Duo Karolina Mikołajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki
Duo Karolina Mikolajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki from Poland is one of the most vibrant and innovative chamber ensembles of the young generation. Winners of Grand Prix and First Prizes at international music competitions in Europe (France, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Poland) performing i.e. at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Guangzhou Opera House, Warsaw Philharmonic, where it enjoyed its debut to a sold-out audience.
It has played recitals in Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Georgia), United States (New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington D.C. , Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Orcas Island), Asia (China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates), South America (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay).
The Duo's performances are described as perfect and mature, yet luminous and filled with youthful vitality. Hailed by Maxim Vengerov as „an ensemble that sounds like one instrument”, the Duo brings completely new qualities and original interpretations to classical masterpieces thanks to Iwo Jedynecki's accordion transcriptions. Both artists boldly venture into renowned works of chamber music literature giving them new character and delightfully diverse colouring.
Melbourne Tango Orchestra
One of the only regular working traditional tango orchestras outside of Buenos Aires, these musicians bring the rich, nostalgic, multi-layered textures of a tango orchestra to Melbourne. This group is somewhere between the world of chamber music and a smoky, underground tango bar, offering a unique listening and dancing experience. Delivering a hefty sound, the orchestra features the infamous bandoneoìn, the quintessential symbol of Argentinean tango. Performing repertoire from tango’s Golden Era and beyond, this orchestra features strings, piano, double bass, clarinet and 3 bandoneóns. These dedicated musicians bring the great names of tango to life such as Aníbal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese and Carlos De Sarli. Doing away with cliché, the Melbourne Tango Orchestra is contemporary, urban, dynamic, lyrical and romantic.
Sunday concert: 3.30pm to 5.30pm - VARDOS, ASAVO (ASA Victoria Orchestra), Prahran Accordion Band, and Massed Accordion Orchestra
VARDOS
Driven by Alana on wild violin, chased by Kirri (double bass) and Sofia (accordion), Vardos play folk and Romany music learnt from Roma (Gypsy) musicians during their Eastern European travels. Formed in Perth 1993 by Alana Hunt, Vardos relocated to Melbourne late last century and have played throughout Australia, toured to Europe, Britain, New Zealand, New Caledonia and the U.S., garnering glowing reviews for their electrifying live performances, in particular Alana Hunt, violinist, as the ‘live wire in chief’. Vardos have performed at the Famous Spiegeltent in Melbourne and Edinburgh, released 6 albums and appeared in film and television. Alana and Sofia of Vardos accompanied Taraf de Caliu (Romania) at WOMADelaide 2023.
ASA Massed Accordion Orchestra
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear a large ensemble of accordions performing together? In countries throughout Europe as well as in the USA and Canada, accordion orchestras are popular contributors to many concerts. These wonderful ensembles perform arrangements of well-known and popular pieces as well as compositions written specifically for this interesting textural, rhythmic and melodic instrumental combination. Arranged for and conducted by Judy Gunson and Anthony Schulz, the ASA massed accordion orchestra will bring together members of ASAVO and the Prahran Accordion Band along with accordionists from interstate and overseas.
If you are interested in performing with the massed accordion orchestra, please contact Anthony Schulz at anthonyjschulz@gmail.com.
There will be a rehearsal followed by a performance as part of the Sunday afternoon festival concert.
All experience levels are welcome!
Prahran Accordion Band
The Prahran Accordion Band came into existence about ten years ago as part of Community Music Victoria's "Street Sounds" project. Since then it has spread its wings and bellows to become a unique and fun part of the Melbourne accordion and community music scenes. Performances include a lot of humour, singing, dressing up and the wonderful puppetry of our resident artist, James Cattell.
Known affectionately as PAB, The Prahran Accordion Band meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month and beginners' band on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at the German Club Tivoli in Windsor, 7:30-9pm. All are welcome, even if you've never played a note till now!
ASAVO (Accordion Society of Victoria Orchestra)
The ASA is proud to support ASAVO, an inclusive members ensemble that aims to present a variety of repertoire arranged and composed for the accordion. ASAVO performs regularly at student concerts and was much appreciated as part of the ASA festival concert program in 2023. As part of the 2024 festival, ASAVO will present compositions and popular arrangements by Shai Maestro, Anthony Schulz, George Butrumlis and more.
