welcome
 
The Hanni Strahl Concert Hall is acoustically ideal and seats 1,000 people on floor and balcony levels. The Helen and Theodore Miller Concert Series has presented dozens of the world’s greatest accordion artists and has elevated cultural prestige of the Midwest region. Focal highlight of the stage is a unique and beautiful ten-foot, two-manual harpsichord encased in gold and vermillion with eleven pedals controlling six plectra. At the hall’s west side is The Duane Sellman Special Exhibits Area that features displays honoring individuals who have significantly influenced American performance art, and whose estates are contained in the museum. The hall also serves community special events and weddings.
  The Alain Papineau Collection - The transfer of the collection to AWAM Story
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
May 4-5, 2024 - All weekend - Schedule to be posted soon
 
To register and buy tickets please click here!
 
Tentative Schedule of Events - Please check back for last minute updates
 
Accommodation in Superior, WI

Two local hotels have offered to support our festival by offering discounted rates during the World Accordion Day and Dr. Willard A. Palmer Festival timeframe. Please visit the sites to see rates and continued availability:

Hampton Inn, Superior, WI.

Best Western Bridgeview Hotel, Superior, WI.


RECENT EVENTS

October 28, 2023 - 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
 

NE Accordion Festival & Oktoberfest
October 28th, 2023
A World of Accordions Museum, Superior, Wisconsin

**Friday 6:00 pm**
Rehearsal - Accordion Concertina group with Dee
selections to be announced

Saturday 9:00 am
The 2023 Combined NEAF Festival Orchestra rehearsal #1 (everyone)
Ombo, Glocken der Heimat, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Hallelujah

Saturday 12:00 pm
Quick run through of songs by Accordion and Concertina Music group

Split Lunch 12:00-1:00 pm

Saturday 1:00 pm
Quick run through of songs by Mill City Accordions
America the Beautiful, Breton Waltz, Kiev Waltz

Saturday 1:30 pm
The 2023 Combined NEAF Festival Orchestra rehearsal #2 (everyone)
Ombo, Glocken der Heimat, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Hallelujah

Saturday 2:30 pm
Workshop #1
Understanding free reed instrument repair

Saturday 3:30 pm
Workshop #2
Historical presentation about diatonic instruments

Saturday 5:00 pm
***set up for concert***

Saturday 5:30 pm - Concert

Accordion Concertina Music
Dee Langley, conductor
selections TBA

Mill City Accordions
America the Beautiful, Ward
Breton Waltz, Medieval France
Kiev Waltz, Maiboroda

Masked Accordions
Can’t Help Falling in Love, Weiss, Peretti & Creatore
Jessamee, Langley
Der Zug um 7:40 (The Train at 7:40), Klezmer

Helmi Harrington and Robert Dingman
Celebrating the German Tradition in Music

Three Rivers Accordion Ensemble
Waltz No. 2, Shostacovitch
Hoedown, Copland
Danse Macabre, Saint-Saëns
Lakodalmi Tánc (Wedding Dance), Hungary
Phantom of the Opera, Webber
Hotel California, Henley, Felder & Frey

The 2023 Combined NEAF Accordion Orchestra
Dee Langley, Conductor
Ombo, Palmer
Glocken der Heimat (Bells of Home), Avsenik
In the Hall of the Mountain King, Grieg
Hallelujah, Cohen

7:30 End of the Day - A Toast to AWAM & Accordionists Everywhere
 
 

Concert Program

  • Poetic Rhapsody by Stas Venglevski
  • Silver Stream by Stas Venglevski
  • Humoresque by Stas Venglevski
  • Summer Sunshine by Stas Venglevski
  • Italian Polka by Sergey Rachmaninoff
  • Tico-Tico by Zequinha de Abreu
    Stas Venglevski – Bayan

Intermission

  • Mirada del Deseo by Ilio Volante
  • Bebe by Raul Jaurena
  • Earendel by Ian Deterling
  • Fuga-Motion by Stas Venglevski
  • Der Komet Hale-Bopp by Urmas Sisask
  • Love & Pigeons by Stas Venglevski
  • Cocktail Party by Stas Venglevski
  • Unharness the Horses Lads by Ukrainian Folk Song
    Stas Venglevski – Bayan, Dr. Brett Jones – Marimba
His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stas Venglevksi, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the Bayan. A two-time first prize winner of Bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova, Stas is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of the gamed Russian Bayanist, Friedrich Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the United States.
 
Stas is an accordionist, a musician, an arranger, an entertainer, and a teacher. Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary, and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen. and with Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Companion Show. Additionally, he has performed with symphony orchestras throughout the United States. He performed the world premiere of "Concerto No. 2" by Anthony Galla-Rini and the world premiere of "Bayan and Beyond," composed for Stas by Dan Lawits.
 
He is a regular participant with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE), has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. He's played on television commercials and performed in theater productions. He has recorded over 20 albums, including a transcription of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" for Bayan. He has also published several books of his original compositions.
 
Sunday, July 30, 2023 - 2:00 PM
Make a Donation:
https://worldofaccordions.z2systems.com/np/clients/worldofaccordions/donation.jsp?campaign=1

A World of Accordions in Superior, WI is pleased to present their World Accordion Day Festival 2023 which will be celebrated May 5-7th at A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin.
 
Friday, May 5th is the Dr. Willard A. Palmer Festival.  The tentative schedule includes a demonstration of some of the museum’s instruments by Dr. Helmi Harrington; a visit with Dr. Palmer’s son, Bill Palmer; an introduction to diatonics and concertinas; plus Art Bjorngjeld with some story-telling, traditional folk music, and good-natured “Poke Fun at Minnesota” tales. The evening will be topped off with a concert by Japanese accordionists Mihoko Goto and Chiharu Ebihara.
 
Saturday, May 6th celebrates World Accordion Day starting with a free public event from 10:00 AM – noon, featuring accordionist and children’s musician, Jane Christison. This fun, family-friendly performance will also include an accordion petting zoo so that young and not-so-young can test drive an accordion. Saturday afternoon’s lineup begins with Kenneth Bressler talking about Moog Synthesizers to Virtual via Early Electronic Accordions. Known as the Great Entertainer, the always-popular Florian Chmielewski will give a performance you won’t want to miss followed by Mike Middleton with a presentation and performance of Myron Floren’s music. The afternoon session ends with a performance of international music by the ACM Band. (This band is open to all accordionists. You do have to sign up ahead of time in order to receive the music and attend the rehearsals on Thursday, May 4th at 1:00 PM., and Saturday morning, May 6th at 8:30 a.m.) Saturday night, author and poet Dr. Anthony Bukowski will give a presentation followed by an open stage for any and all accordionists in attendance.
 
Sunday morning, May 7th, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Mike Middleton and tuba player, Clayton Capps, will lead a nondenominational polka service. This event is free and open to the public.

Links to purchase tickets or livestream link will be available soon. Please check back.

Saturday, October 8th, 7:30 PM

An Evening with Anthony Bukoski
 
Local author Anthony Bukoski will read from his books, including his newly published Blondes of Wisconsin, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Hanni Strahl Concert Hall, A World of Accordions Museum, 1401 Belknap St. in Superior, WI.
 
His prize-winning wit and wisdom will explore the lives of fictional Polish Americans in Superior’s East End community. Accordion music will be featured that is relevant to the readings! This is a fund-raiser for A World of Accordions Museum.
 
