their pieces!!

Jane Ford & Vicki Eriqat played Mis-

souri Waltz, Bella Mia, & Tenderly. Their


HAPPINESS — continued

songs had sweet 2 part harmonies. Great to see

Jane Ford playing so much, first Crider #2 and

then this duet – Vicki Eriqat played at the cafete-

ria and then with two duet partners! Keep up the

good work, both of you.

Al Jacobs was a

solo player and

as always, he

does a great job!

His theme was

Russian music:

Orzondian waltz,

Those were the

Days, Czardas,

Lovely Bunch of

Coconuts and

Dark Eyes. His

song list is

unlimited & he is

very entertaining.

Our cake/ice cream/coffee break was en-

h a n c e d

by the

music of

L i n d a

Banuelos

on her

a c c o r -

dion, sur-

rounded

by her

t w o

g r a n d -

chi ldren.

L i n d a

played so well and her music was enjoyed by all

of us. Dur-

i ng the

b r e a k

M a r i a n

S o w e l l

played in-

side Bailey

Hall accom-

panied by

Lois Lahoud, on the piano. Lois is the percus-

sionist for the Polka Dots and can play a great

piano also!! We also enjoyed the Music Swap

table. Folks brought music items (records, cas-

settes, sheet music & books) and others could

have anything for a donation. The Music Swap

table will be presented again at the next meeting,

so bring something musical that you don’t want

anymore...it might be someone else’s treasure.

Gordon Kohl & Marian Sowell played a

couple of

songs when

we gath-

ered back

inside Bai-

ley Hall.

G r e a t

d u o ! ! !

T h e y

played the Springtime Polka & Somewhere my

Love/Lara’s Theme.

Once again Gloria Ensign & Leslie Sanders

entertained us. What a fun pair. Their songs

were My Blue Heaven, Shine on Harvest Moon

& Always.

Vicki Eriqat & Sharon Marotte finished

off the duet part of the day. Lois Lahoud ac-

companied them with drum sticks donated by

G l o r i a

E n s i g n

a n d

pounded

on a card-

b o a r d

b o x .

Great job,

L O I S ! !

Their songs were Accordion Waltz, Bandura – a

Ukranian waltz, and the senior follies number,

Buttons & Bows.

What a great day. It was fun to get together

& practice with someone to play a duet. Hope

this can happen again next year. —


SHOWCASE REVIEW

JONATHAN ENGEL

SHOWCASE

July 11, 2010

by Bob Warner

The above date should be a singularly im-

portant one for young Jonathan Engel as this is

the first time we have heard from him, espe-

cially in a showcase format. We certainly en-

joyed his performance and I am sure the club

membership is pleased to have a budding ac-

cordionist of considerable talent in our midst.

Although his program was shorter than most,

it was packed with more than a few challenges

and was richly variable in content. Jonathan, at

the age of 15, played with confidence and

good stage presence.

To start, he and his sister played a duet of

the Johann Straus II “THE BLUE DANUBE”.

This was done in good waltz tempo and musi-

cally pleasing throughout. (By the way, Johann

Straus was a very handsome man.) Jonathan then

took the stage to begin his program with the tra-

ditional “DARK EYES”. This was done smoothly

as he picked up tempo for a nice finish.

“CHARADE” by Henry Mancini had a pleasing,

melodic tilt to it. Short and sweet, it was nice.

“ILE DE REVE, A French tango gave us a change

of pace. Jonathan demonstrated some good bel-

lows control in this piece. He followed this with

an advanced arrangement of Waldteufel’s

“ESPANA”. The introduction with its repetitive

chords and bass work was excellent as was the

crisp chording in the body of the piece. This was

one of the highlights of his program. It was really

well done.

Monti’s “CZARDAS” is a challenge to any

professional let alone a student. The cadenzas

are difficult, there are many changes in tempo

and the fast sections are truly challenging. All in

all, Jonathan handled this piece admirably. His

general interpretation was quite good and per-

haps the gypsy-like quick tempo sections were a

bit fast but the overall performance was great.

This piece can be the jewel of his repertoire. As

he progresses and gains strength and maturity he

will refine this composition into a virtuoso piece.

This was the show stopper of the afternoon.

Many world-class violinists have this piece in

their own repertoires’.

To finish, we heard a sparkling, short rendi-

tion of “MEADOWLANDS”, arranged by

Gordon Kohl. The tempo was fast with some

bellows shake worked in to add interest to the

piece. This program may have been billed as a

“mini showcase” but I think it was a “maxi show-

case” for Jonathan. Would I listen to this pro-

gram again? You bet! Having heard him play, we

know Jonathan will continue to improve and we

expect to hear another performance in the fu-

ture. —


“Please share date,

time and location

of public appear-

ances. Submit

these, in writing,

complying with the

cut-off date, to

Helen Estok

Schoell or Bob

Page.”

