Grayson Masefield at the Strumenti & Musica Festival, Spoleto - Italy

Fresh from his brilliantly successful USA tour of 8 concerts, all with many standing ovations, Grayson was in Italy from the 15 to 23 May.

There he was performing 3 concerts as the guest artist, winner of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale.  Grayson was also competing and won 1st prize for the Senior Variete category and the Senior Classical category against strong international competition.  His final  concert was also the finale of the event (see poster).

Join the Grayson Masefield Fan Club for regular information about his activities. There are also some great videos of Grayson peforming on the site.

Grayson also updated his website a few days ago with an extensive photo album of his tour to the USA: www.accordions.com/gmasefield.

News from the Canterbury Accordion Association

On the 18th April a Variety Concert was held with all of the performances being well received by an appreciative audience.  The programme included the Christchurch Accordion Orchestra (under the baton of the new conductor Dave Thorne), Rosalie & Jill (accordion duo), Colin Johnson on harmonica, Denise Palmer (accordion solo), Neill & Val Petersen (a popular husband & wife duo), the Southern Celtic Fiddle Orchestra and a bagpipe solo by William Gillespie.

A Student Play took place on 28th March with eight accordion students.
A new accordion group has been formed under the direction of Denise with 8 players.

Upcoming dates are:

• 27 June: Student Play
• 12 September: Variety Concert
• 19 September: Student Play
• 30 October: CAA Competitions
• 28th November: Student Play
• 12th Decdmber: CAA Xmas Social

Stephanie Poole in concert

by Heather Masefield

Stephanie Poole performed with Bach Musica on May 23rd at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell at 5pm to a very large audience. The concert theme was Music and Dance with a couple of Piazzolla tangos in the programme (Invierno Porteno & Otono Porteno. This was an interesting concert with Mary-Jane O'Reilly dancing during the tangos.

Stephanie performed the bandoneon parts first accompanying the choir then performing as soloist with the Bach Musica.  Stephanie gave a depth to the music that was exciting.

BOHEMIAN NIGHTS

by Antoinette Rodahl

Accordionist/singer Phil Carrol & violinist Ernie Gruner from Melbourne performed at the Bunker in Devonport on Mothers Day Sunday 9th May at 8pm.  They played a tour of 10 concerts in New Zealand.

The music was unusual from all over Eastern Europe & very gypsy like.  Phil Carrol, whose forebears come from Ireland acted more like a real gypsy & was very capable of singing in French, Russian, Polish, & Arabian.  He played several reed instruments from Turkey obtaining an eerie sound.  The violinist had a Hungarian mother & Polish father, both Jewish so he sung & played Yiddish & Klezmer music.

They joined the music together with interesting snippets & they often play at the Budapest Restaurant in Melbourne.

We had an interesting evening that made me think of Europe.

Kevin Friedrich performs at Mangawhai, New Zealand

	Kevin performing on the "Tiger" accordion

On Thursday18th March Kevin Friedrich performed a one hour concert at the Mangawhai Club to over a hundred enthusiastic seaside residents.

Kevin performed a variety programme including marches, accordion novelties, show pieces, ragtime, and light classical for the Kaipara Council hosted concert attended by the Mayor & Mayoress.

Kevin demonstrated two of the instruments from the Dargaville museum, raising a laugh when he played the "Tiger" as the venue was on a golf course.  After the concert morning tea was served & many people took the opportunity to personally thank Kevin before the Mayor hosted Kevin to lunch.