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Volume 26 Issue 11
The Accordion Club in San Diego
Accordion Lovers Society International
President’s Message - Gordon Kohl
Hello ALSI members, family and friends.
May you all have a great November and Thanksgiv-
ing. This is the time of year when you can play mu-
sic for parties and family gatherings. Select those
memorable songs that the family will sing along or
even dance too. Music always helps to get a party
going and bring smiles and chuckles to everyone.
This past year I have heard some wonderful accor-
dion music played by artists from several countries.
The accordion artists today are being very expres-
sive, inventive and show a brilliant new sound for
playing an acoustic reed instrument. We are hear-
ing new rhythms, twists to bellowing and time sig-
nature changes throughout even a single selection.
This musical writing style was questionable when I
was studying and playing new contemporary music
of the 1980’s 1990’s and newer. Music composi-
tion ideas and instrumentation are evolving into
new uses in film and video.
It is exciting to hear the accordion being brought
into a new age of music. The accordion reed can
pitch bend and be tuned in a variety of ways to en-
hance in music compositions. We are in a new age
for the accordion. The recent world champion-
ships were held in Chin China close to Hong Kong.
Accordionists were representative of many coun-
tries.
The piano accordion is being chosen now by won-
derful world-class artists and competitors.
We will have an opportunity to see and hear many
current top accordionists at the ATG Accordion
Convention next August 5-9 in Los Angeles Cali-
fornia. There will be many concerts, workshops
and displays daily for educators, accordionists, and
the music audiences.
I can tell you that the most recent Las Vegas Ac-
cordion Convention was stupendous. The soloists
and festival orchestra brought musicality and ener-
gy to the accordion music experience. I would say
that the mood of the event was exciting. The new
participants came to add a spark to the convention.
The attendance at all workshops was like 10 years
ago. We are seeing a new desire to expand the
working knowledge and musicianship of all accordi-
onists. I have been hoping for this occurrence for
some time. Past ALSI President, Kjell Holmes and
I would talk about this occurrence. The accordion
is really becoming more popular in the music world
and industry. About time!
I hope that ALSI members will try and come to our
Heritage Music yearly event. For years so many
local accordionists have shared the stage playing a
wealth of ethnic solos. I certainly am looking to
hearing everyone’s solos on Sunday, November
10th at 1 P.M. at Mt. Miguel Village in Spring Valley.
I encourage all to bring others to hear our best
musical club event of the year.
Best Wishes and good health and again enjoy your
Thanksgiving family celebrations.
Gordon.
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ALSI MEMBERSHIP AND GENERAL INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIPS: ALSI memberships run from January through December.
Please contact Lois Lahoud for
mid-year subscription. The REED BLOCK is published once every 2
months.
DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles were
written by the Editor. Unless so stated, no arti-
cle is to be construed as an endorsement and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Editor or ALSI.
Submissions for the Reed Block: Your input to the REED BLOCK is
invited and should be sent to Lois La-
houd.
Page 2
The REED BLOCK c/o Lois Lahoud
6225 Snowbond St. San Diego, CA.
92120 (619) 582-1427
Email [email protected]
STEERING COMMITTEE, next meeting will be on
Wednesday, November 13th. We meet at Marie Callen-
der’s 6950 Alvarado Rd. (Hwy 8 and 70th. next to Den-
nys) at 10:30 AM for breakfast to discuss upcoming
events for ALSI. This meeting is open to anyone interested, so
please join
us. We drink a lot of coffee.
ALSI is on the WEB at
www.accordion-club-sandiego.org
Notice of elections for ALSI board members
In December we will hold elections for board positions for the
upcoming 2020 year. The
current positions are:
President,: Coordinate activities and encourage member
participation for ALSI events
Vice President: Assist in processing club activities
Correspondence Secretary: Handles communications for the club,
point of contact
Treasurer: Record and handle financial matters
Recording Secretary: Record notes of meetings, keep board
members updated
Web and Newsletter editors: maintain and develop ALSI web page,
publish Reed Block
ALSI needs your help! We are currently understaffed for all the
things we do. We are cur-
rently in need of a Vice President which has gone unfilled. You
may volunteering to fill any of
the above position. We can use multiple persons in a position.
