febuary 2016 - accordion-club-sandiego.org accordion activities for you ... and arrivederci was the...

by Gordon Kohl

Hello and Greetings to fellow ac-cordionists! The year has begun with a great Sunday afternoon at ALSI. Thank you ALSI friends for coming to our January meeting. It was truly nice to hear Brian Money join us for an afternoon. His music was superb. He is very dedicated to showing off the ac-cordion in his travels. Our upcoming events will be a super variety of music, artists and accordion activities for you to enjoy and share in. Please bring guests to the special event days in Febuary, March, April and May. Our showcases and concerts with wonderful accordionists de-serve to have a full audience. I would like to fill the auditorium sometime in 2016. Please everyone bring an accor-dion to the February 14th meet-ing so that we may all share in a group playout with Shelia Lee in

her workshop. Her music will be available on the tables when you enter. They are also available now on our website.

We would like to focus on theme mu-sic for our monthly meetings. For in-stance, for the month of February it would be nice to play love songs and ballads for Valentines’ day during our open play time (12:30 to 1:30pm.). March is the time for Irish, ragtime and Dixieland music. American Standards (music from the 50’s and 60’s) will be on the agenda for April and May. I hope this new venue will help in-crease your musicianship this year.

Again a very happy and healthy new year to everyone. Best Wishes, Gordon

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

FEBUARY

2016

Febuary 2016 Volume 3 Issue 2

NEWSLETTER

Harold & Helen Estok

Founders of A.L.S.I.

President:

Gordon Kohl

619-395-0454

Presidents Emeriti:

(Founder) Harold Estok

Ron Griffin

Kjell Holmes

Gloria Ensign

Vice President:

Mary Lou Erwin

619-448-9588

Meeting Coordinator:

Bill Barr

619-337-1111

Treasurer &

Ensemble Director:

Vicki Eriqat

619-563-5586

Recording Secretary:

Sharon Marotte

619-286-3948

Newsletter/

Webmaster:

Bob Page

760--815-4783

Ted Hill

A.L.S.I. is on the WEB at

www.accordion-club-

sandiego.org

Back issues of the

REED BLOCK newsletter

GENERAL INFORMATION

MEMBERSHIPS: New membership and renewal for year 2016 are; the fee is $100 Gold, $25 U.S.A., $26 Canada,

$27 for International delivery. For new members; partial year memberships can be purchased. Make check or mon-

ey order payable to ALSI and send to: Mary Lou Erwin, at P.O. Box 712571 Santee, CA 92072. The REED BLOCK is

published once each month. DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles were written by the Editor. Unless so stated, no article is to

be construed as an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or ALSI. 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 March 2016 issue is: February 26th. This includes

all items such as articles, upcoming events, playing around, accordion workshops, advertisements and ensemble sched-

ules. Your input to the REED BLOCK is invited and should be submitted to Mary Lou Erwin at: marylouer-

[email protected]. 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 non -members. (All ads must be accordion related). MEETINGS: The club normally meets at 12:30 - 4:00 P.M. on the second Sunday of each month at the Mt Miguel

Covenant Village, 325 Kempton Ave, Spring Valley, CA. Our next Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 14th

from 12:30 to 4:00 pm at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in Bailey Hall. STEERING COMMITTEE; Next meeting is on Wednesday, February 17th, 10:30—12:00 pm Dennys Restau-

rant located next to I8 near Mission Valley at 1065 Camino Del Rio South.

— Membership Form —

Names:______________________________________________________________

If new address: ________________________________________________________

Email and phone number: ________________________________________

Recognition information such as Birthdays, Anniversaries for yourself (spouse):

____________________________________________________________

Please provide any additional information (such as wanting to volunteer to help):

____________________________________________________________

Amount Enclosed: $_________________

Please forward this form to: ALSI c/o Mary Lou Erwin at

P.O. Box 712571 Santee, CA 92072 (new address)

Gordon Kohl

Plays Casuals, Weddings Dances and

Special Events. Gordon’s Combo is noted for their repertoire of ethnic music such as Ital-

ian, French, German and Latin, Their specialty is

Private Parties & Dancing Music. (For more information and future

availability. please call Gordon at:

619-395-0454.)

