Toowoomba Accordion Festival

[Rod Thompson]

We attended the Toowoomba Accordion Festival over the weekend, and as usual thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Numbers were a bit down this year, and only a few concertina players present - but quality if not quantity.

 

The festival explicitly includes mouth organs and concertinas, as well as button and piano accordions, and it is always a good chance to catch up with each other. I also find it gives me a lot of new ideas on what to play.

 

The keynote was Mark Schuster talking about his research work into the music of the Darling Downs, and more particularly, the players of that music - great job!! (More details)

 

They have an "old time and new vogue" and "bush dance" combination - not really what we came for, but we did get up and shake the trotters on a couple of each styles.

 

The "walk up and play" was probably one of the best so far - some items a little shaky, but the average very good IMHO.

 

The final concert was also of a very high standard - including Clair Fitzpatrick - who played the button accordion and the concertina in the Irish style. I had thought her concertina was a Jeffries when she played a few phrases in the sound check, but she explained that it was an Australian built model - also very impressive!

 

Looking forward to next year's festival - Thanks to Alan Polley

[scott fineran]

Rod,

 

Sounds like I should have come for Sunday rather than Sataurday. Did she say who in Australia had built the concertina? There are not many makers - Richard Piere and I know Simpson from Nariel Creek built a couple that where supposed to be very good.

 

Scott

[malcolm clapp]

I had planned to get up to Toowoomba for the weekend, but an ankle injury prevented me from driving.

 

Apologies to any one I had arranged to meet up with there.

 

Maybe next year....

[Rod Thompson]

Rod,

 

Did she say who in Australia had built the concertina?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

She didn't give a name, but said he was a retired silversmith. It was certainly a high-quality instrument.

[scott fineran]

She didn't give a name, but said he was a retired silversmith. It was certainly a high-quality instrument.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That would be Piere Hooft from Adelaide. I have never seen any of his instruments but they have recieved some very good reviews.

[Rod Thompson]

Apologies to any one I had arranged to meet up with there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

No apologies needed, but would have been good to see you. Hope your anlkle is OK.

[Rod Thompson]

That would be Piere Hooft from Adelaide. I have never seen any of his instruments but they have recieved some very good reviews.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It certainly looked and sounded great, and Claire was able to bounce it along at an impressive speed. It would count in the top-line of instruments in my opinion.