MAAA News
MAAA Guest Artist Performance - Evan Harlan!
Renowned accordionist, Evan Harlan, will be the featured guest artist at the meeting of the Massachusetts Accordion Association (MAAA) on Sunday, September 28, 2008, beginning at 1:00 PM at the Dolphin Seafood Restaurant in Natick, MA. The program will combine a solo performance by Harlan, as well as a workshop session during which Harlan will discuss the music he plays and some of the techniques he employs.
Evan Harlan is a professor of contemporary improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music, and the leader of a quartet - Andromeda4. His other musical pursuits include composing and directing. Harlan plays several keyboard instruments, but his special affection for the accordion is clearly evident. He uses a vintage Excelsior accordion, as well as a recently acquired Victoria all-wood, free-bass accordion - which is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.
Andromeda4 plays original music with the flavors of Americana, tango, gypsy and other passionate traditions. Harlan's former quartet - named Excelsior - featured unusual arrangements of classical compositions by mixing in improvisation and unorthodox textures. Harlan has also recorded and performed internationally with many jazz and world music ensembles, including the Dave Douglas Group, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and the Von Trapp Singers.
MAAA Ensemble
The MAAA Ensemble performed its very first piece at the January meeting of the MAAA, with resounding results! The musical collaboration was not only a pleasant listening experience, but also a great playing experience.
Donna La Rue, a member of the MAAA Board of Directors who has previously led accordion ensembles, has undertaken the leadership role for the MAAA Ensemble. Her skill was immediately evident when she managed to get ten players, who never before played together, to perform a multi-part arrangement in a matter of minutes.
Participation in the ensemble is open to all MAAA members, regardless of skill level. One of the purposes of the MAAA is to encourage enjoyment of the accordion by its members, and the ensemble is another MAAA program that accomplishes that goal.
Ensemble pieces are distributed to participants for practice outside of the regular monthly meeting. The ensemble gets together at the regular meeting for a rehearsal.
All MAAA members are invited to join the ensemble, and anyone else is invited to join the MAAA and jump on the ensemble bandwagon.
