September 2010 - Accordion Lover`s Society

SEPTEMBER
2010
Harold J. Estok Founder
ALSI and REED BLOCK
MONTHLY
NEWSLETTER
President:
Gordon Kohl
619-427-4344
Presidents Emeriti:
(Founder) Harold Estok
Ron Griffin
Kjell Holmes
Gloria Ensign
Vice President &
Meeting Coordinator:
Bill Barr
619-337-1111
Volume 17
Issue 9
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
difficulties for many students and enthusiasts
for reading and playing
which are eventually
eliminated as their studies continue.
Vice President &
Communications Director:
Mary Lou Erwin
619-448-9588
Editor/Secretary:
Helen Estok Schoell
619-584-4970
Treasurer &
Ensemble Director:
Vicki Eriqat
619-563-5586
Hello ALSI members
and friends. The accordion is doing well as a
musical instrument. The
demand for accordion
music and lessons is on
the upswing also.
A variety of music
styles are being played
today on the accordion.
The two newest crazes
are Swing and Tango
around the world. The
accordion with its vibrant reed tonality is
sensational for playing
expressive tangos, especially Astor Piazzolla
melodies from Argentina and Brazil. The
swing dance music style
has teenage accordionists interested in France.
Accordionists of all
ages are excited to play
and continue their musical development on this
challenging instrument.
The accordion is a two
handed musical instrument where the student
must learn in two music
clefs, treble and bass, and
there are some initial
The recent weeks
AFNA music festival
was fantastic.
Young
accordionists had an
opportunity to play orchestral music from jazz
to 50’s & 60’s rock to
Broadway and pop music. The Rock ’n Roll
medley, performed by
the Festival Orchestra,
Newsletter/Webmaster:
Bob Page
760-451-3641
Inside this issue:
by Gordon Kohl
President’s
Message
1&
8
General
Information
2
Happiness at ALSI 3-4
Showcase Review 5
AFNA Competition Review
6
Playing Around
6
Credits
7
Accordion Music
9
September
Showcase
10
Calendar
11
Coming Next
Month
11
Accordion Events 11
September 2010
was so much fun to play
and hear a big sounding
forty piece band.
A
young sixteen year old
David Hamlin won the
Solo Concerto Accordion competition for
piano and accordion orchestra. A young man
from Martin Music,
“Tony” as he likes to be
called, won the Accordion Solo Concerto
category. There are so
many very talented
young musicians in the
USA playing beautiful
classical, jazz and ethnic
music styles. It is fantastic to hear them carry
on the accordion tradition for future generations.
Bobby
Dietsch
played a very tasteful
and melodious performance for ALSI in August.
The audience really enjoyed his selections and
his showmanship. The
reeds on his accordion
sounded like pipes on a
church organ at times.
(continued on page 8)
Page 2
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
ALSI MEMBERSHIP AND NEWSLETTER GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIPS: current member renewal for twelve month term; the fee is $25.00 U.S.A., $26 Canada,
$27.00 for International delivery. For new members; partial year memberships can be purchased. Use
this calculation as follows: Subtract $2 for each month that has elapsed for the calendar year. Therefore, if
you are joining with a USA club membership in July, six months have elapsed, so 6 times $2 would be $12
to deduct and the formula would be: $25 - $12 = $13, thus the payment would be $13.
Make check or
money order payable to ALSI and send to: Helen Estok Schoell, at P.O. Box 151357 San Diego, CA
92175. The REED BLOCK is published once each month for delivery to members prior to the next meeting. (Meetings are the second Sunday of each month). Your input to the REED BLOCK is invited and should
be submitted to Helen Estok Schoell or email to Bob Page at webmaster@accordion -club-sandiego.org or
Mary Lou Erwin at [email protected].
DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles were written by the Editor. Unless so stated, no
article is to be construed as an endorsement. Articles not written by the Editor may contain comments
that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor. If you disagree with anything in The REED BLOCK,
please let us know in writing.
