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Hi Everyone. I hope you are well and enjoying your music.
Tickets for the October Scottish band clubnite will be on sale
at
£4 in September (£5 on the door). Please try to get your
Scottish friends interested.
August ClubniteFor the August clubnite our members were to play
pieces they had not played at a clubnite before and I would like to
congratulate all who played for digging something up from their
repertoire or learning new pieces to meet this challenge. There
something new.
The evening started with our Monday group (leader, the one and
only, Geoff Millward. They played and entertained us for programme
included....
Marine March Am Trapez Swing Low Sweet Chariot Rona's Voe Sunset
over Foula and Doreen's WaltzSummertime John McDonald's March
Plaisir d’Amour Highland Cathedral Matchstalk Men Vaya Con Dios
I thoroughly enjoyed the Monday group's playing and their
programme included something for everyone. They had obviously
worked very hard on their performance and they are a credit to
their leader, Geoff Millward. This performance was Geoff's ‘swan
song’ becahas decided to relinquish his responsibilities for the
Monday group. His very able ‘second in command’, Greta Moseley,
will now lead the group and she will be assisted in this role by
several other willing club members.
I would like to take this opportunity the club, for all his hard
work over many years. He was our
musical director for 16 years and when he retired from the band
he was man enough to take on the Monday group. Well done Geoff!
For the rest of the night we were entertained by no less than 14
other players accordionists, one harmonica player and one
saxophonist. One of these players, Jane
NNoorr tthh SSttaaff ffss AAccccoorr ddiiooCClluubb
NNeewwsslleett tteerr SSeepptteemmbbeerr 22001155
NNoo 445588
I hope you are well and enjoying your music.
October Scottish band clubnite will be on sale at
Please try to get your
August Clubnite For the August clubnite our members were to play
pieces they had not played at a clubnite before and I would like to
congratulate all who played for digging something up from their
repertoire or learning new
were about 34 people present and all our players did their best
to play
The evening started with our Monday group (below) (I daren't
call them beginners anymore) with their leader, the one and only,
Geoff Millward. They played and entertained us for about 30 minutes
and their
Sunset over Foula and Doreen's Waltz
thoroughly enjoyed the Monday group's playing and their
programme included something for everyone. They had obviously
worked very hard on their performance and they are a credit to
their leader, Geoff Millward. This performance was Geoff's ‘swan
song’ becahas decided to relinquish his responsibilities for the
Monday group. His very able ‘second in command’, Greta Moseley,
will now lead the group and she will be assisted in this role by
several other willing club members.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Geoff, on behalf
of the club, for all his hard work over many years. He was our
musical director for 16 years and when he retired from the band
he was man enough to take on the Monday group. Well done Geoff!
For the rest of the night we were entertained by no less than 14
other players accordionists, one harmonica player and one
saxophonist. One of these players, Jane
oonn TThhee NNoorr tthh SSttaaff ffss AAwelcomes all accordion
enthusiasts playing or non
We hold a ‘Clubnite’ at at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each
month
where entertainment is provided by club members We have a band
rehearsal
and a beginners’ class every Monday at 7.30 pmschoolchildren on
Mondays
Phone 01782 823668
For the August clubnite our members were to play pieces they had
not played at a clubnite before and I would like to congratulate
all who played for digging something up from their repertoire or
learning new
players did their best to play
) (I daren't call them beginners anymore) with their about 30
minutes and their
thoroughly enjoyed the Monday group's playing and their
programme included something for everyone. They had obviously
worked very hard on their performance and they are a credit to
their leader, Geoff Millward. This performance was Geoff's ‘swan
song’ because he has decided to relinquish his responsibilities for
the Monday group. His very able ‘second in command’, Greta Moseley,
will now lead the group and she will be assisted in this role by
several
thank Geoff, on behalf of the club, for all his hard work over
many years. He was our
musical director for 16 years and when he retired from the band
he was man enough
For the rest of the night we were entertained by no less than 14
other players - 12 accordionists, one harmonica player and one
saxophonist. One of these players, Jane
AAccccoorr ddiioonn CClluubb elcomes all accordion enthusiasts
playing or non-playing.
We hold a ‘Clubnite’ at at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each
month
entertainment is provided by club members or guest artists.
rehearsal all other Tuesdays
and a beginners’ class every Monday at 7.30 pm and a class for
Mondays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone 01782 823668.
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Gilman (above right), hadn't been to our club before and she had
us all singing along. Well doenjoyed your playing and we hope to
see you again soon.
During the interval we had a raffle with twelve prizes, all
generously donated by our club members, so about one third of those
present went home with a nice prize.
