Hi Everyone. I hope you are all well and seeking out good music.

June Clubnite - Heather Smith Wow – What a great night we had in June. It was a clubnite with Heather Smith as our long overdue

guest. She had travelled down from Yorkshire with her partner Geoff (pictured with her below) with their

caravan and was making a few days’ holiday out of the journey soaking in the joys

of sunny Stoke on Trent. They camped in Biddulph and said afterwards what an

enjoyable time she and Geoff had had taking in the local tourist spots.

First of all the evening began with the playing circle performing a selection of

standards with me helping out with the bass. It is good to see so many of the

Monday beginners’ group enjoying this and demonstrating how much progress

they are making.

Then it was time for Heather, who was playing her preferred

instrument these days, a Musictech Digibox made to order

from Castelfidardo (more about this in next article).

I really loved her programme and admired the sound of her accordion. Heather had a

great rapport with the audience and related many anecdotes. She told us that she had a

shoulder problem after years of playing and that this lightweight reedless instrument

allowed her to put in the hours she needed to practise without pain. She played her

programme beautifully with lots of sensitivity and wonderful dynamics and I

particularly loved the sound of the bass. I often have mixed feelings about electronic

bass which can sound too clipped and artificial (to me) but this I really liked. It had the sound of a double

bass and I loved the feel of it especially in Bach’s Air on a G String and also in Handel’s Minuet from

Berenice. In fact the overall sound was lovely.

After the interval Heather completed a second set and left us all wanting more. Let’s hope that her next

visit comes around again much sooner. Heather’s programme:-

First Set

Waltz for Tracey

Banderas (Palmer/Hughes)

Mattinata/Tarantella Napoletana

Air from Suite in D (Bach)

Migliavacca Mazurka

Cubanola Rhumba (Frosini)

Minuet from Berenice (Handel)

La Cumparsita Tango

Style Musette

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Second Set

My Florence Waltz (Guido Deiro)

Le Sourire de Melody (Tony Russo)

Golden Slippers Rhumba (Frosini)

Cara Mio Ben

Bel Fiore (Frosini)

Childhood Memories (Andy Anderson)

Beautiful Days (Pietro Deiro)

How can you Buy Killarney?

Magic Fingers (Camilleri)

Highland Cathedral

Heather’s Accordion Editor: After Heather finished playing I felt that I wanted to know more about her amazing accordion but

had to leave quickly – so I emailed her and asked for details. She kindly obliged and I thought that I

would share with you what I found out as I know many of you have dipped your toe

into electronics and would be interested. Here’s what she said...

‘My reedless accordion (right) is a Musictech Digibox, made in Castelfidardo by

Claudio Sabbatini of Musictech in 2013. I had it made to order in a colour scheme of

red sparkle and black, the body being red, the normal white

treble keys are black, the normal black keys red, and the

bass buttons black.

The colour scheme is fine in daylight, but when playing on

a gig I soon found out that it can be a bit of problem.

Although it looks great in the lights, the red does tend to

dazzle me (!!!) and the black treble keys can be a bit

difficult to distinguish when playing ‘up top’. Another fine mess............

I must say for years previously, I had no interest in playing a reedless accordion (I had a Cordovox years

ago but that was totally different to a reedless accordion). It was only on one of my frequent visits to

Castelfidardo, when I popped in to see Claudio (pictured right) one day that he

persuaded me to try the Music Maker 50, which was then his very latest product

that I decided to purchase the instrument........ and that’s how it all started............

It was good to play because the bodies of these accordions were then made by

Vignoni, but I found it to be restricting in the music I wanted to play because I

had problems programming the

sounds I required for a more

acoustic sound.

During this time though, I was

honoured to be invited to be a

member of the world’s first digital accordion orchestra

(left), which was to perform a World Premier in the theatre

in Castelfidardo on 15th October 2008. The orchestra

consisted of ten players, the MD being Giancarlo Caporilli,

who composed and arranged the music for this prestigious

concert. Apart from the orchestral pieces, each member of the orchestra played solo. Guests of honour

were the Mayor of Castelfidardo and none other than Gervasio Marcosignori. It was quite a remarkable

evening!

