Accordion to Squeezer

Zoe and Valerie, from a Belarusian village in Brest

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 22:50:00 +0000

Sometimes the only way to move through the world is honestly and from the heart, with gusto!

I first saw this video on Facebook and loved it! I dug around with the aid of Google Translate until I found a link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VdVBWmmzoA

Zoe & Valerie

Fascinated by the couple's heartfelt performance and strength of their music I kept searching. Here is a link to a documentary on this most interesting brother and sister from Belarus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pViF8iwxpOE

The name of the song is "Again I Stand Alone", and I personally not only want to have the pair over for coffee but also want Zoe to bring her Mickey Mouse apron!

Russian Accordion (Bayan) Ensemble

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 16:38:00 +0000

Timbre Russian Accordion Group

Spending a life with an accordion and accordionists may give me an interesting view of the world. Interesting to others or not, I find it fascinating because no matter how much I learn there is always something that intrigues me to learn more. This Russian accordion ensemble plays familiar music, but the instruments are largely unfamiliar. I call it one normal B-system chromatic accordion and friends. When put through Google Translate their name means "Russian Voice", I think they may have been headed toward something like "The Sounds of Russia". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOzi6gilQoE

Beginning the Rroma (Gypsy) Immersion Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 01:50:00 +0000

I've been spending time looking through my videos and still pictures from Amala School in Serbia. I am reminded how very comfortable I was at the compound and how very strange everything was. Here are three pictures I really like.

Grandmother

Three generations were staying in the houses on the cul de sac up in the hills of Valjevo, this is the grandmother who spoke not one word of English but always said hello somehow. She would sometimes meet me at the gate and talk with me as we walked up the drive to the houses. I never understood a word but that didn't bother her. She would smile and wave as we parted ways. I personally adored her, and her whisk broom.

Purple Room

This is the room I stayed in for the first week of school. There was no filter used on the photo, it was this color and I loved it! What you can't see in the picture is that the temperature was mostly around 100 degrees with no air conditioning. At night it cooled down to around 75-85 degrees but the windows really didn't open to let the cooler air in. Quite an experience for this Minnesota girl who sleeps with the window cracked open all winter.

Cousins

These young people were staying in the neighborhood and came to visit us during the days at the compound. They spoke a little English and German and were delightful. It saddens me that I did not get their names before they left the area, I think their eyes tell an amazing story.

A nice suprise nationwide!

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 01:01:00 +0000

I receive a publication each month as a member of the Twin Cities Musician's Union, Local 30-73. It has news from all genres of professional musicians and orchestras that keeps me connected at an International level.

I was so pleased to find this article today, Cory is a friend and has agreed to be my jazz coach during the NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition. I think I chose wisely.

Excerpt reprinted from the International Musician article, February, 2014

Cory Pesaturo

When it comes to mainstream music, Cory Pesaturo of Local 198-457 (Providence, RI) does not currently consider the accordion to be part of that mix. As an independent musician who books all his own gigs, even potential agents tend to scratch their head, wondering where to place him

“It’s been a problem,” he says. “It’s kind of caused me to do all this innovation and to keep pushing, which is why I have a flame-painted accordion with lights in it.”

In his early days, Pesaturo played folky European ethnic styles with vast arpeggios and riffs. With influences ranging from Igor Stravinsky to Art Tatum, Freddie Hubbard, and Stevie Wonder, today he strives to create a sound unlike any accordion player he has ever heard.

He says he found his passion in improvisation. “When I found jazz, is when I really started to love playing the accordion, because it fit so well on the instrument,” Pesaturo explains.

In 2002, Pesaturo was the youngest person to win the National Accordion Championship, and in 2011 he won the Primus Ikaalinen World Championship as the first American contestant. He is one of only four accordionists in history to win a world championship on both acoustic and electronic accordion.

Accordion and Merovingian Kings

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 23:25:00 +0000

Part of the NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition is about performing on the AAMS Friday night concert in Whipanny, New Jersey.

Although my workshop will be Rroma, I've been asked to provide a program of French music on the concert. I've been researching and soul searching to see which tunes (old and new) make my heart shine since I believe the best concert is given with music from your heart.

I have been particularly taken with French musette "Valse Merovingienne" written by Andre Verchuren and Georges Ghestem ca. 1955. The chord structure is more Celtic than French and the melody is a bit melancholy while oddly calming.

The name was even more intriguing. With a little help from Wikipedia I learned this:

The Merovingians were the first Germanic tribe to resettle on Roman land. Their dynasty came to rule the Franks in a region known as Francia in Latin for 300 years from the middle of the 5th century.

This is a picture of one of the Merovingian Kings. He reminds me of what the basic melody of "Valse Merovingienne" sounds like. I do believe I will enjoy making a new arrangement of the original waltz to play on the concert!

