Das Trossinger Konservatorium hat den jungen französischen Lehrer Frédéric Deschamps eingeladen, um seine deutschen Studenten auf den nächsten Coupe Mondiale, der vom 13. bis zum 18. August in Washington DC, USA, stattfindet, vorzubereiten.
Letztes Jahr repräsentierte Matthias Bender das erste Mal seit langer Zeit Deutschland in der Variety Kategorie und Dank der Zusammenarbeit von Frédéric Deschamps mit Andréas Nebl, Akkordeonprofessor am Trossinger Konservatorium, wird erwartet, dass die teilnehmenden Kandidaten sich hervorragend klassifizieren werden.
Paolo Picchio, Präsident des Konsorziums „Music Marche“ hat während der Musikmesse in Frankfurt auf dem Stand des italienieschen Außenhandels-Institutes I.C.E. eine Konferenz über das Akkordeon gehalten. Auf dem Kollektivstand "SOUND ITALIEN" wurden verschieden Produktionen von akustischen Musikinstrumenten aus allen italienischen Regionen dargestellt. In den unterschiedlichen Themen wurden sowohl einzelne als aus Gruppen von Instrumenten angesprochen.
Dokumentiert durch nützliche geschichtliche Information hat Paolo Picchio auf die produktive Entwicklung, sowie die wirtschaftliche und kulturelle Wichtigkeit von Castelfidardo im weltweiten Akkordeonpanorama hingewiesen.
Die Konferenz wurde durch den sehr interessanten und völlig unerwarteten, musikalischen Intervent des bekannten Akkordeon-Jazzisten und Lehrers Renzo Ruggieri unterstrichen. Mit diesem Anlass hat Paolo Picchio offiziell das "Ursprungs- und Qualitätszertifikat" für Akkordien "Made in Castelfidardo" der Vereinigung Music-Marche vorgestellt, um die 150jàhrige Tradition von handwerklicher Fertigung zu ehren und beizubehalten.
In der aktuellen Ausgabe des Accordéon et Accordéonistes wird ausführlich über weibliche französische Akkordeonspielern berichtet. Weiters gibt es News über die jungen Französischen Hohner Künstler Phil Bouvier, Cyril Blanchard, Benoit Chabod und Julien Gonzales, die kürzlich mit Frédéric Deschamps auf Konzerttour in Neuseeland zu Gast waren.
British College of Accordionists’ Award travels to Malta
Die Sir James Anderton Auszeichnung für Musik- Exzellenz – ist eine Auszeichnung des British College für Akkordeonisten, die an alle Kanditaten mit einer Höchstwertung Grad 6 bei der Schlussprüfung vergeben wird. Für das Jahr 2006 wurde Mariel Agius aus Rabat in Malta, Studentin von Antoinette Borg, mit diesem Preis belohnt.
Mariel erhielt “Auszeichnung” sowohl in den praktischen als auch theoretischen Prüfungen. Die Trophäe wurde dem BCA Reprästentanten Mro Jo Psaila vom BCA Direktor, Raymond Bodell zu Beginn der 2007 Examination tour auf der kleinen südmediterranischen Insel übergeben.
Mro Psaila stellte ein VIP-Interview von Raymond Bodell mit dem Professor Charles Camilleri, weltbekannter maltesischer Komponist, Dirigent und Akkordeonist, zusammen.
Charles Camilleri ist der Komponist des 1964 CIA Coupe Mondiale Pflichtstück “Danza Latina”, und war Coupe Mondiale Organisator im Jahre 1965 in Valleta Malta. 1972 erhielt er den CIA Merit Award und ist nun mit 75 Jahren nach wie vor sehr aktiv mit weltweiten Dirigieren und Komponieren. Das VIP Interview können Sie in ein paar Wochen auf unseren Seiten nachlesen.
Accordionist Wins Competition with other Instruments! - Macedonia
Contributed by Anica Karakutovska
The 2nd International Competition Festival ‘Macedonium M’, organized by the SMBEC ‘Ilija Nikolovski–Luj’, Skopje, was held from April 5th to 9th in Skopje.
The third category (born 1988 and younger) was won by 17 years old Aleksandar Kolovski (picture left), an accordion student of Professor Zorica Karakutovska (picture right), in a competition for all instruments and with 29 competitors. As the competitor with the highest number of points (LAUREATE), Aleksandar received 300 Euros and a certificate. The Macedonian piece in his programme was the composition ‘Miniature’, from Elizabeta Ilievska.
Last year’s competition was held in honour of the 250th anniversary from the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This year’s competition was held in honour of the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Composers’ Association of Macedonia – SOCOM, containing a rule that in all categories there must be played one piece by a Macedonian composer.
