was so much fun to play

and hear a big sounding

forty piece band. A

young sixteen year old

David Hamlin won the

Solo Concerto Accor-

dion competition for

piano and accordion or-

chestra. A young man

from Martin Music,

“Tony” as he likes to be

called, won the Accor-

dion Solo Concerto

category. There are so

many very talented

young musicians in the

USA playing beautiful

classical, jazz and ethnic

music styles. It is fantas-

tic to hear them carry

on the accordion tradi-

tion for future genera-

tions.

Bo bb y D i e t s c h

played a very tasteful

and melodious perform-

ance for ALSI in August.

The audience really en-

joyed his selections and

his showmanship. The

reeds on his accordion

sounded like pipes on a

church organ at times.

(continued on page 8)

by Gordon Kohl

Hello ALSI members

and friends. The accor-

dion is doing well as a

musical instrument. The

demand for accordion

music and lessons is on

the upswing also.

Accordionists of all

ages are excited to play

and continue their musi-

cal development on this

challenging instrument.

The accordion is a two

handed musical instru-

ment where the student

must learn in two music

clefs, treble and bass, and

there are some initial

difficulties for many stu-

dents and enthusiasts

for reading and playing

which are eventually

eliminated as their stud-

ies continue.

A variety of music

styles are being played

today on the accordion.

The two newest crazes

are Swing and Tango

around the world. The

accordion with its vi-

brant reed tonality is

sensational for playing

expressive tangos, espe-

cially Astor Piazzolla

melodies from Argen-

tina and Brazil. The

swing dance music style

has teenage accordion-

ists interested in France.

The recent weeks

AFNA music festival

was fantastic. Young

accordionists had an

opportunity to play or-

chestral music from jazz

to 50’s & 60’s rock to

Broadway and pop mu-

sic. The Rock ’n Roll

medley, performed by

the Festival Orchestra,

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

SEPTEMBER

2010

September 2010 Volume 17 Issue 9

MONTHLY

NEWSLETTER

Inside this issue:

President’s

Message

1 &

8

General

Information

2

Happiness at ALSI 3-4

Showcase Review 5

AFNA Competi-

tion Review

6

Playing Around 6

Credits 7

Accordion Music 9

Calendar 11

Accordion Events 11

September

Showcase

10

Coming Next

Month

11

Harold J. Estok Founder

ALSI and REED BLOCK

President:

Gordon Kohl

619-427-4344

Presidents Emeriti:

(Founder) Harold Estok

Ron Griffin

Kjell Holmes

Gloria Ensign

Vice President &

Meeting Coordinator:

Bill Barr

619-337-1111

Vice President &

Communications Director:

Mary Lou Erwin

619-448-9588

Editor/Secretary:

Helen Estok Schoell

619-584-4970

Treasurer &

Ensemble Director:

Vicki Eriqat

619-563-5586

Newsletter/Webmaster:

Bob Page

760-451-3641

ALSI MEMBERSHIP AND NEWSLETTER GENERAL INFORMATION

Page 2 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

MEMBERSHIPS: current member renewal for twelve month term; the fee is $25.00 U.S.A., $26 Canada,

$27.00 for International delivery. For new members; partial year memberships can be purchased. Use

this calculation as follows: Subtract $2 for each month that has elapsed for the calendar year. Therefore, if

you are joining with a USA club membership in July, six months have elapsed, so 6 times $2 would be $12

to deduct and the formula would be: $25 - $12 = $13, thus the payment would be $13. Make check or

money order payable to ALSI and send to: Helen Estok Schoell, at P.O. Box 151357 San Diego, CA

92175. The REED BLOCK is published once each month for delivery to members prior to the next meet-

ing. (Meetings are the second Sunday of each month). Your input to the REED BLOCK is invited and should

be submitted to Helen Estok Schoell or email to Bob Page at webmaster@accordion -club-sandiego.org or

Mary Lou Erwin at marylouerwin@att.net.

DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles were written by the Editor. Unless so stated, no

article is to be construed as an endorsement. Articles not written by the Editor may contain comments

that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor. If you disagree with anything in The REED BLOCK,

please let us know in writing.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RECORDING ARTISTS: If you have an audio/video tape cassette you would

like reviewed and written up in The REED BLOCK, please send us a professional copy and a short biography

of the artist; include names, date and places to the ALSI address above. Please include the price of the item

including shipping and handling. If you want the package returned after the review please include return

postage with the package.

CUT-OFF DATE: All contributors to The REED BLOCK please note: For next month all material is due

two weeks before the next meeting, accordingly the due date for the October 2010 issue is: September

27, 2010. This includes all items such as articles, upcoming events, playing around, accordion workshops,

advertisements and ensemble schedules. Please make sure your material is received, in writing or email,

no later than that date. Please submit your input to Helen Estok Schoell (at above ALSI address) or email to

Bob Page at webmaster@accordion -club-sandiego.org or Mary Lou Erwin at marylouerwin@att.net.

Thank you for your cooperation.

ADVERTISEMENTS: Members may place one small ad per year at no charge, business cards are $6/per

issue or $60/per year, quarter-page is $15/per issue, half -page is $25/per issue, full -page is $50/per issue,

one -page event flyer is $25/per issue. Cost is doubled for ads placed by non -members.

(All ads must be accordion related).

MEETINGS: The club normally meets at 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. on the second Sunday of each month at the Mt

Miguel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton Ave, Spring Valley, CA

Next Meeting will be on Sunday, September 12th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Bai-

ley Hall in the Mt. Miguel Covenant Village. —

— ALSI Steering Committee —

The ALSI Steering Committee Meetings are usually held the Wednesday after the monthly ALSI

meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend, to share ideas for our club, and have lunch and get ac-

quainted with the workings of ALSI. Please contact Sharon Marotte at 619-286-3948 for a reserva-

tion. Our next meeting will be September 15th, Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Denny’s

Restaurant at the intersection of Clairemont Mesa Blvd & Hwy 163.

NOTICE TO MEMBERS

Please call Lou Fanucchi at 619-948-3774 if you wish to play for Octoberfest in Balboa Park.

Page 3 Volume 17 Issue 9

HAPPINESS AT ALSI

by Sharon Marotte

August 8th was another great day for our

accordion club. We had a great audience and

good music. Yours truly played as an unofficial

mystery player for the folks who arrived early.

Merle Williams played at Crider #2, Jerry

Odling was at Crider #1, Vicki Eriqat was at

Brandel and Linda Hibbert entertained the

folks in the Cafeteria. Bill Barr was our MC

for the day.

1. The first players for the day were Vicki

Eriqat and Sharon Marotte. They played

three duet pieces – The Blue Danube waltz,

Merry Widow waltz and Viennese Refrain/

Emperor waltz. These songs were also played

the day before at a wedding reception in Coro-

nado. Some folks at the wedding thought we

were flown in from Austria to play!!

2. The second duo of the day was Al & Clau-

dia Wronia – bless their hearts! They come

all the way from the Highlands to our ALSI

meeting. It is always a pleasure to see them.

Their songs were: Gleboka Studzienka (Down

by the Wishing Well) – Al sang the song in Pol-

ish and English. Then they played Tyrolskie

tango and a Polish polka, Blondynka. (I’m glad

they write out these names otherwise I could-

n’t type them right!)

3. Gloria Ensign & Leslie Sanders per-

formed a couple of songs with Leslie on the

harmonica. Great job! Their songs were - It

had to be you and Sentimental Journey with

Gloria singing along.

4. Al Jacobs entertained us with a medley of

songs: Em-

braceable You,

‘ Swon d e r f u l ,

Someone to

watch over me,

Summert ime .

Then another

medley played

was from My

Fair Lady – I

Page 4 Volume 17 Issue 9

HAPPINESS — continued

could have danced all night, On the street

where you live, Get me to the Church on time.

He ended his spotlight with a polish polka.

5. Joe Columbo played some very nice tunes.

Tarantella, Moon River which was arranged by

Joe’s Godfather, Charles Bertalino in 1985. He

closed with Ciao, Ciao Palermo which was ar-

ranged by Frank Marocco. Great job, Joe. Al-

ways good to see you and hear you play.

