Archives for October 2013

Dear Friends,

Hope that everyone had a great summer and are ready to move into the fall season and some rain to keep the flowers growing. Sorry to lose daylight savings time, but we still have a little longer before changing the clocks.

The big news this month is the arrival of two great bands direct from Germany. Our club, in United States tour of the Keiper Accordion Orchestra and Gesangvereinskapelle Rockenhausen. Each orchestra consists of thirty to thirty-two musicians and they will be performing for us right here at Hermann Sons Hall main auditorium. It has been a pleasure working with Manfred and Renate and their group. They are very positive, energetic, cooperative, and efficient, and very hard workers. We are fortunate to be affiliated with this lodge.

I will give you a bit of background on the two groups who will be playing here on October 17. The present conductor of the Keiper Accordion Orchestra is Jurgen Dorsch who has been the soloist Accordion Champion of Germany as well as receiving top rankings there as a duo player and ensemble conductor. Heiko Opp, the conductor of Gesangvereinskapelle Rockenhausen also received first prize as a soloist in national competition and was awarded first prize three times with his ensemble at the German Orchestra Competition. I think that we are in for a real treat this month, so if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet be sure to do so before they are all gone. Ticket sales are going very well and there are a limited number of seats available. There will also be German food and beer available at the event so don’t miss it. Remember, the last time these groups toured the US was in 1988.

We are hoping for a good representation from our club at the concert. Ticket prices go up to $10 after October 10, so reserve your tickets now. It’s an evening of great entertainment at either price.

I have learned that our own Keith Church will be playing through October 31, 2013 at Café Europe located in the Saint Francis shopping center on the corner of Highway 12 and Calistoga Road in Santa Rosa, so if you’d like to have a good meal and listen to Keith play accordion while you eat stop by for dinner and say hello.

Just as a head up we have a special guest performer already scheduled for February of next year. Joe Domitrowich will be performing his new show at our February meeting so mark your calendars and tell your friends.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

Xavier de la Prade

Xavier’s play list was ‘Mademoiselle de Paris’, ‘Sous les Ports de Paris’, ‘ La Seine’, Palez – moi l’Amoure’, ‘La Mer’ then to introduce George Simko, ‘El Paso’. Great job Xavier, keep them coming. Charles Trenet was an extremely gifted composer. He wrote many French standards but his most famous is “la Mer”.

“La Mer” that Charles wrote about had nothing to do with “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin. Charle’s version is not a love song. It gives a description of the Mediterranean as he was travelling from Marseille to Sete where he spent his youth. He describes the colors, the white birds and the bending rushes, etc., sort of an impressionist view of the sea. However, the melody lives on. What he could do with seven notes. Supposedly there are over 250 recordings of this melody. Upon his death he was receiving over $200,000 dollars a year just from this song. I for one never get tired of playing it. ~Xavier

Elmo Fama

Elmo wowed us with ‘My blue Heaven’, ‘Alley Cat’, and ‘My Love Forgive Me’

Jane Tripi

Jane’s play list was ‘This Love of Mine’, ‘Deed I Do’, ‘Your Cheating Heart’, and ‘Tuxedo Junction’.

Jane, you just keep getting better and better!

George Simko

George wowed us with a list to long to itemize, but the few that I can remember are ‘My Shawl’ ‘Latin Evening’ and ‘Lets Dance till Dawn’.

Many of had requests and George obliged us. What a great evening, thank you so much George

George Johnstone

George was our fourth player of the evening.George is a special player. Special in that he has never taken lessons, self taught. He started his journey 18 years ago. His play list was ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’, ‘Shadow of Your Smile’, Besama Mucho’ and ‘ Aye Marie’. George recently had a bad fall off a high curb and severely injured his rotator cuffs. He could not drive or play his accordion. George lives in San Rafael, not on a sail boat, but in condo. He spends his winters in Mexico. He taught himself the accordion, a Giulietti, for company while sailing.

Welcome back George!

ACR Band Update

The ACR Band will have its next meeting on October 21st 6:30 before the ACR general meeting. All levels of players are welcome. It helps if you can read sheet music. Bring an accordion and a good measure of enthusiasm. If you would like to play in the band, please contact Steve Balich at 707-874-3494.

2013 Christmas Dinner Dance

The ACR Christmas Dinner Dance is set for Saturday, December 7st, 2012 this year. Let’s gather with family and friends and have a festive holiday party. Food, music, dancing and good fun with our good friends. To see details click form below.

2013 Christmas Menu

To see details click form below.