A native of the East End of Superior, he attended St. Adalbert’s grade school, where he was steeped in the unique culture of his Polish American port city neighborhood.
 
He joined the Marine Corps in 1964 after a year at what was then the Wisconsin State University Superior and found himself a soldier in Danang, South Vietnam! After three years, Anthony returned to Superior and finished his undergraduate work.
 
After graduation, Anthony continued at Brown University in Rhode Island where he received an MA in English, and The University of Iowa where he attended the Writer’s Workshop in 1976 and received his PhD in English in 1984. He spent the bulk of his career until retirement as a professor of English at The University of Wisconsin-Superior.
 
In addition to his academic teaching and study, Anthony is also a man of broad life experience. He has been a car wash attendant, short order cook, camp counselor and janitor, salvaged bauxite from derailed tank cars, and worked in the complaint department at Sears.
 
His father (an accordion player!) was a laborer in a flour mill and had once been a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes as well as on ocean-going ships. His influence is strongly evident in Anthony’s Polish American stories. No wonder we see ourselves and our community in his writing and understand the struggle of his protagonists!
 
Dr. Bukoski received the Oskar Haleck Prize from the Polish American Historical Association and is a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize in literature. He is featured in the PBS Video A Sense of Place: A Portrait of Three Midwestern Writers.
 
Books by Anthony Bukoski

North of the Port (Southern Methodist University Press, 2008)
Time Between Trains (Southern Methodist University Press, 2003)
Polonaise (Southern Methodist University Press, 1998)
Children of Strangers (Southern Methodist University Press, 1993)
Twelve Below Zero (Holy Cow! Press, 1986, 2008)
Head of the Lakes: Selected Short Sto​ries (2018)
The Blondes of Wisconsin (2021)
 


Friday, October 14th, 7:00 PM

Ameriikan Poijat Up North
 
The Finnish American Brass Band AMERIIKAN POIJAT (Boys of America) has received an invitation to perform abenefit fun d raiser concert for the Finlandia Foundation Northland. Ameriikan Poijat, with players based in Minnesota, has traveled widely, with performances is most Midwestern states, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Canada, and Finland. “Poijat” has released six CD recordings and publishes some of its performance sheet music. The event will take place on Friday, October 14, 7:00 PM at the “World of Accordions Museum” 1401 Belknap, Superior, Wisconsin. Poijat’s program will consist of a mixture of concert and dance music. There is no admission fee, but donations will be received.
 
Ameriikan Poijat (Boys of America), Finnish American Brass Septet, was founded in 1990. They’ve been asked to play performances in some rather unusual settings, such as in an ice arena, in fishing boats on the Perhojoki river, on a raft in an abandoned mine, at Finnish border defense installations, at a McDonnell-Douglas military aircraft plant, in a Wisconsin cow pasture, on a Florida beach, at an instrument museum, in a barn, and in a one room schoolhouse. It’s not that they have exclusively sought out bizarre venues, but a seven-piece group is very mobile, and the Finnish brass music they celebrate seems to have drawn them off the beaten path ay times. Made up of Minnesota musicians, some of Finnish descent, they have been sharing the charm of the old Finnish brass band music and have also performed the newer compositions for septet that have proliferated recently. Their main inspiration has been from brass playing colleagues and friends in Finland who have also been keeping the tradition alive and generously sharing their experience with us about this music. The Finnish brass septet repertoire is meaningful ethnic art and has an inherent musicality that is attractive to many listeners.
 
More recently Poijat has played in Philadelphia, Delaware, Texas, and Canada. They have also made regular appearances in Minnesota. Michigan, and Wisconsin. During this time a new repertoire has developed through commissions. With the passage of many years since Ameriikan Poijat began to play together, the musical inflections and nuances that create their style have continued to change and develop. They have been presenting music in concerts, at ethnic festivals, in regional tours, at music conferences, recreating authentic social dance music along with concert repertoire from a bygone era. “Poijat” was formed in Northfield, Minnesota by Paul Niemistö and made its first concert tour to a Finnish festival in Florida the next spring, and then made its first trip to Finland in 1992 for the Finnish 75 anniversary. Poijat has returned Finland several times since, most recently help celebrate the Finnish Centennial in 2017.
During the 1980’s, Paul Niemistö contacted many Finnish brass players, thereby discovering this relatively unknown musical tradition. Ameriikan poijat has developed programming around beautiful old concert music and dance arrangements, and has enjoyed wide popularity among Finnish American music lovers and festival goers, and to an increasingly wider audience.
 
They have released six CDs and have published large catalogue their sheet music for other bands to play.


October 23rd, 2:30 PM

MICHAEL BRIDGE IN CONCERT
 
A World of Accordions Museum is proud to present Canadian accordionist Michael Bridge in concert on Monday, June 25, 2022, 7:00 p.m. The concert will be held in the beautiful Hanni Strahl Concert Hall which is located in the historic A World of Accordions Museum, 1401 Belknap St., Superior, Wisconsin.
 
Michael Bridge is a musical maverick. He’s a virtuoso performer on both the acoustic accordion and its 21st Century cousin, the digital accordion. His concerts capture the energy and panache of stadium rock with the elegance and discipline of chamber music. He’s won a slew of competitions in Canada and abroad and was named one of CBC’s 30 under 30 classical musicians.
 
He recently received a doctorate in performance from the University of Toronto and became a Rebanks Fellow at the Glenn Gould School. He gives over 100 concerts a year as a soloist and as a member of both the “Bridge & Wolak” duo and “Ladom Ensemble”. He’s in huge demand for masterclasses around the world. Bridge embraces a musical aesthetic that is alternatively irreverent, deadly serious, meticulously prepared and completely in-the-moment. He’s at home with jazz, folk and classical music and has premiered 53 new works. Ultimately, he aims to make your world more bearable, beautiful and human – even if only for the length of a concert. www.MichaelBridge.ca
 
A World of Accordions houses the world’s largest collection of accordions, from the very oldest dating back to the 1800’s to the newest digital instruments. Part of the museum’s mission is to provide concerts to better acquaint the public with this incredibly versatile instrument - and this is one concert you won’t want to miss!
 
Tickets are Adults $35; Age 13- College Student $20; Age 12 and under $10. They are available for purchase online or at the door on the night of the event.
 
https://worldofaccordions.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/worldofaccordions/event.jsp?event=13
 
The concert will be livestreamed as well. Registration in advance is required for that.
 
For additional information, contact:
Dr. Helmi Harrington
A World of Accordions Museum
218-393-0245
www.worldofaccordions.org


A World of Accordions welcomes you to our 3-Day Accordion Festival
May 6-8, 2022
 
 
Harrington ARTS Center (HARTS) and A World of Accordions (AWAM) will be hosting a live-music accordion festival at 1401 Belknap St., Superior, WI. Music and lectures will be ongoing from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM with refreshments available on May 6-7. A polka service will be held on May 8. AWAM’s large concert hall allows for 6’ seating distances if required at the time and whatever mask mandates in plce at the time will be honored. Tickets can be ordered or paid at the door and the Sunday Polka Service is free. Many of the performances will be live streamed on AWAM’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Please check back for our schedule of events and registration information. We look forward to welcoming you!

