Welcome! Already registered? Sign in to take full advantage of all features. New user? Register here (it's free).

March 2, 2010:
News from the Button Box:
"Registration is now open for the 6th annual Northeast Concertina Workshop, being held on April 17, 2010 in Sunderland, Massachusetts. Classes will be geared toward players of varied skill levels on anglo, English, and duet system concertinas. There are three class periods during the day and a public concert in the evening featuring our professional staff. Teaching in 2010 will be concertina adepts Rachel Hall, George Keith, Jody Kruskal, Jacqueline McCarthy (Ireland), John Roberts, Dave Townsend (England), Bob Webb, and Dan Worrall. For more information and to register go to www.buttonbox.com/NCW.html"

January 18, 2010:
Spring and Summer School list for North America posted:
I've got the revised list of North America Schools and concertina events posted here. Many have their details up earlier than they used to do a few years ago. The one gap is Irish Arts Week in East Durham, N.Y.; if you know/hear anything about that one, drop me a note. Spring is now nearly as busy as summer, events run from March through September. Make your plans! —Ken

January 15, 2010:
News from Pauline de Snoo (editor) for the ICA:
"Concertina World Magazine 444, from the International Concertina Association has just been released. The index of articles can be found at: http://www.concertina.org/ica/index.php/concertina-world/cw-444-december-2009 "

January 6, 2010:
News from Gary White:
"Registration for the 2010 South East Tionol March 26-28th in Roswell, GA USA is open. Concertina Instruction will be provided by Florence Fahy, Fiddle by Willie Kelly and Piping instruction will be provided by Cillian Vallely and Michael Cooney.  Sign up at www.southeastpipersclub.org"

August 26, 2009:
News from Pauline (Concertina World editor) from the ICA:
"Concertina World 443, magazine from the International Concertina Association has just been released and contains a.o. an article on composer Ricardo Teruel from Venezuela (see alsoYoutube), cd reviews etc. And again lots of music in the music supplement. For subscriptions mail: treasurer@concertina.org. Now also Paypal payments possible. Go to http://www.concertina.org." If you want interesting material published mail editor@concertina.org

May 12, 2009:
Alex Cadogan was kind enough to provide of PDF of The Salvation Army Tutor for English Concertina.

April 20, 2009:
The Button Box folks had flyers at the Northeast Concertina Workshop this past weekend with the details about the Sept. 25-27, 2009 Northeast Squeeze-In. The date for the housing lottery was given as May 4, so if you want a room, check the Button Box web site where the details will likely be posted by the time you read this (or soon thereafter).

April 2, 2009:
Thanks so much to Concertina.net contributor Rhomylly Forbes for signing on as an advertiser and official supporter of Concertina.net! Please click through and purchase many, many copies of her cool new book!

March 23, 2009:
News from the Button Box folks about a memorial celebration for Rich Morse:
"Rich's family is planning a celebration of his life for Sunday, April 19, at 1 p.m. at the Sunderland Public Library. The address of the library is 20 School St., Sunderland, MA. You can find directions online at http://www.sunderlandpubliclibrary.org/About/Directions.shtml. Weather permitting, it will be an outdoor event.
Coincidentally, it's the day after our concertina workshop, so we're hoping that some of the participants will be able to stay on for the memorial. I think Rich's family would enjoy meeting his free-reed friends and hearing their stories and reminiscences. "

March 23, 2009:
The dates of the Northeast Squeeze-in have been moved back one week to Sept. 25-27, 2009. Mark your calendar, and see you there!

March 3, 2009:
The global concertina world has lost a true friend. It was thanks to Rich Morse that I bought my very first concertina all those years ago, and so without him this site wouldn't exist. He made the world a better place, and so we thank him and will keep him in our hearts and hands.
This is Ken...I just want to add to what Paul said about Rich Morse. I knew him for 12 years, have played one of his concertinas for 8 years, and owe him thanks many times over for all he did for the squeezers of this world. He will be long remembered, and fondly.

Feb. 20, 2009:
Registration for the excellent 2009 Northeast Concertina Workshop is now open!

December 8, 2008:
The North America list of concertina schools (most are in the summer) has been updated for 2009, with a few dates to be added as we hear of them in coming weeks. We continue to have many opportunities and a variety of styles and systems represented. Once again, squeeze away, and see you there! —Ken

November 8, 2008:
Rhomylly Forbes sent in a reprint of her article entitled Yo, Ho, Ho and – What’s That Squeezy Thing? from Pirates Magazine.

Oct. 22, 2008:
Thanks to English International for signing on as advertisers: Their support is appreciated, and I hope everyone orders a copy of this important work!

Oct. 2, 2008:
A note from Tony Kell:
"...thought some of your readers may be interested to know that a new CD from Alistair Anderson is now available. It's on his own White Meadow Records label ( same as 'On Cheviot Hills') and is titled "Islands". It's not widely publicised or distributed, but is available online from codamusic in Edinburgh and roots2music. Both have websites, the codamusic site having the advantage of being able to listen to music clips for all tracks. Most of the tracks are Alistair's own compositions, including his recently composed Farne Islands suite, premiered at The Sage Gatshead last year. The second track is a most beautiful tune - Waltz Montmagny."

