NORTHWEST ACCORDION NEWSnwasnews.com/news/14Winter-NWAS.pdf · NORTHWEST ACCORDION NEWS ... 27 Repair and Diagnose Your Own Accordion 27 Tried and True Practice Tips 28 Accordions

NORTHWEST ACCORDIONNEWS

Party Time Tried and True Practice Tips Alpenfest Ends on a High Note News from Murl Allen Sanders, Gary Blair Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration 2015!

VOL. 24 NO. 4Northwest Accordion Society Winter Quarter 2014

Northwest Accordion News

winter Quarter 2014 1

Is your membership renewal due? Check your mailing label. A membership application/renewal form is included on the last page. Send your renewals or change of address to:

Northwest Accordion Society 5102 NE 121st Ave. #12Vancouver, WA 98682

NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY

The Northwest Accordion News is a quarterly newsletter published by the Northwest Accordion Society for and by its members. The purpose of the NWAS News is to unite the membership by providing news of its members, and articles that instruct, encourage, and promote the playing of the accordion.

NWAS PUBLICATION PRIORITIES♦ Advertising♦ Original Compositions♦ News from Our Members♦ Instructive/Technical Articles♦ Summaries from Regional Socials and Events♦ Coming Events

Articles will be printed if received prior to the publishing deadline. Should space be an issue, articles will be printed in the order in which they are submitted. All decisions regarding publication will be made by the editors of the NWAS News.

To submit articles for publication, mail them to the Vancouver, WA address listed. It is preferred that articles be submitted via e-mail as attached WORD documents or on a disc. Typed, paper copy needs to be dark and clear to allow scanning and to minimize errors.

Photographs sent for publication will be returned if they are accompanied with a SASE of correct size and adequate postage. Photographs may be sent electronically or on disc.

To reprint articles or photographs from magazines and newspapers, written permission from the publisher is required. Please submit the necessary “permission to print” with material sent.

Views in the articles and information printed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Northwest Accordion Society or its advertisers.

Inquiries, questions, suggestions, etc.Contact Doris Osgood, 3224 B St.,

Forest Grove, OR 97116. (503) 357-0417. E-mail: [email protected]

NWAS News DeadlinesFebruary 1, May 1, August 1, November 1

Northwest Accordion News StaffDoris Osgood................................... (503) 357-0417 [email protected] Ames .................................... (360) 904-1524 [email protected] Halverson (Advertising) ..... (503) 484-5064 [email protected]

NW Accordion Society Offi cers Bonnie Birch, President/Treasurer ................................. (206) 622-4786Doris Osgood, Vice President/Communications ............. (503) 357-0417Judith Ames, Secretary/Technology ............................... (360) 254-5245

Advisory BoardRick Hatley, ..................................................................... (253) 288-0442Dick Myking .................................................................... (253) 537-0136Birgit Ages ...................................................................... (206) 368-9720Cooksie (Kaserzon) Kramer ........................................... (425) 828-9104

Membership:Doris Osgood.................................................................. (503) 357-0417 [email protected] Ames ................................................................... (360) 904-1524 [email protected]

Mail letters & articles to:Northwest Accordion Society

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

Or e-mail to: [email protected]

ADVERTISINGFull page $120.00Half page $65.00Quarter $35.00Business card $15.00

Prices are PER ISSUE. US Funds

Photo-ready Advertising (with accompanying check) for this publication may be sent to:Northwest Accordion Society

6453 SE Nathan Ct., Hillsboro, OR 97123or e-mail [email protected]


winter Quarter 20142

Letter from the Editors

Seasons’ Greetings!It is mid-November and we have had our fi rst

snow/ice storm! Now it is bitterly cold outside. Are you keeping warm by playing your accordion?

Lots of events have taken place this fall and this issue is PACKED with pictures and articles.

In the past eight years, our costs have crept up-ward and it is now time to increase the cost of mem-bership and advertising rates. These will be effective March 1, 2015!

We had a “glitch” with the printing of mailing labels with the last mailing. Your due date was not included. Please check your label for your due date.

If you have chosen to receive the link to the PDF version, you will notice a lot of COLOR! If you have email, you are welcome to request the PDF version instead of or in addition to the hard copy.

Judith Ames([email protected])

Quarterly UpdateTable of Contents2 Letter from the Editors2 Quarterly Update3 Letters to the Editor3 Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration5 Party Time7 Alpenfest Ends on a High Note8 Remembering Esther Pennacchi Birch8 Thinking Ahead10 Divisions and Requirements for Competition12 Music Styles for Leavenworth 201514 Ask a Teacher14 Remembering Anna R. Monteverdi14 Welcome New Members15 Jamie Maschler in Concert with En Canto15 News from Murl Allen Sanders16 Sequim Accordion Social September 201418 Keeping Up with Gary Blair19 Spokane Accordion Ensemble Updates20 Roland Accordion Update20 Seattle Accordion Social24 Tacoma Accordion Social 24 By the Way27 Repair and Diagnose Your Own Accordion27 Tried and True Practice Tips28 Accordions in the Grove – Autumn 201432 Accordion Events Calendar

Dear Members,

Our summer was a very long one here in the Pacifi c Northwest. I hate to complain but the Polar Vortex is on its way this week… I’m hopeful that Judith and I can get the “paste up” done as planned. A “wintery mix” is expected and driving conditions will be less than ideal.

With this issue, we begin our focus on next year’s events. The Day of the Accordion will be the fi rst coming in February. The Rose City Accordion Club has a stellar roster for camp in June. Conductors Murl Sanders and Stas Venglevski will be joined by Bev Fess and Mary Tokarski as instructors. Space is still available; check out the ad in this issue. The Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration follows. Bonnie Birch, LIAC chairman, is putting the fi nishing touches on the lineup. This year the convention in Las Vegas has moved to follow immediately after LIAC. Finally, the Victoria Festival will be in mid July. It’s time to mark your calendars, make your plans, and save your money. Take in as much as you can.

After a long look at our procedures and expenses, I am so sorry to relate that it will be necessary to increase the cost of NWAS membership in 2015 from $20 to $25 for a regular membership. Postage, paper goods, and printing expenses increased dramatically in the past year. We will make reductions where we can. In order for us to be good stewards of the project, increased income is essential. I hope that this increase will not have a negative impact on your family budget. We don’t want to lose any members. The adjustment will begin for the spring issue 2015.

We are thankful for the advertisers in this issue. Support them when you can. They have goods and services that accordion players need! Our faithful, long time advertisers have supported the Northwest Accordion News for many years. We are very grateful. We thank our regular contributors and especially thank Ron Ostromecki, Marjorie Rombauer, Eloise Adaire, Cooksie Kramer, Colleen Halverson, and Judith Ames.

We are entering the holiday season. I wish you all good health and lots of accordion music. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Through our music, let’s continue to do our part to bring peace on earth and goodwill toward all men.Doris [email protected]



Letters to the Editor

Dear NWAS Staff,This year at the Washington State Fair, there were

some older NWAS News copies displayed... and what a change has occurred through the years! The publication is such a professional and attractive looking presenta-tion, I have no idea what you could do to improve on it. However, I’m certain you talented, dedicated, and appreciated people will fi nd something.Thanks for all you do.Randal Tron, Sumner, WA

Dear NWAS,Is this the correct amount - $20? or more?

Jonathan Dyk, Tillamook, OREditor: Starting in March the cost for membership increas-es to $25.

Dear NWAS,Sorry I’m late in getting this renewal to you. Love

what you are doing.Henry Peden, Spokane Valley, WA

Dear NWAS,Thanks for the post card. Time slips away on me.

The Forest Grove Social was so nice. Thanks for all your efforts.Patty & Dick Carlson, Tillamook, OR

Dear NWAS,I appreciate the reminder.

Virginia Higer, Caldwell, IDEditor: We try to send reminders via email and postcards. With working full time, I do my best to get the reminders out. You can help by checking your mailing label.

Dear NWAS,Thanks for all you do. I would appreciate receiving

the PDF version in addition to the hard copy.Cheryl McGinley, Tonasket, WAEditor: You may certainly request just the hard copy, just the PDF version or BOTH versions (the PDF has COLOR!)

Dear NWAS,I just received my Fall copy of the NWAS. As always

I was delighted to see and read it.There was one thing I was wondering about. I

renewed my members but I didn’t see my new day of expiration on the address label. Could you enlighten me on this matter?Marge White, Yacolt, WAEditor: The mailing labels were missing the date for the Fall issue. Please check your label now for your due date.

DAY OF THE ACCORDIONSaturday, February 28, 2015

Crossroads Mall Bellevue15600 NE 8th Bellevue, WA

Accordion Music at theMarket Stage 1

1:30 - 9 PM

Check www.nwasnews.com January 2015 for details

Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration

Volunteers are needed. Donations to support the youth bursary program may be sent to NWAS, 5102 NE 121st Ave. Unit 12, Vancouver, WA 98682. You can also donate via Paypal through www.nwasnews.com.

The LIAC staff: Bonnie Birch, Steve Berg, Rick Webber, Frank Bruckner, Rod Miller, and Doris Osgood. See you June 18-21, 2015 in Leavenworth, Washington for the love of the accordion.



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Alpenfest Ends on a High Note

The 36th edition of Oregon’s Alpenfest was the best ever.

Our new polka instructors, Randy and Ashley Thull from Wisconsin, were a huge hit. (That’s them above.) Thanks to their free lessons, we had more dancers on the fl oor than we ever have had. We expect to have them back in 2015.

The Tyrolean Dancers folk dance troupe introduced new and spectacular dances and got a rousing reception at every one of our perfor-mances. (That’s them below.)