At the final concert held on April 9th at the Concert Hall ‘ARM’ the winners from I, II, III and IV categories competed for ‘GRAND PRIX”’ - 1000 Euros, award sponsored and given by the Mayor of the City of Skopje, Mr. Trifun Kostovski (picture left).
Accordionist Aleksandar Kolovski was proclaimed the best overall competitor and winner of the GRAND PRIX in the final concert.
45th Annual ATAM New England Music Festival, Boston - USA
The Accordion Teachers' Association of Massachusetts (ATAM) recently held their 45th New England Music Festival in Newton (Boston) Massachusetts.
Competitions and festival performances took place during the weekend, ending with a spectacular performance by the Falcetti Music reunion accordion orchestra. The 50-piece orchestra was formed from present and alumni members to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Falcetti family music business.
With the current conductor Michael Falcetti as concertmaster, the founding conductor Sam Falcetti stepped back on the podium to conduct his former students, while wife Peggy performed in the orchestra and son Anthony coordinated the elaborate sound system. All four members of the family continue to make their full time living from Falcetti Music.
Several awards were given during the weekend, including to honorary ATAM member Faithe Deffner for her Lifetime Achievement in the accordion world.
Picture left, Roger Latulippe (ATAM Contest co-chair), Faithe Deffner, Peggy Falcetti, (ATAM contest co-chair) and Michael Falcetti (ATAM president) presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Faithe Deffner. In her acknowledgement speech, Faithe Deffner applauded the effort of the students, parents and teachers for continuing to promote and support music education.
Winner of the New England Accordion Championship was 13-year-old Danielle Renzi (picture above right) and Anthony Falco won the Entertainment Solo championship, both students of Robert Paolo. Anthony also received the special ATAM scholarship award to assist in his upcoming University studies. The Paolo Accordion Orchestra, under the direction of Robert Paolo, won the Senior Orchestra division.
The 46th Annual ATAM Festival will take place from April 4th to 6th 2008.
Successful Charity Accordion Concert, Yorkshire – UK
A well-attended charity accordion concert held on April 17th in the Shire Hall, Howden, Yorkshire, proved to be great success.
The guest list included accordionists Harry Hussey, Murray Grainger, Dick Beeforth and his band, Ray Gallagher and Jock Thomson, Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, Sam Pirt, and the Wetherby Accordion Band (MD Brian Hibbert). Accordionist George Syrett acted as compere, and also performed a short spot.
Murray Grainger’s demonstrations of the Roland Virtual Accordion, impromptu playing on Roland V Accordions by Mike O’Regan and Heather Hawthorn, and a trade show, involving The Music Room, Kestrel Publications, Harry’s Old Time Music Stall and Rob Howard’s ‘An A to Z of the Accordion’, gave the concert the look and atmosphere of a festival. All proceeds from this event went to cancer research.
Milwaukee Accordion Club to feature Walter Ostanek, Wisconsin - USA
The Milwaukee Accordion Club (MAC) will feature accordionist Walter Ostanek on April 23rd when they hold their monthly gathering at the Root River Center, 7220 W. Rawson Avenue, phone: (414) 425-7225.
Walter Ostanek is known as ‘Canada's Polka King’, and is based in St. Catharine’s, Ontario. Walter has worked tirelessly for thirty-one years to promote Slovenian Cleveland-Style polkas and waltzes across the entire North American continent and abroad.
In addition to hosting his own television shows (the current one for 14 consecutive years), radio shows (three currently), and polka tours, Walter has appeared on the ‘Johnny Carson Show’, ‘Phil Donahue’, ‘Tommy Hunter Show’, and Cleveland's ‘Polka Varieties’, as well as his own award-winning TV specials and telethons. He has also appeared in concert with Roy Clark, the Oakridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Ray Price, Mel Tillis, Brenda Lee, Slim Whitman, Tom T. Hall, T. G. Shepard, Tommy Hunter, Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, and Frank Yankovic. Among the band's honors are 3 Grammy Awards and a Gold Record from the Arc Recording Company.
Brett Gibson to appear with the Kansas City Civic Symphony Orchestra, Kansas - USA
Kansas City based musician Brett Gibson, who has performed with the world renowned group the Elders, popular US entertainer Eddie Delahunt, and many other well known artists in the Celtic music world, will be taking a detour from traditional, contemporary and original Irish music when he performs the ‘Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra’, by Astor Piazzolla, in his debut with the Kansas City Civic Symphony Orchestra (now in its 48th season), under the direction of Andy Anderson.
Brett was born in Auckland, New Zealand but now makes his home in the Kansas City area of the United States. Brett began playing the accordion at age 7, and at the age of 12 won his first New Zealand championship for that age category and continued to perform and compete into his late teens as a soloist and with duet, trio, quartet, ensemble and orchestra.
The concert will take place on Saturday April 28th at 7.30pm at the Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf in Overland Park, Kansas. Tickets are not required, and admittance is by donation at the door.