Register for Accordion Blend today: https://worldofaccordions.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=3&
Museum Fundraising: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-world-of-accordions-building-maintenance

A World of Accordions

Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 10, 4:00-7:00 PM

watch archived footage

Free Event - Boiler Fund Donations Accepted Here

4:00 - Accordion Concertina Music Band
5:00 - Paul Vargason
6:00 - Florian Chmielewski

HARTS and AWAM
Host 3-Day Accordion Festival
May 6-8, 2021
 
 
Harrington ARTS Center (HARTS) and A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) will be hosting a live-music accordion festival at 1401 Belknap St., Superior, WI. Music and lectures will be ongoing from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM with refreshments available on May 6-7. A polka service will be held on May 8. AWAM’s large concert hall allows for 6’ seating distances, masks will be required. Tickets can be ordered or paid at the door for $75 per day, or $125 for the first two days. The polka service is free. Many of the performances will be live streamed on AWAM’s Facebook and YouTube channels. To receive the live stream link, you will need to pre-register (free).

 
For more information call (218) 393-0245 or email: aworldofaccordions@gmail.com.
 
May 6
AWAM events align with international celebrations of World Accordion Day. AWAM presents Stas Venglevski in concert premiering his “Full Moon Suite” composed for Joan Cochran Sommers, UMKC Professor Emerita. Stas will also perform solo and in duet with Joan. Joan will also perform in a trio with accordionists Betty Jo Simon and Jane Christison. Via video lecture, Judy Campbell Contino will pay tribute to her legendary husband Dick Contino. Dick Contino’s estate displays will be opening at AWAM by 2022. Accordion star, Dr. Michael Middleton, will perform a concert of Contino favorites. Because the Pandemic prevents international travel, guest Japanese artists, Mihoko Goto and Chiharu Ebihara, will be live-streamed. Dr. Brett Jones, Chairman of the University of Wisconsin Music Department, AWAM’s new Artistic Director, Stas Venglevski and Alex Sandor, UW-Superior Piano Instructor will perform William Susman’s original work “Three for Keyboard,” for bayan, marimba, and piano.

May 7
HARTS will host the Ninth Annual Dr. Willard A. Palmer Festival featuring Willard A. Palmer III, Dance Attic: Susi and Jimi, Joanna Darrow (NJ) and Dee Langley (MN), Paul Vargason (WI), and a roundtable discussion on composing and arranging music for accordion including J. Sommers, S. Venglevski, T. Gibbens, D. Langley, H. Harrington and Megumi Hada. The day closes with a performance by the World Accordion Music Band conducted by Tracey Gibbens.
 
May 8
The World Accordion Day program ends with a special hour of folk music in the format of a polka service. The Norsk Høstfest Polka Service Band (a subgroup of the Norsk Høstfest Accordion Club of Minot, ND) will perform. This informal and fun experience is free and open to the public.
 

Accommodation
For your lodging needs, the following hotels have a block of rooms at a special reduced "Harrington Arts Center" rate.
Barkers Island Inn
300 Marina Drive
Superior, Wi 54880
715-392-7152
$79.00 plus tax
 
Holiday Inn Express
303 2nd Ave. E.
Superior, Wi 54880
715-392-3444
$89.00 plus tax
 
Hampton Inn
66 E. Second St.
Superior, Wi 54880
715-718-2723
$91.00 plus tax
 
Superior Inn
525 Hammond Ave.
Superior, Wi 54880
715-394-7706
$50.00 plus tax
 
Best Western Bridgeview
415 Hammond Ave
Superior WI 54880
715.392.8174
Call for rate information
 

Many of the performances will be live streamed on
AWAM’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
To receive the live stream link, you will need to pre-register (free).
 
Note: All event times are Central Time (CT) USA

December 6, 2020 - Stas Venglevski Concert - 3:00 PM (CST) - For Livestream Information see below

LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
 
This event will be live streamed worldwide on both YouTube and Facebook. There is no need to register. You can click on the following links just prior to the start of the event.
 
1 PM Pacific Time
2 PM Mountain
3 PM Central US
4 PM Eastern US
9 PM UK Time
10 PM Central European Time
8 AM Dec 7 in Eastern Australia
10 AM Dec 7 in New Zealand
 
YouTube Live Stream - https://youtu.be/aPCEC_5xEfI
 
Facebook Live Stream - https://www.facebook.com/AWorldofAccordions/live/

If you are on facebook, you can search for AWorldofAccordions and then click on the Events tab to find the live stream.

There is no charge to view the live stream, but we do request that you make a donation to support our efforts to continue to make events like this available in this format. Please click on the following button to support our digital outreach.
Support our Digital Outreach: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-world-of-accordions-digital-outreach

 
Harrington ARTS Center and A World of Accordions Museum, announce with pride Stas Venglevski’s
3:00 PM concert on December 6, 2020.
 
Virtuosity, artistry, sensitivity and dazzling technical command have brought Stas to the forefront among concert accordionists. Stas Venglevski, born in the Republic of Moldova and tutored by Friedrich Lips, has honored us with performances on numerous landmark occasions. As a noted composer, his works range from masterpieces in miniature to orchestral feats. We are especially privileged to present the World Premiere of his new, major work Poetic Rhapsody. Stas ascribes the commissioning and dedicatory credits of this work to our museum. We are requesting specially earmarked donations to reward Stas for its creation.
 
The concert’s first half will present J. S. Bach’s music including: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (BWV 565),
Invention #2 in C Minor (BWV 788), Inventions #6 in E Major (BWV 777), Prelude and Fugue in D Minor (BWV 875), Prelude in E Minor (BWV 810), Chorale Prelude in F Minor (BWV 659), Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor (BWV 582).
 
The second half of the concert will honor two composers, whose accordion works are new to our stage: Yehuda Yannay’s Fantasietta with Interruptions on a Theme in F Minor, and William Susman’s Zydeco Madness. The concert will conclude with the premiere of Stas’ Poetic Rhapsody.
 
The live-stream broadcast will be through GoFundMe in support of continuing the museum’s high-quality digital outreach.
 
Our spacious concert hall allows 6’ distancing between audience members, masks required. Tickets at $20.00 per person can be purchased in advance or at the door.
 
This link is for the GoFundMe page for the Dec 6 Stas Concert. Anyone can click on this to make a donation to support the continued development of digital outreach for A World of Accordions.
 
For details e-mail: aworldofaccordions@gmail.com

19 - 20 July 2020 - Stas Venglevski Concert and Workshop
Concert Livestream Link
Sunday July 19, 2020

3:00-4:15 PM CDT

https://youtu.be/yjWpgBGl3_A
 
July 19, 2020 - Concert featuring a World Premiere Landmark Event
3:00-4:15 PM

Famed composer Josh Schmidt has chosen Stas to present the WORLD PREMIERE of his new suite “Eleven for Accordion” and include Stas’ charming “Petting Zoo Suite.” Mr. Schmidt intends to be present for this concert.  Please watch this website for the link to the livestream event. Please direct your donations to www.paypal.com accordion@sprynet.com
 
The concert program:
 
September – Stas Venglevski 
August – Stas Venglevski 
Christmas in Tacoma – Stas Venglevski 
 
ELEVEN FOR ACCORDION (Suite in 11 movements) – Josh Schmidt 
1. Prelude (for Summer Lee Jack)
2. First Invention
3. Chorale
4. Second Invention
5. Touch Piece/Anthem of the Time (after Julius Eastman)
6. Waltz (for Dick Scanlan)
7. Third Invention
8. Lullaby (for Maggie Jo Langs)
9. Air/Tabula Rasa (after Terry Jennings)
10. Fourth and Final Invention
11. Post/Prelude (for Summer Lee Jack
 
PETTING ZOO SUITE – Stas Venglevski 
1. Cats’ Ball
2. Cheetahs Chase
3. Tortoise Lament
4. Cock Fight
5. Carnival of Giraffes
6. Dance of Penguins
7. Mice Party Polka
8. Tom & Jerry (Gallop)
 
Ice Meadow Song – Stas Venglevski 
Taquito Militar (Milonga) – Mariano Mores 
Rocky Top – Felice & Boudleaux Bryant
Summer Sunshine – Stas Venglevski

Stas Venglevski Offers Tango Workshop
July 20, 2020
2:00 PM

We are honored and delighted to announce Stas Venglevski’s Tango Workshop at HARTS, 1401 Belknap St., Superior, WI. The concert hall is spacious, allowing for 6’ distancing between audience members. Masks are requested.
 