The Polkatones dance band, always fabu-lous, also didn’t disappoint.

Our new Swiss yodeler, Arthur Brogli, was beloved by everyone who came in contact with him. In addition to our shows, he sang on top of Mt. Howard, at the Alpine House and Wallowa Valley Senior Living senior centers and anywhere he could fi nd to stop and play his button box ac-cordion.

Our street accordionists on Main Street in Jo-seph also were big hits at the businesses where they performed, not to mention the talented

Polka Express, the twin-accordion team of Jim and Shirley O’Brien, who played at Accordions at Alpenfest, at our main shows and at the Alpenfest Breafasts.

Everyone I talked to had nothing but great things to say about Oregon’s Alpenfest. If you were here, you know what I’m talking about. If you weren’t, you must plan to come next year on Sept. 24-27 to experience Oregon’s Little Swit-zerland. Prost! Chuck AndersonAlpenmeister

For Sale - Petosa SM 100

- Petosa SM 150

- Petosa SM 400

- Gian Scala (Petosa) PF 465

- Gian Scala (Petosa) PF 365

- Polytone - Taurus Elite

Available at:Arralde Accordion Co.

(253) 639-7000



Remembering Esther Pennacchi Birch

May 27, 1917 – September 16, 2014By Bonnie Birch

Our dear mother, Esther Pennacchi Birch of Se-attle passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Black Diamond, WA on May 27, 1917 to Abra-mo and Adele Pennacchi who were from Garfagnana, Toscana, Italy. The family eventually moved to Mor-ganville, WA where Esther was reared as the young-est of four children. With a year’s stop at Lincoln High in Seattle after her mother’s death, Esther went on to graduate from Black Diamond High School in 1935. She delighted in her life around Morganville and Black Diamond and maintained a keen lifelong affi nity to her hometown and to the Italian culture. Esther moved to Seattle to attend Business College in Seattle where she met and later married the love of her life, Donald Birch, in 1939. Early in their meeting, they discovered that they both had their birthdays on May 27th. This date added a special touch to their special relation-ship. When their fi rst child, Bonnie, was also born on May 27th, this was the beginning of their family which has remained close to this day.

Esther worked as a bookkeeper for an insurance fi rm before becoming a loving and devoted mother. She was a model homemaker with her fabulous cook-ing, sewing, and taking care of all household needs. She was active in PTA, Room mother, Den mother, and supportive of her children’s activities. She was a very modern woman, ahead of her time, in the exam-ples she set for her children with the importance of an education, the value of work, a positive attitude, and maintaining the quality of one’s relationships.

Esther, known also as Nonna, lived in her north Seattle home for over 75 years. She was always cheerful to others and marveled to folks that she had a wonderful life – a great time as a child in the country with her family, married a wonderful man and raised a great family.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Don-ald, parents and siblings: Fernanda Muscolo, Natale Pennacchi and Elizabeth Garbini. Mourning her loss are her children: Bonnie C. Birch, Donald G. Birch Jr. (Becky), Jeffrey B. Birch (Sandy) of Blacksburg, VA and Valerie E. Merk, her grandchildren: Bradley (Jeni-fer) Birch, Brian (Dorothy) Birch, Eileen Merk, Donald G. Birch III and Stefania Birch; her great-grandchil-dren: Braden, Brooke, Abigail Lee and Ryan Birch; many dear nieces and nephews around the world and

many friends. A Memorial service was held on Sun-day, October 5 at 4 pm at Evergreen Washelli. Memo-rial tributes may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.

Thinking AheadLeavenworth International Accordion Celebration

June 18 – 21, 2015

Bonnie Birch is putting the fi nishing touches on the professional line up and workshop schedule. We have some people confi rmed but she’s still awaiting confi rmation on others. The LIAC Committee works to use the resources and gifts given for the accordion celebration in a responsible way.

There is a slight change in competition catego-ries. Many people want to ensure that the old time music genre remains part of the Leavenworth Accor-dion Celebration; a new competition category will be called LIAC Old Time Open. Though the “march” is not old time, for the purposes of competition during the accordion celebration, the march will be included with the other dance styles always equated to the genre: waltz, schottische, and polka. Note Rule #8 for an explanation of the music style. With this new category, the “old time” requirement will be removed from the Leavenworth Open. In the LV Open, three different music styles will be required. Classical music is played only in the Classical Open category. An old time selection may be played, but it is not required.

It’s also time to begin thinking about donating to the bursary program for young competitors. We’ve offered a $100 bursary to competitors age 18 and younger for the past two years. It’s one of the ways we hope to encourage young competitors and give them incentive to prepare and to participate. Our young competitors need to begin their preparations for Leavenworth and remember to prepare a letter for the LIAC committee. Details will be coming in the spring issue of the NWAS News.

Begin checking the web site in January for up-dates regarding all of the activities for LIAC 2015.

Accordion RepairLance Curkendall

St. Helens, OR503-267-4580

[email protected]





Divisions and Requirements for Competition 2015 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 LIAC Old Time Open All OT-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

Evaluation All (non-competitive) E-O (@ GRANGE) $15

*SEE RULES AND NOTES FOR IMPORTANT EXPLANATIONS*

Leavenworth Open - 3 selections of different genres - max time: 12 minutesClassical Open - 1 selection - max time: 8 minutesLIAC Old Time Open - 2 selections of different styles see #8 - max time: 7 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 minutesAccordion Duets - 17 & under - 2 selections – 1 must be Old Time max time: 8 minutesBand Competition - 2 selections any style - max time: 10 minutes. Variety (1 - 6) - 2 selections – any style - max time: 8 minutes Classical - 15 & under - 1 selection - max time: 8 minutesEvaluation - non-competitive - 1 or 2 selections may be played - will take place at the Grange.

Competition Rules: 2014 Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration

1. Contestants may enter as many categories as they qualify for – SEE DIVISIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

2. The contestant playing order is determined by a random drawing prior to beginning the competition. 3. Entry applications must be postmarked no later than May 29, 2015. The LIAC Committee reserves the

right to accept late entries at its discretion. Late entries, if allowed, will play first in any category. 4. For this competition, the term “PROFESSIONAL” is anyone who is currently active in a career playing

the accordion; i.e. Listed in Publications as a concert performer, promoting oneself as a professional, receiving money through contracts to perform, etc. Those considered Professional musicians may participate in the Leavenworth Open, Bands, Duet I, LIAC Old Time Open, Diatonic and ClassicalOpen only.

5. The LIAC Committee reserves the right to limit entries in any category. Categories with 3 entries or less are subject to review.



6. Digital, electronic, amplified and MIDI accordions are not accepted in any division. If any of these systems are installed only the acoustic accordion will be allowed. (*see rule 13 for exception)

7. Competitors must provide proof of age upon request by the LIAC Committee. 8. For the purpose of this competition, “Old Time” refers to the manner and style in which the selection

was written or is being played, not to the selection’s age or ethnic origin. Old-time music is fittingly described as the style and tempo predominantly and successfully used for executing the polka,schottische, waltz throughout a broad cross-section of North American and European communities during the past few centuries. Also for the purpose of this competition, “LIAC Old Time” may include the march. All cultural styles are equally acceptable as long as the selection is played in the manner used by the culture of origin. With this as a guide, the decision of the adjudicators is final.

9. CLASSICAL/CONTEMPORARY describes the category of music which follows the original form and intent of the composer; repeats may be omitted. The printed sheet music is provided to the judges.

10. LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC is based on a classical piece or theme but is reinterpreted to have entertainment value; it does not have to follow the format of the original composition.

11. OPEN COMPETITIONS: If a person has won the same Open competition for two consecutive years, they must sit out one year before competing in that particular Open again..

12. DIATONIC DIVISION: Diatonic accordions of all types/styles are allowed but only “old-time” music selections permitted. This category is open to amateur and professional accordionists.

13. BAND DIVISION: This must be a group of three or more musicians with a predominant acoustic accordion lead. The lead accordion may be amplified* but not electronic or virtual accordion and must lead at least 2/3 of the time. There are no age limits and professionals can participate. Support instruments will be judged on the quality of harmony with the lead instrument. Support instruments may be amplified to achieve a loudness level consistent with the lead accordion. Vocalists may be substituted for instruments.

14. A Medley is considered as 1 selection and max time for the category must not be exceeded. 15. Should a competitor wish to play 2 old time selections in the Variety category, the two pieces

must be from different styles – See Rule #8. 16. Classical music will only be played in the Classical Open category. 17. The Leavenworth Open category will allow any music style other than classical; three different

styles are required. 18. When competing in more than one category, the music selected must be different for each category. 19. Contestants may restart a selection within 15 measures of its start without penalty. If restarting the full

time limit is allowed as if no playing had yet taken place. Only one restart allowed with no penalty. 20. The adjudication process begins with the on-stage presence of the contestant and is concluded with the

preparation of remarks and scores by the adjudicators. Adjudication for all categories will be based on the appropriateness of music, interpretation (appropriate style), tone projection and balance, stage presence and appearance, phrasing and articulation, dynamics and shading, technique and accuracy, tempos and rhythm, bellows technique and control and level of complexity. For definitive information on the adjudication, an “Adjudicators Guide” is posted on the web at www.nwasnews.com.

21. Discussions with adjudicators about a contestant’s performance must be delayed until after the day's competition is completed to avoid interference with the adjudication process. Good Sportsmanship is expected. This courtesy to the adjudicators is essential and a contestant may be disqualified by the LIAC Committee for violation of this procedure. Score sheets and adjudicators remarks are available to contestants at the end of the Celebration after the awards ceremony. The decision of the judges is final.