HAPPINESS AT ALSI

HAPPINESS at ALSI

By Sharon Marotte

January 10, 2016 – our first ALSI meeting

in the year 2016! We wish everyone a

Happy New Year with lots of music to

play & listen to.

Players around the village were: Cafete-

ria – Steve Halpern, Brandel – Sha-

ron Marotte, Crider 1 – Laura Guer-

rero.

Mary Lou Erwin was

at the front table greeting

everyone. Jack Ma-

rotte worked the sound

board, Bill Barr was the

MC,

Al Jacobs played the piano to our lis-

tening pleasure ahead of time.

Diane Polinski

started off the day

with a smile as al-

ways. Her songs

were Blvd of Bro-

ken Dreams, Won-

derful World, Sweet

Georgia Brown &

Let it Snow. Diane

loves to entertain & plays everything

from memory.

Marilyn Harkins is

getting better & bet-

ter each month. Her

songs were Tennes-

see Waltz & Waltzing

Matilda., which had the audience singing.

Keep it up, Marilyn – we see im-

provements each

time!!

Juergen Rosenfeld

played three songs for

us: Cantique de Noel,

Ava Maria (from Shu-

bert) and Arrivederci

Roma. Juergen & Hil-

degard always dress

so nice in their Ger-

man attire.

Steve Halpern

played his small Ro-

land, electronic with

no reeds. His songs

were: La Noyef, La

Valse des Montres, Una

Valse Musette & Tra

Veglia e Sonne.

Ron Griffin played a

few Russian selections -

originals from Stas

Veglenski – all from

memory. Good job,

ALSI HAPPINESS PLAYERS

Soundman

Jack

Marotte

Historian

Sharon

Marotte

Hap, a long time accordion player and folk dancer

was reading our newsletter!

Kjell Homes with one of his

students Laura Guerro

Al Piselli - two thumbs up for the day

Carlos Menesses - having a good time

Bob Warner—taking notes and videos

Al Jacobs, age 91,

paid tribute to

George Gershwin

(songs -S’Wonderful,

Someone to watch

over me, Summer

Time) & Cole Porter

(songs - Dancing in the Night, Night &

Day, Begin the Beguine).

Bob Page played two

songs beautifully on

his Roland electronic

accordion. His songs

were: All of Me &

There’s a Star Span-

gled Banner Some-

where.

Our coffee/cake break hosted by

Jane Ford, Al Piselli & Vicki. Jane

brought 2 cakes, Al brought cookies &

Steve Halpern brought fruit. Don’t

ask about the almost catastrophe with

the coffee pot.

Gordon Kohl brought

greetings

& played a couple songs during the break

with Brian Money, visiting from BC,

Canada.

His wife, Nancy,

was also in the audi-

ence.

Our attendance was

light due to rainy

conditions & illness

by some.

It was so good to

see Farrie Ann Nich-

ols & her doggie

once again.

Can you find your way to the chocolate box ?

Brian Money Showcase Review by Bob Warner

January 10, 2016

Brian was visit-

ing in the south-

ern California

area recently

and was able to

respond to Gor-

don Kohl’s invi-

tation to come

play for us this

Sunday after-

noon. Using a

borrowed Petosa accordion from Kjell

Holmes he presented us with a delightful

variety of numbers from his extensive rep-

ertoire. He was initially joined by Gordon

to play a group of duets, unrehearsed but

quite enjoyable. So we heard “BLACK

EVENING” tango followed by Charles

Magnante’s “ACCORDION BOOGIE”

with Brian playing the solo and backed up

by Gordon.

Brian’s solo presentation began with a

French piece in quick waltz tempo fol-

lowed by a melodic musette and an ex-

ceptional “UNDER PARIS SKIES”. The

French medley continued with “QE SERA

SERA”. Brian plays with energy and an in-

tensity which brings out the melodic quali-

ties of the instrument.

