Winter 2015 - Las Vegas International Accordion Convention

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16th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention
Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015
LVAC TIMES
Europa
We welcome this dynamic power
trio, which was founded in 1994 by Hans
(John) Kolbrich, & Milan Dvorecky.
They cover a wide variety of music from
old German Polkas and sing-a-longs, to
current Country music. Accordion,
Trumpet, Guitar, Violin, Drums and
plenty of vocal harmonies can be heard
from the group, with a strong groove and
passion for what they do!
The Band has evolved into a
nationally acclaimed group with a strong
following of fans ages 5-95. The Europa
Band has a very active performing
schedule of over 60 performances a year.
Their motto is “Polka Lives”. Those
who love polkas, young or old, will love
the sound of the Accordion, Violin and
The Europa Band's eclectic collection of
over 350 songs
The Group has released a total of 4
CD's to show their diversity and wide
range of musical styles. We look
forward to Europa gracing the stage for
our Wednesday concert including
dancing.
Grayson Masefield
Riders in the Sky
Virtuoso – Entertainer – World Champion!
Grammy Award Winning!
For Grayson, we could say, the
accordion is in his genes. Grayson was
born September 10, 1987 to two accordionplaying parents. Now what chance do you
think this child would have of NOT playing
the accordion? Grayson Masefield actually
began playing the accordion at the tender
age of three. Besides having two accordionteaching parents, he grew up playing in the
North Shore Accordion Orchestra and went
on to begin his classical training at
Auckland University and then on to France
with the famous Frédéric Deschamps.
Happiness comes in many forms
but none is sweeter than the happy joyful
sound of Riders in The Sky. The group
consists of guitarist Ranger Doug
(Governor of the Great State of Rhythm),
upright "bunkhouse" bassist Too Slim
(easily the sharpest wit in the West),
Woody Paul (King of the Cowboy
Fiddlers), who sings lead and tenor
vocals, and accordionist Joey Miskulin
(the Cow-Polka King), who plays both
ends against the middle" as they say, on
his "stomach Steinway."
Grayson, in 2009, became the first
person ever to win the prestigious Coupe
Mondiale Virtuoso Classical and the Coupe
MondialeVirtuoso Entertainment awards in
the same year back to back. Grayson had
become a sought-after musician and has
performed in many European countries
including France, Spain, Germany, UK,
Finland, Portugal, Slovakia, (See page 7)
Riders in the Sky is an American
Western Music and comedy group.
Riders has won two Grammy Awards for
their outstanding achievement in music.
Many of you may have heard them
without even knowing it! They have
composed and performed music for
several major motion pictures including
Woody’s Roundup, (see page 6)
New YEAR Savings – Register NOW!
With the start of a New Year comes a very
special savings! Register now with this newsletter and
SAVE up to $40 off your registration. It’s simple to act
now: Go to page 4 of this newsletter and fill out the
form enclosed. Mail your registration with your
deposit and we will credit your registration with the
NEW YEAR Early Bird savings!
Already registered? Look at your
mailing label – if it says “2015 REGISTRANT”
above your name, then you are already registered
and have already received the Early Bird
discount!
But wait, if you are already registered –
you can save even more with our Bring A Friend
special. See the next article for details!
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Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter
Awakening!
Dear Friends,
February
is here and life is
looking up! I am
doing very well and
looking back I can
hardly believe that
the first Las Vegas
International
Accordion
Convention was 16
years ago this
August!! This year
we are offering an incredible new lineup of
talent and I do hope you will join us for this
magical celebration of life!
New CD Release by Joan Cochran Sommers & Stas Venglevski
Awakening is a refreshing
new release from duet accordionists
Joan Cochran
Sommers and Stas
Venglevski (bayan)
that will keep your
head bobbing and
toes tapping to
wonderfully
performed and
executed original
compositions.
Speaking of celebrating life, we have
lots to celebrate this year in Las Vegas – and
lots of old and new memories to share! You
will undoubtedly find this year’s event filled
with excitement. I strongly encourage you to
register early. Early Bird Savings will end
March 17, 2015. Save the GREEN! Register
NOW! After St Patrick’s Day the savings will
go away!
Come join us as we celebrate our 16th
Anniversary with our Summer Solstice.
Personally, I am totally excited about this year’s
new talent, which includes Riders in the Sky,
Grayson Masefield, Eoruopa, and Luciano
Testani. Returning will be the incredible Las
Vegas International Accordion Orchestra under
the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers and
other great stars. Come celebrate our 16th
Anniversary in style! Visit our website at
www.AccordionStars.com where you may even
register online!