Then it was time for individual playing commencing with Steve
Hughes playing Valerie and followed by the new visitor (and
hopefully new member) Kumbaya and Skip to my Lou. Moirathen Don
Bebbington played The Rose of Tralee
After the break Brian Shufflebotham followed, firstly chatting
to us about his Roland and all its specifications before serenading
us witpage) then told us about how, many years ago, he met founder
member of our club, George Karklins, who was wearing lederhosen and
playing the accordion at an event. Being half Swiss, he asked had
some Swiss music. George duly obliged and gave John the music copy
and John gave us a rendition of the piece that he had been given.
Ball Game and then Richard Millward gave Brown followed playing
Beer Barrel PolkaTheme and Harmonica Rag.
That was a cue for harmonica player Derek to get up and serenade
us. He played I Got RhythmSinging in the Rain. Finally another duo,
Mike and Paul, finished off a very pleasurable evening with Clyde,
The Road to the North, Georgia. A great night was had by all!
Our next clubnite is on Tuesday 15th SeptemberAGM but there
should be plenty of time for our players. Also, as it’s my birthday
on the 16th you could well be sampling some of Barbara's delicious
cakes.Best wishes, Mike.
Chester Accordion Club
The Annual Grand Day OutThe Chester Accordion Club’s annual
‘Grand Day Out’ to which other clubs are invited was held at a new
venue, ‘The Hornsmill’ at Helsby, near Frodsham, on Saturday 15th
August. Paul Compton and I travelled there, deviating to the
country lanes to avoid a troubled M6, and meeting fellow club
member Moira Hague as the first arrivals. A good crowd turned up
with members of the Stockport, Leyland and Wirral clubs and us
frojoining those from the host club. It turned out to be a good
venue with excellent food, the Eton mess in particular being a
popular choice of sweet, diets put aside for the occasion.
After the meal the playing started, compered by Brian Caldecott,
with each player, sensibly, being rationed to three numbers. With
the healthy turnout of players, which included Moira and another
club member, John Romero, as a later arrival, the music carried on
until late afternoon. As for me, I gave up, failing to disguise
nerves as vibrato – it must be my age.
All in all it was a pleasant way to spend a summer Saturday
afternoon, and a big thanks to Geoff
), hadn't been to our club before and she had us all singing
along. Well doenjoyed your playing and we hope to see you again
soon.
During the interval we had a raffle with twelve prizes, all
generously donated by our club members, so about one third of those
present went home with a nice prize.
Then it was time for individual playing commencing with Steve
Hughes playing new visitor (and hopefully new member) Jane
Gilman.
Moira got up next with her electronic Roland and played The Rose
of Tralee and Someone to Watch over Me
After the break Brian Shufflebotham followed, firstly chatting
to us about his Roland and all its specifications before serenading
us with Bourrasque and Julian Tango. John Plumb (
) then told us about how, many years ago, he met founder member
of our club, George Karklins, who was wearing lederhosen and
playing the accordion at an event. Being half Swiss, he asked had
some Swiss music. George duly obliged and gave John the music copy
and John gave us a rendition
Graham Hughes then took the floor and played and then Richard
Millward gave us When You are in Love and The Blue Bell Polka
Beer Barrel Polka and then duo Ann and Greta (below) played
That was a cue for harmonica player Derek to get up and I Got
Rhythm, Oom Pah Pah and
. Finally another duo, Mike and Paul, finished off a very
pleasurable evening with Song of the
, Margaret Waltz and A great night was had by all!
on Tuesday 15th September - it's our AGM but there should be
plenty of time for our players. Also, as it’s my birthday on the
16th you could well be sampling some of Barbara's delicious
cakes.
Chester Accordion Club
Grand Day Out The Chester Accordion Club’s annual ‘Grand Day
Out’ to which other clubs are invited was held at a new venue, ‘The
Hornsmill’ at Helsby, near
August. Paul Compton and I travelled there, deviating to the
country lanes to avoid a troubled M6, and meeting fellow club
member Moira Hague as the first arrivals. A good crowd turned up
with members of the Stockport, Leyland and Wirral clubs and us from
North Staffs joining those from the host club. It turned out to be
a good venue with excellent food, the Eton mess in particular being
a popular choice of sweet, diets
After the meal the playing started, compered by decott, with
each player, sensibly, being
rationed to three numbers. With the healthy turnout of players,
which included Moira and another club member, John Romero, as a
later arrival, the music carried on until late afternoon.
ing to disguise nerves as
All in all it was a pleasant way to spend a summer Saturday
afternoon, and a big thanks to Geoff
), hadn't been to our club before and she had us all singing
along. Well done Jane, we
During the interval we had a raffle with twelve prizes, all
generously donated by our club members, so
Then it was time for individual playing commencing with Steve
Hughes playing The Lambada and Valse Jane Gilman. She bravely
played
ctronic Roland and played Song of the Sun Someone to Watch over
Me.