Dagobert I (629 - 638)

Pledge support for the NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition. Thank you!

Musette - a lovely way to smile

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 19:00:00 +0000

Often I hear the someone say, "The party has started, the accordion is here!" when I get to a gig. I would love to think they think I'm an awful lot of fun personally, but I believe they are referring to the type of music the accordion plays.

The Friday night concert at AAMS (American Accordion Musicological Society) during the MAMTG (Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers Guild) convention will feature French music. Here one of my favorites, "Jeanette" by Guy Viseur on YouTube.

Guy Viseur and his Cavagnolo accordion

Performance Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 22:06:00 +0000

I just added a couple favorite pictures to my Kickstarter project NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition and thought to share them here. Pledge if you can, you get cool rewards!

Performance with The EDT Folk Orchestra

During the FUBAR Omniverse on KFAI radio, photo by Colleen Bertsch

Arranging for Amtrak Compartments, Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:12:00 +0000

An update #1 for the NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition (funding on Kickstarter)

There's always a bit of intrigue and surprise generated by the reality of travel plans.

I was checking the Amtrak website for the availability of compartments on my round trip from Minneapolis to Philadelphia (changing trains in Chicago) and discovered that one of the trains needed was no longer listed as a connection. The Cardinal line (Chicago-Philadelphia) had disappeared.

This prompted a phone call directly to Amtrak where I poured out my concerns to the agent. She was a gem and dug around in the files until she saw what the issue was. The Cardinal was active but the Empire Builder (Minneapolis-Chicago, originating in Seattle) was so consistently late arriving in Chicago that Amtrak no longer considered it a viable transfer. This must have happened very recently because I had checked the website two weeks ago and the connection was listed.

Solution: Leave a day early, stay over night in Chicago to catch the Cardinal the next day as originally planned.

All was good, for the moment, because the trains connected well on the way home to Minneapolis. One is always ready for an easy trip back to their home.

Then I got the other bad news, there were no more compartments left on that train the day I wanted leave for home. To make matters a little more complicated, the Cardinal line is the only train leaving from Philadelphia with checked baggage, it only runs three days a week. You do need checked luggage when you travel with a larger instrument as a carry on.

Solution: Coming home two days early.

Glad everything worked out well!

NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:08:00 +0000

My project just went live on Kickstarter!
How exciting!

NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition on Kickstarter

See the entire video on YouTube

Kickstarter and Amtrak, a dream come true?

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 23:31:00 +0000

For years I've been trying to make people feel better about having to travel with their accordion. I've said, "Oh, don't worry, just carry it on. Not a problem with a soft sided case."

I think something may have changed because I now get so sick to my stomach every time I need to take my accordion farther than a car ride away. Could it be that the airlines have damaged my concert instrument twice already and cost me a couple thousand dollars? Or maybe that I have to argue it on the plane despite my Musician's Union card in hand which should guarantee I can carry it aboard the aircraft? Or maybe it's that sick feeling at the security checkpoints as they take me aside to swab/search the outside and inside of the instrument and/or me?

Yup, I've changed my mind enough to create a Kickstarter project to raise enough funds to take Amtrak all the way from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Philadelphia to play a concert and give a work shop for the Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers Guild and American Accordion Musicological Society festival this March.

On Amtrak, my accordion will never leave my side, my meals will be made for me and I can sleep all the way east (1,200 miles) if I want to. Voila, the NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition has been created and should go live on Kickstarter in a couple of days. Hurray Amtrak!

Getting Ready for AAMS

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:07:00 +0000

This March I'll be presenting a workshop telling of my experiences at Amala School in Valejo, Serbia during the summer of 2012. Amala School is an opportunity to live with Rroma (Gypsy) musicians and learn music and language. It was an indescribable experience but I will do my best to pass along the some of the things I learned to others.

Accordion and Clarinet teacher, Amala School, 2012

Here is a description of my workshop:

Play Gypsy (Rroma) Music Today - Dee Langley
Experience the excitement and fulfillment of music at your fingertips while exploring the rich, mysterious, and romantic melodies of the Rroma people. During the summer of 2012 Dee attended the Amala School in Vallejo, Serbia where she lived with and was taught by Gypsy (Rroma) musicians. This workshop is open to anyone who has a desire to experience world cultures through music and learn more about what the Rroma people are really like.

AAMS is held in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers Guild - March 28, 29, - 30 in Whippany, New Jersey.

After quite a long time, Welcome 2014!

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 00:11:00 +0000

Happy New Year and Welcome 2014! Dee Langley, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Festival of Nation 2013 http://festivalofnations.com/

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:09:00 +0000

http://festivalofnations.com/

Katrina Mundinger & Dee Langley represent Bulgaria, photo by Nick Doten

Festival of Nations 2013, Katrina and I represented Bulgaria during the school mornings at River Centre in St. Paul, MN. These young ladies only sat for a while and then made up their own dances to Balkan music. There were more than 12,000 young people in attendance the Friday morning this was taken.