We enjoyed our cake/ice cream break on

the patio and were entertained by Gloria En-

sign and Leslie Sanders. Music played during

this time is great, relaxing and enjoyable as we

visit with our musical friends. Several folks en-

joyed the Music Swap table and found some

treasures brought by others.

After the refreshment break we were enter-

tained with a Showcase by Bobby Dietsch.

His program was superb and enjoyed by a good

turnout of the accordion club. After his per-

formance, Bobby was presented with a certifi-

cate of recognition by Gordon Kohl for his

contribution to the advancement of the accor-

dion.

W e

w e r e

e s p e -

c i a l l y

glad to

s e e

some of

o u r

A L S I

fr iends

t h a t

haven’t

b e e n

around

f o r

awhile – we hope that they will return and listen

to lots of accordion music. —

Page 5 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

SHOWCASE REVIEW

BOBBY DIETSCH

SHOWCASE

AUGUST 8, 2010

by Bob Warner

Bobby Dietsch was not unknown to us here at

ALSI. We heard him play as a member of the RE-

UNION ENSEMBLE directed by Lucille Camatti on

two occasions not too long ago. That’s why we

got him down here today. We wanted to hear

more! Bobby is a singularly enthusiastic accordion-

ist who brings a whole host of capabilities to his

performing – a precise technique, great bellows

control, a passion for music and our instrument

and a repertoire that covers a wide range of gen-

res. The entire program was played from memory

and without looking at the keyboard. As he said,

“It’s just me and the music” when asked why he

closed his eyes while playing quite a bit of the

time.

He began his program with one of his favorite

polkas, “TONY’S POLKA”, played in Slovenian

style. It was toe tapping polka using a lively repeat-

ing phrase as it started in quick tempo and gath-

ered speed and intensity as he went along. A

bouncy Neapolitan “ITALIAN TARANTELLA” fol-

lowed with Bobby using a light, accurate touch on

the keyboard. I think this tarantella is everybody’s

favorite.

His arrangement of “RETURN TO SOR-

RENTO” was stylistically different in that it em-

phasized melody with beautiful harmonies played

with feeling and smoothness and not necessarily

speed. One of Bobby’s beliefs is “it’s not how

many notes you play but how you play the notes”

and I couldn’t agree more. The bass accompani-

ment to the treble side was very nice. For a

change of pace we next heard a Polish mazurka,

“CHTOPEK OBEREK”. It had a bouncy, repeating

phrase that required a light keyboard touch with

various reed voicings.

When Bobby plays a Slovenian polka you hear

that characteristic slav style. “MOCKINGBIRD

POLKA” was a prime example. For this number he

changed from his Scandalli Super six to his Bell 2520

accordion because of the alpine tuning of the Bell.

The infectious rhythm and upbeat melodic line had

peoples’ feet tapping again. The audience loved it. He

followed with another dance number he called a

“boarischer”, the full title being “STILLUPPA SIMAL

BOARISCHER”. It had a light, bouncy construction

and a tempo of polka at half speed. Very danceable!

I think everyone loves the everlastingly beautiful

“EDELWEISS”. Bobby played a beautiful arrangement

marked by flowing, connected harmonies remaining

true all the while to the basic melody. The Bell accor-

dion was perfect for this piece. Back to polka we

heard another unique piece called “WHEN THE

SALMON START TO RUN”. The origin of this num-

ber came from a button box group in Alaska. And of

course, it was characteristically Slovenian in tempo

and musical structure and quite technical.

Returning to his Scandalli, Bobby played and sang

an inspirational hymn, “CREATE IN ME A CLEAN

HEART”. A very serious piece, the accompaniment

was also quite difficult. On a lighter theme, “ANEME

A CORE”, a memorable Italian melody, was dedicated

to Bobby’s mother. When it’s pretty, don’t trifle with

it too much and he didn’t. Right and left hands

blended well. We have all played “HAVA NAGELA”

at one time or another but Bobby took his arrange-

ment to virtuoso level. That is what an accelerating

tempo and increasingly difficult embellishments can

do to a relatively simple ethnic piece. Given his love

of Irish music, Bobby played a plaintively beautiful ar-

rangement of “DANNY BOY”. The flowing musical

lines of right and left hand blended well. This was fol-

lowed by “THE IRISH WASHERWOMAN”. It re-

quired a lot of staccato finesse from the performer.

