September 2008 Newsletter

A World of Accordions Museum
September, 2008
Newsletter for Members
Editor, Helmi Strahl Harrington, Ph.D.
My Note to Members
In 2006, Dr. Marion Jacobson, ethnomusicologist and Associate Professor from Albany, NY, visited the Museum for a few
days. She was duly impressed. Earlier this year she proposed we submit a joint article on the evolution of the piano accordion in
America. You should look for this important piece in the 2009 Galpin Society Journal, the great organological voice of the USA.
In August, my daughter Hanni Harrington Van Zandt married Vincent Wrencher (Engineer) in Austin, Texas, in a
ceremony attended by 60+ people including their beautiful 8-mo-old daughter Cheryl Renae (my first grandchild). Vincent’s two
daughters were among the bridesmaids, while life-counselor Tahara and husband (both ministers) performed the marriage. I played
before and during the ceremony. Congratulations and love to you both are extended by many from among AWAM friends.
I’m exceedingly happy to announce the pending marriage of my son Charles Robert Harrington to Krystal Wolfe at
HARTS in May, 2009. Both live in Austin, TX, and have been close friends for 10 yrs. We’re going to have a marvelous celebration
here!
The first coalition of history museums in the Twin Ports area is presently forming. We are among the founding members,
happily interacting and talking frankly about common issues: publicity, fund-raising, goals, attractions, events, and the like.
Congratulations to Dan Hartman of the Minnesota Historic Society (Depot) for this great idea, and for chairing the organization.
Great Concerts
Of all the concerts offered at Harrington ARTS Center, Tony Lovello’s June 22, 2008 performance ranks in my opinion
among the top three! That’s saying a lot! For one hour, this energetic man created entertainment par excellence from pop tunes, old
standards, and even some themes from serious music repertory. Among the pieces for which he is famous is “Twilight Time,” a
favorite since his time with the “Three Suns.” Can you imagine—the music is even better played solo by Tony! Another of his
signature pieces is “Malaguena,” artistically and tastefully arranged to become a new entity. Tony’s sense of what is appropriate is
evidenced in each of his great versions: a perfect balance between melody and accompaniment features, just the right amount of showy
stuff, inventive rhythms newly applied, and dynamic emotional range of audience-stimulating appeal.
Tony is without doubt the most generous artist I’ve ever experienced. He gave away CD after CD to folks picked from the
audience for their attention or ability to respond to questions. Playing at floor level--that is, at eye to eye level--he relates with
individuals and with the group and everyone absolutely loves him.
To our Accordion Resource Libraries he donated copies of each of his CDs and DVDs. Every viewer has much to learn from
these productions!
Famous for his bellows-shake mastery, Tony generously shared his secrets by explaining his technique. While exclusively
“doubles,” Tony’s subtle manipulations define rhythms using accents and dynamic levels such as this writer has never heard controlled
by others. The bellows move in perfect vibrations for long sections of music. Armed with his “secret” energy food, he manages fiveand-a-half-minutes (in the case of “Malaguena”) with relatively little effort! Well, not entirely! Tony is drenched at conclusion of the
concert.
This was more than an entertaining hour. It became a glimpse into the heart of a man of music, a real person who expresses a
spiritual relationship within himself to the outside world. All performers give the gift of self during performance, but Tony offers more
of himself than would be necessary considering the irresistibility of his skills. Among them is the accomplishment of finger-tremolos
that give heart-stopping significance to moments that make the music unforgettably inspired.
I wouldn’t be surprised if every person in the concert hall walked out wishing he/she could play like that, perhaps going home
to put on the accordion and try. That form of inspiration is a real gift to the listeners, and is also great praise to the performer.
When three members of Gamle Aker Spelemannslag (from Oslo, Norway) visited “A World of Accordions Museum”
they were sufficiently impressed to consider it the incentive for a return trip to perform in the Concert Hall. That was 2003, the summer
they won the big prize at “Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Contest.” Their skills and enthusiasm have been recognized in
many annual festivals in Norway, in two previous tours of USA’s East coast, and by the Norwegian Accordionist’s Association, in
which one of the members was past president.
Taking their name from the old county of Aker, now incorporated into Oslo, GAS translates to “Old Aker Band Players.” The
band has released two CDs: “Waltzes, Rheinlanders And Even More” in 2002, and “DDV” (not DVD) in 2008.
On June 22 and 23, the twelve-member accordion group realized its goal in two performances at Harrington ARTS Center
under the subheading: “Experience the true Scandinavian Spirit.” They offered a 30-minute “teaser” concert on June 22, following the
performance of their respected acquaintance of long standing Tony Lovello. Then on June 23, they presented a full concert of old-time
Scandinavian dance music at 7:00 PM. Their goal is to share their passion for this lively traditional music—and to have fun! Indeed,
we had great times together during meals and museum tours.
