the milwaukee accordion club june 2014 the accordion...

The Milwaukee Accordion Club June 2014

The Accordion Express ...........

Marek Kalinowski & Peter HerzAccordion and Violin Duo

Next Regular Meeting 4th Monday June. 23, 2014At Knights Of Columbus Hall, 1800 S. 92nd St. West Allis, WI

6:30 pm Pre Meeting Music: Bill Anderson’s “A Little Bit Of Heaven” Band6:30 pm Business MeetingStudent Artist: None

8:00 pmMarek Kalinowski & Peter Herz From Chicago

Admission: • Members $3 • Non members $5

The Accordion Express

Milwaukee Accordion Club

Chicago MusiciansMarek Kalinowski (accordion) and Peter Herz (violin) are experienced professionals, and play a variety of music. This makes them outstanding performers. They live in Chicago and perform everywhere in the USA. Even Milwaukee!They are musicians with great experience and wide range of musical and vocal possi-bilities that will make their performance un-forgettable. They have performed in Europe and USA. Reason enough to come and hear.

• American music standards• Tango• Strauss waltz• Popular and well known Polish and

World music standards

Those Who ServeTo Keep The Club Going

OfficersPresident:Don Turner (414) 418-5639Vice President:Sherry Huiras (414) 546-3370

Secretary:Kathleen Draver (414)-761-0750Treasurer:Pat Hall (262) 252-3047

DirectorsRoger Boll (262) 284-0355John Kreiter (414) 281-2943Bill Schauder (414) 322-2647Jerry Smeiska (414) 453-4931Pam Stahl (414) 731-9560

Assisting Club Photographer: Jerry Smeiska (414) 453-4931

Photo Archivist: John Kreiter (414) 281-2943

Membership Chmn.: Bill Schauder (414) 322-2647Ensemble Director: Beverly W. Persa (414) 466-5371

Newsletter Editor:Jerry Smeiska (414) 453-4931

Newsletter Processing & MailingElaine Ritzka (414) 545-1580

Publicity Chair: Sandy Bednarek (414) 421-7577

Reception & Registration Chair: Ginny Smeiska (414) 453-4931Laurie Zeh (262) 639-1153

Raffle Chair:Dean Marsolek (414 )840-4736

General Assistance:Anna Kreiter (414) 281-2943

Sunshine Club Chair: Sandy Lee Jahnke (414) 764-2377



Monthly DEADLINE normally is the 2nd Monday of the month.Send submissions to:

Jerry Smeiska, Editor524 N. 106 St. Wauwatosa, WI 53226-4225

Phone: 414-453-4931Email: [email protected]

Visit Our Website At: http://www.accordions.com/mac

Health and WelfareBy Sunshine Sandy Lee!

We continue to extend our prayers and wishes for those who are continuing on their road to recovery, and for any member whose ailments we may not be aware of. If you want us to send a card to someone please call

Sandy at (414) 764-2377

At Our NeighborsChicago Accordion Club310 W. Butterfield Rd, Elmhurst IL

June 16th, 2014Marek Kalinowski & Peter Herz

– - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - –N. E. Wisconsin Accordion Club

300 S. Adams St. Green Bay, WI.No Meeting In July

– - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - –Polish American Accordion Assn.

5835 W. Diversey Ave. Chicago, ILCall Ed Smolen For Info: 773-407-6156

Notice: Statements by the editor or contributors to this newsletter do not necessarily

reflect the official policies of the Milwaukee Accordion Club, Inc. Paid ads are accepted in

good faith and are not to be considered as M.A.C. endorsements of the products or services

advertised. (Our attorneys made us say that.)

Milwaukee Accordion Club Mission StatementOur mission is to stimulate a positive attitude toward the performance of music on the accordion by strengthening relationships with fellow musicians, expand-ing knowledge of the accordion and accordion playing, and by developing vari-ous musical programs to acquaint the general public with the education and en-tertainment values of the accordion.