To finish, Bobby sang and accompanied himself in a

great arrangement of the theme music from

“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”. I think this piece was

the showstopper of the afternoon. Skillfully pre-

sented, it was really entertaining. His encore was

called “THE TRAIN WRECK POLKA”. The piece had

a basic A-B-A format which was repeated at increas-

ing speed until the “train wrecked”.

It was a real pleasure to hear from someone who

is so artistically passionate and skillful as an accordi-

onist. The audience loved the program and I’m sure

we all want to see Bobby Dietsch back here again. —

Page 6 Volume 17 Issue 9

“Please share date,

time and location

of public appear-

ances. Submit

these, in writing,

complying with the

cut-off date, to

Helen Estok

Schoell or Bob

Page.”

PLAYING AROUND

Sharon Marotte

September 8th and

every Wednes-

day 5:30-7:00 pm at

Brother's Restau-

rant 5150 Waring Rd.

Louis Fanucchi

Wednesdays at the

Romesco Bistro in Bo-

nita from 7 pm.

Friday, Sept. 10th La Jolla

Athenaeum in San Diego.

Friday, Sept. 11th at

Bernardo Winery., S.D.

Friday Sept. 17 at Mediterranean Café in

Carlsbad.

Kjell Holmes

Friday, September 3 from 5

to 8 pm at Lake Cuyamaca

Restaurant,

(Kjell performs at the res-

taurant the first Friday of

each month.)

Gordon Kohl

September 5 Saturday eve-

ning from 5;30 to 8 pm at

Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant.

AFNA COMPETITION REVIEW

by Bob Page

This year’s Accordion Federation of North

America event was held on August 12 –14 at a

new location in Irvine at the Hyatt Regency

and Marriott Hotels. There was accordion

and piano competition

on Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, there were

special cash competition

events and the day con-

cluded with a concert on

Saturday evening. This marked the 55th year

that the competition and exhibition event has

been sponsored by AFNA.

Sylvia Prior was honored at a special lunch-

eon on Saturday with guests that included

Frank Marocco and Mary Tokarski. Sylvia and

her father Syl Prior are legends in the Califor-

nia accordion community and Sylvia was a

founding member of AFNA. There was also a

special Sylvia Prior Concerto Competition for

Piano with Orchestra held at this year’s event.

This year’s winner performed for the festival’s

participants and Sylvia Prior at Saturday’s eve-

ning concert.

ALSI members Gordon Kohl, Erica Baier,

and Bob Page participated in the Festival Or-

chesta that was part of the concluding Satur-

day evening concert. The orchestra per-

formed several numbers which included;

“Love Theme from St. Elmo’s Fire”, “Chariots

of Fire”, “Theme from New York, New

York”, (all conducted by Gordon Kohl), and

“Jumpin’ Jug”, “Rock & Roll Trilogy and a final

rousing “God Bless America”.

The quality of the individual winner’s per-

formances during the concert was awesome

and speaks highly of the achievement of the

young people studying accordion and piano in

Southern California. —

Happy Anniversary

May your lives always be happy and

filled with precious times To remember.

For those of you married in the month

of December:

Sami and Tiina Zein , 21st

Page 7 Volume 17 Issue 9

CREDITS

A Very Happy Anniversary

In September To:

Herb and Arlene Fabatz,

September 13th

Larry and Carolyn Kaiser

September 17th

Michael and Lindsey Grubensky

September 26th

Neil and Kathryn Morefield

September 29th

by Helen Estok Schoell

Russell Camp was still out of town in Guate-

mala for three weeks. We sure miss him. Thank

Goodness, we did have Robert, Mt. Miguel’s

Maintenance Man to help set up tables that we

needed for the days event. Merle Williams, Bill

Barr, Jack and Sharon Marotte came early to

make sure everything was made ready for our

ALSI get together. Jack is our sound system man

and Sharon writes up “Happiness at ALSI” and she

is also our photographer. Bob Page also took

some pictures for us this month. I also really ap-

preciated his help in carrying out the coffee pot

and helping to serve the ice cream. Yours truly

made coffee, cut up the cakes and with Ardith

Birdsells help; set the tables to get ready for our

refreshment break. Gordon Kohl brought ice

cream and the cakes. Helen Stables, our cake

person, was busy baking a huge cake for her

daughter’s wedding so we missed her homemade

goodies.