While we “passed the hat” several times in order to collect funds to defray their travel expenses, the group was unanimous in
giving AWAM the entirety of offerings! What a fine bunch of folks. Let’s hope they return!
How many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of students have I taught over the decades? I have no idea—never even tried to
count. Of all of them, 19-yr.-old Paul Vargason is the first to put on a full concert, which took place at HARTS on September 14.
Paul played a magnificent two-hour program—repertory ranging from Bach counterpoint to Yankovic harmony, French musettes to
Joplin ragtime, original accordion virtuoso literature to entertainment favorites. Some of the pieces, notably “The Lost Chord” and
“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” were arranged by Paul as Free-Bass versions of substantial artistic merit, showing his acumen as a
musician as well as his technical abilities as an accordionist.
Paul has won many honors, including “Junior National Champion” (several times), and has established his reputation among
bands with which he has performed. Always competent and friendly, Paul proves himself a fine performer and a prize among young
men.
Of course, I introduced Paul, my student since he was 4 yrs. old, and then he was introduced again by Yvonne Marts, who
drove in from Fergus Falls (a 4-hr. one-way!). Yvonne retold the story of Paul’s meeting with Frank Yankovic at Ironworld USA’s
Polkafest and then sang her poetic text and accordion composition that immortalized the event. In the second half of the program,
Former-Senator Florian Chmielewski (Sturgeon lake), Lorren Lindevig (Cloquet), and Paul’s dad Dennis Vargason (on MIDI
accordion), and I, joined Paul onstage with a few spontaneous entertainment pieces.
In the course of the concert, Paul played on Piano Accordion with converter Free-Bass, Button Chromatic Accordion, and
Slovenian Button Diatonic Accordion, receiving standing ovations that required encores. The concert raised some helpful funds for his
new upgraded Titano Pedal-Emperor double-converter, which he used for a few pieces even though he had only a few days practice
with it. Bravo to Paul, now pictured on our “Walls of Fame” alongside the many great musicians having performed at HARTS.
Paul Vargason, Florian Chmielewski, Helmi, Dennis Vargson, Lorren Lindevig
Yvonne Marts
Noteworthy Acquisitions
Jim Eisenschenk, of Cold Springs, MN, visited again recently. Jim, an avid accordionist, has been our friend and
instrument-contributor for years. Every time he and wife Dorothy stop in, they leave with us some noteworthy instruments. Audrey,
Emil and I spent a full week restoring the beautiful blue Hagstrom (from Sweden). It is now part of the Traveling Museum. Below, it
is shown next to Jim’s previous donation, our oldest Hagstrom. At right, his newly donated Eastern European diatonic (1870-90)
similar to those made by Stamirowski (Poland). Another very rare donation is now our best Rollmonika. This automated harmonica is
accompanied by three rolls, each playing in tune and correctly.
We’re Looking Forward-The Electronic Accordions Display Room has been completed thanks to Sue Spencer and her great crew of friends. Jim
Borg has been very helpful in finishing the detail work, and Emil Meitzner has built more display shelving to show off the accordions.
Now I have to set up the accordions, sound modules and amplifiers. We will have a formal opening and dedication when the set-ups
are completed.
Special Thanks
We received a perfect Tango V made by Hohner in the WW II era from Frank Guarino and the Levandowski family from the
estate of Staff Sargent John S. Levandowski (1927-1997), who served in the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. It is a
featured item in our WW II display.
Thanks go also to the Robert Petersons of St. Paul, MN, who donated a 1950-60’s Frontalini Piano Accordion, 13/1+6,
with those marvelous “saxophone-pad” grill mutes.
Steadfast friend and supporter, Barbara Vargason, Paul’s mother, brought us 250 hand-made accordion-display pads. Barb
has donated dozens in past years, which provide both shelves and instruments better protection from scuffs.
Mary Nelson has been spending several hours per week sorting and filing music in the library. She’s made a big difference
in moving forward the task of readying the room and its resources for full usage. We are also grateful for Terry Neumann’s several
hours, and for Gloria Anderson’s and Richard Hartel’s bags of donated music, CDs, and Toby’s treats. Among Richard’s music is
the out-of-print concert-arabesque of Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz, for which I have been actively searching for over 25 years!
Amazing!
Ron Askegaard brought us an accordion donated by Marlene Anderson. Both folks are members of Bethel Lutheran
Church, Superior, where Ron often plays in the musical ensemble. Like all East German accordion of the WW II era, it had everything
wrong with it, mainly rusted reeds. Ron spent many hours and many weeks working with a bass block—cleaning, derusting, and
rebluing. The instrument was not finished, but is the better for his work. Thank you, Ron and Marlene, for your generosity, and for
providing us with another good-looking example from this time frame.