If you have not looked at airfares – do
so today – they are lower to Las Vegas than I
have seen in some time – and the hotel rate is
now at $36 ($44 premium room) a night +
resort fee. This really is the year to come to Las
Vegas. Please accept my personal invitation to
join us in what surely will be our best year yet –
come celebrate life at our Summer Solstice in
Vegas!
If you have any questions or concerns
– or just need some help finding an airfare to
Las Vegas, give me a call toll free at 1-800-4721695. I would love to hear from you. Register,
make your reservations, mark your calendar,
and come celebrate!
Paul Pasquali
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention
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Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015
The
album features 12 original pieces
masterfully performed by Stas and
Joan. This CD conjures up many
varied moods from pieces sounding at
times like a famous Fellini sound track
or a jazz club or a concert hall, all of
which carries the listener away. The
title song will capture and inspire you
with the musical variations produced
by two accordion greats! One of my
favorites reminds me a bit of the circus
and is titled “Hey Polka” – then there
is “Invention in D Minor” that makes
me feel like I am in one of the world’s
classy jazz clubs – not
to mention “Triplicity
Trio” that carries you
away to a concert hall!
The entire
album is wonderful
listening – and everyone
will find a favorite such
as “Anticipation” or
“Cocktail Party”! The
CD will be on sale at
the Convention store
where you may get your copy
autographed by Joan and Stas. If you
just cannot wait, then contact
Accordions International at 1-800-9350013 and we will take your order and
ship this new release.
Remember, there is nothing
like live music – so for the ultimate
experience come to Las Vegas and hear
Joan and Stas perform! Another great
reason why the Las Vegas International
Accordion Convention is said to be
simply THE BEST!
Compare the Best Does Cost Less!
Compare the true cost of
attending any accordion hotel event in
North America!
Add up the
following: event
fees, travel costs,
hotel rooms and
meals - these total
your true cost. Yes,
many say our event
fee seems high but
remember it includes
7 wonderful meals
and concerts for four
phenomenal days
plus over 40 workshops and after
hours entertainment at Club Concerto!
FYI - costs of rooms and meals in
a Marriott, Hyatt, Ramada or other
event hotels average $179 plus tax per
night. Add in the meal costs in these
hotels for two people for four nights
and your expenses can be well over
$1200 before event fees and travel
costs.
Website: www.AccordionStars.com
Las Vegas, at $36 a night for four
nights, plus the resort fee of $10, plus
the cost of breakfast at $6 each,
comes to about $50 a night - so
the answer is very clear –
LVAC is a BARGAIN no
matter how you add it up.
All this - plus the largest
lineup of world class
entertainment - plus invaluable
workshops, and you will see
why the LVAC is by far the
least expensive event with the
most to offer for your dollar!
OUR PROMISE TO YOU:
Attend just once, and you’ll discover
why people come back year after year
saying, “Paul, I don’t know how you
do it – this event is really first class.
What a wonderful week - what a
bargain!”
Come join the best kept secret
in the accordion world! Book early
and save on the accordion event of a
lifetime!
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Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter
BAF Special
Mary Tokarski Honored!
Bring A Friend Special Savings!
Honorary Director 2015
There is nothing sweeter than
spreading good news. And we have
sweetened the deal even more. Simply
share the news with your friends and
you will save! For each new
household that registers for the event
you will receive a $35 credit. For
example, if three of your friends
register we will deduct $105 from your
invoice. Yes, it does pay to spread the
news!
We are most
honored to have Mary
Tokarski as our 2015
Honorary Director!
Mary is a treasured
performer, beloved
instructor, author, and
friend to all. Mary has
set the bar high for
decades. She performs
If you are already registered,
simply write “REFERRED BY” and
both nationally and
your registration number on the
internationally as a
registration form and pass it along to
soloist, with symphony orchestras, with
your friends. For those already
string quartets and as a member of The 'K'
registered you will find your
Trio. Mary has released two solo CDs,
registration number on the top line of
“Music with Mary . . . with My Friends!”
the mailing label. If you need more
and
“Music with Mary . . . for My Friends!”
copies you can download them at
– both of which received international
www.AccordionStars.com or simply
call our hotline 1-800-472-1695 and we acclaim. Mary is also a published author
and has done much to promote music in
will mail you more forms.
th
Help us make the 16 Annual early childhood – carrying the accordion
forward to new generations!
Las Vegas International Accordion
Convention the BEST ONE YET!
For 20 years Mary served as
Bring your friends – have more fun –
Director of Music Education at the
and save money too!
Tokarski Music Center in North
Haven, Connecticut. Along
with teaching piano and
accordion at her home in
Northford, Connecticut, Mary
travels extensively presenting
Workshops and Master Classes
on musical excellence, coaching
privately, and as a sought-after
adjudicator for national and
international juries. She also
served for many years as a Music
Educator in the North Haven
Department of Education's Early
Childhood Development Program at Green
Acres Elementary School.