After the break Brian Shufflebotham followed, firstly chatting
to us about his Roland and all its John Plumb (pictured
previous
) then told us about how, many years ago, he met founder member
of our club, George Karklins, who was wearing lederhosen and
playing the accordion at an event. Being half Swiss, he asked
George if he had some Swiss music. George duly obliged and gave
John the music copy and John gave us a rendition
Graham Hughes then took the floor and played Take Me Back to the
The Blue Bell Polka. Norman
) played The Harry Lime
Also, as it’s my birthday on the 16th you could well be sampling
some of Barbara's delicious cakes.
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Lloyd of the Chester club for organising it once again.
P.S. Right is a montage of some of the people who played that
day. Actually I’m not sure that it isn’t a collage. Perhaps one of
you could help me out on that.
September Clubnite and A.G.M.The Annual General Meeting will
take place at Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club before the clubnite
activities on Tuesday 15th Septemberefficiently as possible, the
minutes of the last meeting aradvance. If you intend to come you
may wish to bring them with you. Comments on these and any
questions will be taken at the meeting. There will also be copies
of the accounts and treasurer’s report available on the night for
anyone wishing to read them.
Please come to the AGM if you can.only a few attend, decisions
may not be representative of the views of the majority of the
members and this year the discussions will include venue issues
P.S. After swiftly dealing with the AGM business the rest of the
evening will be devoted toplaying. This will be a theme night. You
are challenged to play pieces with a place name contained in
ttitle.
Steve Hughes
Reading the dots I have an idea that this article may help
anyone who needs to read music.
I was taking a music lesson with my tutor Peter Whitely when he
suddenly said, “Are you having trouble reading the music?” and I
leaned forward, focused and said, “No, I can see perfectly well.
These are my new reading glasses.”
He then told mein front of my pointing finger and said, “Play
that”, which I couldn’t because it
was too far away. “There you are”, he said, “Your glasses are
too strong.” “But I had my eyes tested for reading recently and
these are the ones”, I said. Peter then told me, “Do me a favour,
go and have your eyes tested again but take a sheet of music with
you and tell thethe distance of your outstretched arm plus six
inches”.
So I made an appointment. On the appointed day I turned up,
music in hand ready for the test, I explained what I wanted and he
produced his own music which sorin a couple of weeks I got my new
music reading more leaning forward. I could focus really well.
Peter sadly died not long after this but I will always be grateful
to him for not just this but all the things he taught me.
Graham Hughes
‘MY VIOLIN’ By Brian Shufflebotham
Now in my eighties I was born into a nonthat I now recall, I
simply wanted to play the violin and my parents first obtained for
me a halfmainly poultry farming, was closed down through wartime
restrictions on buying in feed for the poultry, and, as a
consequence, my father was employed at a StokeLongsdon, and I
either cycled or walked from there, a little over a mile, to the
bus stop near the then Waterworks pub, now The Wheel, on the Leek
to Hanley (via Endon) main road.
When having violin lessons at school in Leek, an old friend
recites to this how envious he was of my arriving there with a
violin.
I went to my violin tutor's home at Endon with the violin
balanced between the cross bar and handlebars, and in those days of
food rationing, I also shouldered
Lloyd of the Chester club for organising it once again.
ntage of some of the people who played that day. Actually I’m
not sure that it isn’t a collage. Perhaps one of you could help me
out on that.
tember Clubnite and A.G.M. The Annual General Meeting will take
place at Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club before the clubnite
September at the earlier time of 7.30 p.m. To get through the
business as efficiently as possible, the minutes of the last
meeting are included with this newsletter for you to read in
advance. If you intend to come you may wish to bring them with you.
Comments on these and any questions will be taken at the meeting.
There will also be copies of the accounts and treasurer’s
report
able on the night for anyone wishing to read them.
Please come to the AGM if you can. It is an opportunity for
members to shape the future of the club. If only a few attend,
decisions may not be representative of the views of the majority of
the members and
discussions will include venue issues.
P.S. After swiftly dealing with the AGM business the rest of the
evening will be devoted toplaying. This will be a theme night. You
are challenged to play pieces with a place name contained in t
Reading the dots I have an idea that this article may help
anyone who needs to read music.
I was taking a music lesson with my tutor Peter Whitely when he
suddenly said, “Are you having trouble reading the music?” and I
leaned forward, focused and
I can see perfectly well. These are my new reading glasses.”
