Accordion Promoted and Featured in Santa Barbara, CA
- atgaccordionistste
- May 28
- 4 min read
Updated: May 31
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 that she is renting an accordion and will start lessons this summer.
The highlight may have been the "Flash Mob" which surprised farmers' 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 farmers' 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:
About Hanzhi Wang
Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra Accordion Artist
“Staggering virtuosity that held the audience in a state of breathlessness, as thrilling to watch as to hear.”
– OBERON’S GROVE (NEW YORK)
Acclaimed for her “staggering virtuosity,” Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist to ever win a place on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 60-year history. An ambassador for her instrument, Hanzhi has been praised for her captivating stage presence and performances that display passion and finesse.
A groundbreaking artist, Hanzhi’s other firsts include being named Musical America’s “New Artist of the Month,” an interview and performance on the 2,145th episode of New York WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase as the first solo accordionist on the program, and the Naxos label’s first-ever solo accordion CD, “On the Path to H.C. Andersen,” which was nominated for the prestigious DR (Danish Radio) P2 Prize in 2019.
A First Prize Winner of the 2017 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, Hanzhi debuted in New York in The Peter Marino Concert at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. Her Washington, DC debut opened the 40th Anniversary Young Concert Artists Series at the Kennedy Center, co-presented with Washington Performing Arts. She holds the Ruth Laredo Prize and Mortimer Levitt Career Development Award for Women Artists of YCA.
Hanzhi has performed recitals at UC Santa Barbara’s Lively Arts, Stanford Live, Bravo! Vail, Krannert Center, and Candlelight Concert Society. Upcoming recitals include the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota and a concert with YCA saxophonist, Steven Banks, at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Hanzhi has appeared as soloist with the Oregon Music Festival, Victoria Symphony, Cantori, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Iris Orchestra, and next season performs with the Hawaii Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, and Reno Chamber Orchestra.
Hanzhi won First Prize in the 40th Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition in Italy. She inspires the next generation of accordionists with lectures, performances, and master classes at the Manhattan School of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music, Tianjin Music Conservatory, Ghent Music Conservatory (Belgium), and in Norway and Portugal. Composers Martin Lohse, James Black, and Sophia Gubaidulina have written and dedicated works to her.
Ms. Wang earned her Bachelor’s degree at the China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She completed her Master’s degree and Soloist Diploma at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen with the renowned accordion professor Geir Draugsvoll, where she also served as an assistant teacher at the Academy.
Taken from Hanzhi Wang personal website. https://www.hanzhiwangaccordion.com/
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