Accordion: Twin Cities World Ensemble

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:47:00 +0000

Dee Langley (photo by Stefan Iwaskewycz)

After a little vacation from blogging I am so ready to run (not walk) into some wonderful new endeavors with the accordion, Balkan and Rroma music and teaching and let you know all about it!

I am excited to announce a new class offered this summer by the Minneapolis Park Board beginning June 3, 2013:

Accordion: Twin Cities World Ensemble

Experience the excitement and fulfillment of music through this community ensemble while exploring the rich, mysterious and sometimes romantic melodies from the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and the Rroma (Gypsy) people. The Twin Cities World Ensemble offers a look at our friends on the other side of the world with help from the most time honored folk instrument, the accordion. TCWE is open to all ages and levels. Ensemble members should have an accordion in good working condition, a folding music stand, and a desire to discover world adventures through music.

Instructor Bio: Dee Langley is an award winning musician and composer specializing in both solo and ensemble works for the accordion. Ms. Langley teaches at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and is the winner of the 2012 Minnesota Emerging Composer Award (World Music) from the American Composer Forum and the 2011-2012 McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music.

Our Director at Amala School - Dragan Ristic

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 18:46:00 +0000

From a Friend - A Song about Valjevo, Serbia

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 03:41:00 +0000

http://www.loudtronix.me/mp3/5793950870441/
The song title is Kolubaro sestro Sumadije (Pesma Valjevu)
The artist is Braca Bajic

Valjevo, Serbia

Learning to speak the Roma Language

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:35:00 +0000

Each weekday at Amala School we will have Roma language lessons in addition to solo and group music tutors.

If I think learning music by ear along with new fingering and scales will be a good challenge, the Roma language lessons probably will eclipse everything.

The following text and alphabet were copied from a great website, http://www.omniglot.com/writing/romany.htm. I personally lay no claim to the information since I am totally ignorant about the language of the Serbian/Romani (Gypsy) people. However, Amala School, Veljevo, Serbia, should take care of that.

Romany
Romany, or Romani, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by about 5-6 million Roma people throughtout Europe and the USA. The largest concetration of Roma people live in Romania. In English these people are often called Gypsies. The language is closely related to the languages of northern India, particularly Punjabi, and the Roma are thought to have originally come from that region. Some people consider Romany to be a group of dialects while others think there are several, closely-related Romany languages.

The Muslim invasions of the northern part of the Indian subcontinent around 1000 AD resulted in massive movements of populations, probably including the ancestors of the Roma, who are thought to have moved into Anatolia. In 1300, after the Mongolian invasion of Europe, the Roma moved west into Europe and took up a mainly nomadic lifestyle.

Romany alphabet (Romani šib)
This is the official standard alphabet for Romany. It was standardized in 1990 at the Fourth World Romani Congress in Serock, Poland. This alphabet is used by all the Romany languages/dialects except Carpathian Romany and Finnish Romany.

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/romany.htm

Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, an American movie icon

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 05:15:00 +0000

http://theatreorgans.com/wurlitzer/history/

In the glittering tradition of American movie grandeur, here's a little memory of how thing might have been in the 1930s and 1940s when visiting a movie theater.

I lived this memory tonight at the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights, Minnesota where a musician performs for a half an hour before the movie begins. I'll be sharing this with the musicians in Serbia because it is just so Hollywood and so American. Especially the part at the end with the organ sinking into the pit as the disco ball swirls during the rousing final chords!

Just draw me a picture

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:58:00 +0000

I've been overseas more than a dozen times so I know I'll need some type of voltage converter for my battery chargers and such. Searching for information on what electrical outlets Serbia might provide I came across this explanation:

Type C

Type C is the most common outlet used in Europe. It is sometimes called the "Europlug." It is not grounded and includes two rounded 0.157-inch pins. It is 250 volts and widely used in all of Europe.

The type C plug can be used in Type E, Type F, Type J, Type K and Type L outlets. It can also be forced to work with Type D and Type G sockets.

More confused than ever I checked the images from the search I found this:

Type C Plug

Oh, that one! The proper voltage converter is now packed.

Hoofing it in Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:09:00 +0000

Part of traveling outside of the United States is depending on your feet rather than a car. Walking a mile or more every day has been a great addition to my preparation for enjoying recreation and shopping time after hours at Amala School. These nice hikes in our Twin Cities parks have been fun and relaxing; this picture was taken today during a short break from walking on a lovely (albeit humid and 93 degrees) afternoon.

Central Park, Roseville, Minnesota

Food, no matter where you go, there you are

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 04:55:00 +0000

Today was the 4th of July in America. Most people had meat on the grill, corn on the cob and watermelon. Knowing that my meal was similar to so many million people living in my own country made me curious as to what a favorite dish of the Balkans would look like.