He then told me to point with my index finger and he held my
music six inches in front of my pointing finger and said, “Play
that”, which I couldn’t because it
was too far away. “There you are”, he said, “Your glasses are
too strong.” “But I had my eyes tested for and these are the ones”,
I said. Peter then told me, “Do me a favour, go and have your
eyes tested again but take a sheet of music with you and tell
the optician that you need to read music from the distance of your
outstretched arm plus six inches”.
I made an appointment. On the appointed day I turned up, music
in hand ready for the test, I explained produced his own music
which sort of suggested that this is a normal test. Anyway,
in a couple of weeks I got my new music reading glasses and I
couldn’t believe the difference it made. No more leaning forward. I
could focus really well. Peter sadly died not long after this but I
will always be
just this but all the things he taught me.
Now in my eighties I was born into a non-musical household. At
an early age and for no special reason that I now recall, I simply
wanted to play the violin and my parents first obtained for me a
half-sized instrument. The family business, which was mainly
poultry farming, was closed down through wartime restrictions on
buying in feed for the poultry, and, as a consequence, my father
was employed at a Stoke-on-Trent brass foundry for a time. Our farm
was along Devils Lane,
ngsdon, and I either cycled or walked from there, a little over
a mile, to the bus stop near the then Waterworks pub, now The
Wheel, on the Leek to Hanley (via Endon) main road.
When having violin lessons at school in Leek, an old friend
recites to this how envious he was of my arriving there with a
violin.
I went to my violin tutor's home at Endon with the violin
balanced between the cross bar and handlebars, and in those days of
food rationing, I also shouldered
ntage of some of the people who played that day. Actually I’m
not sure that it isn’t a
The Annual General Meeting will take place at Goldenhill
Workingmen’s Club before the clubnite
To get through the business as e included with this newsletter
for you to read in
advance. If you intend to come you may wish to bring them with
you. Comments on these and any questions will be taken at the
meeting. There will also be copies of the accounts and treasurer’s
report
It is an opportunity for members to shape the future of the
club. If only a few attend, decisions may not be representative of
the views of the majority of the members and
P.S. After swiftly dealing with the AGM business the rest of the
evening will be devoted to members’ playing. This will be a theme
night. You are challenged to play pieces with a place name
contained in the
I have an idea that this article may help anyone who needs to
read music.
I was taking a music lesson with my tutor Peter Whitely when he
suddenly said, “Are you having trouble reading the music?” and I
leaned forward, focused and
I can see perfectly well. These are my new reading glasses.”
and he held my music six inches in front of my pointing finger
and said, “Play that”, which I couldn’t because it
was too far away. “There you are”, he said, “Your glasses are
too strong.” “But I had my eyes tested for and these are the ones”,
I said. Peter then told me, “Do me a favour, go and have your
optician that you need to read music from
I made an appointment. On the appointed day I turned up, music
in hand ready for the test, I explained of suggested that this is a
normal test. Anyway,
glasses and I couldn’t believe the difference it made. No more
leaning forward. I could focus really well. Peter sadly died not
long after this but I will always be
musical household. At an early age and for no special reason
that I now recall, I simply wanted to play the violin and my
parents first
amily business, which was mainly poultry farming, was closed
down through wartime restrictions on buying in feed for the
poultry, and, as a consequence, my father was employed
Trent brass foundry for a time. Our farm was along Devils Lane,
ngsdon, and I either cycled or walked from there, a little over a
mile, to the
bus stop near the then Waterworks pub, now The Wheel, on the
Leek to
When having violin lessons at school in Leek, an old friend
recites to this day how envious he was of my arriving there with a
violin.
I went to my violin tutor's home at Endon with the violin
balanced between the cross bar and handlebars, and in those days of
food rationing, I also shouldered
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a satchel carrying a dozen eggs for the tutor!
My violin playing progressed so that in 1942, my father
purchased a full-sized violin from a colleague at work inside
which, many years later, I noticed a label stating ‘Joseph
Guamerius Andrea’, this a mid to late Victorian era copy made in
Germany.
In the years to 1948, I entered and passed three violin
examinations. On each occasion, these were taken in some large room
at the Victoria Hall, Hanley. Whereas, I had practiced for these
exams accompanied by a pianist on an ordinary upright piano, for
the exam at the Victoria Hall, there was with a full-sized grand
piano and I was quite overawed by the surroundings and different
acoustics and not a little nervous if not terrified! Not
surprisingly, the written comments of the examiner included that I
should be more ‘relaxed’ with my playing!