22. The contestants must present a pleasing appearance. Good grooming and dress is expected. Tank tops, T-shirts, shorts and jeans are unacceptable attire unless part of the ethnic costume dress.

23. Any camera and video pictures taken must not interfere with competitors, adjudicators and audience. No flash photography of contestants when active playing is occurring.

24. Only a Page Turner is allowed on stage to assist the competitor during the performance. 25. The decision of the LIAC Committee shall be final regarding all of the above rules, except for

scoring, which shall be the responsibility of the adjudicators (judges).



Music Styles for Leavenworth 2015It’s time to begin thinking about competing at Leav-enworth next June. We want to be clear about some basics for the competition. Any player, professional or amateur, is eligible to play in any “Open” category. In the “Variety” categories, only amateurs may play. Below is some clarifi cation about music styles and the competition categories.

Music Styles

For the purpose of this competition, “Old Time” refers to the manner and style in which the selection was written or is being played, not to the selection’s age or ethnic origin. Old-time music is fi ttingly described as the style and tempo predominantly and successfully used for executing the polka, schottische, and waltz throughout a broad cross-section of North American and European communities during the past few centuries. LIAC Old Time Open is a new division and will be an old time competition unique to Leavenworth. The march will be included with the other 3 dance styles. All cultural styles are equally acceptable as long as the selection is played in the manner used by the culture of origin. Each competitor will select 2 pieces from the 4 listed; the presentation is not to exceed 7 minutes. With this as a guide, the decision of the adjudicators is fi nal.

CLASSICAL/CONTEMPORARY describes the category of music which follows the original form and intent of the composer; repeats may be omitted to fi t the time requirement. The printed sheet music is provided to the judges. The presentation is not to exceed 8 minutes.

LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC is based on a classical piece or theme but is reinterpreted to have entertainment value; it does not have to follow the format of the original composition.

Competition Categories

DIATONIC DIVISION: Diatonic accordions of all types/styles are allowed but only “old-time” music selections permitted. This category is open to amateur and professional accordionists.Digital, electronic, amplifi ed and MIDI accordions are not accepted in any division. If any of these systems are in-stalled only the acoustic accordion will be allowed.

The LEAVENWORTH OPEN requires the competitor to play three selections. The competitor will play 3 selections from genres such as jazz, popular, old time,

and light classical. Classical music is not appropriate. If the competitor chooses to play more than one old time music selection for the category, the music must be selected from the remaining old time list as defi ned in rule #8. The competitor will confi ne the presentation to 12 minutes or less.

CLASSICAL MUSIC is played only in the Classical categories; LIGHT CLASSICAL music may be played in the Leavenworth Open, Duet, Band, and Varieties divisions.

The DUET category requires one Old Time selection plus another piece from any other music genre. See Rule #8. Competitors may choose to play old time music exclusively; in that event a different style will be required for the 2nd piece. Note that there are two Duet divisions: Duet 2 is for amateur competitors ages 17 and under. The presentation is not to exceed 8 minutes.

The BAND category is an open division. Note the regulations regarding this category. Two selections will be played from any style. The selections will not be of the same style. The presentation is not to ex-ceed 10 minutes.

The VARIETY category is for amateur players only. The competitor will play 2 selections from any genre: old time, popular, jazz, and light classical, ballad etc. Classical music is not accepted in this category. Should a player choose to play 2 old time selections, they must be of different styles as listed in Rule #8. The presentation is not to exceed 8 minutes.

We also have a category called EVALUATION. This category will have a panel of qualifi ed accordionists reviewing the performance. The purpose is to give the player an opportunity to have their playing evalu-ated in a constructive and helpful manner without the pressure of competition. This category does not have monetary awards but the award is in the helpful com-ments obtained. All evaluations will be done at the Grange.

Professional players are allowed in all Open cat-e gories along with duets, bands, and diatonic cat-egories. They may also participate in the EVALU-ATION category.

Competitors are not required to play for the entire time segment but must play the required music for each category.



The Chester Pietka Scholarships are available for young accordionists. Young people ages 18 and under, taking lessons from a recognized teacher, or wishing to do so, may submit a written request for scholarship funds for the purpose of taking lessons. Requests are to be submitted to Doris Osgood, 3224 B St., Forest Grove, OR 97116 or e-mail [email protected].

In addition to giving personal information, students are to share their age, interest and their goals for playing the accordion. These scholarships are open to the young people within the Pacifi c Northwest, not just the greater Portland area.

Deadline for submitting articles, pictures, advertisements, etc.February 1 (Spring)

May 1 (Summer)August 1(Fall)

November 1 (Winter)

BIG DIAMOND FOR SALEDiamond Tiara 43, made in 1964

Meticulously tuned and maintained by Michael J Arralde, this 4/6 Diamond is the ’59 Cadillac convertible or the Bosendorfer Imperial Grand of accordions—it is loaded with features including:

43 note treble, F-b”

Finest hand-made reeds

L,M in tone chamber, M,H out

Dry tuned, bright and loud

Treble Mute

13 treble switches, plus Master wrist bar

9 bass switches, including suboctave registers

Sennheiser pickups, coaxial stereo output

6 bass reeds, extended down to FFF

Bass from FFF, Tenor from FF, Contralto from F, Tenor chords from C, Alto from c, Soprano from c’Inquire: David Locke, 360-321-6011, [email protected]

Also available: Centaur Keyboard PA with 15” woofer

Accordion and

Piano Lessons!Accepting New students for 2015

Cooksie KramerCall 425-828-9104

Membership dues increasing March 1, 2014

Due to increasing postage and printing costs, we have decided to increase the dues by $5.00 per year. There is also an increase in postage for Canada and International postage (please see the memberberhip form on page 36.)

We are also increasing the advertising rates. Please see page 1.

We appreciate your support! It has been seven years since we increased our dues and advertising fees. Our membership is still a bargain!



Welcome New Members

Karen Cota, Tacoma, WACathy Cowley, Gig Harbor, WABob Donovan, Cincinnati, OHPatricia Holten, Richland, WACarol Elise King, Vancouver, WARobert Sproed, Dayton, OR

Remember, you are welcome to give gift memberships! The membership form is on the last page of this publication.

You may request hard copy, PDF (elec-tronic), or both. You may also pay for more than one year at a time, if you like.

Ask a TeacherBy Cooksie Kramer A.B.C.A – L.B.C.A Member of

ATG, AAA, ABRSM (London). How do you get more profi cient and onto higher levels in your playing?

V.I.P. It’s not what you play, it’s the way you play it. Make a comprehensive study of the music you are playing – try to visual-ize what the Composer was feeling – was it a landscape- the sea – some form of emotion – happiness – sadness.

Check the phrases, the dynamics, the contrasts, the tempi slow/fast- Music is not just passages of notes – Read about the Composer – the times he/she wrote that piece – the period of time the Composer lived in – get deeper into the Music. If you enjoy the music be motivated to make the most of your rendition.

The Composer is like an artist – one color is probably not suffi cient – that would be too boring. I’m sure no Composer from Beethoven to Chopin to John Williams stayed with one color.

Start carefully - underline the dynamics - mark the phrases – play like a story or painting that is slowly progressing. Make sure your technique is up to standard- Once again practice scales arpeggios Studies e.g. Hannon, Czerny.

VIP The correct notes – phrases – music must be well prepared and performed with confi dence and ease.

Being profi cient in theory also helps with understanding and confi dence.

Most important of all enjoy what you are doing.

I am always available for questions please feel free to phone me at 425 828 9104 or email [email protected].

Remembering Anna R. MonteverdiJune 8, 1915 – July 24, 2014

Anna was born, raised and lived in San

Francisco all her 99 years. She was the young-est of three children born to Colombo and Maria Piatanesi.

Her father, Colombo Piatanesi, came from Italy in 1907 and established an accordion fac-tory where he and his partner Pasquale Petro-milli manufactured accordions which won gold medals at the Panama-Pacifi c Exposition in 1915. Colombo’s 3 younger brothers followed their brother’s lead and established accordion factories in Chicago.

In 1927, Colombo established his own company, Columbo and Sons with his two sons, Gary and Faust. His grandson Gordon Piatanesi and son-in-law John Monteverdi joined the team and together produced the fi nest instruments that enabled the factory to thrive. The handmade accordion they produced was renowned for its excellent craftsmanship and superior tone.

Eventually Colombo and Sons stopped manufacturing locally and contracted with rela-tives in Italy to continue the Grande-Vox (trade-mark name) tradition for many years until the retirement of Colombo’s grandson, Gordon, in 1995.

Anna’s long life ended peacefully. She was surrounded by her special caregivers and her daughter and granddaughter.



Jamie Masc hler in Concert with En Canto

En Canto, will perform on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 9 PM at the Royal Room in Seattle, Wash-ington. This will be En Canto’s last show before they embark on a three-week trip to Brazil! Tickets are $10 at the door.

En Canto brings the lively, danceable rhythms of Brazil (forró, baião, choro, and samba) to clubs, spe-cial events, & private parties!

En Canto brings you music as rich and varied as the people and places of Brazil: forró and baião from the northeast, bossa nova and choro from Rio, and sambas from every city and town. These lively, danceable rhythms and exotic melodies get everyone onto the dance fl oor, while the occasional slower tune (such as Tom Jobim’s “Falando de Amor”) evokes the romantic mood of saudade (longing).

Led by Brazilian-born vocalist Adriana Giordano, this septet combines consummate musicianship with an infectious sense of fun and rhythm, delighting ev-eryone from the discriminating jazz afi cionado to the three-year-old who just wants to dance!