2nd National Accordion Competition, Kozani – Greece
Contributed by Alexander Tchuev
The second Greek National Accordion Competition will be held on April 28th and 29th at the ‘Theatrodromio’ Hall in the city of Kozani.
The Director of the Competition is Alexander Tchuev (picture left), and the President of the Jury is Evgenia Tcherkazova (Kiev, Ukraine).
There are categories for solo, ensemble and orchestra. Evgenia Tcherkazova (picture right) and Alexander Tchuev will both perform in concert during the championships on April 28th, then will perform concerts in the following Greek cities:
April 30th - Grevena
May 2nd - Trikala
May 3rd - Patras
May 4th - Thessaloniki
The 44th Klingenthal International Accordion Competition, May 4th to 10th, also includes a comprehensive program of concerts. Starting with the opening concert featuring Juan José Mosalini (Argentinien – Bandoneon) and Maria Vlasova (Russia - picture right) 2006 Klingenhal top solo category winner, with the Vogtland Philharmonie Greiz/Reichenbach.
Others featured include: Timofej Satarov, Eva Zöllner and Krisján Orri Sigurleifsson (double bass), Fabian Carbone (bandoneon), Sebastian Reimann (bandoneon), Mario D’ Amario and many others, with concerts every day of the event.
The International Accordion Music Festival 'From Baroque to Jazz', is a series of events that takes place in Wroclaw and Brzeg from April 20th to November 25th. There are evening concerts on April 20th, 21st and 24th.
The festival is held under the patronage of the Lower Silesia Region Speaker and the General Consulate of Austrian Republic in Krakow. The contest Jury Chairman is Professor of Music Academy in Lodz, Bogdan Dowlasz. Picture left is organizer Olexiy Suslov.
English
Deutsch
Français
Italiano 
Español
Chinese 
Russian 
Akkordeons ‘Made in Castelfidardo’ – Italien
Magazin Accordéon et Accordéonistes - Frankreich
Die Sir James Anderton Auszeichnung für Musik- Exzellenz – ist eine Auszeichnung des British College für Akkordeonisten, die an alle Kanditaten mit einer Höchstwertung Grad 6 bei der Schlussprüfung vergeben wird. Für das Jahr 2006 wurde Mariel Agius aus Rabat in Malta, Studentin von Antoinette Borg, mit diesem Preis belohnt.
Mro Psaila stellte ein VIP-Interview von 
Accordionist Wins Competition with other Instruments! - Macedonia
The third category (born 1988 and younger) was won by 17 years old Aleksandar Kolovski (picture left), an accordion student of Professor Zorica Karakutovska (picture right), in a competition for all instruments and with 29 competitors. As the competitor with the highest number of points (LAUREATE), Aleksandar received 300 Euros and a certificate. The Macedonian piece in his programme was the composition ‘Miniature’, from Elizabeta Ilievska.
At the final concert held on April 9th at the Concert Hall ‘ARM’ the winners from I, II, III and IV categories competed for ‘GRAND PRIX”’ - 1000 Euros, award sponsored and given by the Mayor of the City of Skopje, Mr. Trifun Kostovski (picture left).
The Accordion Teachers' Association of Massachusetts (ATAM) recently held their 45th New England Music Festival in Newton (Boston) Massachusetts.
Several awards were given during the weekend, including to honorary ATAM member 
A well-attended charity accordion concert held on April 17th in the Shire Hall, Howden, Yorkshire, proved to be great success. 
The Milwaukee Accordion Club (MAC) will feature accordionist Walter Ostanek on April 23rd when they hold their monthly gathering at the Root River Center, 7220 W. Rawson Avenue, phone: (414) 425-7225. 
Kansas City based musician Brett Gibson, who has performed with the world renowned group the Elders, popular US entertainer Eddie Delahunt, and many other well known artists in the Celtic music world, will be taking a detour from traditional, contemporary and original Irish music when he performs the ‘Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra’, by Astor Piazzolla, in his debut with the Kansas City Civic Symphony Orchestra (now in its 48th season), under the direction of Andy Anderson.
The second Greek National Accordion Competition will be held on April 28th and 29th at the ‘Theatrodromio’ Hall in the city of Kozani.
There are categories for solo, ensemble and orchestra. Evgenia Tcherkazova (picture right) and Alexander Tchuev will both perform in concert during the championships on April 28th, then will perform concerts in the following Greek cities:
Klingenthal Concert Program - Germany
The 44th 
International Accordion Music Festival 'From Baroque to Jazz', Wroclaw – Poland
The festival is held under the patronage of the Lower Silesia Region Speaker and the General Consulate of Austrian Republic in Krakow. The contest Jury Chairman is Professor of Music Academy in Lodz, Bogdan Dowlasz. Picture left is organizer Olexiy Suslov.