Ex Libris

Evidently not. I'll try again.

Hi, While processing some ICA music requests today, I came across the original Stanley arrangement of this tune - sorry, I couldn't find a duet version Dirge. I haven't posted music like this before, so let's see if it works. Jeremy

Hi Bellowbelle, The tune was written by B R Antony. Regards, Jeremy

That's seriously good Mr Dirge. I spend a considerable amount of time knotting my fingers around Stanley arrangements on EC and many are very satisfying, but I have to admit that your duet playing on this recording beats me hands down. The latest batch of music donated to the ICA library, came from the estate of Reuben Shaw and it's his music that I sent you recently. And while I only knew Reuben as a boy really, I'm sure he would have been delighted your lovely interpretation of this piece. I know that we take the internet so much for granted nowadays but I still think it's blooming marvellous that a piece of music handwritten to order in Birmingham, which was then posted to Nottinghamshire, ends up many years later being practiced and played in New Zealand - or anywhere for that matter should anyone else want it. Oh .. you will have noticed that I have changed my user name to keep a lower Google profile. The Latin is a bit pretentious, I know, but it is the best I can think of ... Jeremy

Hi John, Both are in the ICA Library. I know that you are a member so will get copies to you. Like most folks I'm a bit busy in the run up to Christmas, but should have a bit more time once the main festivies are over. Regards, Jeremy

Cheers Chris, much appreciated. J

Hello C-Netters, The International Concertina Association now has a facebook page. We will be posting news, links to our web pages and the occassional gem from the archives and library. So, if you are a facebook user you are welcome to join up at the the following link. Just click that you 'like' us on the left hand side of the page. You are also welcome to post there too. ICA facebook page Jon McNamara, our Chair, has posted to say that the next edition of Concertina World (edited by Pauline de Snoo) will soon be on its way to members. There's also details of the AGM and Jody Kruskal workshop in Lewes on the 29th October. With best, Jeremy

Hi Geoff - just had a look through the ICA library and couldn't find it there . Sorry

Hi Chris, Thanks for a fascinating piece of research. The ICA library has about 70 arrangements by George Case, which give a great idea of his accomplished playing and musical tastes. Indeed, the library has all but a couple of the Boosey's Concertina Miscellany Series, comprising 53 operatic arrangements for concertina complete with piano accompaniment. I aim to track down the missing ones eventually. Be warned, though, that these are fiendishly difficult to play! I've mentioned it before here, but I also managed to create a complete version of Fesca's forty-two Airs arranged by Case for two concertinas, from an incomplete version in the ICA library and also one in my dad's music collection. In celebration of your considerable achievement in publishing your research, I would be happy to email anyone interested in the first half a dozen or so arrangements for two concertinas. Of course, all the Case music is available to ICA members, but this is a 'special offer' to anyone interested. You should be able to reach me at librarian@concertina.org. Well done again! Jeremy

Yep. I'll arrive on Saturday too (with tent). Looking forward to meeting you Alan. Jeremy

Very nice. I really enjoyed that. Well done. Jeremy

Many thanks Jake, that's very interesting and helps me to better date the photo too. Jeremy

I'm sure that it was because of the Salvation Army that my late grandfather, and subsequently my dad and I, play the concertina. Here's a picture of my grandfather Herbert Hague (1900-1987) in the early 1920's I guess. I've mentioned it before on the forum, but my grandad contributed an arrangement to the Salvation Army English Concertina, 1935 edition. Another arranger was the popular band leader Henry Hall, a keen Salvationist and concertina player Happy Birthday SA

Thanks for the tip - I have arranged to see Harriet on Saturday!