Our President Says:by Don Turner

Hello Music Lovers, Its great to finally feel summer is here after the brutal winter we experienced. Time to get outdoors and play the accor-dion in the sunlight. While I’m thinking about playing outdoors, from time to

time the MAC gets asked for volunteers to play at events. These are strictly volunteer and un-paid, but usually are fun and don’t last more than a couple of hours. I thought I’d list the current requests here in case some of our members would be interested in helping out. One of these events I mentioned earlier this year at a meeting. The 100th anniversary of the Green County Cheese Days (Monroe, WI) is trying to assemble one hundred accordion players to play for their grand cele-bration at noon on Sep. 20th. The event has its own theme song that is performed each year. Music will be provided in advance and all skill levels are invited to participate. To get more info, or to register, call (608) 325-7771 or (608) 325-9722. Another event a bit closer to home is the the South Milwaukee Heritage Days parade on July 26th. They are looking for any number of accordionists to play, whether in groups or not. You don’t have to walk the parade route, transportation of some sort will be provided. Fred Mitchell is organizing this and can be reached at [email protected].

Lastly, Saint Sebastian Parish is seeking players to perform at their auction on Oct. 4th at Mount Mary College (5:30-7pm), welcoming people as they arrive. Contact Terese Shelledy at [email protected] for more details. Anyone interested that doesn’t have ac-cess to email, let me know and I can forward your info. Hope to see you all at our next meeting, featur-ing a talented accordionist from Chicago, Marek Kali-nowski with Peter Herz, a violinist.

Don Turner

M.A.C. Club Calendar(tba = to be announced)

2014 Is Our 24th Year

June 23 • Regular MeetingPre meeting • Bill Anderson’s groupHeadliner: Marek Kalinowski & Peter Herz from ChicagoJuly 28 • Regular MeetingPre meeting • Jerry Smeiska’s “Island Hoppers”Headliner: • ‘Yard Dog’ Charlie Kuchler

Sunday August 24 • Annual Picnic Kulwicki Park

September 22 • Regular MeetingPre meeting • Kathy AlbrechtHeadliner: • Copper Box

October 27 • Regular MeetingPre meeting • Hall, DeLone & Bednarz Otherwise known as “Pat, Dick and Herm”Headliner: Dan Newton

November 24• Regular MeetingPre meeting • Dorothy Fennig and FriendsHeadliner: MAC Board & Officers

December 14 • Christmas Dinner Party Music by Jim Mayer Combo

This Space For Rent$15 per Month

or $150 per Year(Contact Editor

see Page 2)

Business ReportBusiness Meeting

No Meeting In MayKathleen Draver. Secretary

.



Last Meeting Attendance: 105Now, THAT’S more like it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome New MembersLast Month

Jim Severson, West Allis, WIAndy Apricot, Milwaukee, WI

Terry Olson, Janesville, WI

Important Please mail your financial remittances to our treasurer Pat Hall

If you want your membership card mailed to you, send a stamped self- addressed envelope. Otherwise you will need to pick up your card at a regular meeting.

Mail To:Patrick J. Hall

W142 N6718 Washington AveMenomonee Falls. WI 53051

262-252-3047

Kathleen Draver

About Accordions In Juneby Sherry Huiras

National Accordion Awareness Month June is National Accordion Awareness Month. The MAC will be celebrating the month by having several of our MAC Members/Musicians perform at Mayfair Shop-ping Mall. We held this event twice previously and it turned out to be very successful, not to mention enjoyable. This is such a super promotional and fun event for the MAC that we decided to do it again. Shoppers stop and pick up some of our fliers and Newsletters. Many curious shoppers stop and ask ques-tions. We received numerous positive remarks from pass-ers by. It’s really a rewarding experience demonstrating the accordion, playing for and talking to people who aren’t very knowledgeable about the accordion, but truly show an interest. It’s a fun time and very relaxing. In the past, some of our MAC Members have stopped by to visit and listen to the great music. We encourage you to stop by to enjoy the music and also in support of the MAC and the musicians performing those days. Our members will be performing on Saturdays, June 7th and June 14th from 2:00-5:00pm in the upper level Food Court. Stop by and support your local ac-cordionista. If you have any questions, please contact Sherry, 414-546-3370.



