The
Oklahoma Squeezins
“Our squeezin'...is pleasin'”
The Oklahoma Accordion Club Newsletter
If you can't attend the live 3:30 PM meetup in person, you can experience it via Zoom - using the same codes (see red type below) you may have used in previous years. Zoom's musical sound quality is nothing to write home about, but feel free to tune us in anyway! On computer, tablet, or smartphone, to join us with both audio and video
Prez sez
Thanks to Diana L. Richard for documenting some of the Texas adventures we had last month at the National Accordion Association 2025 Convention. We met new friends at the nightly multiple jam rooms! I enjoyed my newest NAA roommate, Texan Eleanor Boyd. The tuition this time was adjusted to include ALL the wonderful meals each day, so with a full tummy I didn't even have to hoard snacks for the room! One nice thing was getting to know some of the principals much better this year. I could dine with the "celebs" at the breakfast table, all very accessible. Some of our club dues went to the local youth who attended, and whose playing we enjoyed during our meals. Now we have a full year to share the energy we gained into OKC's loyal accordion community, starting Sunday!
Mark those calendars!
Dick Albreski
You'll like em! ACCORDIONISTS & TEACHERS GUILD (ATG) 83rd FESTIVAL to be held on July 16th to the 20th, 2025 in Lisle, IL, featuring: Radu Ratoi, Bridge & Wolak, Duo TWO accordions, Peter Soave & String Quintet, UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble, Festival Member Orchestra conducted by Joan Sommers, Workshops, Master classes, Competitions, Luncheons and a Dinner Banquet. For more information watch this article or visit: atgaccordions.com. A Future Venture: The National Accordion Association is currently revamping its convention protocol to be more in tune with today's requirements. The recent convention held in March 2025 was a success but also showed conventions must change. Stay tuned to this column as new information is released on the future events! ~ Dick GUESS WHAT? They say, "Money is the root of all evil." I can't believe that! Money keeps our Accordion Club going. Our Accordion Club is not evil! In fact, Thanks to you all, it is beautiful! Now the GUESS WHAT? It is time to renew your membership for 2025. We need each and every one of you to continue to support the accordion. Please don't let us down. The individual fee for one year is only $20 and a lifetime is only at the moderate total of $300. Better yet, do you have or know of any potential new members? We need them too! PS: Have you paid this year's dues? ALBUQUERQUE ACCORDION EXTRAVAGAN- ZA and BAND CAMP is scheduled from May 14 th through 18 th, 2025 at the Hyatt Place Albuquerque Airport in Albuquerque, NM. There are special room rates for those who attend, and you can also pick your desired dates. This event will host Zoom meetings prior to the event that will help you to play the required music. You must register prior to the meeting to obtain both the Zoom meetings schedule and music. Registration is open until March 15th, 2025. This event will cost $269 per person. For all registrations and additional information please go to kdcstudios@gmail.com. AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS ASSOCIATION (AAA) Festival to be held July 11th to the 13th, 2025 in Conshohocken (Philadelphia area), PA. The event features Concerts, Workshops, Competitions, Orchestras, Exhibits, Food Functions, and Guest Artists. Watch this article or ameraccord.com for more hotel discounts and other Festival announcements.
Accordion music
Free accordion music sites:
Try em! You'll like em!
Meeting minutes
Sunday, March 9, 2025
The Oklahoma Accordion Club met on Sunday, March 9, 2025. The location was Messiah Lutheran Church in OKC. Before the meeting we watched musical video from (last year’s) 2024 National Accordion Convention. aggie Abel reminded us that the 2025 National Accordion Convention in Lewisville, Texas, kicks off in a few days (on March 12). Maggie called the meeting to order at 3:30 PM. VP/Treasurer Ron Shearon led the Pledge of Allegiance. Due to previous discussions comparing the weight of various accordions, Ron presented a special scale at the meeting to weigh the accordions of any who were curious. He noted that the reeds are responsible for much of the weight. Aluminum reeds give a higher pitch. Metal reeds can deteriorate. Past nd club co-founder Dick Albreski described playing in a band during his high school days. He said he made more money doing that than his buddies earned from their jobs at gas stations. He reminded us that when it comes to accordions, older doesn't mean better. Then it was time for music! Ron played "This Is Our Song For You." Dick performed an Irish medley: "Does Your Mother Come From Ireland?" and "It's A Great Day For The Irish." He followed with "Volare" and "Arrivederci Roma." He demonstrated his way of alternating basses, using the 6th instead of the 5th. He explained: “In the scale you have 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 notes. When you alternate the bass, you alternate C bass which is 1 and G bass which is the 5th on the scale. I suggest using A which is the 6th on the scale.” Dick concluded with "The Clarinet Polka." Anne Lopez, Secretary Lois Roth, and John Warren played several songs including "Harbor Lights" and "Beer Barrel Polka." Shirley Hammack Apr 2 Milo Shedeck Apr 14
— Lois Roth, OAC Secretary
Birthdays
April birthdays
- Nina DunhamApril 7
- Bernie AdlerApril 9
- Milo ShedeckApril 14
- Roland LohmannApril 14
- Annette ZongkerApril 18
- Beth HensonApril 25
- Ophelia WoodyApril 27
Birthday list updates: Karen West (okaccordionclub@gmail.com)
Oklahoma Accordion Club Membership & Renewal Form
Make checks payable to: Oklahoma Accordion Club
Mail your membership dues to: Oklahoma Accordion Club c/o 209 South 2nd, Bison, OK 73720
I prefer to receive the monthly newsletter, “The Oklahoma Squeezins,” by: E-mailConventional Mail
Please check all that apply:
- Primary Membership: $20 per year per individual
- Family Membership: $10 per year for each additional family member
- Lifetime Membership: One-time fee of $300
- Youth Membership: Complimentary for accordion-playing youth through age 18
7109 NW 102 Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73162
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