The classics began with the “CAVELLERIA

RUSTICANA” main theme from the

opera of the same name and arranged by

Alfred D’Auberge. This beautiful, plaintive

melody was done superbly. Mr. D’Auberge

was well known for his challenging ar-

rangements. He next played the familiar

“SERANADE” from “THE STUDENT

PRINCE” written and composed by Sig-

mund Romberg. This pretty melody trans-

lates well for the solo accordion. Next, so

well for the accordion and the andante

“JESU, JOY OF MAN’S DESIRE” translates

so well for the accordion and the andante

pace was performed skillfully. Brian also

selected one of Frank Morocco’s arrange-

ments of Astor Piazzolla’s “OBLIVION”, a

different kind of tango that is played slowly

and smoothly. However, the last part

breaks into a very spirited standard tango

tempo, piu mosso animato, that really

grabs your attention. One of Anthony

Galla Rini’s favorite pieces, “NESSUM

DORMA” was played at slow tempo and

was quite respectful of the fact this is nor-

mally an operatic tenor’s solo. (See Luci-

ano Pavarotti’s Nessum Dorma). “LIGHT

MY FIRES” arranged by Galla Rini was

more modern composition for this seg-

ment and the arrangement was quite tech-

nical. Brian next departed from classical to

“ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK” fol-

lowed by “QUANDO, QUANDO, QUAN-

DO” and “BRAZIL”. Then, for Kjell Holmes

he played “LIFE IN THE FINISH WOODS”.

Continue on next page —

Brian Money continue ...

Brian and Ron Griffin completed the program playing ‘GAY

RANCHERO” arranged by Charles Magnante. We certainly

enjoyed having Brian with us today. It was very nice of him

to take time from his vacation to play for us.

On the Move !!!

This part of the newsletter is for members to in-

teract with the club. This section is especially

needed for members of the club who do not

come to out regular meeting and want to keep in

touch with fellow accordion players and friends.

I apologize for any mis-information or being too

add lib by trying to get some interest for this col-

umn. Your input is needed and valued so this will

be fun for members.

Please email me (Ted) at [email protected] with

comments and pictures or phone me at 619 276-

5890. Comments be also be sent to our vice-

president Mary Lou at [email protected] or

mailed to the club address of P.O. Box 712571

Santee, CA. 92072.

Here is a picture I received from Dalian

China, Port city Northeast of Bejing. No-

tice palm trees! and tall buildings in back-

ground.

Here is a

picture of

me (Ted).

From Kathryn Morefield ~ In October Kathryn and Neil Morefield attended a classical Mandolin

convention in Austin, TX. Kathryn used to play with the San Diego Mandolin Orchestra.

From Ann Cernilia ~ I found this in an old scrapbook of mine. I Think it is a profound statement! I

hope you could have it printed in the Reedblock. — I asked professors who teach the meaning of

life to tell me what is happiness. So I went to famous executives who boss the work of thousands

of men. They all shook their heads and gave me a smile as though I was trying to fool them. And

then one Sunday afternoon I wandered along the Desplaines River. I saw a crowd of Hungarians

under trees with their women and children and a keg of beer and an accordion.

I found this music while on a visit to Lvov in the Ukraine. It was being sold by vendor on a blanket

under a bridge. Not sure what this is, but it sounds Russian.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO - UPCOMING EVENTS

ALSI Meetings

February 14th

Special Guest Sheila Lee from Houston Texas. Sheila has a very

active blog and provides a lot of accordion information and music

for accordionist. She is the author of some of our band pieces.

Sheila will entertain us with a 25 minute showcase of her music se-lections. Following that she will be giving us a workshop (we play,

so bring your accordion) in playing multipart music. Music for the

workshop will be available at the meeting on the table as you enter

and available now on our website. www.accordion-club-sandiego.org

Sheila is a lively person and she will give us a “zing” and keep us

happy.

In March she will be at the accordion convention in Dallas and runs a Palmer Hughes playing

room for players to have fun.