For the past several years, En Canto has brought their unique sound to a variety of festivals and ven-ues, including all-ages interactive shows, corporate events, private parties, outdoor festivals, and a regu-lar monthly show at one of Seattle’s emerging new live music venues, The Royal Room, where they pack the venue to capacity.

Individually, each band member of packs a punch: Vocalist Adriana Giordano leads her own jazz quartet and is one of the most in-demand singers in the Northwest. Accordionist Jamie Maschler has won several national and international accordion competi-tions for jazz, classical, and original compositions, and is high demand in all musical genres. Flutist Meese Agrawal has also won national and international com-petitions.

Clarinetist Rosalynn De Roos founded the Bra-zilian choro (vintage jazz) quartet, ChoroLoco, and produces musical events, along with bringing her bril-liant solo riffs to En Canto. Michael Withey has a long career in jazz and rhythm and blues as pianist. Adam Kozie (drums) and Martin Strand (bass), both recent graduates of Cornish College of the Arts, are both involved in multiple music projects.

A unique member of Seattle’s music scene be-cause she has played accordion since the age of four. Jamie Maschler graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a Bachelors in Music and has won sev-

eral national and international accordion competitions for jazz, classical, and original compositions. She has performed as a featured soloist at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.

She has also recorded at some of the top studios in Seattle, including London Bridge, Avast, Elliott Bay Recording Company, and Clatter and Din. Ms. Mas-chler now works at Petosa Accordions, the last accor-dion manufacturer in the United States, while pursuing a very active career in Seattle and the greater North-west area.

For additional information and a calendar of up-coming events:[email protected]

News from Murl Allen Sanders

This September I had the great pleasure to play for the pre-gala and gala opening season parties for The Seattle Symphony’s 2014-2015 season. The opening Symphony concert was all French composers and Ludovic Morlot, the Seattle Symphony’s music director, requested Paris-themed accordion music for the gala parties. I played solo and also in a trio with Seattle Symphony virtuoso violinist Misha Schmidt and virtuoso bassist, Joe Kaufman. During one of the parties Maestro Morlot picked up a violin and played with us. It was an unforgettable musical moment for me and for the audience.

In future news, I’ve been asked to play accordion by Seattle Modern Orchestra’s co-music director, Jeremy Jolley, for two concerts of contemporary music by composers Katie Soper and Huck Hodge in the Seattle Modern Orchestra’s 2015 season June 6 and November 15. This will be both a challenge for me and an opportunity to showcase the accordion’s versatility and beauty in a contemporary classical music setting.



Sequim Accordion Social September 2014

By Ilse Osier

Here we are already in the middle of September for another accordion social and it seems like this wonderful summer will never end. Glorious weather in the “Banana Belt” of Sequim and our faithful audience is back in force. We had a smaller than usual number of players so everyone was asked to play a bit extra.

Helen Bucher started out with her wonderful se-lection of songs for our sing-along. She always choos-es season appropriate music with “School Days”, “You are my sunshine” and “Shine on Harvest Moon”. The song sheets that Helen prints for everyone are a big help.

Ilse Osier was next in line and I played “Froh-sinn” a peppy German March, “Arpeggio Polka” by Helen Crucio, and “Waltz of the Winds” one of my most favorite pieces.

Next was Susan Kidd’s turn to entertain us. Susan really likes to play these diffi cult Latin pieces and she chose “Andalucia”, “El Choclo” an Argentinian Tango and “Malaguena”. It makes you want to get up and tango but no one did.

Jeannie Berg and Ilse Osier like to play duets. We started out with “Kufsteiner Lied” a great favor-ite and Hermann Laresser added the yodel in the end. Hermann is from Austria. Don’t they all learn to yodel there at young age???? The next pieces were “Bergvagabunden”, “Blue Skirt Waltz”, “Just because” and “Tic Tac Polka”. The audience loved it all.

Big surprise when John Giuliani showed up. He did not bring an accordion so he played Jeannie’s 96 bass Beltuna. We thoroughly enjoyed his wonderful renditions of “Whispering”, “2 Mazurkas”, “Cella Can-tata” (I really liked that one), and “I want a buddy not a sweet heart”. He ended his performance with 2 lovely polkas and didn’t get the names.

We always have a 20 minute refreshment break in the middle with coffee and desserts which are pro-vided by players and audience.

Our featured players this time were Elsy and Hermann Laresser. Elsy plays a really large chro-matic accordion and Hermann accompanies her on his guitar. They started out with a march “Folie Bergere”, “La Bourasque” (a French musette) and the “Mississippi Polka”. Then Elsy played solo the Frosini piece “Olive Blossom”. Her dynamics were wonder-ful. Hermann Laresser then turned to his zither and played a very moving Austrian song translated as “Hunters Goodbye”. Hermann told us the meaning of the song because he sang along in his Austrian dia-

lect which I can not understand. Elsy said she always gets teary eyed when she hears the music. The 2 of them then played “The Way to the Heart”. Oh, Her-mann’s guitar string broke, so Elsy played 2 Laendlers while he fi xed his instrument. The audience shouted for “The Third Man” which is a favorite on the zither and of course Hermann played it for us. They ended their long performance as featured players with “Wien bleibt Wien” a march. People were asking for encores and requests for “Wien, Wien nur Du allein”, “Lilly Marlene” and “Bergleben” a really fast piece. The fi nal was “Till we meet again”, a very appropriate song be-cause our next social is in November and the featured player will be Einar Tapio.



Seattle Monday Night Accordion Socials

Date/Time: 2nd Monday of the month music: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. - - be there early

All Socials are held at the Senior Center of West Seattle in 2014

Senior Center of West Seattle (SC-WS)

4217 S.W. Oregon Street Seattle, WA 98116

Phone: (206) 932-4044Cost: $5

Contact: John Giuliani (425) 255-2121 Contact: Birgit Ages (206) 368-9720

Backup: Bonnie Birch (206) 622-4786

December 8th Murl Allen Sanders

“All Socials are followed by a Round Robin at the end, please bring your

accordion, Let’s Jam!”

February 28, 2015Day of the Accordion

Crossroads in Bellevue

June 18 - 21, 2015Leavenworth International Accordion

Celebrationwww.accordioncelebration.org



Keeping Up with Gary Blair

In August Gary met up with Alex Meixner who was performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Having lent Alex an accordion for the week’s run, they thought it only right to have a couple of jams on stage. Gary went through to visit him three or four times and the Scottish crowd loved it!

In September he performed at an internation-al students’ ceilidh in the Caledonian University in Glasgow. There were visitors from every part of world: USA, Canada, Africa, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and beyond.

In October he paid a surprise visit to the Mundesley Accordion festival in deepest dark-est England. The fi ve day event started two of his very good friends, Domi Emorine and Ro-man Jbanov (Paris-Moscow duo) who also hap-pen to be two of his favorite accordionists. They were delighted at the surprise. Other artistes on the bill were David Vermin and Dick Lee, Rose-mary Wright, Pearl Fawcett Adriano, Bert Santilly and Harry Hussey. Great fun! Gary says that he ended up taking the SCOTTISH accordion music workshop on the last day as David Vernon had to go home early.

New Student



Spokane Accordion Ensemble UpdatesSubmitted by, Cheryl McGinley, Secretary

Our ensemble had a very productive spring/ summer season. We played at a variety of senior centers, Trinity Lutheran in Coeur d’ Alene, Leavenworth Accordion Festival, the Wallace Idaho Accordion Celebration, and at Central Lutheran in Spokane. Our conductor, Beverly Fess traveled from Calgary to direct us in most of them. Two of these were new venues for us; it is always fun and a pleasure for us to introduce an accordion orchestra to new listeners, and receive the compliments and the exclamation: “I had no idea that accordions could sound like that!” It seems we have to win them over, one at a time, and with the music they want to hear.

We were so successful with our “Americana”

concert and requests we received, that we made a CD of it. If you are interested please call our President Eileen Webber at 509-290-6858.

The ensemble is now working on a new program which we will present this spring. We order a lot of our scores from Germany, specifi cally from www.jetelina-verlag.de; they have a great website and it is available in English. It is a good source for solo accordion arrangements as well.

We would like to thank Central Lutheran Church of Spokane for their support and assistance this last year. They have been a tremendous help to us in our mission of presenting the accordion to the public as a professional and fun instrument capable of all types of music from pop to classical. We really enjoy what we do and look forward to our concerts.

Personally I could not ask for a better group of fun, supportive, accomplished musicians to play with. Thank you to each and every one of them for the hard work and time they invest, and a special thank you to our President Eileen Webber who leads us in weekly rehearsals, and to our conductor Bev Fess.

We are one of the principle people in selling the new “Virtual Roland

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demonstration of the instrument.

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Roland Accordion UpdateSean Montgomery, Roland Europe V-Accordion

Product Manager writes: “Roland is pleased to an-nounce a signifi cant ‘Version 2’ system update for their fl agship FR-8X V-Accordion.

This free, user-installable upgrade adds many new improvements and enhancements designed to make the FR-8x even more versatile in any musical situation. Based on user feedback, the new features include new drum and orchestral parameters, im-proved control of audio fi les, more Looper functional-ity, and new Orchestral Chord “voicing” capabilities.

Uwe Steger will offi cially launch the Version 2.0 update in a dedicated workshop on Saturday Novem-ber 1, 2014, as part of the 67th Coupe Mondiale in Salzburg, Austria. This workshop will be available to view online

Since the revolutionary V-Accordion launched in 2004, Roland has introduced many digital accordi-ons culminating with the current FR-8x launched in 2013. Roland has recently announced a manufact ur-ing agreement with FATAR Srl that will ensure that production of the V-Accordion range remains in Italy.