Currently, Mary serves on the
Board of Directors for The American
Accordionists Association (AAA) and is a
member of the Accordionists and Teachers
Guild, International (ATG). Make sure you
attend at least one of Mary’s outstanding
classes and catch her powerful and
captivating performance as we honor one of
America’s great accordionists!
Camp Concerto 2015
Three Full Days – August 17 – 20, 2015
Commanders House at Historic Fort Douglas
Overlooking Beautiful Salt Lake City
For more information or to register
Phone 801-485-5840 or visit us online
www.CampConcerto.com
Email: [email protected]
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Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter
Youth
Scholarship
Awards Available!
Each year we offer youth
scholarship awards to young accordion
players. The scholarship pays for the
youth to attend full time including all
seven meals, concerts and workshops.
All
accordion players
under the age of 18,
who are
accompanied by a
full time parent or
guardian attendee,
are eligible. For a scholarship
application visit our website
AccordionStars.com or call our hotline
and request a form.
Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015
Mic-7
ON SALE
The Ultimate Sound for Amplified Accordion!
Discover for yourself why great
artists, including the late Art Van
Damme, preferred Mic-7 to any other
accordion pickup system! The reason is
simple – SOUND!
Mic-7 uses seven specialized
studio quality electric condenser
microphones to achieve a natural, rich
and smooth sound that surpasses any
Size of microphone compared to a dime!
Monsters Inc., and Toy Story 2.
Doing it the Cowboy Way since
1977, Riders has amassed over 6200
live performances including 700 Grand
Ole Opry appearances. They have
done nearly 300 national television
appearances, over 200 public radio
shows, not to mention three television
series. Plus they have released more
than 30 albums!
Riders in the Sky is famous for
performing authentic renditions of old
classic cowboy and Western songs, as
well as original works and various
comedic skits and songs. Opening
night will be one whale of a good time!
We are more than just a little excited to
have Riders join us for our Sweet 16th
Anniversary! Welcome Riders in the
Sky! If you love the accordion this is a
must-see appearance!
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The hotel has warned that
Deluxe rooms maybe limited due to other
scheduled events!
Your total cost including taxes &
resort fee at the Gold Coast will come to
less than $52 per night if you book on block
– the lowest rate guaranteed. In today’s
market that’s unheard of!! AND we are
very proud to announce a double savings:
First, Deluxe Rooms are ONLY $36 and
Premium Rooms are ONLY $44 a night.
Second, Resort fee is only $9.99 a night,
saving $3.36 over the regular resort fee
when not booked with the accordion
convention group!
If your accordion club or
someone you know has a youth
accordion player, then please spread
the word! What a great opportunity for
your young accordion players to hear
and learn from the greats!
Riders - Continued from page 1
Gold Cost Savings!
other system on the market. With four
microphones on the treble and three on
the bass there are no hot or cold spots
but pure quality and richness. It does
not stop there: Mic-7 separates the right
hand from the left hand so that effects
like digital reverb can be added to the
right hand giving that wonderful wafting
sound often heard in recordings of
accordions that never seems to happen
at home and yet keeps the left hand
clean and strong. We can only say try it
and you will become one of the
hundreds of satisfied customers.
Now is the best time if you
have been thinking about getting a mic
system for your accordion. The kit
normally sells for $585. For a limited
time only you can buy one for just $385!
YES - that is a direct savings of $200!
But don’t wait too long - the sale ends
March 15 – e tu Brutus!
Website: www.AccordionStars.com
We guarantee you will pay less by
booking on the convention block, than any
other offer! With all newly renovated
rooms you will find the Gold Coast
comfortable and THE place to stay. Best of
all, it’s only an elevator ride away from the
convention!
The $36 deluxe rooms feature a
rain forest shower. The premium rooms (at
$44) feature a bright décor with a tub/bath
combo. All rooms feature a new high-end
bed for your sleeping comfort. Please note
that all Las Vegas properties do charge a
resort fee – but here is the good news: The
Gold Coast now includes FREE high-speed
Internet.
Make your reservations with the
Gold Coast early and tell them you are
with the Accordion Convention. Our
group code is ACCORD5. If you book
with the convention rate, we guarantee the
lowest room rate and resort fee with the
most perks! If rates drop then your rate will
also drop, something Expedia and others
cannot guarantee!
IMPORTANT – the hotel has
alerted us that the room rates after May
22, 2015 could easily skyrocket to over a
$100 a night. The longer you wait the less
chance you have of getting a deluxe room.
For reservations call the Gold Coast today
1-888-402-6278 (outside the U.S. +1 702367-1111).
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Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015
Accordion Straps
SALE!
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Newsletter
Luciano Testani
Guest Artist from Montreal
Is your accordion looking a little
tired, cracked and broken because your
straps look a
little like
these?