SPECIAL NOTICE TO RECORDING ARTISTS: If you have an audio/video tape cassette you would
like reviewed and written up in The REED BLOCK, please send us a professional copy and a short biography
of the artist; include names, date and places to the ALSI address above. Please include the price of the item
including shipping and handling. If you want the package returned after the review please include return
postage with the package.
CUT-OFF DATE: All contributors to The REED BLOCK please note: For next month all material is due
two weeks before the next meeting, accordingly the due date for the October 2010 issue is: September
27, 2010. This includes all items such as articles, upcoming events, playing around, accordion workshops,
advertisements and ensemble schedules. Please make sure your material is received, in writing or email,
no later than that date. Please submit your input to Helen Estok Schoell (at above ALSI address) or email to
Bob Page at webmaster@accordion -club-sandiego.org or Mary Lou Erwin at [email protected].
Thank you for your cooperation.
ADVERTISEMENTS: Members may place one small ad per year at no charge, business cards are $6/per
issue or $60/per year, quarter-page is $15/per issue, half -page is $25/per issue, full -page is $50/per issue,
one -page event flyer is $25/per issue. Cost is doubled for ads placed by non -members.
(All ads must be accordion related).
MEETINGS: The club normally meets at 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. on the second Sunday of each month at the Mt
Miguel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton Ave, Spring Valley, CA
Next Meeting will be on Sunday, September 12th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Bailey Hall in the Mt. Miguel Covenant Village. —
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
Please call Lou Fanucchi at 619-948-3774 if you wish to play for Octoberfest in Balboa Park.
— ALSI Steering Committee —
The ALSI Steering Committee Meetings are usually held the Wednesday after the monthly ALSI
meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend, to share ideas for our club, and have lunch and get acquainted with the workings of ALSI. Please contact Sharon Marotte at 619-286-3948 for a reservation. Our next meeting will be September 15th, Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Denny’s
Restaurant at the intersection of Clairemont Mesa Blvd & Hwy 163.
Volume 17
Issue 9
Page 3
HAPPINESS AT ALSI
by Sharon Marotte
August 8th was another great day for our
accordion club. We had a great audience and
good music. Yours truly played as an unofficial
mystery player for the folks who arrived early.
Merle Williams played at Crider #2, Jerry
Odling was at Crider #1, Vicki Eriqat was at
Brandel and Linda Hibbert entertained the
folks in the Cafeteria. Bill Barr was our MC
for the day.
1. The first players for the day were Vicki
Eriqat and Sharon Marotte. They played
three duet pieces – The Blue Danube waltz,
Merry Widow waltz and Viennese Refrain/
Emperor waltz. These songs were also played
the day before at a wedding reception in Coronado. Some folks at the wedding thought we
were flown in from Austria to play!!
2. The second duo of the day was Al & Claudia Wronia – bless their hearts! They come
all the way from the Highlands to our ALSI
meeting. It is always a pleasure to see them.
Their songs were: Gleboka Studzienka (Down
by the Wishing Well) – Al sang the song in Polish and English. Then they played Tyrolskie
tango and a Polish polka, Blondynka. (I’m glad
they write out these names otherwise I couldn’t type them right!)
3. Gloria Ensign & Leslie Sanders performed a couple of songs with Leslie on the
harmonica. Great job! Their songs were - It
had to be you and Sentimental Journey with
Gloria singing along.
4. Al Jacobs entertained us with a medley of
songs:
Embraceable You,
‘Swonderful,
Someone
to
watch over me,
Summertime.
Then another
medley played
was from My
Fair Lady – I
Volume 17
Issue 9
Page 4
HAPPINESS — continued
could have danced all night, On the street
where you live, Get me to the Church on time.
He ended his spotlight with a polish polka.
5. Joe Columbo played some very nice tunes.
Tarantella, Moon River which was arranged by
Joe’s Godfather, Charles Bertalino in 1985. He
closed with Ciao, Ciao Palermo which was arranged by Frank Marocco. Great job, Joe. Always good to see you and hear you play.
