Accordion Promoted and Featured in Santa Barbara, CA
- atgaccordionistste
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
by Gail Campanella
A most wonderful happening took place in Santa Barbara on the weekend of March 28 and 29....Bella Italia. The Santa Barbara Symphony featured an accordion soloist, Hanzhi Wang, performing a commissioned concerto, The Red Ferrari, by Italian composer, Cristian Carrara.
For those of us who love the accordion but have never seen an accordion soloist featured with a symphony orchestra, this was a "dream come true." Thanks to Santa Barbara Symphony Music and Artistic Director, Nir Kabaretti, it had become a reality.
Once this unique accordion concerto became known, Santa Barbara AIMS members (Accordion International Music Society - AIMS), led by President, Suzie Swenson, began planning ways to promote the accordion, and in the process to promote the symphony concerts.
AIMS worked alongside symphony staff and brainstormed activities. Several ATG Board members came to Santa Barbara and joined in these activities: Kenn and Sue Baert, Gail Campanella, Beverley Fess, Liz Finch, Ron Griffin, and Esther Lanting.
One of our activities was to sponsor an "accordion petting zoo". AIMS rented a tent and table and chairs, and brought 12-bass accordions to the Farmers' Markets in Montecito and Santa Barbara on 2 weekends. Volunteers from AIMS and the ATG, managed the "petting zoo" booth. Over 100 people tried the accordion between the four Farmers’ Market events.
The invitation to those passing by: "Would you like to try an accordion?" Lots of children tried the accordions with mom and dad filming every moment. The volunteers in the booth became on-the-spot teachers. Not only was joy brought to the youth but also to adults, old time players, dancers, singers. There were many stories of.... "I took lessons as a kid"...."My grandfather used to play the accordion", etc. One person was so enthusiastic, she is renting an accordion and will start lessons this summer.
The highlight may have been the "Flash Mob" which surprised farmer's market attendees. Eleven accordionists playing Lady of Spain, gathered, one at a time...slowly....from hidden places...on Saturday morning, in the heart of the farmer's market.
Local KCET newscaster, John Palminteri, had his camera rolling. Several staff members from the symphony were also there to witness the surprise! Staff participated with a raffle for free tickets to each of the Symphony concerts. Informational fliers from AIMS and the ATG were handed out.
Just prior to each of the Symphony concerts that weekend, AIMS had accordions in the lobby of the Granada Concert Hall. The concert goers were not shy about picking up an accordion and learning how to "make it sing."
Without exception, this effort on the part of the local accordionists to share our instrument with the community was considered a great success. AIMS President Suzie Swenson said, “Through the accordion connection, a great sense of kindness and JOIE DE VIVRE was experienced by everyone!”
Hillside House, a residential care facility dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities has requested an "accordion petting zoo" for their folks.
Without a doubt there will be many more requests for accordions in the future.
For more pictures:
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