Stas will perform and discuss the compositions in his new book "Twelve Hot Tango Compositions for Solo Accordion:"
Busy Fingers Tango, Elephants Tango, Meg Tanguera, Invite Tango,
Tango for Two, Lonely Dancer, Tango Pasadena, Tango Mobile,
Ecstasy Tango, One Tulip, Yellow Roses, and Meg Tango.
  
You will be able to buy an autographed copy at the concert.
Alternatively, the book with CD can be purchased for $30 + shipping ($3). A PDF version (without CD) is $25. You can pay through Stas’ PayPal account (stasvenglevski@wi.rr.com), or by mailing payment to Megumi Hada, 2901 Watters Rd., Pasadena, TX 77502.
 
Don’t miss this opportunity. We do not expect this workshop to be livestreamed.

 
2-3 May 2020

World Accordion Day / Palmer Festival Cancellation
 
It is with great disappointment that due to the circumstances surrounding the corona virus (Covid-19) emergency, we have made the necessary decision to cancel our upcoming World Accordion Day celebration (May 2) and Eighth Annual Dr. Willard A. Palmer Festival (May 3). This decision is heartbreaking. We hope a postponement or other alternative may materialize when the time of crisis passes.
 
As loyal and considerate citizens, we cannot disregard prudent measures suggested by authorities and enacted by many organizations attempting to protect us all from spread of this epidemic disease. We also recognize the travel restrictions imposed on artists and attendees expected from several foreign countries and numerous USA states.
 
We gratefully acknowledge the months of preparation that our guest artists and students so willingly contributed in planning extraordinary music for memorable concerts. On behalf of all associated with HARTS and AWAM, we look forward to soon filling our concert hall again, doing what we most love to do -sharing music and friendship with you!

12 October 2019 - 4:00 PM - Mihoko Goto, Japan

Our world stage is becoming more global as we look forward to welcoming Mihoko Goto as the first Japanese accordionist to present a concert for AWAM at HARTS. She is one of Japan’s leading accordionists, whose unique sound and performance style is highly praised at home and abroad.
 
Her musical experiences are impressively diverse. After graduating from Osaka College of Music with a major in piano, she taught in the school system for twelve years while independently pursuing studies in contemporary music. She then decided to advance her music studies in Hong Kong and in England, with Nick Ariondo in Los Angeles and with Viacheslav Semionov in Moscow. Upon her return to Japan, she participated in the Roma ensemble “Tengo” as well as offering solo concerts. Her international travels continued as Tengo became “Friendship and Exchange Artists” for Russia’s 300th anniversary of the founding of the city of St. Petersburg. She was solicited for television and radio performances while also releasing three consecutive albums through Victor Entertainment. Subsequent musical activity in NYC, Germany, Russia, Finland, and always in her homeland Japan, have brought her fame and respect.
 
Much of her popularity may be attributable to her large repertory that incorporates characteristics of many musicological styles - traditional Japanese, Russian, Classical, flamenco, rock, and other world music. We happily anticipate a unique experience.
 
Donations to defray expenses are requested in lieu of admission fees. Please be generous - Mihoko is coming to the USA from Japan specifically to play in our hall. Donations can be made by credit card or via PayPal.


27 October 27 2019 - 2:00 PM - Hank Thunander (tickets $25.00)
The famed Hank Thunander is a favorite entertainer throughout the region and beyond. His personable nature radiates through his music in an amazing breadth of repertory.
 
Hank has many recognitions to his credit, including election to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Often featured in Chmielewski FunTime, and Minnesota State Fair events, Hank is an amazing musician in his ability to tailor programs to suit various audiences and to respond to requested tunes. While known for his spontaneous interpretations in any “key,” and for his stylistic accuracy in performing 18 types of polkas, Hank can also incorporate other dimensions in his programs. For example, he plans to explain the music demonstrated as a learning experience to benefit accordionists and musicians in our hall.
 
Personally befriended with Frankie Yankovic, Hank promotes old-time, ethnic, and popular modern favorites. His Cleveland-style polkas are enhanced through his use of a 1937 ItaloAmerican Special piano accordion, very much like the one we restored for his friend of long-standing, Joey Miskulin. We have several similar accordions displayed in the museum.
 
The concert is sponsored by Barbara and Dennis Vargason of Superior as a special fund-raiser for the museum. Their son Paul Vargason will play a set or two with Hank. Paul studied with Helmi Harrington for decades.
 

May 4 - 5, 2019
Our annual World Accordion Day celebration and Willard A. Palmer Festival will take place on May 4 and 5, 2019, respectively. The event will feature an array of concerts, workshops and educational seminars. Please see schedule below for further details.

May 4th, 2019 - World Accordion Day

10:00 Intro to Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes: Kevin Friedrich (Ambassador)
10:15 Mayor Jim Paine: Proclamations
10:25-10:45 Introduction to AWAM
11:00-11:45 Recognition of Recently Received Noteworthy Estates: Elsie Bennett (Ken/Ron Bennett), Gary Harvell (through Paul Fischer), Lorren Lindevig (through Glenda Meadows), George Curletto.
 
Recognition of Major Donors:
Charles Magnante, Helen and Theo Miller (through Faithe Deffner), Charles and Hanni Harrington, Audrey and Emil Meitzner, Joanna and Stan Darrow, Frank Gaviani (Gaviani, Deiro and Pagani Publ.), Marge Fremar (through Karen Fremar), Dr. Carmelo Pino, Mary Tokarski (Fernino), Sylvia Prior, Kevin Friedrich/Verne Uvesian (Deffner items), Carolyn Carver (Carver and Ensele music library), Rob Dingmann, Bill Palmer.
 
Introduction to AWAM II: Curletto Center and Museum (Duluth)
12:00-12:45 Lunch (Included with Day Admission)
1:00-1:45 Mary Tokarski: Concert
2:00-2:45 Murl Allen Sanders: The Eclectic Accordionist’s Dilemma
A concert featuring differing genres of music, plus a few comments
3:00-3:45 Betty Jo Simon: Concert
4:00-4:45 Henry Doktorski: Lecture/Recital: The Life and Music of the Brothers Deiro.
5:00-5:45 Duet Concert: Joan Sommers and Stas Venglevski
  • Prelude & Fugue in B Minor (Venglevski)
  • Burlesque (Venglevski)
  • Always and Eternity (Venglevski)
  • Not a Clue (Venglevski)
  • Cocktail Party (Venglevski)
  • ‘Hey” Polka (Venglevski)
  • Invention #2 in A Minor (Venglevski)
  • Love and Pigeons Polka (Venglevski)
6:00-6:45 Supper (Included with Day Admission)
7:00-7:15 Intro: Joan Cochran Sommers - The UMKC Experience
7:30

University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Chamber Accordion Ensemble: Concert
Director: Joan Cochran Sommers, Ron Barrow, Mary Ann Covone, Ron Dake, Kevin Friedrich, Betty Jo Simon, Samantha Wagner and Cathy Sue Weiss.