Open time for other players of the day are asked to play music that reflects Valentines Day. Mu-

sic selections should be “Love” songs and ballads.

Sandwiches will be available for all during the break. Bob Page will be bringing them so we can

enjoy a bite to eat for this meeting! And as usual, Coffee and cake will also be available.

March 13th - Double Showcase

First showcase will be by Al Jacobs. Al will play his favorite music that we love to hear at each meeting so this should be a enjoyable day for us. He

will play for about 25 minutes.

The second showcase will be by the

“Melodeons” (Ken Powers, Gwen Shoe-

maker and Linda Hibbert) and will entertain us for 25 minutes.

They will use two Roland electronic accordions and one Mo-

reschi acoustic accordion.

The theme for open players at the March meeting will be Irish/

Dixieland/Ragtime. Please wear green.

April 10

Chuck Henry from Florida will be here to play his electronic Roland and

Concerto accordions with his rhythm machine. He will also have a interac-

tive working session with us, so that he can assist us with electronic playing.

He was in San Diego last February and we enjoyed his music and had a good

time.

Our theme for April is American Standards (50’s and 60’s). So pick a good

one that will test our memory.

May 1th

Bonnie Birch from Seattle will be here to give as a concert. She is a vivacious player and will

keep us well entertained and toe tapping. One of here specialties is the fast moving French mu-

sic. Not sure what she will present yet, but it will be colorful.

June 12th ALSI picnic.

UPCOMING EVENTS continue

Accordion Events

March 10, 11 and 12th National Accordion Association Convention in Dallas. Gordon will be

giving a workshop in French cabaret styles and tango mazurka styles. Please look for Convention

flyers at next meeting. Not to be missed. Easy flight - Southwest airlines to Love field in Dallas.

May 16th - 19th Camp Concerto in Salt Lake City. Paul Pasquali will be hosting Concerto

players to improve their knowledge of using this electronic accordion. Gordon will assist. For

more information go to website WWW.campconcerto.com

August 8 - 11th Las Vegas accordion convention. WWW.accordionstars.com

MOVIE THEMES

Fun Time in Yuma Arizona (Octoberfest in January)

Gordon Kohl with his trio went to Yuma Arizona on Saturday January 23 to do a street fair Octo-

berfest presented by the Das Bratwurst Haus restaurant in old town Yuma. The Balboa Folk Danc-

ers also performed. Some of the ALSI members also came to have fun. This is for the Canadians

who come to Yuma for the winter.

On Sunday, ALSI members joined the Yuma Accordion Club for a concert. We played to a crowd of over 150. Gordon was featured.

A Very Happy Anniversary

Wish In February To:

Bob & Penny Page - 2/2 Jack & Sharon Marotte - 2/14 Ron & Helen Schoell - 2/14 Bill & Bonnie Barr - 2/16

Happy Birthday to you all!

4th Bob Warner

8th Sami Zein

11th Kari Andrews

11th Helen Estok Schoell

13th Sharon Marotte

21st Bonnie Barr

22nd Kathryn Morefield

Monthly Newsletter

ALSI

Statement Of

Purpose:

ALSI is San Diego’s

forum for appreciat-

ing and performing

accordion music,

including the MIDI

electronic accordion We welcome mem-

bers who enjoy lis-

tening to or playing

accordion music. We have an accordi-

on ensemble group,

monthly meetings,

local concerts featur-

ing local and interna-

tionally famous per-

formers, an annual

picnic and a monthly

newsletter.

FEBUARY

2016

EDITION

The REED BLOCK

c/o Mary Lou Erwin

P.O. Box 712571

Santee, CA 92072

Happy Valentines

Day!

At Mt. Miguel

Covenant

Village in

Spring Valley

Meeting

From

12:30 to

4 :00 pm.

On Feb. 14th

Join us at the ALSI gathering as we enjoy

our monthly meeting with a workshop and play-

along event with Shelia Lee.

in Bailey Hall.

Accordion Lover’s Society International

febuary 2016 - accordion-club-sandiego.org accordion activities for you ... and arrivederci was the...

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