Back to the Musictech ....I have programmed my accordion with an acoustic bass for my normal

accordion solos so instead of hearing an electronic bass, the sound is more like an amplified acoustic

accordion bass. I have a touch of sustain programmed in and I’m quite happy with it. The programming is

very time consuming so I’ve concentrated on using one of the ten banks of ten for just acoustic solos,

another bank for orchestral sounds with a string ensemble bass (as in Air) and another for the church

organ bass and treble sounds (Handel). I’ve still got many more to do! The treble, chord and bass are all

programmed separately, as are the volumes, sustain and reverb for each one and although it does take a

long time, you can get the exact mix you require. I’m wondering if I’ll live long enough

to finish the programming !!!!!!

The treble couplers change whichever sound you want that you

have programmed so they basically work the same as on an

acoustic accordion, but the bass couplers are programmed

separately so I can change a bass coupler and get an electronic

sound (I only use them occasionally).

I use the bellows the same as on an acoustic accordion because it

has bellows sensors, so the phrasing, dynamics, volume, even bellows shake (!!!) are all down to using

the bellows. The accordion is reedless and weighs 7kg approx. The bonus for my bad left shoulder is the

lack of weight on the bass side. The instrument is connected to a sound module, the digi box (top left),

which is connected to the amp (I use a basic Thump amp pictured above right) via an Alesis mixer (above

left) which gives me control of the overall volume, and the treble and bass etc.

I have attached some pics which I hope are of interest. All the programming is done on the display screen

(top right) and during performance the screen is used to change the banks. Each bank has ten different

registrations which can be changed using the screen or the treble couplers, which I prefer to do.’

Heather Smith

July Clubnite – Theme Night The July clubnite was a theme night. Players were challenged to play music from a television series or a

television advert and listeners were challenged to name them.

First up were a group of the ‘Monday nighters’ (left)

who played We are the Ovaltineys (sung to new

words). Robin Hood, Love is like a Butterfly, The

Flintstones and the Hovis advert theme (Largo

from The New World Symphony).

Next Lee Slater (sax) and I

played The Theme from the

Pink Panther, and the

Coronation Street signature tune (Lancashire Blues). Greta and Ann followed

with The Harry Lime Theme and Harmonica Rag, and then Norman serenaded

us with Swingin’ Safari and Scotland the Brave.

Next it was John Plumb (right), armed with word sheets, playing Who Do You

think you are Kidding Mr. Hitler, with Moira next playing The Wallace and

Gromit Theme and a Scottish medley. Tony Britton, complete with iPad

accompaniment, played Black Adder and Themes from Star Trek, and Jeff Burndrett (below left) playing

The Gay Gordons and Roll out the Barrel. Betty Nixon (below right) got up next with the themes from

All Creatures Great and Small and Keeping up Appearances, and she was followed by Geoff Capewell

playing The Van de Valk Theme and What’ll I Do?

After the interval and some playing by the circle players, Derek, on harmonica, played a medley including

the themes from Last of the Summer Wine, Eastenders, Z Cars and Match of the Day. Steve Hughes

then played The Twix Rivalry Advert tune and the The Addams Family theme. After that Viv, Margaret

and Lee played ‘Mr. Hitler’ again, vocally accompanied by Peter Cowie and the audience, now given a

second chance to sing the words.

Finally Paul Hobbs got up to round off a very enjoyable evening with The Maigret

Theme, Little Things Mean a Lot and four others.

The members were grateful to Ann Millward and Helen

Brown for supplying the 'bites' at the interval. Patrick's

cakes, brought in by Helen, earned him a bit more cash for

his trip abroad with the scouts.

Below are the Ovaltineys new words written by Vivienne Cowie

and Steve Hughes selected from submissions from group

members. The singers were Peter Cowie and John Corden.

We are the Monday Nighters

We are the Monday Nighters learning how to play

We’ve been told to use bass buttons, not to play through rests you muttons

Would you like to hear us play in perfect harmony? (sung in harmony)

We always try to stick together, never just go hell-for-leather (speed up)

We're united as you see. We're happy as can be!

We are the Monday Nighters learning how to play

We still struggle with sight reading, sharps and flats are so misleading

Different notes and complex timing always trouble me

The bellows are the lungs, I'm told. I'm sure it sometimes has a cold (wheeze).

But we're still playing as you see. We're happy as can be!

August Clubnite The August clubnite will be a players’ night. There is no theme - just carte blanche – so the world’s your

lobster !!

September Clubnite and A.G.M. The Annual General Meeting will take place at Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club before the clubnite

activities on Tuesday 19th September at the earlier time of 7.30 p.m., free admission. To get through

the business as efficiently as possible, the minutes of the last meeting are printed in this newsletter for you

to read in advance. 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.