A dedicated team of Roland staff based at FA-TAR, together with FATAR’s world-renowned crafts-manship and quality standards, will ensure that Ro-land remains dedicated to the ongoing development of these specialized instruments.

About Roland Corporation:Roland Corporation is a leading manufacturer

and distributor of electronic musical instruments, in-cluding keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifi ers, audio processors, and multimedia prod-ucts. With more than 40 years of musical instrument development, Roland sets the standard in music tech-nology for the world to follow.

For more information, visit RolandUS.com or see your local Roland dealer.

Seattle Accordion SocialB y Marjorie Rombauer

September 8, 2014This night the theme was Italian. It began with

the Folk Voice Duo, Birgit and Phil Ages, with Birgit playing the ac-cordion and Phil begin-ning on the mando-lin. They fi rst played an Italian mazurka and then

played one from another country, Phil pointing out that the mazurka is a common dance form, but each country has its own style. They then played an Italian tarantella, which Phil called the “Italian jig.” One more mazurka “for all countries,” and then they played the classic Italian song, “Come Back to Sorrento,” Phil singing the lyrics. Phil switched to the penny whistle, which added a joyous lilt to an Italian dance. They fol-lowed with “Ah! Marie,” with Phil singing. He dedicated the song to his Mother, who passed away a year ago. They concluded with another Italian number, and the Italian night was off to a great start.

The next ac-cordionist was a surprise, Jon Person, back for one month after fi ve months of performing on a cruise ship, playing a Roland accordion this evening. He began with an “all purpose” Italian medley, including “Santa Lucia” and “Finiculi, Finicula,” ending with a fi nger racing fl ourish. Then it was a Russian “Old Waltz” and “Russian Sailors’ Dance.” The latter was dramatic – and different, because Jon played it on the Roland electronic accordion. The Sailors’ Dance also ended in an exciting faster and faster performance.

Calling all Accordion Players,Amateur and Professional,

to join our NW accordion orchestra.

Call Cooksie Kramer 425-828-9104

Please check your mailing label for your dues due date! We appreciate timely membership renewals!



Then a true Italian took to the stage, John Giuliani. He began with “Ah! Marie,” dedicating it to his Father. Phil had played that song too, but the styles were entirely different, but both were moving performances. Next, John played an Italian folk song, “Trieste,” slipped in a non-Italian “It Had To Be You,” but concluded with “Amoré” and a tarantella.

Next there were two Italians, Lenny Luzzi with John Giuliani staying to accompany on his bass. Lenny began with “La, la, la, la -------.” I don’t know the name of that song, but Lenny sang it with a voice that fi lled the room – and be-yond – and the audience joined in. Then we heard a third version of “Ah! Marie,” Lenny singing, then segueing to an in-strumental jazz style and back to a sentimental style. He next played a Northern Italian mountain song that he said was the closest music Italy had to a polka. Then he went romantic, and played to various women in the audi-ence. He concluded with a rock and roll “So you want to be an American?”

A very entertaining evening.

October 13, 2014Birgit Teuwen-Ages and John Giuliani put

together another interesting set of performances for this Oktoberfest evening.

Lyle Schaefer provided a pre-program start for the evening by playing delightful music on his ac-cordion while strolling and carrying on a conversa-tion with Jim Tobler. Then Lyle played a program that must have set a record for number of pieces played in 20 minutes – non- stop. He began with “You Can’t Be True” and a medley of German Oktoberfest mu-sic. Then, “Liechtensteiner Polka,” “Clarinet Polka,” “Morzen,” “Lili Marlene,” “Sound of Music,” “Do-Re- Mi,” and “Edelweiss,” concluding with the rousing polka, “Achtung.” All the well-deserved applause was heard at the end. What fun to hear him play.

Jim Tobler then presented another (almost) non-stop performance, prefaced by a discussion of how many parts make up an accordion. (He gave us the fi gure for the bass end – 2,000 when pins are counted.) Then he played “Accordion Express,”

“Milwaukee Polka,” “Vienna Forever,” “Herz Scherz ,” “Moonlight Serenade,” a fast “Grand Prix Polka,” “El Rio Grande,” and a Bavarian Polka. The audience applauded not only his music but Birgit’s reminder that Jim and Bonnie Birch had managed the Seattle Social for our benefi t for many years before John and Birgit stepped into that responsibility.

Ted Lunka was the next performer and he played a diatonic accor-dion, explaining that it is like a har-monica: one sound as the bellow opens and another as it closes. He began with “Happy Wan-derer,” and the au-dience sang along. Then he played a song I have heard often but don’t know the title. I call it “Yah, yah, yah, –“ because that’s the part everyone joins in singing. Next he played a song that Jim had played, “El Rio Grande,” but it was different in instrument sound as well as style. Nothing can match the bass sounds of a diatonic accordion. Ted played three more great numbers, but I didn’t get the names of them. May he return to play at the social again soon.

The Bonnie Birch Trio concluded the program. That was Bonnie Birch on an accordion Nick Heat-ing on guitar, and Paul Ostler on tuba (with a sur-prise vocal). This was Bonnie without her acoustic ac-cordion, playing a Roland electronic accordion. It lent new sounds to some familiar Oktoberfest (and other) music. They began with an “Oktoberfest polka” and an “Oktoberfest waltz” (better known as “Edelweiss,”) with Nick and Paul singing. With “Wooden Heart,” Paul introduced his surprise, appearing and singing



as a German Elvis. Next were “Beer Here” and “In Heaven There Is No Beer,” Nick singing, of course. Then a speed special, “Flick Flack,” that went faster and faster. Then they played “Third Man Theme” and an “Oktoberfest Cha Cha” (better known as “Sway”). They concluded with an “Oktoberfest toast,” the rous-ing “Drink, Drink, Drink” from “The Student Prince.”

Too bad Oktoberfest comes but once a year.(Note: The regular July and August accordion

socials were cancelled, but a special program featur-ing an outstanding young Chinese woman accordion-ist was scheduled on August 13. I expected to attend and report on that program, but an emergency kept me at home – a water pipe broke and fl ooded my util-ity, laundry and storage rooms. Not too much damage was done, thanks to a neighbor with a commercial wet/dry vacuum that he used to get rid of the worst of the water much faster than I could have.)



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120 Bass “Noble” Excellent Condition $600.00

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120 Bass “Excelsior” Gold Model Recently spot tuned by Arralde $6000.00

Petosa - 4 Treble, 6 Bass ReedsLike New Condition - $2195.00

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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.

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120 Bass “Elkavox” Midi (installed by Arralde) $3995.00



Tacoma Accordion Social Submitted by Eloise Adair

11 September 2014 Our meeting was on a day when the fair was in

Puyallup and since it was a nice day I think many went to the fair. We only had 26 in attendance but we had a nice program. Linda and Richard Bishop were the fi rst to play duets Linda on string instruments and Richard on accordion playing “Seven Days & Seven Nights”, “Sorrell” , “Could I Have This Dance” and “Golden Stars Waltz”. Bob Westlund was up next playing “One Day at a Time”, “Cinco Robles”, “Roragen” and “The Patron St. of Bavaria”. I went to the fair on the fi rst day and I heard Bob Westlund play there.

Richard Svensson was at the fair on the 11th so he only had to drive 20 minutes to get to our social. He played “Dromm om Elin”, “La Paloma”, “Tic Toc Polka” and “Woodpecker Polka”. Eloise Adair was next playing “Storm Echo’s Overture”, “Janet’s Waltz” and “Tango of the Roses”. Then Diane Crews sang “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”. Randall Tron was up next. He played “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain”, “ Cattle Call” and “Amazing Grace”. Then we had our snacks before we went home.

9 October 2014 We had a good Oktoberfest program on

Thursday. Richard and Linda Bishop began the program with Richard on accordion and Linda on guitar playing “Blue Skirt Waltz”, “Snowbird”, “The Jolly Cowboy” and “Prairie Flowers”. Our next player was David Emter playing “Glas Harmonica Waltz”, “Triglav Polka”, “Boogie Boy Polka” and “Echo Waltz.

Then we heard German music by Eloise Adair beginning with “In Munchenstehtein Hofbrauhaus”, “Landler Medley”, “Liechtensteiner Polka” and “Engle berger Landler”. Dick Myking was next playing “Balen I Karlstad”, “I Don’t Know Why”, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” and “My Wild Irish Rose. “Our MC Randall Tron played next beginning with “Wooden Heart” “Lietch Polka” “Sailor” “Just Because” and “Pepperoni”.

Our next performer was David Emter. He played “Kufstien Leid Waltz”, “Little Eddy’s Polka” and “Barking Dog”. Then Lynn Swanson played Dick Myking’s accordion. She played “Edelweiss”, “Vienna My City of Golden Dreams”, “Lilly Marlene” Fliege Mit Mir In Die Heimat” and “Frohliche Appenzeller.

By the Way – From Doris Osgood

Accordionist Cory Pesaturo recently performed with Wynton Marsalis at an impromptu jam session at Wynton Marsalis’ house on his birthday. Cory keeps some pretty cool company!

Congratulations, Naomi Harris! (Second from the right in the picture above.) Naomi qualifi ed for both the Trophée Mondial and the Coupe Mondiale this year. Two trips to Europe weren’t in her plan so she competed in the Trophée Mondial in Lithuania. We are thrilled to report that she placed 5th in a fi eld of 16 young players. Two Russian players and two Italian players placed ahead of her. Fourteen year old Naomi of Spokane, WA represented the United States well. In the Pacifi c Northwest, as all knew she was a winner!