Saturday Workshop 1 (Block 1 - 10:30am to 12pm)
Lucy Riddett - Your first accordion lesson
Have you recently decided to start playing the accordion*? Feeling overwhelmed by the buttons, all the switches and those dratted bellows? If so, then this is the workshop for you!
Lucy will take you through all the basics to get you started on your accordion journey. You will learn the correct posture for comfortable playing and receive tips on what straps you should be using to prevent injury. You will learn what all the switches mean and how YOUR accordion is special with its unique combination of reeds! If you’re not sure you even have the right accordion for you, Lucy will help you determine that as well.
You will learn to play a very basic tune on the accordion, with tips on bellows control and how to feel your way around the left side of the accordion. You do not need to have prior musical experience for this workshop.
* Suitable for piano accordions with Stradella bass system. Not sure what accordion you’ve got? Send us an email!
If you don’t yet have an accordion, please email us ASAP.
Saturday Workshop 2 (Block 1 - 10.30am to 12pm)
Iwo Jedynecki & Karolina Mikołajczyk - Inside the ensemble
Duo Karolina & Iwo, a violin and classical accordion duo from Poland, formed in 2013, are Doctors of Musical Arts who lecture in both Poland and the U.S.A. Having performed in over 25 countries, including twice at Carnegie Hall, they bring a wealth of experience in crafting a versatile repertoire, from baroque transcriptions to contemporary pieces commissioned for their duo.
In this workshop, they will explore how to create a repertoire for such a unique ensemble, techniques for achieving a unified sound between violin and accordion, and specific playing techniques for both instruments. Attendees will also gain practical insights into how to adapt different musical styles to this ensemble, and learn how to overcome the challenges of blending these instruments into a cohesive and seamless musical expression.
Saturday Workshop 3 (Block 2 - 1pm to 2.30pm)
Lucy Riddett - How to play different bass patterns
Are you relatively new to accordion* and want to play more interesting bass patterns in the left hand? Are you curious about trying different styles of music?
Join Lucy to learn all about the bass side of the accordion and how to use changing rhythmic patterns to play different styles! In this workshop you will learn how to play a waltz, polka, tango, tarantella and even play a simple melody entirely with bass buttons!
Being able to read music notation in bass clef is preferred but not essential to participate in this workshop.
* Suitable for piano accordions or chromatic button accordions with Stradella bass system. Not sure what accordion you’ve got? Send us an email!
If you don’t yet have an accordion, please email us ASAP.
Saturday Workshop 4 (Block 2 - 1pm to 2.30pm)
George Butrumlis - How to play jazz standards on accordion
George Butrumlis will present a workshop on how to approach playing a Jazz "Standard". This will be a follow up from his highly successful workshop earlier this year "From Oom-pah to Groove". George will focus on 2 standards with participants guided through the elements of reading a chord chart and a lead sheet. Instruction will be provided on exactly where to put which fingers in the left hand to produce much more interesting and engaging chords and harmonies than the simple Maj, min, 7th and dim.
And it's this skill that will transform your playing of standards and jazz. Be prepared to play and learn new things!
Please note that all players are welcome regardless of whether they participated in George's workshop earlier in 2024.
Workshops: Sunday
Sunday Workshop 1 (Block 1 - 10am to 11.30am) - Free ticketed admission (observers only)
Anthony Schulz - Masterclass
Note: Attendees are observers only. If you would like to present a piece, please register your interest with Anthony by emailing him on anthonyjschulz@gmail.com.
Anthony Schulz, a distinguished music educator and accomplished accordionist, has dedicated his life to the art of music, exploring and showcasing the versatility and refinement of the piano accordion. With a career spanning several decades, Anthony continues to connect the past, present and future of the instrument and shape the perception of the instrument on the Australian musical landscape.