Ask Dr. JerrBring Your Problems To The Doctor Who Has All The Answers

Dear Dr. Jerr: A piano has 88 keys. Why do piano accordions only have 37 or 41 keys on the right side? Mr. Trouble MakerDear Mr. Maker, When we go way back to the time accordions were first invented pianos were already in widespread use. They were extremely heavy and too big to shlep from gig to gig without hiring a heavy duty wagon, six big horses and all the strong young men you could afford. The lawyers had a field day with the hernia lawsuits. Doctors became wealthy and the insurance companies started to exclude piano players as too risky to insure. The first ac-cordion inventor took the first step and sub-stituted bellows and reeds for the strings and heavy body of the piano, but he still had an 88 note key-board. He was on the right track but didn’t go far enough. The 88 keys dragged on the ground on one end and the other al-most hit the ceiling. What was worse, the player couldn’t even reach all the keys. They started to chop off keys at the top and bottom figuring no human could sing those high and low notes anyway. Some strong people stopped chop-ping before 41 keys and others kept chopping down to 37. If you think this is all too confusing, go count the buttons on a chromatic accordion or bayan. Dr. Jerr

Accordion HistoryFrom Accordions Worldwide Website

Italy If you recall here is where we left you last month:

Italian emigrants did not only import and distrib-ute the brand names from Castelfidardo, but also had the intuition to open musical schools dedicated to the teaching of accordion, employing talented teachers and musicians (including the Deiro brothers, Pietro Frosoni, Viaggio Bi-aggio, Quattro Ciocche etc). Experienced artisans from Castelfidardo also moved to other European countries, such as Nazzareno Piermaria who in 1922 opened a work-shop in Rue de Charenton in Paris. Today the third gen-eration of the Piermaria family still retains links with the birthplace of their great grandfather. But to return to Castelfidardo. In the first half of the 1900s strong demand for the accordion pushed the Soprani family from making handmade instruments, into starting a fully integrated production line. In publishing a com-memorative leaflet for the 50th anniversary of the bat-tle of Castelfidardo, Cesare Romiti wrote; "the machinery for the fabrication of the reeds were put into action by the generated electricity….to the great advantage of the Soprani company, creating a strong economic base which allows the Italian factory to gain ground against the competition from abroad." The newly established production line therefore allowed the Soprani firm to substantially increase its profit margin. Testament to this success was the great building that Paolo Soprani erected adjacent to the town's centre between 1907 and 1909. However, work on a new huge factory complex, also undertaken during those years, was never completed. The first sign of decline in the so far rapid, unstop-pable growth of accordion production came in 1929 when Wall Street's Stock Exchange crashed - a crash which greatly affected the musical instrument sector. A drop from

26000 units exported in 1926, to 17000 in 1932 was of great consequence to the region's employment figures. Ironically, it was the autarchic regime of fascism that helped rebuild the industry of the accordion. The propaganda of the time spoke of the accordion as a musi-cal instrument invented in Italy, and as being "the pride of our industriousness and delight of the Italian people." (Re-view Varietas - Rassegna Nazionale dell'Autarchia 1941). In 1941 Benito Mussolini ordered that a quantity of 1000 accordions be distributed to the various troops fighting in the Second World War. Other initiatives to protect and in-crease production of the accordion were taken at this time. For example, with the patronage of the fascist regime, a consortium (with headquarters in Ancona) was set up in 1937 amongst all the Italian manufacturers of accordion

and its accessories. The presidency went to the charismatic figure of An-gelo Manaresi who was an MP, a junior minister and president of the Italian Al-pine Club. Paolo Soprani, nephew and namesake of his pioneering uncle, was appointed as vice president The disastrous con-flict of the Second World War (1939-1945) had a devastating effect on the