Monica Rainer shared that the Happy Hans Band, with Hans Rainer accordionist, played 35 Oktoberfest celebrations this season! AMAZING.

Janet Todd of Salt Lake City shared that it was with much regret that she has retired from performing on the accordion. Members of her band were so sad to



hear the news. Janet has dealt with major skeletal issues over the years. Recently, it was just one issue too many. Janet is one of the best and we wish her well in her “retirement”.

Congratulations, Toby Hanson! Toby writes, “Next May I’ll be celebrating the 20th anniversary of my band. Hard to believe but we started playing together in May of 1995 when I was still in college. The drummer and I are the two original members still left in the band. The other musicians have been with me for quite some time. I haven’t planned out any specifi c celebrations yet but I’ll keep you posted if I do put something together.”

I’ve long wanted a sandwich board sign to attract attention to our accordion events. Some communities don’t allow them, but in Forest Grove many businesses have signs out on the sidewalks. After long delay, I fi nally contacted Miracle Sign here in town and a sign was created. Joe Petosa gave me permission to use the image of a Petosa AM1100 on the sign. The

contrasting black on white is visible for some distance. The sign was out for the autumn social and will be out again for Holiday in the Grove the fi rst Saturday in December. It’s the regular meeting time for the Tualatin Valley Accordionists. Last year we had drop in visitors and this year I expect more will fi nd the accordion music at the library. Publicity never hurts!

I’m so glad to report that Ron Ostromecki is mending. The index fi nger on his left hand had an encounter with the blade of a table saw…. NOT GOOD. He’s fi nally able to play again.

There will be an accordion clinic by Nick Ballarini and Mario Pedone in Texas. The Texas Accordion Clinic will be held in New Braunfels, Texas at the TBarM Ranch from Dec. 11-15, 2014. Clinic topics are: Embellishments, Technique, Computer Music/Writing, Bellows Technique Ala Tony Lovello, Delivering Your

Message, Fake Books and Harmonizing.The accordion clinic features: Five Days, Participants Concerts, Solo performances daily, Study Groups/Bands of 4-6 people, Ballroom Dancing Every Night, Guest Artist Tony Lovello, Group Lessons, Workshops, Jam Sessions, Concerts Daily, Beautiful Learning Environment, Good Food and Drink, Impromptu Performances and much more!

For further information: [email protected]

A dear member of the NWAS moved to Washington D.C. last year, much to my sorrow. Mia Bush is in the news biz. In Portland she was an editor with the Oregonian; now she works for the Voice of America. Jane, a reporter friend of hers in Wisconsin shared

that she’d done a story on a fellow who plays the accordion. Elmer plays for his cows each night. Mia sent the photo. Pretty cool.

Dick Myking and other faithful members of NWAS in Tacoma spent several days at the Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup in late September. Dick and the Tacoma club manned a booth providing demonstrations and instruction at the fair. We thank them for their work to bring the accordion to the people.

I just listened to most of a public radio broadcast of a program called Fresh Air. Tonight’s program, “The Lure of the Accordion” with host Terri Gross, had an accordionist on for most of the hour. Wil Holtzhauser has a new album entitled Introducing Musette Explosion. He was a pianist and was immediately drawn to the instrument when one was given to him. In talking about the accordion’s unique qualities, he shared my love for the fact that “it breathes and it vibrates on your chest”. It’s likely that you will be able to listen to the program in the future at this address. http://www.opb.org/radio/

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.





Tried and True Practice TipsBy Heinz Simens

Reprinted from the Chicago Accordion Club Dec. 1998Much time is wasted by students because they do not use a regular system of practicing. That’s why a song that should take one week to learn often stretch-es into much more time. Here are some proven sug-gestions:

1. Find a regular time and place where you can practice daily.

2. Start by checking the key signature, time sig-nature, and note names.

3. Practice in small sections only for one or two measures until it’s mastered. Always start playing at a slow, controlled speed. Build speed carefully through thoughtful repeti-tion. Playing a piece through from beginning to end, no matter how many times, is generally a waste of time.

4. When you can play a section six times con-secutively without mistakes, you are ready to move to the next section.

5. Try to memorize the sections as you practice them.

6. Be consistent in the use of fi ngering.

7. Remember, at the end of a practice session it is better to have mastered one line than to have stumbled through an entire song.

Repair and Diagnose your own Accordion

George BachichNapa, CA

[email protected]

Want to know how to diagnose and repair your own accordion? Check out AccordionRe-vival.com, a website dedicated to helping people repair their own accordions. Currently display-ing 32 illustrated articles on diagnosing the most common problems and making the most com-monly needed repairs, the site is a signifi cant new resource to accordion players everywhere.

Currently posted articles address chang-ing reed leathers, freeing sticking keys, trouble-shooting silent reeds, voicing reeds, fi nding air leaks, waxing reeds, replacing bellows gaskets, installing rhinestones, replacing bellows tape, installing a new bellows, properly adjusting key-boards and bass machines, and much more. Website owner George Bachich, of Napa, Cali-fornia, says more articles are on the way, and that the site will eventually be a complete refer-ence on repairing and tuning accordions, includ-ing detailed step by step instructions on how to make all kinds of repairs, where to get the proper materials and parts, and how to make the special tools needed for each task. It is amply illustrated with close up color photographs of the repairs in progress.

The site also offers the accordion book you’ve been waiting for. PIANO ACCORDION OWNER’S MANUAL AND BUYER’S GUIDE clearly explains how accordions work, what goes wrong, problems to watch out for when buying a used accordion, how to quickly identify reed confi gurations, tone chambers and mute cham-bers, how to diagnose and locate air leaks, how to safely open and inspect your accordion, and how to recognize when reed valves need to be changed. It explains how to identify and evaluate musette tuning, reed quality, handmade reeds, and how to decide which accordion is right for you.

Points made in this 164 page soft cover book are amply illustrated with over 40 color photo-graphs. The glossary alone comprises a quick

course on how accordions are constructed and how they function. This book contains useful new information for everyone, beginner to life-long accordionist. It is an excellent primer for the AccordionRevival.com website, as it provides the context and background knowledge needed to fully understand and appreciate the articles posted there.

PIANO ACCORDION OWNER’S MANUAL AND BUYER’S GUIDE fi lls a void in the avail-able accordion literature. For a convenient single source of all you need to know about acoustic piano accordions, order this book, either by mail from the author, George Bachich, Accordion Re-vival, P.O. Box 3238, Napa, CA 94558, or online at AccordionRevival.com. The price is $25 plus $5 shipping and handling.



Accordions in the GroveAutumn 2014By Doris Osgood

We’ve been gathering for accordion socials in Forest Grove, Oregon for 23 years. No two socials have been the same. Each time, I’ve fretted that no one would come or that I wouldn’t meet expenses. This year there was a signifi cant wind storm on Saturday resulting in a lot of dam-age and power outages east of here. Even with all that, my fears were for naught… I hesitate to use superlatives, but it’s hard to describe our day without them. It was wonderful!

I started the afternoon with Begin the Be-guine and Continental Capers. Jon Dyk from Til-lamook played Sweet Caroline and Time To Say Good Bye. Leonard Kosatka of Portland post-poned ANOTHER trip to be with us. He played Mademoiselle de Paris and Lucile O’Sembre. Ed Makovsky, our favorite 90 year old, traveled solo from Pleasant Hill, Oregon. (115 miles each way) He played His Hand in Mine, Isle of Capri, and decided to do a polka too!

First time per-former, Gloria Yates of Hillsboro, OR played Peek-A-Boo Waltz and Mountain Sum-mer Waltz. With his car packed to leave within hours for Ari-zona, Geoff Levear, now living in Newport, OR, played Perl Waltz in honor of Ron Hob-

son and Span-ish Eyes. Joe Szabo has played many times in Forest Grove, but this autumn he brought his student, Anna Botocan. Joe has been working with 10 year old Anna for a short time. Together they played Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes and Alleluia.

Don Hirsch and his wife recently moved

from Portland to Forest Grove. He played Danny Boy and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Don Donaldson, another Grover, played Spanish Eyes and Alexander’s Ragtime Band. Paul Bria, our resident Yankovic Man, played Big Bang Polka and Helvak’s Waltz.

The Tualatin Valley Accordionists took the stage immediately after the refreshment break. They played Wien Bliebt Wien, Wonderful Copen-hagen, Sweet and Low, and Fantasy Impromptu. Participating members were: Don Hirsch, Con-nie Weimer, Jon Dyk, Jack Jones, Duane Na-varra, Jeanne Olson, Pamelajean Myers, Geoff Levear, Nancy Kaye, Paul Bria, Dick Carlson, Mickie Eaton, and Doris Osgood.

The day had several serendipitous moments. One was a guest that shared that she and her husband had sold their home in Toronto and were traveling in their “Westy” for ten months. With very limited space, her small accordion fi t in the wheel well, replacing the spare tire… I’d like to say that Forest Grove was their destination, but we were fortunate that publicity was such that they found us. Sue Seguin played Santa Lucia and Greek Fishing – Tik Tak.

Bob Noel recently moved from Portland to Hillsboro. We hadn’t seen him for some time. Using his Roland V accordion, he played Some-where Over the Rainbow and Let it go. After a very long absence from the area, button box



player Dick Nussbaumer returned to play sev-eral sing-a-long tunes.

It’s always diffi cult to relay the experience of performances by Gerson Robboy. He fi nds very unique, old tunes and sometimes changes the words… Billed as Bellows and Squawk, his friend Betty Booker joined him to sing a Tango Ballade plus Pack Up Your Sins, by Irving Berlin.