We enjoyed our cake/ice cream break on
the patio and were entertained by Gloria Ensign and Leslie Sanders. Music played during
this time is great, relaxing and enjoyable as we
visit with our musical friends. Several folks enjoyed the Music Swap table and found some
treasures brought by others.
After the refreshment break we were entertained with a Showcase by Bobby Dietsch.
His program was superb and enjoyed by a good
turnout of the accordion club. After his performance, Bobby was presented with a certificate of recognition by Gordon Kohl for his
contribution to the advancement of the accordion.
W e
w e r e
especially
glad to
s e e
some of
o u r
A L S I
friends
t h a t
haven’t
b e e n
around
f o r
awhile – we hope that they will return and listen
to lots of accordion music. —
Page 5
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
SHOWCASE REVIEW
BOBBY DIETSCH
SHOWCASE
AUGUST 8, 2010
by Bob Warner
Bobby Dietsch was not unknown to us here at
ALSI. We heard him play as a member of the REUNION ENSEMBLE directed by Lucille Camatti on
two occasions not too long ago. That’s why we
got him down here today. We wanted to hear
more! Bobby is a singularly enthusiastic accordionist who brings a whole host of capabilities to his
performing – a precise technique, great bellows
control, a passion for music and our instrument
and a repertoire that covers a wide range of genres. The entire program was played from memory
and without looking at the keyboard. As he said,
“It’s just me and the music” when asked why he
closed his eyes while playing quite a bit of the
time.
He began his program with one of his favorite
polkas, “TONY’S POLKA”, played in Slovenian
style. It was toe tapping polka using a lively repeating phrase as it started in quick tempo and gathered speed and intensity as he went along. A
bouncy Neapolitan “ITALIAN TARANTELLA” followed with Bobby using a light, accurate touch on
the keyboard. I think this tarantella is everybody’s
favorite.
His arrangement of “RETURN TO SORRENTO” was stylistically different in that it emphasized melody with beautiful harmonies played
with feeling and smoothness and not necessarily
speed. One of Bobby’s beliefs is “it’s not how
many notes you play but how you play the notes”
and I couldn’t agree more. The bass accompaniment to the treble side was very nice. For a
change of pace we next heard a Polish mazurka,
“CHTOPEK OBEREK”. It had a bouncy, repeating
phrase that required a light keyboard touch with
various reed voicings.
When Bobby plays a Slovenian polka you hear
that characteristic slav style. “MOCKINGBIRD
POLKA” was a prime example. For this number he
changed from his Scandalli Super six to his Bell 2520
accordion because of the alpine tuning of the Bell.
The infectious rhythm and upbeat melodic line had
peoples’ feet tapping again. The audience loved it. He
followed with another dance number he called a
“boarischer”, the full title being “STILLUPPA SIMAL
BOARISCHER”. It had a light, bouncy construction
and a tempo of polka at half speed. Very danceable!
I think everyone loves the everlastingly beautiful
“EDELWEISS”. Bobby played a beautiful arrangement
marked by flowing, connected harmonies remaining
true all the while to the basic melody. The Bell accordion was perfect for this piece. Back to polka we
heard another unique piece called “WHEN THE
SALMON START TO RUN”. The origin of this number came from a button box group in Alaska. And of
course, it was characteristically Slovenian in tempo
and musical structure and quite technical.
Returning to his Scandalli, Bobby played and sang
an inspirational hymn, “CREATE IN ME A CLEAN
HEART”. A very serious piece, the accompaniment
was also quite difficult. On a lighter theme, “ANEME
A CORE”, a memorable Italian melody, was dedicated
to Bobby’s mother. When it’s pretty, don’t trifle with
it too much and he didn’t. Right and left hands
blended well. We have all played “HAVA NAGELA”
at one time or another but Bobby took his arrangement to virtuoso level. That is what an accelerating
tempo and increasingly difficult embellishments can
do to a relatively simple ethnic piece. Given his love
of Irish music, Bobby played a plaintively beautiful arrangement of “DANNY BOY”. The flowing musical
lines of right and left hand blended well. This was followed by “THE IRISH WASHERWOMAN”. It required a lot of staccato finesse from the performer.