American Burger

Balkan Pljeskavica

It's nice to know we all share some things in common.

Listen to Serbian Radio

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 21:30:00 +0000

There are many things that enter into a cultural experience, music and the sound of the spoken language are two important parts.

I spent this morning looking for an app to listen to live Serbian radio. EnjoyIT Radio Serbia is now installed on my phone, was it a treat to plug my phone into the computer speakers and have songs from Serbia right in my dining room clear and gorgeous.

If you are one of the many that do not have a phone that does such tricks with apps, you can use the Internet and stream music live from all over the world. Here is a link to such a site:

http://www.listenlive.eu/serbia.html

Serbian Flag

Traditional Serbian & Romani Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:47:00 +0000


http://www.wildtransylvania.com/p/gypsy-culture.html

I found these two delightful pictures while looking for examples of textiles that might be found in the shops around Veljevo, Serbia. The top picture was taken and blogged by Paul White when he was in Transylvania, Romania, not terribly far from Serbia.

The bottom picture is from the Magelan Travel Agency web site and features different regional Serbian costumes.

http://www.magelan.rs/Serbia-MICE/national-costumes.html

Serbia and Romani music

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 23:10:00 +0000

Map of Serbia

I am very partial to the music of Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Albania. Some of the music I perform and teach are Romani (Gypsy) in origin. It is my fondest desire that the Romani immersion during Amala School, Valjevo, Serbia, will give me deeper insight to these melodies. 16 Days until I'm there.

From Wikipedia:

Serbia is landlocked country located in the Balkans(a historical and geographical region of southeastern Europe) and in the PannonianPlain (a region of central Europe). It shares borders with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria,Croatia, Hungary, the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Romania. Serbiaclaims a border with Albania as well through its disputed territory of Kosovo.It is landlocked, although access to the Adriatic is available through Montenegro,and the Danube River provides shipping access to inland Europe and the BlackSea.

From Wikipedia:

Romani music plays an important role in Central and EasternEuropean countries such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro,Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Hungary, Slovenia and Romania,and the style and performance practices of Romani musicians have influencedEuropean classical composers such as Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms.

Gifts of Quilting - an old post gone missing

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Quilted by Dee Langley

Note: I was amazed to find this in my blog draft folder. It's a description of the host presents taken to Serbia July of 2012. Figured better late than never so here it is.

June of 2012

Time to start thinking about the little details of the trip, like gifts for our hosts and teachers at Amala School, Valjevo, Serbia. We (OBI) decided to bring books about Minnesota and these quilted ornaments. I made 12 of them in bright colors of pink, green and orange.

Quilting in America has an interesting history. From Wikipedia:

Leading up to the American Civil War, quilts were made to raise funds to support the abolitionist movement then during the war, quilts were made to raise funds for the war effort and to give warmth and comfort to soldiers. Even before 1830 abolitionists were working hard to end slavery. One way they did this was to hold grand fairs to raise both awareness and money for the abolitionist cause. Quilts were one of many craft pieces sold at these fairs.

Quilted by Dee Langley

Amish quilts are appreciated for their bold graphic designs, distinctive color combinations, and exceptional stitching. Quilts are created for everyday use or to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, raising funds for the church or community cause. Their quilts have become collectors’ items all over the world.

Today American quilters are still giving through their craft, Quilts For Kids is one such organization. People from all over American donate their time and fabric to make quilts for children in the hospital, to make their stay more homelike.

I will be very proud to leave these 'love and good luck' quilted ornaments in Serbia as a token of appreciation and heartfelt thanks for making us feel at home.

Accordion to Squeezer

Zoe and Valerie, from a Belarusian village in Brest

Russian Accordion (Bayan) Ensemble

Beginning the Rroma (Gypsy) Immersion Workshop

A nice suprise nationwide!

Accordion and Merovingian Kings

Musette - a lovely way to smile

Performance Pictures

Arranging for Amtrak Compartments, Solutions

NE 2 NE Accordion Expedition

My project just went live on Kickstarter! How exciting!

Kickstarter and Amtrak, a dream come true?

Getting Ready for AAMS

After quite a long time, Welcome 2014!

Festival of Nation 2013 http://festivalofnations.com/

Accordion: Twin Cities World Ensemble

Our Director at Amala School - Dragan Ristic

From a Friend - A Song about Valjevo, Serbia

Learning to speak the Roma Language

Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, an American movie icon

Just draw me a picture

Hoofing it in Europe

Food, no matter where you go, there you are

Listen to Serbian Radio

Traditional Serbian & Romani Dress

Serbia and Romani music

Gifts of Quilting - an old post gone missing

My project just went live on Kickstarter!
How exciting!