accordion sector. Production went down from 51000 units in 1938, to 10077 in 1941, to a mere 500 in 1944. The ar-mistice which marked the end of the war gave the Italian people new hope and a new enthusiasm for life. In Castel-fidardo alone, between 1946 and 1948 nineteen new com-panies were founded for the production of accordion. Ex-ports increased from 57523 units in 1947 to 192058 in 1953, heralding a boom period for the instrument. This small town in Marche, with a population of just 9000, gave employment to over 10000 workers in the musical instrument sector alone. These workers came mainly from the neighbouring towns of Loreto, Osimo and Recanati.

(Continued On Next Page)



Accordion HistoryFrom Accordions Worldwide Website

(continued from previous page)

This was also a time of great mergers. The historic company of Settimio Soprani merged with the F.lli Scan-dalli from Camerano to create the colossal firm of Farfisa, the company Excelsior in New York opened a production line in Castelfidardo and new entrepreneurs, whose prod-ucts are mainly sold in the United States, gave their com-panies names from the great Hollywood studios and cin-ema chains, such as Paramount Accordions, Universal Ac-cordions, United Artists, Metropolitan, MGM, Iris, Min-erva and Astra. A street in Castelfidardo, today called Marconi Street, was then called Dollar Street, due to the fact that most of the company directors of the time built their villas there. Another cri-sis, however, was looming on the hori-zon. This time it was not connected to economic or war fac-tors. Musical tastes changed forever dur-ing the 1960s. A more rhythmic style of music began to replace the older me-lodic style. Elvis Presley followed by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones be-come the new idols for the modern youth. Several entrepreneurs of the Marche region managed, dur-ing these years, to adapt their factories to the production of modern, more fashionable musical instruments such as electric guitars and keyboards. Unfortunately a large num-ber of small family run businesses took the brunt of the crisis. Between 1960 and 1963 seventeen closures took place. It was therefore inevitable that attempts had to be made to incorporate new technology to the accordion. In 1962, a Farfisa technical team led by Gianfelice Fugazza, with the collaboration of the accordion virtuoso Gervasio Marcosignori put the first transistors into the accordion.

The outcome was the "Cordovox", an instrument with plenty of potential, not out of place with the modern music of the day. But to promote the accordion as a modern mu-sical instrument, the industry would have needed a differ-ent strategy. A list of factors impeded the accordion be-coming a fashionable instrument; in those years, the entre-preneurs were often divided over how best to promote the accordion, inspirational accordion players never became role models as the artists were often more interested in demonstrating the instrument than being concerned with musical integrity. Furthermore very little attention was paid to the arrival of the television as an important vehicle to promote the instrument, while music schools were still anchored to old teaching methods. Today there is a renewed enthusiasm for the accor-dion, with increased attention to custom made high quality

instruments rather than the emphasis being on mass pro-duction. The study of the instrument has been included in some Italian musical conservatories, while several workshops have started the skillful production of Bajan style accordi-ons. Furthermore there has been an emphasis on the at-tention to musical literature, while the idea that the accor-

dion is exclusively a solo instrument is gradually chang-ing, thanks to influential artists such as Richard Galliano and Marc Perrone in France, Gianni Coscia in Italy and Peter Soave in the USA. The production of accordion has therefore found a niche that all those who operate in this sector should try to build on. There are sixty companies operating throughout Italy today - thirty of which are in Castelfidardo. These companies will only have a future if they can correctly interpret market demands, as Paolo So-prani did in 1863.