Announcing: Harrington’s Accordion Course for Everyone
After decades of teaching—and of having handed out reams of example pages, explanations, and level-appropriate
arrangements—I am publishing my own accordion method books accompanied by demonstration CDs.
We all understand the concerns of those who want to play, but can’t find qualified instructors, or for whom the necessary
travel is too great an encumbrance. My books intend to help those who must study on their own, while still encouraging everyone to
seek professional guidance whenever possible. They also intend to help folks refresh skills acquired in earlier years, and to adapt
knowledge from other instrument studies. The method books are geared to self-study but are also teacher-friendly, alleviating the
problems of misunderstanding instructions and repeating performance examples. Many charts and pictures illustrate the steps
preceding new skills.
Significantly, my books deal with concepts never before addressed in an accordion method book: concentration development,
awareness of thinking sequences, understanding music composition-theory-analysis, and the relationships between instrument
construction and the sounded product. These topics are of utmost importance at every stage of learning. My primary goals are: 1) to
develop students as musicians, not just as accordionists; 2) to help students of any age, with or without previous musical experience; 3)
to develop skills leading to independence, perspective, and insight.
Further, my books include traditional repertory expected of an accordionist, ethnic and modern pieces, practice exercises,
music-writing opportunities, and other materials that promote FUN during the learning stages. Since hundreds of thousands of tunes
are not published as accordion arrangements, I show students how to play from FAKE music as well as guitar and piano arrangements,
in essence producing their own versions at comfortable levels of difficulty. By gradually adding enhancement devices, such as
improvised ornamentations, the student’s individual arrangements naturally evolve from one level to another.
At this writing, only the early books of the Piano Accordion Method and the “C” System Button Chromatic Method are
available, along with repertory and supplemental books.
ARTS Text Books
I’ve been teaching accordion-family-instruments repair courses since 1991. The loose-leaf papers handed out to students in
previous years are now being organized into readable, systematic text-book chapters. Some will be accompanied by demonstrations on
CDs. These books will be of service to all former students, newcomers to the field, as well as aficionados.
Not all the texts will be completed by my next-scheduled full-curriculum course beginning in April, 2009, but I expect that
each will be a major contribution to the field.
By the way, I will close enrollment in the course by December, 2008. There are only two places left, so if you’re interested,
make contact and enroll in a hurry. This will be a unique certification curriculum requiring only six months. Similar to “total
immersion” theory, we will work daytime and evening sessions, a bit more strenuous but of compensating shorter duration.
The Dogs
In a different web posting you can read a longer personal excerpt about the progress of
Cookie and Knute II, our AWAM watchdogs and my companions, but here you see what has
become of the formerly-two-month-old pup and his surrogate mom. Knute approaches his first year
as a 100+ lbs dog of beauty, power, and intelligence. All those 50 lb. bags of dog food turned into
DOG ! Cookie is still the “in charge” dog who keeps track of everyone and everything.
HARTS Products
Knute II
Cookie
Harrington Arts Center Publications
I won’t repeat the following list in every newsletter, but please look at this one for items that you want. We’re now at 57
publications with more items to be added (or completed) soon. To order items, phone (715-395-2787) or email so that we can figure
out postage and tax (when applicable). Remember, folks with paid AWAM memberships get discounts! Listings of pieces included in
each book can be seen on our website www.accordionworld.org.
Charles Magnante: America’s Great Accordionist, Fourth Edition. Second Printing. CD of 21 Magnante
performances included. $45.00.
Accordions ! Beautiful !. 150 accordions from A World of Accordions Museum in photographs, with
chronologic comments, value ratings, construction details. Est. $60.00 in progress.
Accordion-Family-Instruments History: An Introduction. Four sections. Est. $40.00 in progress.
A World of Accordions Museum: Extraordinary Profusion of Sound. 19 Museum instruments shown and
sounded in musical variety. $20.00
“Buttons and Bow,” Vol. 2. Carolyn Carver (violinist) and Helmi Harrington (on multiple accordionfamily-instruments) perform variety favorites. Coming soon, $16.00
For Piano Accordion and Chromatic “C” Accordion
Harrington’s Accordion Course for Everyone. (clear, complete instruction for Piano Accordion). Book One,
$9.95. With demonstration CD, coming soon. $20.00
Book Two. $9.95.
Book Three. $9.95
Harrington’s Accordion Course for Everyone. (for “C” System Button Chromatic Accordion). Book One, $9.95.
With demonstration CD, coming soon. $20.00
Book Two. $9.95
Harrington’s Accordion Course for Everyone. (for Chromatic Free-Bass “C” System Button Chromatic
Accordion). Book One, $9.95.
