The annual Midland Accordion Festival took place on November 7th, 8th and 9th at The Mercure Birmingham West Hotel in West Bromwich, England. The festival, organized by Barry Smith, included workshops, concerts and a trade show that featured the Birmingham Accordion Centre, Squeezebox Marketplace, and Robaccord Publications.
The main guest players were Leonard Brown, Sofia Ros (Spain) and David Vernon (Scotland), with supporting guests Kevin Street, The Northern Lasses, Carlo Pesticcio, Helen Rich, Harry Hussey, Gennaro & Collette Fiondella, Caroline Davies & John Topliss, Anne & Stewart Towe, Julie Best & Jean Corrighan, and The Black Country Accordion Band.
The workshops were Intermediate Orchestra (MD – Nigel Pasby), Elementary Orchestra (MD – Gennaro Fiondella), Vintage Orchestra (MD – Jean Hanger), and Scottish Orchestra (MD – Angie Lukins).
On Sunday afternoon all the workshop orchestras performed in a concert. There was also a Play Your Party Piece concert on Saturday afternoon, for all comers.
At this festival there is always something going on, and never a dull moment. The festival began on Friday afternoon with 96 (going on 26!) year old Harry Hussey, doyen of British accordionists, taking requests, followed by the digital accordion sounds of Carlo Pesticcio, and then accordion classics from Helen Rich.
The evening concert began with a varied set from the highly accomplished Kevin Street, followed by Gennaro & Collette Fiondella, a virtuoso classical performance from Sofia Ros, a varied set from Julie Best & Jean Corrighan, and mainly Scottish music and humour from David Vernon.
The Saturday evening concert featured Sofia Ros, jazz requests from Harry Hussey, The Northern Lasses, Caroline Davies & John Topliss, and a splendid Scottish set from David Vernon.
The Sunday evening concert began with The Black Country Accordion Band (MD – Sterat Towe), Julie Best & Jean Corrighan, Anne & Stewart Towe, and a rousing set from Leonard Brown, who received a standing ovation. All artistes then came together for a finale and a thank you to organizer Barry Smith.
For further information email: accordions2010@hotmail.co.uk