The End



Ramblingsby Jerry Smeiska

Picnic Thoughts Sherry Huiras submitted the Picnic Announcement below and that directed my thoughts to our picnic and picnics in general, I think I attended most picnics the MAC has had and I always came away feeling good. In fact I always felt great! There is something about the outdoors, the music, friends, the food, the jamming that warms my soul. There is more opportunity to visit, chat, socialize etc. than there is at a regular meeting. We can get to know each other bet-ter than when there is a formal program that we should be watching. It is also impolite to interrupt a performance with talking in the hall. Being on the Board I have heard a few grumbles about our charging $5 for expenses. Well, back in the good old days when we had 350 members, the MAC subsidized our picnic and Christmas party by a substantial amount. It was considered a kind of fringe benefit returned to the members. Well, times have changed! We are down to 180 members, many of whom do not attend our monthly meet-ings so we do not have the luxury of being able to subsi-dize the major portion of these social events.

Picnic expenses include the meats, buns, soft drinks, and a big expense is the park rent. Our current re-quest is that each attendee pay $5. Now by any stretch this is a tiny amount. Take $5 into MacDonald’s or George Webb, or any restaurant today and what will it buy? The Board had to, as the kids say, “Get Real!” O.K., I realize that very few of our members have too much money, but I’d be willing to bet that those who are complaining the loudest are NOT hurting financially. As for me, staying home and counting my money is NOT my idea of fun - and - it’s a very lonely hobby.

Complaint Speaking of complainers, here is MY complaint. Milwaukee Radio! There was a time when you could scan the dial and find rock, smooth jazz, country, polka and several other kinds of music to listen to. The car radio had several push buttons set to a variety of music. Today I never listen to my car radio. I insert a CD of my choice instead. Oh, sure, I know I’m in the over 35 age group (WAY over 35) and advertisers only care about the kiddies who spend money. Well, that’s the way the free market economy works. It just doesn’t work for me! Or anyone else that finds himself in the wrong demographic. Thanks for listening (or rather, reading).



MAC ANNUAL PICNIC & JAM 2014Sun., August 24th

1:00 to 6:00pm at Kulwicki ParkHWY 100 & Cold Spring Road

Southeast Corner Across from Organ Piper Pizza & North of WalMart

MUSIC DANCING FOOD REFRESHMENTS FRIENDS PRIZES

MAC will provide:Buns, Coffee, Soda, Water and Main meats (type of meat has yet to be determined),

Mark this date on your calendar today! It is imperative that everyone reserve ahead to allow for adequate planning and purchasing correct amount of food. We are requesting a nominal fee of $5.00 per person to help subsidize the picnic expenses. We would appre-ciate if attendees would bring a pass-around dish as in previous years, but this is not mandatory. There will be sign-up sheets at the June 23rd and July 28th General Meetings, and we request that you pay your $5.00 per per-son at the time of sign-up. The MAC Picnic is always a fun social event. It’s a time to meet your fellow MAC Members, enjoy playing and listening to music, and share our fondness for the accordion. Contact Sherry Huiras, 414-546-3370, with any questions or for more information.

The MarketplaceIf you are looking to buy or sell something musical, here’s the place to advertise“ Wanted” and “For Sale” ads of personal musical items are free to our club members for three monthly insertions after which the ad must be reinserted if so desired. Non-members may advertise personal musical items for a cost of $15 per insertion. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the editor be NOTIFIED PROMPTLY IF ITEM IS SOLD so the ad can be stopped. All requests for ads must be in writing, and include all the relevant descriptive information and the submitting person’s full name, address and telephone number.

For SaleRoland FR3X Reedless Accordion120 bass, 37 treble keys.Custom Pearl White Built in speakers, batteries18.5 lbsSee demos on Youtube,or call me with questions.Roger Boll 414-861-3240$2800.00

Roger Boll ........................................... 414-861-3240 [8]