We have the
solution: Call
Accordions
International
for their
special spring
strap sale.
Simply call 1800-935-0013 (or 1-801-485-5840) and tell
them you want the “spring strap sale”
and you will save 15% off your order.
Paul will even throw in free shipping
within the USA. You may visit
www.AccordionFactory.com for various
available styles and pricing. Or simply
call and we will assist you with the
correct straps to make your accordion
smile again!
work during his artistic career. He
appears regularly at the annual
Carrefour mondial de l'accordéon de
Montmagny.
A Club Concerto
discovery, Luciano has
graciously agreed to
appear on stage. His
classical education
provided him with a
solid musical
foundation, which he
relied upon to
continue mastering the
instrument he clearly loves – the
accordion.
and Italy. He has also performed in
Canada, the USA, Russia, Lithuania,
Portugal, China, New Zealand, and
Australia. Then in 2010 he won the
Trophée Mondial Classique World
Accordion Championships and has since
retired from competitions. He has
become a sought-after concert artist and
presently continues his studies majoring
in music at the HEMU - University of
Music, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Over the years, Luciano has had the
opportunity to meet and maintain
relationships with many of the greatest
accordionists from around the world,
and has had the privilege of sharing the
stage with them on numerous occasions.
He has recorded many collections of his
We are thrilled to have this
young energetic world-class performer
join us this year at our 16th Annual
Convention. Grayson will surely
astound you with his talent and musical
entertaining prowess.
Grayson - Continued from page 1
Lots of Great Seats
Register Today!
If you are
considering
coming to the
Las Vegas
International
Accordion
Convention,
please register
TODAY and
SAVE! We
strongly
recommend you
make your hotel reservations and travel
reservations immediately. If you wait
until the last minute, you might be caught
paying much higher airfare and hotel
room rates. The $36 rate goes away May
22, 2015.
Enclosed please find a color
flyer with Early Bird registration form.
Simply fill it out and return it to
convention headquarters at LVAC, 1760
South 450 West, Salt Lake City, UT
84115.
Or go online to AccordionStars.com
where you may register & pay online.
If you need additional flyers just ask us!
Las Vegas International
Accordion Orchestra Needs YOU!
Professor Sommers, our very own
Maestro Extraordinaire, is now preparing
the 2015 program. If you want to be a part
of this exciting orchestra, NOW is the time
to register. About 6-8 weeks prior to the
event you will be mailed your parts to
rehearse.
The Orchestra’s past
performances have been very exciting.
Anyone who’s heard this magnificent
orchestra under Maestro Sommers’ baton
would agree the sound is nothing less than
glorious!
Professor Sommers is excited to work
with those dedicated to making this a great
event. If you are interested in joining this
esteemed group and making accordion
musical history, then the steps are simple.
1.
Register today, or if you are already
Email: [email protected]
registered, then tell us you want to
be in the orchestra.
2.
Fill out the orchestra questionnaire
form online at AccordionStars.com
(or call us for a form)!
3.
Practice your assigned parts and
learn them before coming to Las
Vegas.
4.
Bring your music, your accordion,
and a music stand to Las Vegas
(portable music stands will be
available for purchase at the
Convention store).
5.
Attend rehearsals, 3-5 PM each day
at the event with our illustrious
conductor, Joan Cochran-Sommers.
6.
Wear black and white to the
Thursday GRAND FINALE
performance!
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16th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention
Volume 16, Number 1 / Winter 2015
What’s Inside!
Riders
in the Sky
•
•
Page 1
•
•
Mary Tokarski •
Page 5
•
•
•
Grayson Masefield •
Page 1
•
•
•
New Years Savings – Page 1
Europa – Page 1
Awakening CD Review – Page 2
The Best Costs Less – Page 2
Registration Flyer - Pages 3-4
Bring-A-Friend Special – Page 5
Youth Scholarships – Page 6
Gold Coast Savings – Page 6
Mic -7 – Page 6
Luciano Testani – Page 7
Accordion Straps – Page 7
Register Today – Page 7
International Accordion Orchestra Page 7
Come to our
16 Anniversary Celebration
th
June 22 – 25, 2015!
STARRING
Riders in the Sky
Grayson Masefield
Joey Miskuli, Luciano Testani
Mary Tokarski, Stas Venglevski
Joan Cochran Sommers
Featuring
Europa Trio
Pete Barbutti, Paul Betken, Jerry Cigler
Gordon Kohl, Gina Brannelli
Liz Finch & MANY MORE!
PLUS
The Las Vegas International Accordion
Orchestra
& MORE – See flyer insert!
www.AccordionStars.com
Toll free hotline – 1-800-472-1695 – outside the USA +1 801-486-1694