To finish, Bobby sang and accompanied himself in a
great arrangement of the theme music from
“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”. I think this piece was
the showstopper of the afternoon. Skillfully presented, it was really entertaining. His encore was
called “THE TRAIN WRECK POLKA”. The piece had
a basic A-B-A format which was repeated at increasing speed until the “train wrecked”.
It was a real pleasure to hear from someone who
is so artistically passionate and skillful as an accordionist. The audience loved the program and I’m sure
we all want to see Bobby Dietsch back here again. —
Volume 17
Issue 9
Page 6
AFNA COMPETITION REVIEW
by Bob Page
This year’s Accordion Federation of North
America event was held on August 12 –14 at a
new location in Irvine at the Hyatt Regency
and Marriott Hotels. There was accordion
and
piano
competition
on Thursday
and Friday.
On Saturday,
there were
special cash
competition
events and
the day concluded with a
concert on
Saturday evening. This marked the 55th year
that the competition and exhibition event has
been sponsored by AFNA.
Sylvia Prior was honored at a special luncheon on Saturday with guests that included
Frank Marocco and Mary Tokarski. Sylvia and
her father Syl Prior are legends in the California accordion community and Sylvia was a
founding member of AFNA. There was also a
special Sylvia Prior Concerto Competition for
Piano with Orchestra held at this year’s event.
This year’s winner performed for the festival’s
participants and Sylvia Prior at Saturday’s eve-
ning concert.
ALSI members Gordon Kohl, Erica Baier,
and Bob Page participated in the Festival Orchesta that was part of the concluding Saturday evening concert. The orchestra performed several numbers which included;
“Love Theme from St. Elmo’s Fire”, “Chariots
of Fire”, “Theme from New York, New
York”, (all conducted by Gordon Kohl), and
“Jumpin’ Jug”, “Rock & Roll Trilogy and a final
rousing “God Bless America”.
The quality of the individual winner’s per-
formances during the concert was awesome
and speaks highly of the achievement of the
young people studying accordion and piano in
Southern California. —
PLAYING AROUND
Sharon Marotte
Kjell Holmes
September 8th and
every Wednesday 5:30-7:00 pm at
Brother's Restaurant 5150 Waring Rd.
Friday, September 3 from 5
to 8 pm at Lake Cuyamaca
Restaurant,
(Kjell performs at the restaurant the first Friday of
“Please share date,
time and location
of public appearances. Submit
each month.)
these, in writing,
Louis Fanucchi
complying with the
Gordon Kohl
cut-off date, to
Helen Estok
Schoell or Bob
Page.”
Wednesdays at the
Romesco Bistro in Bonita from 7 pm.
Friday, Sept. 10th La Jolla
Athenaeum in San Diego.
Friday, Sept. 11th at
Bernardo Winery., S.D.
Friday Sept. 17 at Mediterranean Café in
Carlsbad.
September 5 Saturday evening from 5;30 to 8 pm at
Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant.
Volume 17
Issue 9
CREDITS
Page 7
FRIDAY MORNING GROUP
by Helen Estok Schoell
By Sharon Marotte
Russell Camp was still out of town in Guatemala for three weeks. We sure miss him. Thank
Goodness, we did have Robert, Mt. Miguel’s
Maintenance Man to help set up tables that we
needed for the days event. Merle Williams, Bill
Barr, Jack and Sharon Marotte came early to
make sure everything was made ready for our
ALSI get together. Jack is our sound system man
and Sharon writes up “Happiness at ALSI” and she
is also our photographer. Bob Page also took
some pictures for us this month. I also really appreciated his help in carrying out the coffee pot
and helping to serve the ice cream. Yours truly
made coffee, cut up the cakes and with Ardith
Birdsells help; set the tables to get ready for our
refreshment break. Gordon Kohl brought ice
cream and the cakes. Helen Stables, our cake
person, was busy baking a huge cake for her
daughter’s wedding so we missed her homemade
goodies.