Many other people pitched in to help when it

was needed. I appreciated their eagerness to sup-

port our club. At the end of the day, Ardith

helped me clear off the tables, cleaned up and put

things away. A special thank you to our Vice-

President, Mary Lou Erwin, because of her help

at the door I did not need my roller skates.

Thank you again to everyone for your support.

God bless you one and all. —

FRIDAY MORNING GROUP

By Sharon Marotte

The Friday Morning Group meets the 1

st

and 3

rd

Fridays of each month. Our meeting

place is at the Springs of El Cajon retirement

community on Prescott Avenue. This is also

the home of Gordon Nyhuis. Gordon is one of

the first

members of

ALSI and

used to play

his small

button ac-

cordion at

our meet-

ings. He

can’t get around much any more but comes to

the lobby each time we are there and listens to

us play accordions. His favorite song is Bad,

Bad, Leroy Brown. His face lights up with a big

smile when we play the song and he sings along

with all of the words. A French lady comes

around and dances with us and another gal re-

quests the song Mary Lou over and over and

over. This group consists of Gloria Ensign,

Erika Baier, Larry Kaiser, Roni Palazzolo and

Sharon Marotte. We do have a good time

playing together. —

Best Wishes for a very Happy

Birthday for those born in the

month of September.

9/5 Charlotte Thompson

9/6 Janet Martini

9/10 Neil Morefield

9/19 Lindsey Grubinsky

9/20 Timothy Kerkuliet

9/29 Daniel Synkowski

9/30 Lenitta Barrett

Inside Story Headline

Page 8 Volume 17 Issue 9

(206) 632-2700 phone

(206) 632-2733 fax

www.petosa.com

313 NE 45th Street - Seattle, WA 98105

C U S T O M C R A F T E D —

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (continued)

(continued from page 1)

It was so beautiful.

It’s time to mark your calendar for September

12th for our monthly ALSI meeting. Bill Fassel has

grown up around Alpine and Bavarian music his

whole life. He also is a very experienced folk mu-

sic dancer. Bill’s music is authentic in arrange-

ment style and instrumentation. He is equally

comfortable on a Button Box accordion and a pi-

ano keyboard accordion. I have known Bill Fas-

sel’s family since playing in Los Angles and the Big

Bear Lake Octoberfests with the Bavarian Boys in

the early 1970’s. You are going to hear that rich

happy sounding accordion style from Bill, our Sep-

tember Showcase music performer.

I hope your summer has been filled with many

great times and events to enjoy. Life is great and

exciting with music as a part of it.

Best wishes to everyone. Bring your

friends, members, new members, or friends of

a friend. Everyone is welcome at ALSI. Be part

of this growing accordion club enjoying music

on our favorite musical instrument!

If you would like to play at our ALSI meet-

ings please call Helen Schoell, Bill Barr or my-

self to help find a time for you to perform.

Bye for now. —

Gordon Kohl

— FOR SALE —

Petosa Antique model with rhinestones.

Great tone. Hand made reeds (LMMM).

The reeds are like new.

All offers considered.

Call Gordon Kohl @ 1-619-395-0454

Page 9 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Page 9 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

ACCORDION MUSIC - Venetian Minstrel - Continued from last month

Inside Story Headline

Page 10 Volume 17 Issue 9

THIS MONTH’S SHOWCASE

The ALSI Accordion Club

Proudly Presents

A Showcase Featuring:

Bill Fassel

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Showcase at 2:30 pm

Bailey Center Hall, Mt. Miguel Covenant Village

325 Kempton Ave. Spring Valley, California

My exposure to music began when I was 6 years old and forced, as many youngsters are, to endure piano les-

sons. I really enjoyed the challenge of mastering the instrument in spite of the music selections of my teachers.