In this masterclass, Anthony will work with intermediate to advanced students and explore the execution and performance of repertoire. Pieces will be presented in their entirety as well as workshopped in sections to give performers and audience opportunity to experience how a deeper understanding of interpretation, technique and performance may enhance the musical experience.
Sunday Workshop 2 (Block 1 - 10am to 11.30am)
Sofia Chapman - Techniques & tunes from Rroma musicians in Eastern Europe
Sofia Chapman trained as a classical pianist until discovering and running away with the piano accordion in 1993. In 1998 she joined the band VARDOS with Alana Hunt and they have made seven study trips to Eastern Europe together as well as performing internationally and appearing in film and television. Sofia also writes and composes for theatre and film and her compositions are published through Wirripang.
Sofia teaches classical piano and accordion as well as folk accordion and has given workshops at the Illawarra, National and Port Fairy Folk Festivals as well as Turramurra Music Camp and the Balkans and Beyond music camp at Queenscliff 2023.
In this workshop Sofia passes on techniques and tunes learnt directly from Rroma musicians in Eastern Europe, as well as a tips and tricks gleaned and devised over 30 years of accordion playing.
Sunday Workshop 3 (Block 2 - 12pm to 1.30pm)
Guy Bellman - Introduction to Accordion Repair and Tuning
The workshop will teach participants how to address some of the most common issues with their accordions. The following areas will be covered: accordion disassembly, essential tools, how to replace valves, voicing reeds, troubleshooting stuck keys and buttons, the use of a tuning table and a demonstration of how reeds are tuned.
Guy Bellman operates a full-time accordion repair business in Melbourne.
Sunday Workshop 4 (Block 2 - 12pm to 1.30pm)
Peter Anderson - Tips, Tricks and Techniques For Playing Irish and Scottish Tunes
Peter Anderson plays dance tunes on the accordion for a range of English language musical styles - English, Irish, Scottish, American and Australian, and has been doing so for over 45 years in pub bands, and for bush dances and Scottish and Irish Ceilidhs. The workshop will give newcomers to these styles a bit of a kick start in coming to grips with them, particularly the Irish and Scottish tunes.
Accommodation
The following hotels, which are walking distance to Kensington Town Hall:
Melrose Apartments, 171-173 Melrose Street, North Melbourne
Park Squire Motor Inn & Serviced Apartments, 94 Flemington Rd, Parkville
Quest Flemington Central (min. 4 night booking due to Melbourne Cup Carnival)
Please note that the ASA is not affiliated with these businesses.
Cafes & restaurants near the town hall
Doutta Galla Hotel, 339 Racecourse Rd, Flemington (3 min. walk)
Zamzam Kitchen, 329 Racecourse Rd, Flemington (4 min. walk)
Turkish Gozleme Pide & Sweet House, 311 Racecourse Rd, Flemington (4 min. walk)
White Rabbit Record Bar, 176 Bellair St, Kensington (7 min. walk)
These are just a few of the many great dining and cafe options nearby.
Public transport
The nearest train station is Newmarket Station.
The nearest tram is route 57 on Racecourse Rd.
Can I buy tickets at the venue?
Yes, but keep in mind that the workshops have limited places to give the optimal experience for participants. Booking in advance will ensure you have a place.
Should I bring my instrument to the workshops?
Several of the workshops are well suited for participants engaging with their accordion. These include;
Your first accordion lesson
How to play different bass patterns
How to play jazz standards on accordion
Techniques & tunes from Rroma musicians in Eastern Europe
Tips, tricks and techniques for playing Irish and Scottish tunes
Note that the workshop Introduction to Accordion repair and tuning is demonstration only. Participants will not be able to work on their own accordion during the workshop. A Repair and Tuning handbook will be provided to all participants for reference.
Can I present a performance piece as part of the Masterclass?
Masterclass performers are expected to be of intermediate to advanced. Due to time constraints, there are limited performance places. An EOI can be emailed to anthonyjschulz@gmail.com. If possible, include a link to a recording of yourself playing and the title/composer/arranger of the piece you intend to perform.
Will there be refreshments at the Kensington Town Hall?
Yes, the ASA will provide light refreshments including tea, coffee and biscuits. Please see list of cafes and restaurants above for dining.