Please come if you can. It is an opportunity for members to shape the future of the club. If only a few

attend, decisions may not represent the views of the majority of the members. Also there are a couple of

seats vacant on the committee. If you are interested please contact Steve Hughes.

The band, including members of the beginners’ group, will play after the AGM and this will be followed

by a players’ night.

Thoughts on the Rolleston-on-Dove Playday On Sunday the 23rd July a number of our members responded to an invitation by top accordionists Karen

Street (married name Karen Tweed) and Karen Tweed (another Karen Tweed!) to join them in 'an

afternoon of song accompanied by the accordion'. The event was held at the Rolleston Club, Rolleston-

on-Dove, Burton-on-Trent with a practice for the accordionists in the morning and a sing-a-long and

guest players in the afternoon. Five of our accordion players turned up and a further four members

joined the 'choir'. Here is what two of the members had to say about the event.............

Vivienne Cowie: What a venue! The pretty village

was bathed in sunshine and we were given a warm

welcome and a cup of tea in the hall where

introductions were made and many old friends were

reunited. Pete and Lee set off to enjoy a country walk

and Margaret and I were excited to start the day.

Players came from far and wide and were soon into

action rehearsing the chosen 20 songs and band music

under the expert guidance of Karen Street and Karen

Tweed. During the morning many questions were

asked and answers illustrated through the brilliant

musicianship of “the Karens’” playing. Tips on

learning difficult passages by means of playing them in

6 or 7 different rhythms, explanations and

demonstrations of complex chord structures, many examples of various bass rhythms and styles and much

more was shared.

We engaged in a ‘playing by ear’ exercise to an original piece composed by Karen Tweed. The tune

seemed impossibly long and intricate on first hearing, but it was amazing how she taught us to relate

sections and remember key patterns and in just a few minutes we managed to produce a fair interpretation

of her music!

All too soon lunch had been enjoyed and guests and visitors arrived to sing.

The songs had been chosen by Karen Street who is promoting a programme of music to be played in care

homes for dementia sufferers. I enjoyed playing the songs and the band piece ‘Por Una Cabeza’ was

beautiful. The audience played their part and sang with gusto!

During the afternoon we were treated to performances from Pearl Fawcett, Karen & Karen and the Kiev

Duo (below). What mind boggling skill and variety, from European classical music through popular

songs to traditional Irish tunes.

I left the event singing, and feeling truly privileged to

have played alongside such talented professionals and

to have taken part in this inspirational day. Home now

to start practicing!

Lee Slater: My thoughts are as follows; A wonderful

day all round organised by the two Karens. The 'sing-

alongs' were well voiced by the non players. The guest

professionals were as you'd expect, superb and entertaining, the two Karens, the two Ukrainian lads with

their button accordions and one small ‘mouth blown one’!!. The high spot for me was the spot by Pearl

who I'm not ashamed to admit literally moved me to involuntary tears of joy!!! She achieved a true

virtuoso skill in all departments - technique, dynamics, rhythm, and full use as I see it of all the

characteristics of the acoustic accordion.

I know these virtuosi have all been to the club and I would welcome them back ASAP. It is a pity only

five player members attended, Tony, Steve, Margaret, Vivienne and Stuart (left to right across centre of

group picture), and Pete and I came and supported our wives and had a good sing along. I look forward to

hopefully a repeat next year.

Wilf Gotham and Yvonne were also in the 'choir' (Editor).

CASTELFIDARDO MAY 2017 ‘PLUMB REFLECTIONS’ A 5 Day Enthralling Visit/ Tour to the

International Centre of Accordion Production in Italy

Preamble:

The lure of the visit was sparked by the detailed plans set out in the itinerary ‘flyer’. The subsequent

excellent organisation

skills of Peter Le Geyt

of PLG Marketing

Associates made the trip

quite unforgettable.

With happy, like-minded

players from America,

Canada and Scotland,

we were a veritable

international group…

whose photo (left) was

taken on our last evening

dinner-party at Villa Coralia near Osimo, with our town Castelfidardo in the distance. Since details of our

specific factory visits echoed those made in May 2016 which were so well reported and illustrated by

Jonathan Kemp in previous editions of our bi-monthly club newsletter… I do not repeat them here.