Pamelajean My-ers of Forest Grove followed with Show-ers of Blessing and the Telephone Polka. Our fi nal player before our featured guest was John Giuliani. John traveled

close to 200 miles each way. It means a lot to me that he’d go the “extra mile” for us. He played a lively medley of swing tunes then an Italian Polka.

It wasn’t certain that the plan to host Sergei Teleshev would come to pass. As it hap-pened, his wife deliv-ered a healthy baby girl, Katya, about a week before the social AND he fi t in a trip to Ohio before coming to Forest Grove. Sergei and his other children traveled to Forest Grove from Eugene, which is a one way

trip of 100 miles. (I’ve mentioned distances in this piece because those living on the east coast are always surprised to learn how far Westerners travel for things. Here Accordion People travel LONG dis-tances!)

Sergei opened his program with two Bach pieces: Fugue in C and Toccata in Dm. Using his Roland V ac-

cordion he rep-licated a HUGE pipe organ sound on the Toccata. His skill with the Roland was impressive; his musicianship was even more impressive. After those selections he called his

petite 6 year old daughter, Maria, to the stage. I’m told that she has played for only 3 months. Her poise and performance would suggest a

much longer training period. Sitting on her tiny chair, she played a two row chromatic accordion. Her selec-tion was a Russian melody. I was so taken with her pre-sentation that I didn’t catch the name of the tune. Our audience was thrilled. Sergei continued playing his new Borsini bayan. It’s a smaller, lighter

instrument than his Roland. He played a stunning arrangement of La Vie En Rose which was part of the repertoire of the quartet that he played with



Rose City Accordion Club’s Annual Accordion CampJune 7 – 12, 2015

Silver Falls State Park Conference CenterSublimity, Oregon

Conductors: Murl Allen Sanders and Stas VenglevskiWorkshop Instructors: Beverley Fess and Mary Tokarski

Enjoy music in ensembles, workshops and more in a beautiful setting. Lodging, maid service and meals are included. Enrollment is limited. Please reserve your place early. A non-refundable $50.00 deposit will hold your place. Pay balance by March 1, 2015. Cancellations – 50% refund after April 1 / No refund after May 1, 2015.

Accordionist – accommodations (all double occupancy), meals, tuition, workshops -- $610.00Non-Accordionist – accommodations, meals and concerts -- $500.00Accordionist – without accommodations – meals, tuition and workshops only -- $490.00Non-Accordionist – without accommodation – meals and concerts only -- $390 .00

Contact Wayne Tiusanen for more information and registration form at [email protected]

this summer. That group was made up of string players from the Boston Symphony. He continued with an original musette style waltz that he called My Little Waltz for My Little Daughter (referring to

Katya)Sergei returned

to his Roland and played a medley that he used in the Roland competition in Rome last year. It had some Italian style themes. He gave the audience a start when he took his hands from the keyboards and the music continued!

Rolands can record… who knew? Maria joined Sergei to play rhythm shakers and the melodica as he played an original composition. It had a very Latin quality. As everyone noticed, Maria was spot on with he r accompaniment. To con-tinue with a demonstration on his Roland, Sergei

played a new age piece – totally weird – but very interesting. He concluded with a complex ar-rangement of Indifference.

Sergei’s varied program stretched our audi-ence, but his skill and his inclusion of several music styles had us hooked! Watching him as Maria played was worth the price of admission. He beamed, and rightly so.

Our socials in Forest Grove are always dif-ferent. I enjoyed this one immensely. Though my husband did the pre-social mailing, he wasn’t able to join us because of the opera schedule. (In 2016 the schedule will be compressed and will be mainly done in the summer) Several of our “regu-lars” were away on vacations of a life time. We couldn’t begrudge their absence. The members of the Tualatin Valley Accordionists worked hard during the day to make everything fl ow. Special thanks to Patti Carlson, Linda Eaton, and Judy Bria for work above and beyond the call in the kitchen. Dick Carlson handled the entry, Geoff Levear set up the PA system, and Nancy Kaye promoted sales for our scholarship fund. Thanks to Ginger Steele, owner of the New Leaf Nursery



The Day of the AccordionSaturday, February 28, 2015

Crossroads Bellevue Food Court15600 NE 8th, Bellevue, WA

more information will be on www.nwasnews.com

and aspiring accordionist, for lovely green plants that were given as part of our 50/50 drawing. Lauri Neumann-Grable also donated an auto-graphed biography of Dick Contino along with other accordion Christmas ornaments. We had wonderful prizes thanks to some very generous people.

It’s time to begin thinking about our spring program. Hard to wrap my brain around it when I’m preparing for Thanksgiving guests! But, we will gather in Forest Grove on the 4th Sunday in April, 2015 just for the fun of it. April 26, 2015 Mark you new calendar today!!

I’m so excited! Now in colors! Pink, Blue, Black & Green

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Please contact Vicky at 208-731-6591



Accordion Events CalendarBy Doris Osgood

[email protected]

NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY SOCIALS SEATTLE, WA2nd Monday monthly: West Seattle Senior Center Dec. 8, Jan 12, Feb. 9, March 9. Contact: John Giuliani 425-255-2121 or Birgit Ages 206-368-9720 Back up contact: Bonnie Birch 206-622-4786. Music 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.

NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY SOCIALSTACOMA, WA2nd Thursday monthly: Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 12 Lutheran Church 121st & Park Ave. across from PLU Library 7:00 – 9:30 PMcontact: Dick Myking 253-537-0136

NORTHWEST ACCORDION SOCIETY SOCIALSFOREST GROVE, OR4th Sundays April and October. Forest Grove Community Center, 2037 Douglas St. Forest Grove, OR. 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM. Contact: Doris Osgood 503-357-0417.April 26, 2015 and October 25, 2015

ACCORDION CLUB OF CENTRAL OREGONBEND, OR2ND Saturday Monthly, noon – 2 PM Aspen Ridge Retirement Home 1010 NW Purcell Blvd, Bend Members provide entertainment one Sunday monthly also. Contacts: Lillian Jones, 541-536-1531 [email protected] or Karl Kment, 541-548-0495 [email protected]

ACCORDION CLUB OF ROSEBURGROSEBURG, OR3rd Monday monthly 6:30, 553 Little Valley Rd. RoseburgPres. Karen Cordell 553 Little Valley Rd. Roseburg, OR 97471 541-784-1911 [email protected]

ACCORDION CLUB OF VANCOUVERVANCOUVER, B.C.www.meetup.com/Accordion-Club-of-Vancouvercontact: Haike Kingma, [email protected]

ACCORDION INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SOCIETYSANTA BARBARA, CA2nd Sunday monthly 1 – 3 PM Vale Verde Retirement Theatre 900 Calle de los Amigos, Santa Barbara, CAAIMS P.O. Box 4511 Santa Barbara, CA 93140Info: Heinz Trick 805-685-2260www.santabarbaraaccordions.com

BROOKINGS ACCORDION CLUBBROOKINGS, OR4th Sat. monthly 2-4 PM, Evergreen Federal S&L, 850 Chetco Ave. Brookings, OR, Pres. Cami Meccia 541-469-807

EASTSIDE JAZZBellevue, WA3rd Tuesday monthly, Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 7:30 PM beginning January 2012. Contact: Cooksie Kramer 425-828-9104

EMERALD VALLEY ACCORDION CLUBEUGENE, OR1st Monday monthly: 7:00 – 9:30 PM Veterans’ Memorial Bldg. 1626 Willamette St. Secretary Linda Gunn 541-726-6330 [email protected] V.P. Lou Marzano Social time 6 PM, business 6:45 PM

FAIRBANKS ACCORDION CLUBFAIRBANKS, AKMondays weekly 6 – 8 PM Pioneers Home, open to all free reed instruments. Contact: Christine Upton 907-457-3392

FIVE VALLEY ACCORDION ASSOCIATION MONTANA 5VAA Jams are 1- 5 PmDec. 14 Rustic Hut, Florence (Christmas party)Jan. 11 Eagles, HamiltonJan. 25 Rustic Hut, FlorenceFeb. 8 Sunrise Saloon, MissoulaPres. Helen Brady [email protected] – NW Accordion AssociationDec. 7 Elks, PolsonDec. 21 Eagles, KalispellContact: Ralph Salomon 406-675-0178 all NWAA Jams 2 – 5:30 PMMontana – Great Falls Accordion PlayersDec. 14 ElksJan. 18 B.E ComJams are 1 PM – 5 PMContact Pat Sharp for info: 406-452-4546

GEM STATE ACCORDION CLUBIDAHOCaldwell Library Community Rm Caldwell, ID 3rd Saturday monthly 1 – 4 PMfor information contact: Dianne Lansing [email protected]

HUGO’S ACCORDION BANDMT. VERNON, WA2nd and 4th Monday monthly 2:00 - 4:00 PM Director,Leif Holmes. President, Duane Stowe 16580 Peterson Rd Burlington, WA 98233 360-757-4826



[email protected]

HOUSTON BAY AREA ACCORDION CLUBHOUSTON, TX2ND Wednesday monthly 5 – 9 PM Joe Brikha, Pres [email protected] www.bayareaaccordionclub.com

MEDFORD ACCORDION CLUBMEDFORD, OR4th Monday monthly 7 - 9 PM: Central Point Senior Center 123 N. 2nd St, Central Point, OR Jeannette Dewey, Pres. 1029 SE Rogue Dr. Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-471-7455

OKANAGAN ACCORDION CLUBKELOWNA, BCTuesdays weekly Sept. – May, Senior Center on RichterInfo contact: Rod Miller 250-317-9088, Lela Bourne [email protected]