  • Zar und Zimmermann Albert Lortzing/ Arr. Herold)
  • Variationen ueber “Komm lieber Mai” (Rudolf Würthner)
  • Tambourin Chinois (Samantha Wagner, soloist) (Fritz Kreisler)
  • Omphale’s Spinning Wheel (Camille Saint-Saens/Arr, Galla-Rini)
  • Cité Tango (Ron Barrow, soloist) (Astor Piazzolla/Arr. Sommers)
  • Concerto per Archi: Preludio - Scherzo - Aria - Finale (Nino Rota/Arr. Negruta)

May 5th, 2019 - 7th Willard A. Palmer Festival

9:00 ACM Band Rehearsal
10:00-10:10 Introduction to Palmer Festival: Bill Palmer
10:10-10:45 Dance Attic: Suzi Ludwig and Jimi Cooper
11:00-11:45 Mike Middleton: Concert
12:00-12:45 Lunch (Included with Day Admission)
1:00-1:45 Jane Christison: Fun with Janie
2:00-2:45 Dee Langley
3:00-3:45 Discussion: Electronic Accordions--Evolution and Future
Bill Palmer, Mike Middleton, Betty Jo Simon, Kryz Kopec
4:00-4:45 Bill Palmer;, III: Master of Magic, Mirth and Music
5:00-6:15 ACM Band World Accordion Music
  • Toccata in D (Roger Schmitz, soloist) (Bach/Palmer) German
  • Ombo (Palmer) American
  • Ave Maria (Piazzolla) American/South American
  • Christmas Lullaby (Staci Stringer Cihlar, Soprano) (Rutter) American/Scottish
  • Flight of the Angels (Carrozza/Harrington) American
  • Unelma Valssi (Syrjala/Gibbens) American/Finnish
  • Sakkijarven Polka (quartet) (Pihlajamaa) Scandinavian
  • Button Diatonic Ensemble: (Dingmann, Radatz, Setnikar, Skarie, Helmi)
  • Trumpeter’s Echo (Avsenik/Harrington) Alpine/Slovenian
  • Little Fella (Avsenik/Harrington)
  • Alpine/SlovenianArgentina Waltz (Avsenik/Harrington) Alpine/Slovenian
  • Terezinka (Unknown) Slovenian
  • Down in Yon Forest (Gibbens) Medieval Welsh
  • Timonya (Langley) Russian Dance
  • Bolero (Ravel/Harrington) French
  • De Colores (arr. Harrington) Mexican
6:30-7:15 Supper (Included with Day Admission)
7:30 Stas Venglevski: Concert
  • Rondo-Fantasy by Stas Venglevski
  • Dancing on the Side of the Road by David Bohn
  • Dance Prive by David Bohn
  • Dance of Five Groups by David Bohn
  • One Way Street by Astor Piazzolla
  • Tango Girl by Stas Venglevski
  • Odeon by Ernesto Nazareth
  • Jogging Party by Claude Tomain
  • Balancelle Music by Claude Thomain
  • Ice Meadow Song by Stas Venglevski
  • Finnish Polka arr. Friedrich.Lips
  • Minimum Swing by Stas Venglevski
  • Russian Folk Song “Semyonovna”
8:30

Festival Conclusion: Toasts to CIA and two Willard Palmers


November 11, 2018
Winter Accordion Recital, November 11, 1:00 PM
Free admission, refreshments available, public are invited and most welcome!
Accordion Concertina Music Studios (Burnsville, MN and Superior, WI) Present Students and Friends in Recital

Exciting Solo/Duos/Ensemble, Beautiful Museum Accordions
Free Admission - Refreshments
Guest Performer: Paul Vargason
 
Accordion Concertina Band Members with Performer / Conductor Tracey Gibbens
ACM Button Diatonic Ensemble together with Professional Musicians - 30 Talented Student Performers
   
Hanni Strahl Concert Hall at Harrington ARTS Center
1401 Belknap St.
Superior, WI 54880
 

 
World Accordion Day 2018 Ensemble conducted by Tracey Gibbens
 

September 2, 2018

RON SETNIKER COMMEMORATIVE
Harrington ARTS Center Concert Hall
September 2, 2018
2:00 – 4:00 PM

Our friend of 30 years will be remembered with music, refreshments and words honoring his commitment to preserving Iron Range and Slovenian music. Shown above in a recent Chmielewski Polkafest appearance; with his band in one of many concerts at HARTS. Bring your accordion to jam in regional favorites including “Give Back My Heart.” The public is invited. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to A World of Accordions Museum.

July 30, 2018

Convergence of CIA Executives and AWAM Board Members

We applaud our local dignitaries, Mayor Jim Paine, Councilpersons, and community leaders for taking time to become informed about the seriousness of the multifaceted work in progress here and our growing international status.
 
This event was preceded by behind-the-scene activities. The international panelists met in Illinois a week earlier, then engaged in discussions with Helmi during car travel to Superior. On Monday morning an AWAM board meeting was held to consider current business plans.
 
The initiating factor for the event was of landmark importance for AWAM: the first convergence of Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes executives with AWAM board members for the purpose of discussing matters of mutual interest and cooperation. These resulted in the representatives’ decision to emphasize the CIA’s recently-founded World Accordion Museum Alliance as crucial in its missions. AWAM is a founding member of this alliance. Implementation of supportive programs is expected to follow. They further decided to focus live-streamed webcasts of 2019 World Accordion Day around events held at A World of Accordions Museum.
 
Reviewed here is the purposes of the Monday afternoon public meeting which took place in our Hanni Strahl Concert Hal:

  1. to highlight this venue for renowned virtuosi performances and community events,
  2. to entice appreciation for the many estate holdings in the museum as prominently highlighted by Willard Palmer’s beautiful harpsichord at stage center,
  3. to offer a brief tour of museum instruments and their ethnic histories as publicized in uncounted articles, books and videos,
  4. to view resources of our Accordion Resource Center Libraries, including books and recordings that attract scholars from around the world,
  5. to point out The American Accordionists’ International Archival Collection room adjacent to the Faithe Deffner Legacy room,
  6. to announced the kick-off for Superior Vision, a fund-raising campaign,

The tour included viewing workshops related to the USA’s only Accordion-concertina Repair and Technicians’ School curricula, which have taught over a hundred aspiring and professional technicians in specialty seminars and have presented professional certification to over two dozen technicians. David Beer (Oregon) spoke about his participation in a month-long repair seminar and its importance in his plans to open his business.
 
Mayor Jim Paine graciously thanked the panel in an impromptu speech in which he recognized the importance of music in preserving and influencing social values through emotional connections that music elicits. He later announced his intention to designate the accordion as the official musical instrument of the city of Superior.
 
While I am gratified by honorific remarks bestowed on me, I hope they did not deflect focus from the importance of this first international meeting of representatives drawn together by Superior’s national attraction, A World of Accordions Museum.
 
A World of Accordions Museum Board Panelists:

  • Kevin Friedrich, First Vice-President of AWAM Board of Directors, Executive board member and
    editor of American Accordionists Assoc. International Newsletter
  • Helmi Harrington, Ph.D.; Board President, AWAM Founder and Curator
  • Roger Schmitz, (Hutchinson, MN) Electrical Engineer, CEO of Moxy
  • Carolyn Carver, (Duluth, MN) Symphony Violinist (Ret.), Teacher, Stellar Strings Ensemble
  • Dr. Michael Middleton, (Belton, TX) Nuclear Medicine Physician, Professional Accordionist
  • Dee Langley, (Minneapolis, MN) Advisory Board Member, Performing Artist, Teacher at AirAccordion Studio,
    Northeast Minneapolis Accordion Club 
  • Shelby Setnikar, (Woodbury, MN) Pharmacist, Professional Accordionist
  • Yvonne Marts, (Fergus Falls, MN) ARTS-Certified Technician, Professional Repairer
  • Sue Spencer, (Duluth, MN) Professional Musician, Eira Co-Founder [not shown]
  • Charles Harrington, (Austin, TX) Advisory Board Member, Concierge[not shown]

Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes Panelists

  • Kevin Friedrich (New York) Past-President of the CIA (dual terms, 2001-2009);
    CIA Advisory Council Member; CIA Ambassador; Curator of “Accordion Gems” section of Dargaville, NZ, museum
  • Harley Jones (New Zealand) CIA Public Relations Manager;
    Sixteen-year member of the CIA Executive Board; Director/founder of www.accordionsworldwide and additional sites including Accordion Yellow Pages, Search-Accordion, AccordionLinks.com, MusicForAccordion.com.;
    New Zealand Accordion Championship winner; International competitions adjudicator [not shown]
    named "Fellow of the Institute" by the Institute of Registered Music Teachers of NewZealand
  • Heather Masefield (New Zealand) CIA Executive Board Member,
    Coupe Mondiale Recording Secretary, Australian Accordion Teachers Association,
    Secretary of Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand,
    Radio New Zealand Advisory Committee, Adjudicator at international competitions
  • Dr. Herbert Scheibenreif (Austria) Vice-President of CIA;
    Music educator, Member of Executive Committee of International Accordion Society; Adjudicator at international competitions, Virtuoso performer. Third visit to AWAM

May 5-6, 2018
 
RECENT EVENTS IN 2017

December 3, 2017
Carolyn Carver (violin), Mary Wight (cello), and Helmi Harrington (accordion) will a perform a variety program at the Duluth, MN, Karpeles Museum from 1:00-3:00 PM on December 3, 2017.
 

November 12, 2017

Presenting an evening of Nordic Music on November 12, 7:00-8:30 PM. The Duluth Kantele Players, directed by Harold Haapoja, will be featured. The Accordion Concertina Band will perform popular Nordic pieces. Duets will be offered by Marian Syrjamaki-Kuchta and Royal Miller, as well as by Tracey Gibbens and Dr. Paul Anderson. Helmi Harrington will play "The Sakkijarven Polka." The event is open to the public, free admission, and refreshments follow.
 


November 5, 2017
Students and Band Recital
Holiday Theme
November 5, 2017
1:00 PM
Harrington ARTS Center (Superior,WI)
Our Participants Come from Far and Near: Ron Askegaard (Foxboro, WI), Zane Bail (Duluth, MN), John Blumenfeld (Mendota Heights, MN), Carolyn Carver (Duluth, MN), Rob Dingmann (Golden Valley, MN), Robin Floyd (Two Harbors, MN), Nina Ford (Superior, WI), Cheryl Husby (Duluth, MN), Gina, Lucy and Henry Jennissen (Hutchinson, MN), Linda Knudsen (Superior, WI), Ruth Maciejeski (Duluth, MN), Roger Schmitz (Hutchinson, MN), Shelby Setniker (Maplewood, MN), Marian Syrjamaki-Kuchta (Duluth, MN), Anne Velasco (Duluth, MN).
 
We wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving
And memorable holidays into 2018
 

August 26-27, 2017

World of Accordions Museum will host Board of Director and Volunteer's Work Days  from August 26-27, 2017.  The Museum Board and Volunteers will help stabilize the Museum displays, in anticipation of potential ground tremors during the outdoor Belknap Street repaving which will take place in 2018.  While in Superior, attendees will have the opportunity to partake in two diverse events during the weekend.  "Balkan Camp,"  August 26, 2017, led by Dee Langley where attendees are invited to bring their accordion, dancing shoes, and enthusiasm for this rare opportunity from 2:00-5:00 PM.  "The Texas Performance Style,"  August 27, 2017, will be led by Dr. Michael Middleton. Attendees are invited to bring their accordions and some Western tunes, to showcase preparing a large-crowd, outdoor show.  This will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM.  For information, please visit http://www.worldofaccordions.org.    Admission for each event is $40.00
 


July 19-23, 2017

Accordionists and Teachers Guild Festival
Lisle, IL
July 19-23, 2017
 
Accordion Concertina Music Band presents:
Pachelbel “Kanon in D” and“The Lost Chord”
Workshops to be announced
 


May 19-21, 2017

Chmielewski International PolkaFest
Grand Casino, Hinkley, MN
May 19-21
Special guest performer: Joey Miskulin and many others favorites
 
-Our side area will feature the following, with more yet to be scheduled
-Introduction to A World of Accordions Museum resources
-Presenting selected instruments from AWAM’s Travelling Museum through performances: what construction features makes them easy and popular accordion qualities and values, take a first lesson on different types of accordions, concertinas, Discussion topics about accordion repairs and maintenance, Sales of instruments, music, novelty items, and misc.
 


May 6, 2017
wad poster

World Accordion Day In conjunction with Dr. Willard A. Palmer Festival
Centenary and our Fifth Annual celebration of America’s great educator and artist

wad logo"World Accordion Day" May 6, 2017 to feature Invitational Accordion Orchestra Performance
 
May 6-7, 2017
At AWAM’s Strahl Concert Hall
All day
 
Stas Venglevski, Conductor Accordion Band and Orchestra
Participants:
Michael Bridge
Kevin Friedrich
Mike Middleton
Dee Langley
John Scaffeo
Carolyn Carver
Tracey Gibbens
 
Michael BridgeThe Harrington Arts Center (HARTS) is inviting all accordionists to consider joining in a unique production in honor of World Accordion Day, an initiative of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA).    Scheduled for World Accordion Day on May 6, 2017, the event will take place in Superior, WI at the magnificent A World of Accordions Museum facility. 
 
Renowned soloist and composer Stas Venglevski will conduct an orchestral work performed by an orchestra comprising of visiting accordionists as they join this annual unified global effort to celebrate and promote the Accordion.
 
While enjoying this unique World Accordion Day event, participants will not only enjoy this worldwide effort to promote public awareness of the accordion and its many capabilities, they will also be afforded the opportunity to visit the vast resources and instruments found at A World of Accordions Museum.
 
Interested accordionists are invited to confirm their interest so that organizers can plan and prepare.  Accordionists are asked to affirm their intent and playing level via email and organizers are happy to assist with flight arrivals, accommodation (at special rates) and amenities. 
 