When returning home from school along Devils Lane, on many
occasions I met up with a nice old gentlemen strolling along this
lane. I would always stop to talk to him and he would enquire how
my playing was getting on, routinely finishing with him offering
advice and providing an impromptu demonstration, playing my violin
whilst standing there in the road! Fortunately, in those days only
the occasional vehicle came by, driven rather more slowly than is
the case today. It transpired that this gentleman was a retired
Manchester Orchestra professional violinist. Unfortunately, on
leaving school and the farm having returned to full time work, with
my attendance at a farming college, then on to National Service,
taking up and having lessons on the piano accordion, becoming a
member of the then Stoke-on-Trent Coselli's Accordion Show Band, it
drifted into years where the violin remained in its case and rarely
played but kept for old time's sake and a treasured possession.
My accordion playing of more recent years has been in decline,
though somewhat revived of late having enlisted as a musician
playing for the Leek Morris dance group. Even more recently, I was
joined here by a competent violinist who awakened my interest to
get out my violin only to find a muscular injury absolutely
prevented me from bringing my left elbow under the violin and my
fingers could not be positioned to come round on to the strings.
With no prospect of resolving the problem, I concluded the time had
come to part company and let someone else have the pleasure of
playing it.
I sold the violin and was left a little saddened after having it
in my possession for 73 years but with quite some satisfaction in
that an Oxford mum has purchased ‘my violin’ for her son who is
learning to play.
Brian Shufflebotham
The Midlands Accordion Festival The third Midlands Accordion
Festival, organised by Barry Smith, takes place from November 6th
to 8th at The Quality Hotel, Birmingham Road, Dudley DY1 4RN. Guest
artists include the Classic Kyiv Accordion Duo (Ukraine), David
Lukins, Jovan Rnjak, Rosemary Wright, Alan Young, Nigel Pasby &
Helen Newton, Helen Rich, Harry Hussey, and Malachy Cairns. The
workshops include: Elementary Orchestra – Rosemary Wright, Vintage
Orchestra – Adrienne Griffiths, and Scottish Orchestra – Angie
Lukins. There will also be a trade show featuring the Birmingham
Accordion Centre, Rob Howard’s books, Accordion World magazine, and
Alan Shute – accordinas and accordions.
For further information contact Barry Smith on 0121 559
4620;
email: [email protected]
Diary
Every Monday 5.00pm-6.00 pm Accordion classes for young players
at the Holditch Every Monday 7.30 p.m. Beginners’/Improvers’ night
at the Holditch Tuesdays other than 3rd 8.00pm Band rehearsal at
Bradwell Workingmen’s Club Every 3rd Tuesday of month 8.00pm
Clubnite at Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club 2nd Thursday of month 12
noon 2nd Thursday of month 1 p.m.
Chord Workshop reconvenes in October. Solo Session reconvenes in
September....... both at Bradwell WMC
September 15th AGM + Theme ‘Place name in title’ September
25th-28th Eastbourne International Accordion Weekend
Ring 01606 270148 www.CarillonFestivals.com October 20th John
Stuart Scottish Band Nov 7th to 9th Midlands Accordion Festival,
Dudley December 15th Combined Xmas and 30th Anniversary Party
January 19th 2016 Harry Hussey and Lily’s Weepers
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Members’ Adverts
Tuition
Pauline Hardwick Tel 01782 397248 accordion and/or piano Stefan
Andrusyschyn Tel 07958261024 accordion and/or piano Mike Gibson Tel
01782 660865 piano John Romero Tel 01606 270148 accordion
For Sale
Roland FR-18 Diatonic V-Accordion for sale £1000 tel. 01625
432530
Barcarole Dominante 96 bass, 11 treble, 3 bass couplers.
Includes case and is in good working order - only needs seeing.
£250 (no offers). Phone 01782 323046
Fratelli Alessandrini modern accordion. Blue. 96 bass, 4 voice,
musette, 9 treble couplers, 3 bass couplers, Hohner gig bag, full
decoration, miked for amplification. Modern keyboard – black notes
are blue. £1800. Tel. Rob Borrett 07428 079752
72 bass piano accordion in very good condition with carrying
case....£150 H Singhal student model with 34 piano keys, 5 treble
couplers including bandoneon and violin Tel: Mrs. Robinson on 01782
372281
President Brian Shufflebotham Chairman Mike Richards 01782
642101 Secretary Steve Hughes 01782 787935
Treasurer Mike Richards (acting) 01782 642101
Committee Tony Britton, Helen Brown, Graham Butler, Graham
Hughes,
Lily Lynch and Greta Moseley.
Web address - www.northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk
Editor Lily Lynch email -
[email protected]