However, at the end of each visit, I grew astounded at the personal skills of the workforce and complexity

of the components that make up our instruments. Whilst the ‘reed’ may be the accordion’s ‘vocal

centre’, the whole instrument plays a part in the final sound that it makes, with for

example, the 10-year matured spruce wooden right and left hand ‘boxes’

considered to be changed to ‘musical wood’ This

will come as no surprise to our accordion maintainer /

restorer Graham Butler!

Castelfidardo Town:

Set on a hill overlooking the local countryside,

walking was seldom ‘on the level’! Expressing the

naked enjoyment of accordion playing, the town’s

instrumental feature (left) says it all! The area-

changing Battle of Castelfidardo 1860 also is recalled by an imposing monument

sited in the park opposite Hotel Parco where we were comfortably accommodated. A visit to Victoria

Accordions was facilitated by a steep, outside, covered escalator… Its weather at 26c was sublime with

its constant sun and cooling breeze.

Recorded Visits with Photos:

Pictured (left) are vintage accordions at The Accordion Museum and the ‘Giant

Piano Accordion’ featured in the Guinness

Book of Records (above right) is played

by Sue Coppard, also a delightful group

member.

Peter Le Geyt (below left) entertained on

one of many borrowed, fine instruments. A surprising jet plane

(right) is exhibited at the pilgrimage town of Loreto because Our Lady of Loreto is the Patron Saint of

pilots. Memorable was our first sea-side dinner-party at the Della Rosa restaurant, Sirolo… where the

meal was presented on long, wooden platter-boards and San Marino

promontory with imposing views of its surroundings. On my 83rd

birthday

at the seaside hotel of Numana Palace … and with the much-needed

playing assistance of Gay Castellano (a Canadian), Bonnie Birch (an

American) and Gian Carlo Pesticcio (an Italianised Englishman), I was

allowed to accordion accompany impromptu group choir renderings of

Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and ‘Strangers in the Night’… with a

final encore of ‘My Way’… for all of which I had taken the words from

the UK!!

Travel Notes:

The countryside between Bologna Airport and Castelfidardo, whilst full of

vineyards, didn’t have a cow or sheep in sight!

A back-plate inspection of crockery in the dining-room at Hotel Parco, revealed the

work of Dudsons… and the management were suitably congratulated by me! If you

have an early morning flight, avoid staying overnight at a Travelodge because,

without phones in the bedrooms, the only means of waking you up is by hammering

on your bedroom door! At Heathrow, a ‘Hotel

Hoppa’ bus is required to take you to your hotel:

however, a year ago some bus companies

changed their bus numbered ID’s but those changes have yet to be

recorded by the airport authority who have responsibility for Bus Stop

Post Identifications… you wait a long time for the wrong bus! If you

buy ‘Metaxia 7 Star Brandy’ in the airport shops, cuddle the bottle

like a baby… because it is poorly wrapped and one became

unaccountably broken on the flight home!

Finally, a photo of my UK return with an additional case… enclosing a 60 bass ‘Victoria’ small accordion

(with my name of ‘Plumb’ it had to come home with me!), purchased in Castelfidardo… which my new

and valued group friend Newby Park carried for me from Heathrow to Euston Station

John E Plumb… 24 July 2017

Diary

Members’ Adverts

Accordion Tuition. Stefan Andrusyschyn Tel 07958261024 accordion and/or piano

Mike Gibson Tel 01782 660865 piano

John Romero Tel 01606 270148 accordion

For Sale A Roland Cube CM-30 monitor portable mixer for sale at £120. As new. Used only a dozen times.

Ring Geoff Millward on 01782 626874

Chairman Mike Richards 01782 642101

Secretary Steve Hughes 01782 787935

Treasurer Mike Richards (acting) 01782 642101

Committee

Tony Britton, Helen Brown, Norman Brown, Graham Butler, Paul Hobbs,

Lily Lynch and Greta Moseley

Mondays 5.00pm-6.00 pm Accordion classes for young players at the Holditch

Mondays 6.00pm – 7.00 pm Practice

Band . except day before clubnite

Class for those wishing to join the club band.

Mondays 7.30 p.m. except day before

clubnite

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 1 p.m. Solo and Group Session, Bradwell Workingmen’s Club

Tuesday August 15th Players’ night

Tuesday September 19th AGM

November 21st John Kirkpatrick

Dec 19th Xmas Party Kiss the Blarney

Web address - www.northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk

Editor Lily Lynch email - accordions@northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk