Sunday, March 13, 2011

OAC meeting that followed was just as great. The NAA is not just a great occasion for accordion enthusiasts, but also a chance to visit old friends and meet some new ones. Dick was so proud of the Youth Orchestra. All students performed above expectations. Our own kids did a super job. Job Elliott and Hannah Braden worked with Dick for months on the music for this event. The Smith sisters also showed that the accordion is one of their best friends. Thank you Oklahoma students. Our friend, Laura Niland of the San Antonio Accordion Club wrote a great article on the Youth Orchestra that you will see elsewhere in this month's Squeezins. We were saddened to learn that Benny Layton, one of the Roland accordion performers who performed at this years NAA meeting, lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident on March 26. He was a very talented conjunto style accordionist who will be missed. Our prayers and condolences go out to his family. We still have not hit the jackpot with membership renewals, but we are getting close. If you haven't renewed your membership to date, please do so as soon as possible. With all the expenses that we incurred from the start of this year, we still show a balance of $430.74 in the checkbook at this point in time. We are in the black, but a couple more renewals would really help at this time. Renewals are our income. See you all at the April 10 meeting. Bring your accordion and a friend. Even enemies soften up with music. Evie

!The Oklahoma Squeezins! April 2011! March 2011 Meeting Oklahoma Accordion Club Minutes The meeting was held on Sunday, March 20. liver Delaney presided. Twenty-four members and seven guests attended. Please take note that the schedule for our next meeting day will be: • Orchestra rehearsal from 2:00 to 3:00 pm • Board meeting 3:00 to 3:30 pm • General meeting starting at the usual time, 3:30 pm Dick Albreski introduced our very talented youth group: • Bria and Maddie Smith played "Deyainu," "Annie in the Cabbage Patch," and "Twinkies March" • Becca played "Becca Main Stage" • Hannah Braden and Job Eliot teamed up for "American Cadet March," "El Relicario," and "Let's Dance the Polka" • Hannah played a solo, "Autumn Breezes by Rossini" • Job's solo was his own arrangement of "Tico Tico" • The finale was Job and Dick playing "Accordion Jump" Dan Orza instructed a group of players on bellows shakes. The piece used to demonstrate was "Glow Worm." Bob Mansfield performed four selections: "Danny Boy" (a contemporized version), "Rhythm and Blues," "Shadows of the Human Heart" by Wes Harris, and "Quizas, Quizas, Quizas." Oliver told us the history of "Danny Boy," aka "Londonderry Air." Frankie and Eleanor Martinez treated us to several button box and guitar pieces, including "Cómo Te Llamas," "Tragos Amargos," and "Viva Seguin." The orchestra closed the meeting with a medley of Irish songs. The next meeting will be on Sunday, April 10. The theme is "Spring-plus-Easter."