Yep, I'm in LA too - but seriously looked into coming. Hope you are having great time and all the best with you new group. Perhaps I can plan a return visit when I am back in the US. Jeremy

That's great Alan - Michel van der Meiren, our webmaster, says that we can put on the website for users to download. Of course, once keen concertinists have mastered all these there is lot more music available in the ICA library for members to try out. It will be some time until the whole collection is digitised, but if any member wants to have a go at something new, I will copy and send in pdf for you. So if you want to test out the differences in Case, Warren, Blagrove, Regondi or Shackelton arrangements - we've got the lot! If anyone else has any music - in hardcopy, or electronic - they would be gratefully received and carefully preserved for future generations. Jeremy

No worries Peter - yes, I was in the 'Dick' group and the reason you didn't here me messing anything up was that I took Alistair's advice about miming the difficult bits, very seriously. Jeremy

Yes, I thought so too. I don't usually play traditional music and I have to admit that it has taken me some time to really get into Steel Skies. However, I thought this such a great opportunity to work with the composer of such a celebrated piece of music, that it was worth a go. I really learnt a lot on the weekend and met some lovely musicians as well. Since returning I must have played Steel Skies half a dozen times and have been humming the tunes all week. Perhaps we can pursuade Alistair to workshop one of his other works! Jeremy

Hello Anlej, The International Concertina Association (ICA) library has over 50 arrangements and compositions by Regondi which are free for members to access. We probably have the largest library of concertina music specifically written or arranged for concertina in the world, which is maintained through the subscriptions of our members. We're all volunteers and the recent editions of PICA, Concertina World and the Music supplement of pipe tunes written by Billy Pigg (and re-printed with permission by our Chair Jon McNamara) are the latest additions to a great canon of work submitted, collated and published by members since the Association was first founded in 1952. I am working hard to get the on-line catalogue of music up-to-date, but in the meantime I am very happy to try and answer any queries c.net members may have. Membership details can be found here: http://www.concertin.../ica-membership With best, Jeremy

No, it's a pity that we don't yet have the music library in an electronic format. With many thousands of pieces of music (a lot more than is currently listed) it would probably take several months full-time work and we are all part-time volunteers. However, we do offer a bespoke and very friendly service Recently, I discovered an incomplete copy of Fesca's 42 Airs arranged for one or two concertinas by George Case. Fortunately, my dad had the missing part in his library, so we now have a complete version. You (and any other ICA members) are very welcome to a copy. A picture of the front cover is attached. Jeremy (ICA Librarian)

Hello, No Perci Honri sheet music I'm afraid. Lots of other greats though: Regondi, Blagrove, Case, Alexander Prince, Tom Prince, etc. Jon McNamara is the custodian of the recordings archive. Perhaps we should have a go at transcribing a Honri arrangement? Jeremy

Hi Lea I remember my dad buying The Concertina Record when it first came out. I was at school at the time and had a Rainbow logo painted on the flap of my rucksack, as I was a big fan. When I saw that Russ Ballard, writer of 'Since you've been Gone' and 'I Surrender' was playing on one of my dad's concertina records I was amazed. All my heavy metal friends got to hear the album! I've since downloaded from your site and I would wholeheartedly recommend to others. Jeremy p.s. "The Barley and the Rye" is one of my favourite tracks on English International too

Many thanks for the encouraging comments Mike. There were a number of ICA members who joined us for a pre-AGM session in the Peacock Hotel on the Friday night. Others also came for the day on Saturday but needed to leave early. So those that made it into the ICA video cast list are: Alan Davies Rita Davies Janet Thomas (who played together as a magnificant trio) Janet also played some lovely pieces with Julie Woodin Helen and Phil Graham My dad, Alan Hague and me Roger Gawley (ICA Secretary) Geoff Wright & Mike Wild. I notice that my performance of Flight of the Bumblebee on my head with my hands behind my back, seems to have ended up on the cutting room floor. Never mind, you needed to be there. Perhaps I'll give it a go again next year when the ICA AGM will be on the 29th October 2011, Lewes, East Sussex, UK. All welcome!

Thanks for your kind comments. My dad and I had a great time too. I'll tidy up the recordings and send to you in due course. I think we should ask the newly formed Royal Concertina Band to play at the ICA AGM in Nottingham on 6th November. What do you think?

A really lovely and special recording. Thank you very much for sharing it. Jeremy