You may choose to be the
main officer of a position or just assist with that position. If
you would like to assist in any
other capacity not listed, you may create your own position and
assist the club with your
skills (if agreeable with the board). The board is what makes
the club go. Please consider
helping. If you are interesting on being a member of the board
please contact Lois Lahoud
and let her know. We will vote at our December meeting by show
of hands to confirm
board positions. Being on the board is enjoyable, and we get a
say in what the club does.
Marie Callender’s is our current board meeting location. We
drink a lot of coffee with our
pancakes. Please join us.
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Gordon Kohl Plays Casuals, Wedding Dances and Special
Events.
Gordon’s Combo is noted for their repertoire of
ethnic music such as Italian, French, German and Lat-
in. Their specialty is Private Parties & Dancing Music.
For more information and availability, please call
Gordon at: (619) 395-0454.
www.TomEskolaMusic.com
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Page 4
The weather has started to cool which is very welcomed. Bob
Warner was our MC, Ron Griffin ran the sound board/mikes. Jack
Marotte was absent but is feeling better. Thank You RON!!!!!!
Sharon deco-
rated a few places with the blue/white Oktoberfest flags. Ron
Griffin also
entertained us on his accordion before the open mike section
started.
-Tommy Campbell – his songs were Silent Night, Happy Birthday,
America and
Christmas Bells. -Carlos Meneses was up next. His songs were
Patricia and A Day in the Life of a Fool.
-Jerry Odling followed with Julida, Johan pa Snippen (John the
Workman) and
Pennsylvania Polka. Good tunes!!
-Loren Gardner Balen I Karlstad Schottische, Backes Polka, Die
Holtzauction
Schottische. Good Scandinavian tunes. -Donna Kaspar played the
Chimney Sweep Polka. So glad to have Donna play for
us…. Good job, Donna!!!
-Joe Colombo – The Woodpecker song, Ferry Boat Serenade and
Basaglieri Polka.
The first two songs are from northern Italy. Good job, Joe!!
-Ron Griffin played songs – Valse de Montages (Amilee), Amore
Rene by Stas, Meg Valse also by Stas & A Norwegian in Vienna.
This guy needs no music to look
at, all from memory!
Break – a special thank you to Al Piselli for bringing the
coffee, tablecloths, and all the other
things. Lois Lahoud was also a big help. Usually Ted Hill brings
things so we thank AL!!!
Thanks also to folks for bringing goodies to share.
The ALSI Ensemble played lots of songs. Players were: Vicki
Eriqat, Sharon Marotte,
Jerry Odling, Al Piselli, and Loren Gardner. Lois Lahoud was our
percussionist.
We were able to finish the day at 3 pm. We did have a good time,
as usual.
We look forward to November when we celebrate Heritage
Day!!!!
ALSI Happiness by Sharon Marotte - October 13th. meeting
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ALSI MEETING CALENDAR
November 10th. Heritage Day - dress up to match the piece you
play
December 15th, (note date change) Christmas holiday party, guest
artist Beverley Fess.
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Other Accordion Events
January 5th. Gordon Kohl workshop
January 18th. Yuma Octoberfest, city event with Gordon
playing
August 5th-9th.. ATG Accordion Festival Los Angeles 2020
Success for Howard Kantorowski. If you practice good things
happen,
like playing for an advertisement for Arby's MEATOBERFEST . To
listen
to his musical folly, use the link below.
