Oklahoma Squeezins

“Our squeezin'...is pleasin'”

The Oklahoma Accordion Club Newsletter

Meetup Info for Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 3:30 PM

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

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5236709799Zoom

June 2025Page 1

Prez sez

Maggie Abel

Greetings, Squeezeboxers! Accordions, pizza, friendship, musicality-all found in one place-that's Oklahoma Accordion Club, active since 2000! Mark your calendar for the JUNE 8th PIZZA PARTY, an annual funfest we've enjoyed for years. See to reserve a spot and order your pizza type! You are requested to bring your own pop! Accordion USA News says June is National Accordion Awareness Month (est. 1989). How to celebrate it? They say: 1. Buy an accordion. What better way to honor this instrument than to permanently bring one into your life? Research the best and most affordable accordions and treat yourself to a wonderful instrument. Send a little music/joy out into the world. 2. Take accordion lessons in person or online. Accordion teachers are available all over the world. You can learn from the comfort of your own homhome. Look for accordion clubs to join and meet nearby accordion enthusiasts! 3. Support accordion players. Honor those who have put in the work. Attend their concerts/festivals in person, or watch them perform online. Purchase their music/albums from online platforms, etc. Share your discovery with the world and help spread awareness about the accordion. Interesting fact: A renewed interest in grassroots regional musical styles, such as Zydeco, Cajun, and Tejano, have resulted in the rediscovery and recent rise in popularity of the accordion in the USA. It is very true that the accordion is the perfect way to meet new people, make friends, and expand your musical horizons. Awareness Info thanks to Ritabelll@aol.com May I add, if you aren't near an accordion club, start one yourself! Other squeezeboxers will rush out of the woodwork, so happy that someone is out there waiting for them to join. Hey, there's a pizza in your future! See !

Board of Directors

President / Newsletter Editor
Maggie Abel
Vice President / Treasurer
Ron Shearon
Secretary
Lois Roth
Proofer/Snacks/Birthdays
Karen West
Webmaster/Photographer
Diana Richard

Open positions: PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER, LIVESTREAM TECH, HISTORIAN, LIBRARIAN, NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Past presidents: Barbara Duer, Dick Albreski

Website: okaccordion.club

Membership: $20 individual, +$10 family add-on. Visitors welcome.

Lifetime members

Maggie Abel
Jim & June Butricks
William "Rusty" Dolton
Frank Gesinski
Janet Haskin
Roland Lohmann
Frankie Martinez
Bob Mansfield
Tom Phillips
Phil Scibelli
Ophelia Woody

June 2025Page 2

Mark those calendars! — Dick Albreski

Accordion music

Check out the following sites for new and free accordion music:

Don Quattrocchi — https://donquattrocchi.com/
8notes — accordion — https://www.8notes.com/accordion/

Try em! You'll like em!

You'll like em! ACCORDIONISTS & TEACHERS GUILD (ATG) 83rd FESTIVAL will be held July 16th to 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 previous 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 future events! ~ Dick WHAT DATES are important to the accordion? In May we celebrated the WORLD AC- CORDION DAY on May 6th. Now why is that important? It is because on May 6th, 1829, Cyril Demian (1772-1849), an organ and piano maker, accompanied by his two sons Karl and Guido, filed a patent in Vienna, Austria, for the accordion. This was the start of something big. From the start of the World Accordion Day, we jump into June and that is the National Accordion Awareness Month. What does that mean to us? Well, without US promoting the accordion, how else will it continue? We can start by playing some Italian tunes at the OAC Pizza party June 8th. Pizza and Italian music go so well together! In July we have the 4thof July and a chance to play some patriotic tunes. In August and September, you will have to create the need for accordion music, but in October, we have Octoberfest and a chance to really make some polka and waltz music. Now I have given you some reasons to put on that accordion and prepare for what the accordion can do best. Are you with me, and will you prepare? AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS ASSOCIA- TION (AAA) Festival will be held July 11th to 13th, 2025, in Conshohocken (Philadelphia area), PA. The event will feature Concerts, Workshops, Competitions, Orchestras, Exhibits, Food Functions, and Guest Artists. Watch this article or ameraccord.com for more hotel discount codes and other Festival announcements.

https://atgaccordions.com

June 2025Page 3

Meeting minutes

May Meeting · Sunday, May 11, 2025

The Oklahoma Accordion Club met on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Before the meeting we watched a projected video from the 2025 National Accordion Convention, featuring Jim Rommel, Bob Bisciglia, Loris Brooke, and other professional players. aggie Abel called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm. Nine members were present (eight in person and one on Zoom). VP and Treasurer Ron Shearon led us in reciting The Pledge of Allegiance. Maggie thanked the workers, including Proofreader and Snack Leader Karen West, and member Frank Boyd, who sets up projection equipment and helps as needed. The Garage Band, where Maggie plays accordion, will entertain at Messiah Lutheran Church Friday, May 16, performing for a monthly seniors class led by Pastor Myron Harms.

— Lois Roth, OAC Secretary

Birthdays