Many other people pitched in to help when it
was needed. I appreciated their eagerness to support our club. At the end of the day, Ardith
helped me clear off the tables, cleaned up and put
things away. A special thank you to our VicePresident, Mary Lou Erwin, because of her help
at the door I did not need my roller skates.
Thank you again to everyone for your support.
God bless you one and all. —
A Very Happy Anniversary
In September To:
Herb and Arlene Fabatz,
September 13th
Larry and Carolyn Kaiser
September 17th
Michael and Lindsey Grubensky
September 26th
Neil and Kathryn Morefield
September 29th
The Friday Morning Group meets the 1st
and 3rd Fridays of each month. Our meeting
place is at the Springs of El Cajon retirement
community on Prescott Avenue. This is also
the home of Gordon Nyhuis. Gordon is one of
the
first
members of
ALSI
and
used to play
his
small
button accordion at
our meetings.
He
can’t get around much any more but comes to
the lobby each time we are there and listens to
us play accordions. His favorite song is Bad,
Bad, Leroy Brown. His face lights up with a big
smile when we play the song and he sings along
with all of the words. A French lady comes
around and dances with us and another gal requests the song Mary Lou over and over and
over. This group consists of Gloria Ensign,
Erika Baier, Larry Kaiser, Roni Palazzolo and
Sharon Marotte. We do have a good time
playing together. —
Best Wishes for a very Happy
Birthday for those born in the
month of September.
Happy Anniversary
9/5 Charlotte Thompson
May your
lives always be happy and
Janet
Martini
filled with9/6
precious
times
To remember.
9/10 Neil Morefield
For those of you married in the month
9/19 Lindsey Grubinsky
of December:
9/20 Timothy Kerkuliet
9/29
Sami
andDaniel
TiinaSynkowski
Zein , 21st
9/30 Lenitta Barrett
Volume 17
Issue 9
Page 8
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (continued)
(continued from page 1)
It was so beautiful.
It’s time to mark your calendar for September
12th for our monthly ALSI meeting. Bill Fassel has
grown up around Alpine and Bavarian music his
whole life. He also is a very experienced folk music dancer. Bill’s music is authentic in arrangement style and instrumentation. He is equally
comfortable on a Button Box accordion and a piano keyboard accordion. I have known Bill Fassel’s family since playing in Los Angles and the Big
Bear Lake Octoberfests with the Bavarian Boys in
the early 1970’s. You are going to hear that rich
happy sounding accordion style from Bill, our September Showcase music performer.
Best wishes to everyone.
Bring your
friends, members, new members, or friends of
a friend. Everyone is welcome at ALSI. Be part
of this growing accordion club enjoying music
on our favorite musical instrument!
If you would like to play at our ALSI meetings please call Helen Schoell, Bill Barr or myself to help find a time for you to perform.
Bye for now. —
Gordon Kohl
I hope your summer has been filled with many
great times and events to enjoy. Life is great and
exciting with music as a part of it.
CUSTOMCRAFTED —
313 NE 45th Street - Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 632-2700 phone
(206) 632-2733 fax
www.petosa.com
— FOR SALE —
Petosa Antique model with rhinestones.
Great tone. Hand made reeds (LMMM).
The reeds are like new.
All offers considered.
Call Gordon Kohl @ 1-619-395-0454
Page99
Page
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
ACCORDION MUSIC - Venetian Minstrel - Continued from last month
Volume 17
Issue 9
Page 10
THIS MONTH’S SHOWCASE
The ALSI Accordion Club
Proudly Presents
A Showcase Featuring:
Bill Fassel
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Showcase at 2:30 pm
Bailey Center Hall, Mt. Miguel Covenant Village
325 Kempton Ave. Spring Valley, California
My exposure to music began when I was 6 years old and forced, as many youngsters are, to endure piano lessons. I really enjoyed the challenge of mastering the instrument in spite of the music selections of my teachers.