Sept. 25, 2008:
An update from Rachel Hall:
The Squeeze-ellujah chorus was a smash hit! We had about 25 instrumentalists and 10 singers. A recording is online at http://www.sju.edu/~rhall/concertina/Hallelujah/

Sept. 8, 2008:
Rachel Hall wrote in with the following Squeeze-In news:
We're planning to perform the Squeeze-elujah Chorus (the Hallelujah Chorus with concertinas!) at the Squeeze In this year. If you'd like an advance look at them I put them on the web:
http://www.sju.edu/~rhall/concertina/Hallelujah/
I've also got concertina parts for the Stars and Stripes Forever on my web site -- I'll offer that on Sunday morning for all instruments.  Whether you're going to the Squeeze In or not, you're welcome to download the parts.  Have fun!  (BTW, does anyone have a piccolo concertina?  I'd love to have one for Stars & Stripes).

July16, 2008:
News from Pauline de Snoo (ICA newsletter editor):
"Concertina World 440" , publication from the International Concertina Association has just been released and contains a.o. interview with Patrick Vandorpe, Alyn Roberts and Dave Ball,  reports on Swaledale and Kilve, interesting websites on internet, the chat column, part 3 of "How to learn to play by ear", cd, book and concertina reviews etc. And again lots of music in the music supplement. For subscriptions mail: treasurer@concertina.org. Now also Paypal payments possible. Go to http://www.concertina.org."

May 21, 2008:
News from Allan Atlas.

May 8, 2008:
News from Frank Dalton about a Micheal O Raghallaigh & Ivan Goff concert in the Philly area, June 7. Click here for more information.

April 7, 2008:
News from Dan Worrall:
"A new article on the history of our favorite instrument on ships in the days of sail (Concertinas at Sea: A History of a Nautical Icon) is available for free download at http://www.angloconcertina.org. The article presents scores of first hand accounts of concertinas in use by sailors on various types of vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century, as well as numerous photographs of those musical sailors and the ships on which they sailed. Also now available (for free), is the bulk of the 2005 book, The Anglo Concertina Music of William Kimber."

• From Chris Timson, 7 Dec. 2009: A friend of mine has just phoned me and asked me if I would pass on details of his stolen concertina. His name is Richard Harris and he lives in Bradford on Avon. The concertina was stolen from his home along with two melodeons, so it sounds as if the thieves were musically clued up. The concertina is a Jeffries metal ended anglo, 32 button Bb/F in old pitch and is Richard's pride and joy, so he is naturally quite distressed by its loss.
• From Shay Fogarty (SeascaShay on forum): A Lachenal 32 key C/G anglo concertina, metal ends, bone buttons, was stolen from a music shop at the Fleadh Ceoil in Tullamore Co. Offaly on 22 August 2009. The number is 183596 which is on a paper between the D/E and B/C buttons on the inside row. It is in the style of those made for the Salvation Army with full metal ends and mahogony tops. If you hear of any such sale please contact me in confidence.
• From Paul Jutkiewicz (Southampton, UK): I had my concertina stolen in Dublin (15 February 2008) along with a set of Northumbrian pipes. The concertina was a Dipper Anglo, 32 metal buttons and metal ends plus one or two modifications to the accidentals.
• Stolen on Thursday 11th march, from a van outside the Whitmore Arms public house, Orsett, Essex, UK. Wheatstone Tenor Treble with raised ebony ends, serial no. 29103. If you have any information please contact Roy Nicholls on +44 (0)1621 859446.
• Nov. 6, 2003: Michael Rooney from Monaghan, living in Dublin, has had his Suttner stolen in Galway. The serial number is 131, which is on the side of the concertina. It has metal ends, 30 keys and ebony trim. If anyone hears of a concertina of this description being sold, call Aonghus Rooney on 087-6409105 or call Michael on 086-1755329.
• Please look out for two concertinas stolen from the Music Room, Oxford, UK, branch 23 July 2003. These instruments are brand new, one English treble and one English baritone model, made by Morse of the USA. The serial numbers are 137 and 138. The Music Room is sole British agent for these instruments, so please inform us at +44 (0)1274 879768, or at info@the-music-room.com if you see one of these instruments for sale anywhere else. We will then pass on your information to the police, who have of course been alerted. We know that the concertina fraternity is a close-knit group, and we would be grateful if you could pass the word to all players to keep an eye out for these instruments.
• From Simon Thoumire: "My 56 key Wheatstone tenor treble Aeola (metal ends) was stolen on Sunday 21st January from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The serial no. has fallen off the left side but it is recognisable from the big thumbstraps that are hanging loose from the side and also sweat has tarnished the nickel plate on both sides. Another feature which will tell it apart from any other is that the top 'C' on the right side is an air button. It is the only instrument I have ever played and I miss it badly."
• From Hugh Healy: "My concertina was stolen at the Willie Clancy School this summer (1999). It was a Wheatstone Anglo, Metal end, No 29481, 30 key, 5 fold bellows in C and G pitch. My address was marked in several places on it."
         -- Contact david.evans@pc.aerotech.ie if you have any information.
• Don Nichols' stolen concertinas registry