With demonstration CD, coming soon. $20.00
Helmi’s Handouts. ca. 150 p. with indexed divisions. $25.00.
Book of Analyzed Pieces. 6 Study editions with music for speed-learning and memorization. $8.95
Selected Favorites for Free-Bass Accordion: Quint- Converter Edition (2004). 17 pieces, 33 p. plus
Appendices. $15.00.
Selections from the Duet Repertory of Harrington and Carver. 14 pieces. Virtuoso. $19.95
Helmi’s Performance Pieces. 8 Virtuoso editions. $15.95
Accordion and “C” Instruments Duets. 20 pieces. Easy-Medium-Difficult. $9.95
Christmas Carol Favorites for Quint Converter (2004). 19 pieces, 33 p. $15.00.
Christmas Carol Favorites. $12.00
Christmas Around the World. 18 traditional favorites from around the world. $15.00.
Olde Tyme Favorites of the Midwest. 18 medium pieces. $15.00. Version with CD coming soon. $20.00.
Love Songs Book. 27 medium pieces. $15.00. Version with CD coming soon, $20.00.
For the Love of Celtic Music. 15 traditional pieces. $12.95
Scandinavian Book. $15.00 Version with CD, coming soon $20.00.
Hymns and Sacred Music. 17 familiar and uncommon pieces. Book One, $12.00.
Book Two coming soon.
The Texas Book. (for Piano- or Chromatic Accordions). Coming soon.
Slovenian Favorites Book. Button Diatonic Edition. Piano-or Chromatic Accordion Edition. Coming
soon.
Easy Entertainment Favorites. (for Piano- or Chromatic Accordions). Coming soon.
Duets of Virtuoso Repertory. (for Piano Accordion). Coming soon.
Oktoberfest Favorites. (for Piano Accordion). $12.95
Two-Chord and Three-Chord Pieces. 8 easy pieces for enhancements. $7.95
Bohemian and Viennese Button Diatonic Method.
Book One
$12.00 each.
Book Two
Book Three
Book Four
Book Five
Supplemental Book One
Supplemental Book Two
Supplemental Book Three
Chemnitz Concertina Books: $6.95 or $7.95 each.
Five Easy Pieces.
Book One
Book Two
Book Three
Book Four
Five Medium Pieces. Book One
Book Two
Five Medium-Difficult Pieces. Book One
Book Two
Club System (Regular Keyboard) Button Diatonic Method. Book One. $12.00.
Book Two. $12.00
Book Three.$12.00
Repertory Favorites. $12.00
Club System (Expanded Keyboard) Button Diatonic Method. Book One. $12.00.
Slovenian Button Diatonic Method. Book One. Coming soon.
Anglo Concertina Pieces.
20-button edition. $6.95.
30-button edition. $7.95
The Twelve-Bass Piano Accordion: A Manual for Understanding Construction and Repair. $25.00.
DVD version including text coming soon. $45.00.
Music Theory for the Accordionist. Coming soon. Est. $25.00
A Look Inside the Accordion. 30 pp. Instruction notes, procedures, charts. $12.00
The English Concertina. In progress.
Harrington’s Celluloid Polish. “Specially formulated to clean, protect, and minimize scratches of
accordion-family instruments’ plastics.” 4 oz bottle, $12.95. 4 oz. spray bottle, $13.95. 2 oz.
bottle, $6.95. 1 oz bottle, $4.00.
Technician’s Kit. Basic tools and supplies. Est. $60.00, coming soon.
Pan Viewer Accordion Holder. Holds any size accordion in horizontal grill-down position. Unique asset for
viewing treble pan and bass section work. $65.00.
“Introduction to Entertaining and Repertory Development.” (Article) $5.00
“Managing All That Practice Material.” (Article and Workshop notes) $3.00
“Learning to Practice and Practicing to Learn.” (Article) $7.50
“It’s Not Written in the Notes.” (Workshop notes) $5.00
“Memorization Techniques.” (Article, music and workshop notes) $7.50
“Playing from FAKE Music.” (Article and musical examples) $5.00
“Preparation for Professional Performance.” (Articles) $3.00
“Interpretation Guide.” (Article) $2.00
“Embellishments Synopsis.” (Workshop notes and list with selected musical examples) $3.00
“Holding, Handling, Caring for Your Accordion, Shipping and Crating.” (Articles) $4.00
“Improvisation.” (Article and Workshop notes) $3.00
“Basic Concepts and Techniques for Tuning Accordions.” (Article) $5.00
“Treble Section and Bass Section Shifts Explained.” (Article) $4.00
“Imprecision of Accordion Notation.” (Article and workshop examples) $3.00
“Common and Uncommon Chords.” (Charts and spellings) $3.00
“Breaking-in A New Accordion.” (Article) $1.00