ROGUE RIVER ACCORDION CLUBROGUE RIVER, OR2nd Friday monthly. 4 – 6 PM Council Chambers Rogue River City Hall, 133 Broadway St. Rogue River, OR. Pres. Margot Turrell 206 Creekside Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-479-9409 [email protected]

ROSE CITY ACCORDION CLUBPORTLAND, OR3rd Saturday monthly. 1 – 5 PM Milwaukie Public Safety Bldg, SE 32nd & Harrison, Milwaukie, OR. Pres. Wayne Tiusanen [email protected]

SEQUIM ACCORDION SOCIALSEQUIM, WA2nd Sunday, Odd numbered months, 1:00 – 4:00 PM Sequim Senior Center 921 E. Hammond St; next meeting January 11 contact: Jeannie Berg- [email protected] 360-683-5620

SIERRA NEVADA ACCORDIONSRENO, NVJohn Covarelli, Pres. 775-848-3777, [email protected]

SPOKANE ACCORDION ENSEMBLESPOKANE, WA weekly rehearsals 6- 9 PM Eileen Webber, Pres. 509-290-6858 [email protected]

TUALATIN VALLEY ACCORDIONISTS FOREST GROVE, OR1st Sat. monthly 10 AM – 1 PM Forest Grove Library Pacifi c Ave. Contact: Paul and Judy Bria 503-591-0504 [email protected]

YUMA ACCORDION CLUBYuma, AZevery Tuesday, November - March at the Yuma Food Bank at 2404 E 24th Street, Yuma, AZPresident, Coreen Bergholm @ [email protected] or Ginger Purdy @ [email protected]

VICTORIA ACCORDION CLUBVICTORIA, B.C. CANADA1st Sunday Monthly 2:30 PM, Victoria Edelweiss Club108 Niagra St., James Bay District Victoria, BCContact: John 250-386-7282 or 250-477-3098

BUTTON BOX CAMPS JULY AND SEPTfor information contact: Joseph Smiell Jr. 812 Bantry Way Benica, CA 94510 - camps held at Heildman Lodge, Norden, CA near Donner Pass RCAC ACCORDION CAMP- SILVER FALLS CONFERENCE CENTER June 7 - 12, 2015 near Sublimity, OR. Camp treasurer: Marlene Meissner 503-463-9909 [email protected]

LEAVENWORTH INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CELEBRATION June 18- 21, 2015 Leavenworth, WA. www.accordioncelebration.org www.nwasnews.com INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CONVENTIONLas Vegas, NV, June 22 - 25, 2015 at the Gold Coast Hotel, Las VegasUSA: 1-800-472-1695 outside USA: [email protected]

VICTORIA ACCORDION FESTIVALVictoria, British Columbia July 15 – 19, 2015www.bcaccordion.ca 1-778-433-8700

FAIRBANKS SUMMER ARTS FESTIVALJuly , 2015 on the campus of U. of Alaska Fairbanks. www.fsaf.org contact 907-474-8869

ACCORDION CELEBRATION – Historic Wallace Wallace, ID August ,2015 www.wallaceIdahoChamber.com

COTATI ACCORDION FESTIVALCotati, CA August, 2015 www.cotatifest.com 707-664-04444ACCORDION EXTRAVAGANZA EDMONTON, ALBERTA September, 2015www.edmontonaccordion.com

ALPENFEST Sept. 2015 Wallowa County, OR, Oregon’s Little Switzerland Enterprise, P.O. Box 301 Joseph, OR 97846 Details: oregonalpenfest.com or 541-432-0209. Cell 541-398-1096



Entertainers in the NorthwestSubmit your public performance schedules to Doris Osgood 3224 B St

Forest Grove, OR 97116 [email protected]

Alpiners USA www.alpinerusa.com with Joe Domitrowich

Juan Barco – BandContact: 23091 23rd Ave. W. Brier, WA 98036425-775-8150; cell 206-356-1878

Corky BennettWednesdays at Polo Lounge, Fridays w/ 9th St. Band Reno Senior Center, Saturdays at Bavarian Worldwebsite: www.corkybennett.comemail: [email protected]: 775-351-6750 cell: 775-287-2050

Bonnie Birchwebsite: bonniebirch.com For scheduling information: write 1107 1st Ave. #1003 Seattle, WA 98101. 206-622-4786, email: [email protected]

Michael BridgeNov.7-9: Wurstfest, New Braunfels TX - solo and with the Alex Meixner BandNov. 16-18: Michigan Accordion Society - concert and workshopswww.michaelbridgemusic.com/[email protected]

Charlie BrownContact: [email protected] hm 253-857-6557 cell 253-376-5487

Frank CalapristiWinter schedule at King Ludwig’s, Wed, Thurs. Sun. nights; tour groups as needed For scheduling information write PO Box 1057 Leavenworth, WA 98826 [email protected]

Gary DahlFor scheduling information write 509 Valley Ave. NE #5 Puyallup, WA 98372Phone/fax [email protected]; www.accordions.com/garydahl; www.beltuna.com

Tom Demski (Mr. Flash)For scheduling information write: 518 9th St. SW Puyallup, WA 98371 [email protected]

Folk Voice BandFor scheduling: Birgit Ages 206-368-9720 [email protected]; http://folkvoiceband.com

Laura Gardner/Phoenix Undergroundcontact: [email protected]

Happy Hans’ Music Hans Rainer, Jr. Dec. 6, 20 Berliner Pub Renton 6 – 10 PMDec. 31 German House Seattle 8 PM – 12:30 AMJan. 10 Berliner Pub Renton 6 – 10 PMJan. 24 Berliner Pub Renton 6 – 10 PMFeb. 7 Berliner Pub Renton 6 – 10 PMFeb. 21 Berliner Pub Renton 6 – 10 PMFor scheduling information write Hans Rainer, JR 24613 231st Ave. SE Maple Valley, WA 98038 425-413-6562 [email protected] WWW.HAPPYHANSMUSIC.COM

Lynn HaldemanLeader of Haldeman’s OOM-PAH BoysDer Rheinlander Restaurant Portland, ORWed, Thurs, Sat, Sun. 5 PM – 9 PMContact: Lynn Haldeman 1200 NE 199th Ave. Portland, OR 97230 503-328-6099 [email protected]

Greg MeierFor scheduling information write: 38572 Park Ave. Sandy, OR 97055 503-668-7002. Fax 503-668-1058 [email protected]

Andy MirkovichFull schedule private engagementsMaster Classes by appointment: 425-451-1256

Murl Allen SandersDec. 8 7:30 PM NWAS Social West SeattleDec. 18 12 – 2 PM Pacifi c Place Shopping Center Downtown Seattle, 600 Pine StJune 7 – 12, 2015 RCAC Camp, Silver Falls, ORSign up now!!Full schedule private engagements, regular performances in synagogue and church, composing, and teaching.www.murlallensanders.com For scheduling information write: [email protected] PO Box 30553 Seattle, WA 98113, 206-781-8196

Lyle Schaefer For scheduling information write: 9028-60th Ave East, Puyallup, WA 98371-6299 [email protected].

Sam’s Variety GemsSam Pecorilla: home 541-847-2282, cell 541-321-9088

Smilin’ ScandinaviansDec. 13 Dakota Club Renton VFW 7 – 11 PMDec. 18 – 19 Lights of Christmas Tinhorn Town Stanwood 5:15 – 5:45, 6:15 – 6:45, 7:15 – 7:45, 8:15 – 8:45, 9:15 – 9:45 PM



Deadline for submitting articles, pictures, advertisements, etc.

February 1 (Spring)May 1 (Summer)

August 1(Fall)November 1 (Winter)

E-mail to [email protected]

For scheduling information contact: Toby Hanson11123 216th St. E Graham, WA 98338 253-875-8580 [email protected]://smilinscandivanians.com

Joe SzaboFri – Sat. 6:30 – 9:30 PM Nonna Emilia’s RistoranteAloha, ORFor scheduling information: 13484 SW Devonshire Dr. Beaverton, OR 97005 [email protected]

Syl’s Ya Sure Ya Betcha Band (WA)Dec. 20 Bothell Sons of Norway, 8-11 PMSyl’s Arizona Dance Band and Polka BandFull schedule in Mesa and Apache Junction, AZNovember - April(Jan. - April, Nov. Arizona Schedule, 480-357-2585)For scheduling: Sylvia Jorgensen, WA contact: 253-845-9321, cell [email protected], www.fjordsong.com

SVEA TrioSvea Trio- Richard Svensson and Bjarne Jacobsen206-523-3245, [email protected]/sveatrio/

Trio VoronezhWith Sergei TeleshevFeb. 20 Northwestern Illinois University Chicago Feb. 22 Hart, MIApril 12, 2015 Hesston, KShttp://triovoronezh.com/TrioVoronezh/Concerts.html

Diane Youngwww.accordionmusictricities.comFor scheduling information: [email protected]

NW AccordionairesContact: Cooksie Kramer 425-828-9104

Most of our professional players keep their current and updated performance schedules on their web sites. Advance scheduling is diffi cult and often fl uid. Consult the contact information and web addresses for up to date information. Support them when you can.

Tim Hunt Band at the November Seattle Social

Mark Myking At Seattle Social

Little Maria, though shy, played magnifi cently at the Forest Grove Social.

Photos in this issue provided by Birgit Ages, Judith Ames, Judy Bria, Gloria Yates and many others.

Thank you!



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Documents

NORTHWEST ACCORDION NEWSnwasnews.com/news/14Winter-NWAS.pdf · NORTHWEST ACCORDION NEWS ... 27 Repair and Diagnose Your Own Accordion 27 Tried and True Practice Tips 28 Accordions