https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ohy6/arbys-meatoberfest-germans?fbclid=IwAR3Ba3OlYRhKjESVg10fTmEQRaNQ81W89zu8-UkdDYQcrQ8p4UTp3UXAA90
https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ohy6/arbys-meatoberfest-germans?fbclid=IwAR3Ba3OlYRhKjESVg10fTmEQRaNQ81W89zu8-UkdDYQcrQ8p4UTp3UXAA90https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ohy6/arbys-meatoberfest-germans?fbclid=IwAR3Ba3OlYRhKjESVg10fTmEQRaNQ81W89zu8-UkdDYQcrQ8p4UTp3UXAA90https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ohy6/arbys-meatoberfest-germans?fbclid=IwAR3Ba3OlYRhKjESVg10fTmEQRaNQ81W89zu8-UkdDYQcrQ8p4UTp3UXAA90
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Beverley Fess is a Master accordion and piano teacher from
Okotoks, Alberta, Can-
ada. Classically trained, she started playing the accordion at
age 6, was teaching by
age 14 and conducting by age 17. She competed extensively and
has had many
award-winning students and ensembles. Besides teaching and
performing, Beverley is
the conductor of the Spokane Accordion Ensemble. Beverley
travels internationally
to attend many accordion workshops and events.
Her teaching career started in Ontario and later moved west to
Alberta. Beverley
has taught as many as 125 students per week. Beverley is very
proud of helping de-
velop Michael Bridge to international competition level. She has
trained teachers, adjudicated at accordion
music festivals, served as conductor of several accordion
ensembles and orchestras, served as a music exam-
iner, sat on the executive committees of several accordion
associations and runs frequent workshops. She is
a founding member and current board member of the Accordion
Association of Calgary, member of numer-
ous other accordion associations and a current board member of
the Accordionists & Teachers Guild.
Bev has dedicated most of her life to music education and
promoting the accordion. Beverley recently cele-
brated 50 years of accordion teaching. In recognition of her
time and dedication to the instrument was hon-ored with a Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Accordionists & Teachers Guild
International in 2016
and was awarded the Art Van Damme Education Award at the Las
Vegas International Accordion Conven-
tion also in 2016.
ALSI will feature Beverley Fess at our December meeting
November Birthdays
11/8 Linda Hibbert
11/9 Arlene Fabatz
11/13 Karen Dietsch
January 5th. Workshop with Gordon Kohl
SUNDAY 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Chula Vista location
We will practice three solos. 1. Amelie 2. Tonight We Love 3. A
Gypsy
Rose (a new original solo of mine in musette style). We will
work on ac-
cordion expression, bellowing, reed choices, meter, and time
principals in
each solo.
I am looking forward to having this study class. We will play
acoustic accordions at this class.
Digital players are welcome to use accordion reed voicings.
The cost will be $24.00 I will send out music study sheets upon
class reservation.
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REMEMBERING KARI ANDREWS
02-11-1939 to 10-03-2019
Long-time ALSI member Kari Andrews passed away in
the home she had first lived in as a child, a picturesque
Vic-
torian near downtown San Diego. She first came here from
Norway after World War II, after her family had endured the
German occupation of their
country. That experience changed her forever. Despite that, she
got a degree in English and
taught for many years. She also took care of her parents as they
aged. She loved playing the accordion and at one point when she was
young she took lessons
by strapping hers onto her back and roller skating into downtown
San Diego. She was a mem-
ber of the Polka Dots for more than twenty years and also a
member of the ALSI Band. It is
only fitting that her ashes will be placed inside her favorite
accordion and kept by the family in
remembrance of her life. In her memory, we are asking any of you
who would like to play a Norwegian song or
two to plan on that for the November meeting. Kari is survived
by her son Chris, his wife Le-
na and a daughter, Johanna.
Heritage Day 2011 Seaport Village - ensemble 2013
Heritage Day 2013 Polka Dots 2009 Senior Follies 2009
Silent Reed
Kari Andrews
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Quick Notes: November 10th. Heritage Day
Meet at Bailey Hall, Mt. Miguel Covenant Village
Bring goodies to share
325 Kempton Ave. Spring Valley starting at 1:00 PM with open
play Please call Bob Warner if you are planning on playing, so he
can set up
the playing order for the day to avoid confusion. His number
is:
858 748-3559 We will have several outside visitors coming to
play also. Should be a
good day.
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:
Position open
Meeting Coordinator:
Bob Warner
858-748-3559
Corresponding Secretary:
Lois Lahoud
619 582-1427
Treasurer &
Ensemble Director:
Vicki Eriqat
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Marotte
Newsletter/Webmaster:
Bob Page
Al Piselli
Ted Hill