However, I envied my two older brothers who played the clarinet and accordion and thus were the life of
party performing selections primarily from the homelands of Austria and Bavaria. At the age of thirteen, and
my eyes on high school looming on the horizon, I switched instruments and began clarinet lessons. During this
time I was a junior member in the family trio of Accordion and two clarinets. During my college years, I
bought a beginner accordion and proceeded to teach myself the piano accordion, which I found to be more
satisfying, because I could now perform solo complete with bass accompaniment as with the piano except
much more portable. I was now able to accompany the family dance group in performing the Schuhplattler
(ethnic dance from the alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria). At one of these performances, a testimonial dinner dance for Joe Umeck of the Fontana Button Box Club, I contracted with Frank Rote to purchase a custom
built button box from his uncle Matt. I had long admired the sound from this style of accordion and once I got
my button box (Steirische)m I was hooked. I now prefer to play the button box and actually haven't seriously
worked with the piano (stradella) accordion for quite some time.
Come and join us for this special musical experience!
Admission: $4 for ALSI members, $5 for guests.
(Light refreshments and coffee will be provided).
For more information please call (619) 584 - 4970
Volume 17
Issue 9
Page 11
ACCORDION EVENTS
ACCORDION WORKSHOP
Gordon Kohl holds his monthly workshop each
third Monday of the month starting at 6:30 p.m.
Music is distributed for use at the workshop
session. Bring your accordion, music stand,
stool and accordion light. Call 619-427-4344
for more information. Cost: $20 and $12 for
non-student guests.
INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CONVENTION Nov. 1 - 4, 2010. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Featuring: Dick Contino, Carl Fortina, Peter & Mady
Soave, Sylvia Marie Barber, Gordon Kohl, and Accordion Orchestra led by Joan Cochran Sommers.
Contact 800-472-1695 for more information.
Sept. 12 Showcase with Bill Fassel
Oct. 10
ALSI ACCORDION ENSEMBLE
This accordion group is open to all interested
members of ALSI who would like to participate in
the practices and music engagements that the Ensemble has during the year. They practice twice a
month on the second and fourth Saturdays from
9:30 to 11:30. Call Vicki Eriqat for more information at 619-563–5586. —
OctoberFest at Balboa
Park with Gale Evans.
Nov. 14 Heritage Day.
COMING IN OCTOBER — Gale Evans
Well, what to say about me. A lot of ALSI members know me, and, they know
I'm all about having as much fun in my life as possible. So.........I play the accordion.
This gives me pleasure, relaxation, challenge, and, a LOT of social interaction. I
began playing when I was seven, with a dime-store toy. I created songs with it, so
was asked, by my Dad, if I wanted to take lessons. I did, so..........l did. I have had
several bands, the most known being the Seattle Polka Gals, for 10 years. We were
nominated for the "Young and Newest Band" in the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame,
1995. An "all-girl" band was unusual, and we became very good very fast, nationally. TV, radio, tapes, and CD's of us were played everywhere. That was a LOT of
work, but, equally, a TON of fun. I am presently "playing around", (my favorite
answer to {Where do you play?}). I have a 3-piece band, doing ethnic music, private
jobs, playing for independent and assisted living homes, playing by myself for others, wherever and whenever, etc. The music I play is for dancing or listening......No "show" or speed. I guess I
don't have the dexterity, nor the desire, to show off (can't anyway). Just good music, hopefully, to entertain in a
positive way, is my goal. So, please come to OctoberFest with ALSI at Balboa Park in October. I’ll see you there!!
ALSI
Statement Of
Purpose:



Monthly Newsletter
ALSI is San Diego’s
forum for appreciating and performing
accordion music,
including the MIDI
electronic accordion
We welcome members who enjoy listening to or playing
accordion music.
We have an accordion ensemble group,
monthly meetings,
local concerts featuring local and internationally famous performers, an annual
picnic and a monthly
newsletter.
“Every Music Lover is Welcome at the ALSI Accordion Club”
The REED BLOCK
c/o Helen Estok Schoell
P.O. Box 151357
San Diego, CA 92175
SEPTEMBER
2010
EDITION
We are on
the Web:
www.accord
ion-clubsandiego.org