PLAYING AROUND

Sharon Marotte

August 4th and every

Wednesday 5:30-7:00

pm at Brother's Res-

taurant 5150 Waring

Rd.

Louis Fanucchi

Wednesdays at the

Romesco Bistro in Bo-

nita from 7 pm.

For more information

call Lou at

619-948-3774 or check MYSPACE for

latest information.

Kjell Holmes

Friday, August 6 from 5 to 8

pm at Lake Cuyamaca Res-

taurant,

(Kjell performs at the res-

taurant the first Friday of

each month.)

Gordon Kohl

Aug. 14 AFNA Music Festi-

val competition in Irvine

California. Gordon will play

strolling during the cocktail

hour on the 13th before the

Accordion/Piano Winner

Banquet.

Aug. 21 & 22 at Cotati Mu-

sic Festival with a sales booth.

COMING IN SEPTEMBER - Bill Fassel

My exposure to music began when I was 6 years old and forced, as

many youngsters are, to endure piano lessons. I really enjoyed the

challenge of mastering the instrument in spite of the music selections

of my teachers. I was also elated to excel at a faster rate than my

sister, who is 6 years older than I. However, I envied my two older

brothers who played the clarinet and accordion and thus were the

life of party performing selections primarily from the homelands of

Austria and Bavaria. At the age of thirteen, and my eyes on high

school looming on the horizon, I switched instruments and began

clarinet lessons. I found this to be very fulfilling, because of the port-

ability of the instrument. It also allowed me to be part of the school

band in junior and high schools as well as the Downey City Youth

Band. My second clarinet instructor had also formed a clarinet choir

which was sponsored by a local music store as well as the LeBlanc

clarinet factory in France. I was involved here until the group dis-

banded due to health issues of my instructor. During this time I was

a junior member in the family trio of Accordion and two clarinets,

although my older brother also played the saxophone. During my college years, I bought a beginner ac-

cordion and proceeded to teach myself the piano accordion, which I found to be more satisfying, because

I could now perform solo complete with bass accompaniment as with the piano except much more port-

able. I was now able to accompany the family dance group in performing the Schuhplattler (ethnic dance

from the alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria). At one of these performances, a testimonial dinner dance

for Joe Umeck of the Fontana Button Box Club, I contracted with Frank Rote to purchase a custom built

button box from his uncle Matt. I had long admired the sound from this style of accordion and once I got

my button box (Steirische)m I was hooked. Although I am self taught, it has taken me many hours/years

of practice and study to advance to my current stage of proficiency. I now prefer to play the button box

and actually haven't seriously worked with the piano (stradella) accordion for quite some time. —

Happy Anniversary

May your lives always be happy and

filled with precious times To remember.

For those of you married in the month

of December:

Sami and Tiina Zein , 21st


CREDITS

Best Wishes for a very Happy

Birthday for those born in the

month of August.

8/5 Lou Di Gangi

8/5 Al Jacobs

8/10 Shirley Wisley

8/16 Al Eriqat

8/17 Lora Holmes

8/20 Larry Kaiser

8/31 Bert Watton

A Very Happy Anniversary

In August To:

Al and Terri Cerutti,

August 9th

———

Ted and Millie Hansen

August 21st

———

Kjell and Lora Holmes

August 28th

by Helen Estok Schoell

Merle Williams, Jack and Sharon Ma-

rotte came early to set things up and make

ready for our players. Jack runs the sound

system. Sharon is our photographer and

writes up our “Happiness at ALSI” article.

Russell Camp was out of town but he

had made arrangements for the mainte-

nance man of Mount Miguel to help set up

tables, cleaning up afterwards and putting ta-

bles and chairs back in their proper places.

Yours truly made the coffee. Helen Sta-

bles came and helped me set the tables, to be

ready for our refreshment break. Helen Sta-

bles cut and served the cake. She bakes a

cake for ALSI’s monthly meeting.

Gordon Kohl brought six-1/2 gallons of

three different flavors of ice cream. I served

the ice cream that everyone was delighted to

have with his or her cake. The ice cream was

perfect for a warm Sunday afternoon Gordon,

Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

God bless you all for your continued sup-

port to ALSI. —

SENIOR FOLLIES

Sharon and Vicki are grateful to all of you who

attended Senior Follies 2010 at the Balboa Theatre.

It was very exciting for us, me and Vicki Eriqat, to

be in this cast of 80 members. We had to attend

many, many rehearsals and worked hard to memo-

rize all the steps and words to the numbers that we

were in. We were proud that we could play our

accordions in the show and look pretty besides!

We did 6 shows in the last weekend of June so by

Sunday night, we were very tired. We attended the

cast party after the last show at the Athens Market,

downtown.

The fun part was all of the costume changes

complete with wigs for the 60’s number. We have

lots of great pictures that have been compiled into

a nice book. Thanks again for your attendance and

support!! —

Inside Story Headline


(206) 632-2700 phone

(206) 632-2733 fax

www.petosa.com

313 NE 45th Street - Seattle, WA 98105

C U S T O M C R A F T E D —

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (continued)

(continued from page 1.)

than our own member and accordionist, Lou Fa-

nacchi!