However, I envied my two older brothers who played the clarinet and accordion and thus were the life of

party performing selections primarily from the homelands of Austria and Bavaria. At the age of thirteen, and

my eyes on high school looming on the horizon, I switched instruments and began clarinet lessons. During this

time I was a junior member in the family trio of Accordion and two clarinets. During my college years, I

bought a beginner accordion and proceeded to teach myself the piano accordion, which I found to be more

satisfying, because I could now perform solo complete with bass accompaniment as with the piano except

much more portable. I was now able to accompany the family dance group in performing the Schuhplattler

(ethnic dance from the alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria). At one of these performances, a testimonial din-

ner dance for Joe Umeck of the Fontana Button Box Club, I contracted with Frank Rote to purchase a custom

built button box from his uncle Matt. I had long admired the sound from this style of accordion and once I got

my button box (Steirische)m I was hooked. I now prefer to play the button box and actually haven't seriously

worked with the piano (stradella) accordion for quite some time.

Come and join us for this special musical experience!

Admission: $4 for ALSI members, $5 for guests.

(Light refreshments and coffee will be provided).

For more information please call (619) 584 - 4970

Inside Story Headline

Page 11 Volume 17 Issue 9

ACCORDION EVENTS

ACCORDION WORKSHOP

Gordon Kohl holds his monthly workshop each

third Monday of the month starting at 6:30 p.m.

Music is distributed for use at the workshop

session. Bring your accordion, music stand,

stool and accordion light. Call 619-427-4344

for more information. Cost: $20 and $12 for

non-student guests.

INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CONVEN-

TION Nov. 1 - 4, 2010. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Featuring: Dick Contino, Carl Fortina, Peter & Mady

Soave, Sylvia Marie Barber, Gordon Kohl, and Ac-

cordion Orchestra led by Joan Cochran Sommers.

Contact 800-472-1695 for more information.

Sept. 12 Showcase with Bill Fassel

Oct. 10 OctoberFest at Balboa

Park with Gale Evans.

Nov. 14 Heritage Day.

COMING IN OCTOBER — Gale Evans

Well, what to say about me. A lot of ALSI members know me, and, they know

I'm all about having as much fun in my life as possible. So.........I play the accordion.

This gives me pleasure, relaxation, challenge, and, a LOT of social interaction. I

began playing when I was seven, with a dime-store toy. I created songs with it, so

was asked, by my Dad, if I wanted to take lessons. I did, so..........l did. I have had

several bands, the most known being the Seattle Polka Gals, for 10 years. We were

nominated for the "Young and Newest Band" in the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame,

1995. An "all-girl" band was unusual, and we became very good very fast, nation-

ally. TV, radio, tapes, and CD's of us were played everywhere. That was a LOT of

work, but, equally, a TON of fun. I am presently "playing around", (my favorite

answer to {Where do you play?}). I have a 3-piece band, doing ethnic music, private

jobs, playing for independent and assisted living homes, playing by myself for oth-

ers, wherever and whenever, etc. The music I play is for dancing or listening......No "show" or speed. I guess I

don't have the dexterity, nor the desire, to show off (can't anyway). Just good music, hopefully, to entertain in a

positive way, is my goal. So, please come to OctoberFest with ALSI at Balboa Park in October. I’ll see you there!!

ALSI ACCORDION ENSEMBLE

This accordion group is open to all interested

members of ALSI who would like to participate in

the practices and music engagements that the En-

semble has during the year. They practice twice a

month on the second and fourth Saturdays from

9:30 to 11:30. Call Vicki Eriqat for more informa-

tion at 619-563–5586. —

Monthly Newsletter

We are on

the Web:

www.accord

ion-club-

sandiego.org

“Every Music Lover is Welcome at the ALSI Accordion Club”

ALSI

Statement Of

Purpose:

ALSI is San Diego’s

forum for appreciat-

ing and performing

accordion music,

including the MIDI

electronic accordion

We welcome mem-

bers who enjoy lis-

tening to or playing

accordion music.

We have an accor-

dion ensemble group,

monthly meetings,

local concerts featur-

ing local and interna-

tionally famous per-

formers, an annual

picnic and a monthly

newsletter.

SEPTEMBER

2010

EDITION

The REED BLOCK

c/o Helen Estok Schoell

P.O. Box 151357

San Diego, CA 92175