To participate or for further information, please contact Helmi Harrington at email: accordion@sprynet.com or phone: (715) 395-ARTS (2787)
 

Schedule - May 6, 2017
In Celebration of “World Accordion Day”
$60.00 Admission, Snacks provided

11:00 Kevin Friedrich: World Accordion Day: Its Importance and Consequence
(about the CIA, why and how WAD was established; where celebrated)
12-12:30 Converse with artists - enjoy Lunch snacks provided
1:00 Helmi Harrington: Accordions Have Secrets!
(Surprising examinations of what’s expected vs what’s really there)
2:00-2:45 Explaining an Interpretation: Stas Venglevski, Michael Bridge, John Scaffeo (public “lesson” on chosen pieces)
3:00-3:45 John Scaffeo
4:00-4:45 Panel Discussion, Open Forum: Memorization and Rapid Learning Techniques
5:00-5:45 Michael Bridge Concert
6:00-6:45 Snacks and Break Time; set stage for Band
7:00-7:30 Stas Venglevski Conducts:
Summer Sunshine (Stas Venglevski)
Kanon in D (Johann Pachelbel)
La Violatera (Jose Padilla)
The Lost Chord (Arthur Sullivan)
7:45 Jam Session: Just for Fun
 
Schedule - May 7, 2017
In Centenary Celebration of Dr. Willard A. Palmer
$60.00 Admission, Snacks provided
9:00 Board Meeting
11:00 Dr. Mike Middleton and Helmi Harrington:
Part One: Willard Palmer Changed the Musical World by Teaching Us How to Teach and Play
Part Two: Developments after Palmer’s Work (working with new repertories; handling the big instruments; advancing technical skills; increased reliance on excellent teachers;  more)
12:00-12:45 Converse with artists—enjoy snacks provided
1:00-1:45 Dee Langley Concert
2:00-2:45 Stas Venglevski Workshop:
Part One: On Composing, Conducting, Arranging
Part Two: Stage Presentation Styles Demo
3:00-3:45 Dee Langley Workshop: Playing from a Lead Sheet; Feeling and Understanding Balkan Rhythms
4:00-4:45 John Scaffeo (offering to be determined)
5:00-5:45 Stas Venglevski Concert
6:00-6:30 Snacks and Break Time; Set Stage for Band
6:30 Tracey Gibbens: On Conducting
Band Performances:
Morning in the Mountains (Rudolf Wuerthner)
Herbst Elegie (Hans Brehme)
Modern Love Waltz (Philip Glass)
Ashokan Farewell (Jay Ungar)
Accordion Waltz (Anon.)
 

Concluding Ceremonies:  Champagne toast to Palmer, the CIA, all performers

Post-event:

Jam Session ad lib

   
Accordion Band Participants
 
Accordion Concertina Music Band
Dale Ahlberg (Lakeville, MN), Ron Askegaard (Foxboro, WI), John Blumenfeld (Mendota Heights, MN), Robin Floyd (Two Harbors, MN), Charles Harrington (Austin, TX), Krystal Harrington (Austin, TX), Hanni Harrington (Austin, TX), Helmi Harrington (MN and WI), Gina Jennissen (Hutchinson, MN), Carrie Kalweit (Minneapolis, MN), Ruth Maciejeski (Duluth, MN), Joy Schmitz (Hutchinson, MN), Roger Schmitz (Hutchinson,MN), Shelby Setniker (Woodbury,MN), Marian Syrjamaki-Kuchta (Duluth, MN), Anne Velasco (Duluth, MN)
 
Guest Artist Participants
Carolyn Carver (Duluth, MN) (violin), Kevin Friedrich (New York, NY), Stas Venglevski (Moscow, Russia and Milwaukee, WI), Dee Langley (Minneapolis, MN), Tracey Gibbens (Duluth, MN), Michael Bridge (Toronto, Canada), Dr. Michael Middleton (Belton, TX), John Scaffeo (Thunder Bay, Canada), Jim Wachter (bass viol)
 
Additional Participants in the Last Piece
Zane Bail (Duluth, MN), Mary Carlson (Duluth, MN), Nina Ford (Superior, WI), Cheryl Husby (Duluth, MN), Linda Knudsen (Superior, WI), Nelson Stetson (Duluth, MN), Zotiy Wallace (Minnetonka, MN), Renee Wermter (Two Harbors)

April 29 - May 2, 2017
Introduction to Accordion Repairs Seminar
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Admission: $350.00
Additional information will be sent with preregistration (required)
 
Introduction to Accordion-Family Instruments
Understanding the major members of the instrument family
Basic repairs: bellows, air insufficiency, machine alignments, reed work, tuning, waxing, leathers, more

April 3, 2016

stas venglevski Stas Venglevski
Hanni Strahl Concert Hall

 
His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stanislav, "Stas," Venglevski, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the Bayan. A two-time first prize winner of Bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova, Stas is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed Russian Bayanist, Friedrich Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the United States.
 
A Past President of the ATG, and current Board of Director, Stas is an Accordionist, a Musician, an Arranger, an Entertainer, a composer and a Teacher. Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music.
 
He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen and with Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Companion Show. Additionally, he has performed with symphony orchestras throughout the United States. He performed the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Anthony Galla-Rini and also the world premiere of Bayan and Beyond, composed for Stas by Dan Lawitts.He is a regular participant the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra; has done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced numerous recordings including a transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for Bayan as well as one of original compositions. He has published several books of original compositions.

Stas founded Accordion XXI Century Series in 2010 so that the Midwest audiences can experience the amazing range of the Accordion and Bayan by bringing gifted artists from all over the world. In a concert setting, these gifted musicians share their skills and cultures to provide the audience with a unique musical experience. The performances feature the Accordion or Bayan in solo presentation and, when possible, in concert with other instruments.

The brilliant artistry and musical virtuosity of Stas afford an expanded dimension in music and an innovative musical adventure to the audience.



March 12 , 2017
Renowned accordionist Stas Venglevski will appear in concert on March 12, 2017. He will be assisted by Tatyana Krasnobaeva on Cembalom.
 
Stas Venglevski (Bayan) and Tatyana Krasnobaeva (Cembalom)
March 12, 2017
Admission: $20
Time to be announced
 
This is a long-awaited opportunity to present these elegant virtuosi in duet and solo performance. Concert presenter Helmi Harrington was enthralled by the cembalom during her adjudications in Russia, and is delighted to be able to offer the experience to attendees.
 
RECENT EVENTS IN 2016

May 4-5, 2016
Fourth Annual Willard Palmer Festival
(further information to be added)

May 4th
Alex Meixner
Clinic - Presenting Your Music - 3:00 PM
Concert - 6:00 PM
  

Alex Meixner’s performing career began at age 6 with his two sisters and father in an ethnic folk ensemble. From these early experiences through headline appearances at music festivals throughout the US; concert performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, Sandy Duncan and his own jazz and ethnic ensembles; as well as over 50 recordings, Meixner has developed a unique musical mix that appeals to a wide cross-section of audiences.
 
Meixner’s formative musical studies were on piano and piano accordion, but he quickly branched out on drums, diatonic button accordion, bass and trumpet, his college major. This instrumental versatility is combined with a musical background that has included intense studies and performance of jazz, classical, pop, polkas and many ethnic folk music genres with some of the leading artists in the world. His talents in music and comedy were even featured on the Tonight Show on NBC in 2004. Most recently, his “Polka Freak Out” CD with Bubba Hernandez garnered a Grammy nomination in December, 2007.
 