Here, I am pictured giving a certificate of

achievement to Jonathan Engel for his last month’s

m i n i -

showcase

accompa-

nied by

h i s

younger

s i s t e r ,

Ilana who

a l s o

played a

duet with

Jonathan

for our

e n j o y -

ment and

pleasure.

The August 8th ALSI meeting will include a

Showcase of the happy music of Bobby Dietsch.

He plays with passion and vigor. Everyone will

be treated to an exciting polka and a stupen-

dous gypsy tune or two.

Hope to see everyone on August 8th.

Every accordionist and music enthusiast is wel-

come. Please bring your accordion for two jam

songs; “Hava Nagila” and “Somewhere My

Love”

Very musically yours,

Gordon —

P.S. Enjoy these beautiful days of Summer!

— FOR SALE —

Petosa Antique model with rhinestones.

Great tone. Hand made reeds (LMMM).

The reeds are like new.

All offers considered.

Call Gordon Kohl @ 1-619-395-0454



ACCORDION MUSIC - Venetian Minstrel

Last page printed next month.



MUSIC THEORY - Chord Forms and “Scoops”

SCOOPS are note patterns used to end a phrase or finish a melody.

A resolution upward takes notes back to the tonic, which is the keynote.



ACCORDION EVENTS

ACCORDION WORKSHOP

No Workshops will be held in July and

August.

Gordon Kohl holds his monthly workshop each

third Monday of the month starting at 6:30 p.m.

Music is distributed for use at the workshop

session. Bring your accordion, music stand,

stool and accordion light. More information

will be forthcoming about the September meet-

ing. Call 619-427-4344 for more information.

Cost: $20 and $12 for non-student guests.

AFNA MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 12-14, 2010 In Irvine at the Hyatt Hotel

near I-405 & Jamboree Rd. For more information

call Gordon Kohl at: 619-427-4344.

COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVAL

August 21 and 22, 2010. At Rohnert Park, Co-

tati, CA. Two day event will feature Dick Contino

on both days with performances from Gordon Kohl.

For information call 707-664-0444 or e-mail to

[email protected].

INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CONVEN-

TION Nov. 1 - 4, 2010. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Featuring: Dick Contino, Carl Fortina, Peter & Mady

Soave, Sylvia Marie Barber, Gordon Kohl, and Ac-

cordion Orchestra led by Joan Cochran Sommers.

Contact 800-472-1695 for more information.

Aug. 8 Showcase with Bobby

Dietsch.

Sept. 12 Showcase with Bill Fassel

Oct. 10 OctoberFest at Balboa

Park with Gale Evans.

Nov. 14 Heritage Day.

COMING THIS MONTH — Bobby Dietsch

Bobby Ditetsch will join us for an afternoon of wonderful entertainment as he pre-

sents a showcase program of accordion music from various countries and ethnic

regions. Many remember Bobby as a talented member of the Reunion Ensemble

that has appeared at our Club meetings several times in the recent past. Bob Di-

etsch began studying accordion at Camatti's from Lucille's brother, Gino, at age 7.

An energetic, gregarious performer, Bob quickly distinguished himself as a reliable

student band member and soloist. An ardent and disciplined performer, Bob's tech-

nique remains crisp to this day. At just 15, he became a regular house-performer at

scores of southern California restaurants including Salvatores, the Memory House,

Alt Heidleburg, Das Schnitzelhaus, the Gregory Inn, and the Lake Arrowhead Inn.

Bob's love of electronic music naturally led him to purchase and perform some of

the industry's top accordion/synthesizers, a gift that was well-served as he took on

the role of Worship Leader for his church. Bob continues to perform with his church and social events,

and has added greatly to the successful sound of the Reunion Ensemble. —

Come and join us as we look forward to Bobby’s visit and his accordion selections!

Monthly Newsletter

We are on

the Web:

www.accord

ion-club-

sandiego.org

“Every Music Lover is Welcome at the ALSI Accordion Club”

ALSI

Statement Of

Purpose:

ALSI is San Diego’s

forum for appreciat-

ing and performing

accordion music,

including the MIDI

electronic accordion

We welcome mem-

bers who enjoy lis-

tening to or playing

accordion music.

We have an accor-

dion ensemble group,

monthly meetings,

local concerts featur-

ing local and interna-

tionally famous per-

formers, an annual

picnic and a monthly

newsletter.

AUGUST

2010

EDITION

The REED BLOCK

c/o Helen Estok Schoell

P.O. Box 151357

San Diego, CA 92175

Documents

Harold J. Estok Founder MONTHLY ALSI and REED … · Deiro and Pietro Fros-ini. The music composi-tions and transcriptions they have written are still played world-wide today. A few