CORDOVOX SPEAKER w/ LESLIE TREMELO....… $ 139

Has Leslie Tremelo 10LR 2S Unit inside. With ONE PLUG-IN and FOOT PEDALCabinet is 21.5" x 14.5" and 24" high, on casters.Cabinet height w/o measuring casters

is 21". I turn it on and I can hear it spinning.One source told me this only works with a Cordovox Tone Changer, but if you're familiar with Cordovox, you know more than I do. Another reliable source, a studio record-ing owner, told me it will work with an amplifier that has a speaker output. The pedal controls the depth of the effect as opposed to the speed. The speed can be adjusted just not on the fly. I can't test it with a Cordovox system but you're welcome to try it with your amp with speaker output. I am selling it "as is." Cosmetically nice and a very solid unit. $ 139 (reduced from $299, an actual sale price I saw on eBay) Sandy Phone 414-421-7577

[8]

Wanted To Buy I Buy Accordions And Concertinas =

email: [email protected] Carl ................................................. 414-321-3729 [7]P-AAA Buys any 2 chambered accordions likeDallappe, Supermaestro, Scandalli VI, LoDuca Duke, Ex-celsior, Bell, Sonola, Etc.Call Ed. Smollen ................................ 773-407-6156 [12]Are you looking to buy or sell a button box?Button Box America Club has free for sale ads. Contact their editor Jeannie Enabnit at 320-864-7669 Box 121, Glencoe, MN 55336

Music LessonsConcertina, Piano Accordion or Keyboard.

email: [email protected] Carl at .............................. 414 321 3729

~+~!~+~





Garfield

10/13

This Space For Rent$15 per Month

or $150 per Year(Contact Editor

see Page 2)

I Want To Buy YourOld Musical Instruments

Looking for accordions, concertinas, guitars, banjos, mandolins, violins, saxophones & amplifiers

Call Tom(414) 333-32219/14

We accordionists need a thick skin. Our beloved instrument is often the butt of many jokes. This is partly because of the fact that there are not a lot of visible players and many of those that are more noticeable use the ac-cordion more as a novelty than a serious instrument. I feel the way to react is to chuckle along because we know deep inside us we truly love and value the instrument. The joke really is on those that do not know this great musi-cal instrument.



For Your Eyes OnlyA man by the name of Leopoldo Jose Dos Santos in Brazil visited our MAC Facebook page and liked it. I in turn visited his page and found over a hundred interesting pictures and artworks, all related to accordions. I hope to share some with you from time to time. Most are in gorgeous color so you are missing out if you do not get our online digital copy. Since we have no meeting pictures, here are some samples. Enjoy!

Can you playthe Chicken Dance?



FirstClassPostage

The Accordion Express

Milwaukee Accordion Club

% G. E. Smeiska ph: 414-453-4931

524 North 106 Street

Wauwatosa, WI 53226-4225

Address Service Requested – Thank You

Time Sensitive – First Class Mail

MAC is 23 Years Old Now

Milwaukee Accordion Club Membership ApplicationIf you appreciate the many voices of the accordion you are welcomed to join us. Annual dues are $30 and includes the newsletter and all membership privileges, If you live outside Wisconsin, Newsletter only without membership privileges is $20. Please complete the

application, send self addressed stamped envelope and remittance payable to “Milwaukee Accordion Club” Mail To: Pat Hall, Treas. W142N6718 Washington Ave. Menomonee Falls, WI 53151

EVERYONE’S DUES ARE DUE IN MARCH. IF YOU JOIN US Your First Year Pro Rated Dues are:Jan./Feb $5 Mar./Apr. $30 May./Jun. $25 Jul./Aug. $20 Sep./Oct. $15 Nov./Dec. $10

PLEASE PRINT FOR READABILITY

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Address_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Phone ( _ _ _ ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ _ _ _ Zip Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Email _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I prefer the newsletter [ ] mailed [ ] emailed

My skills or interests that could help the club are: [ ] Accounting [ ] Secretarial [ ] Internet/Web [ ] Writing [ ] Other

I play (Instrument) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Level: [ ] Professional [ ] Hobbyist [ ] Beginner [ ] Listener Only

Today’s Date _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Remittance Enclosed $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

the milwaukee accordion club june 2014 the accordion...

Documents