Currently based in Palm City, FL, Alex is performing as a solo artist and with numerous touring ensembles.  His solo programs- “Fascinating Rhythms of the World” focus on the fusion of Slavic folk music and Jazz, but also include the inflections of folk, pop and classical styles from Latin America, Africa and other sections of Europe. This music is the basis for a series of multi-cultural music education seminars and performances which are currently available through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts “Artists in Education” program.
 
Alex also leads The Alex Meixner Band in performances throughout North America. Whether you are looking for sure fire crowd pleasing family entertainment, something for the senior audience, classy jazz for a reception or a unique party band- Alex Meixner will work tirelessly to provide the perfect mix for your event. When Alex is not performing with all of these groups, he is devoted to bringing music to students through educational clinics, as well as his private teaching.

 
May 5, 2016
Fourth Annual Willard Palmer Festival cont'd
Hanni Strahl Concert Hall


The name of “Bill” Palmer (1917-1996) is certainly the USA’s most influential in music pedagogy, critical editions, and performance.
  
The American musician, composer, scholar and music educator, Willard (Bill) A. Palmer was a child prodigy. At 13, he played the piano on the radio. He studied both piano and accordion which were to form the basis of his musical endeavors. After the war, Willard A. Palmer and his former student, Bill Hughes joined forces. They can be credited with the high point in accordion performance in the USA. Palmer collaborated with Hughes in producing a series of accordion method books which have had world wide impact. Sales ran into the millions making it the cornerstone of the Alfred Publishing Co. empire.
 
As an educator, Willard A. Palmer was ahead of his time - instrumental in carving an indisputable niche for the accordion at the university level. He and Hughes took the accordion beyond mere college acceptance, into the realm of establishing an actual accordion department within the University of Houston, where they were faculty members enabling young accordionists to earn both Bachelor's and Master's degrees with their instrument. Palmer also founded the "Palmer-Hughes Accordion Symphony", a superb orchestra which appeared at Carnegie Hall in New York.
 
During his period as a professional accordionist, Willard A. Palmer sought to perfect his yet-evolving instrument and contributed significantly to the development of the stradella-free bass "convertor" accordion. He designed the "Palmer Emperor Convertor", and collaborated with Titano Accordions to achieve the realization of his creative ideas.
 
Willard W. Palmer eventually became one of the most important editors of keyboard music in the United States. His editions of works of the masters are highly acclaimed and respected in the most elite music circles. Palmer is noted especially for his painstaking detail and care in the scholarly researching of original editions. He became Alfred Publishing Company's Senior Editor in 1964, researching the original manuscripts of the great masters of keyboard literature, with special emphasis on the study of performance practices in the Baroque, Classic and Romantic eras. He achieved recognition as the leading authority on Baroque ornamentation and lectured on the subject at various colleges, universities and music festivals throughout the country.
 
While achieving accolades for his educational works for other instruments, Willard W. Palmer remained a steadfast supporter of his beloved accordion. Willard A. Palmer's revolutionary teaching principles were reflected in 789 of his published works, which included an accordion method, several piano methods, a method for Hammond Chord Organ, a guitar method, hundreds of solo pieces and many choral works.
 
In 2013 his son, Willard Palmer, III, donated his father’s musical estate that includes one of the finest accordions of the museum (Titano Super Emperor V, 1996) and the decorous two-manual, eleven-pedal harpsichord (A. Cecil Taylor, 1979) that graces the Hanni Strahl Concert Hall.

May 20-22, 2016
See us at the Chmielewski Polkafest
Grand Casino, Hinkley - 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

 
Friday May 20
Visit A World of Accordions Museum display anytime (11 AM to 6 PM)
Music and more will be offered    (Topics may vary)
12:00-1:00 - Aspects of accordion repairs (Treble section)
2:30-3:00 - Rob Dingmann (Slovenian Button Diatonic)
4:00-4:30 - Entertainment performance suggestions
5:00-5:30 - Helmi Harrington plays musette favorites
 
Saturday May 21
Visit A World of Accordions Museum display anytime (11 AM to 6 PM)
Music and more will be offered  (Topics may vary)
12:00-1:00 - Aspects of accordion repairs (Bass section)
1:00-1:30 - Old Time Music: Royal Miller and Helmi
4:00-4:30 - How to Memorize Music
5:00-5:30 - Helmi Harrington plays ethnic favorites
 
Sunday May 22
Visit A World of Accordions Museum display anytime (11 AM to 6 PM)
Music and more will be offered   (Topics may vary)
12:00-1:00 - Aspects of accordion repairs (Bellows)
2:30-3:00 - Diatonic accordions and concertinas
4:00-4:30 - Guest performer
5:00-5:30 - Helmi Harrington plays Midwestern favorites


mike middletonJuly 3, 2016
Hanni Strahl Concert Hall
Dr. Mike Middleton & the Middletones
details TBA

 
Mike Middleton is an accordionist who specializes in Midi Enhanced Accordion music from all genres. He performs mainly for charity events and local festivals, including all styles of international accordion music. He also enjoys arranging compositions to accordion, and has recently been performing at many churches and for Senior groups throughout Central Texas. His latest performances include renditions/arrangements of "Ghostriders in the Sky", "Variations on an Amazing Grace", "Beer Barrell Polka Variations", "Russian Minka Variations", and other favorites. His preferred instruments are a Titano Starlight Royal Cossoto Accordion with a Melody Maker onboard Midi Synthesizer, a Petosa Mahogony Alpine Tuba Bass Accordion, and sometimes….a Mirafone 189 Kaiser Tuba.
 
In addition to the accordion, Mike plays Tuba and he combines his accordion and tuba performances periodically. Currently, he lives in Central Texas with his wife Darla, and their three children Meredith, Lance, and Mitch. Periodically they perform together utlilizing Harp, Drums, and Bass respectively. When performances include include his children the are affectionately called " Mike and the MIDDLETONES".
 
Note from Helmi Harrington: Mike Middleton was a teenager in the 1970s when he studied accordion with my mother and later with me in Austin, Texas. Mike was a wonderful student, an ambitious member of the Strahl Music Ensemble, and, on occasion, my duet partner. Mike won the Texas Accordion Championship the year after I had. It was a certainty even then that he would do great things with his life: he became a doctor, then head of nuclear medicine, and now a board member at Scott and White Medical Center in Temple, Texas.
 
Mike has maintained his musical skills despite demands by profession and family life with wife and three children. Further, he does not fail to acknowledge his teachers Tony Rozance and me in write-ups on his CDs, now numbering three. As a birthday present he sent me a large, beautiful, Texas-influenced print designed and drawn by his brother to be used on the next CD cover. It hangs at the Belknap Street entrance. With each new CD he sends extras for the museum library and gift shop.

July 4 , 2016
Superior Citizens Parade
Carleton County Historical Society


July 21-24 , 2016
Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International Workshop Lectures July 21-24, 2016

The 70th festival which celebrates the founding of this international organization will be held in Lisle, IL, (a suburb of Chicago) at the Hyatt Lisle (1400 Corporetum Dr). This landmark year will feature numerous guest artists, speakers, and displays including two events presented by AWAM. Summaries of Helmi’s workshops follow—but be sure to look at the ATG website and consider the importance of your attendance. Educationally significant hand-outs will be available.


 
hall hall
The Hanni Strahl Concert Hall