San Francisco Accordion Club December 2009 Meeting

Annual Christmas Party at SFAC

We thank Vinny Rinaldi for taking the initiative and playing some lovely warm-up music while the San Francisco Accordion Band set up and found their seats. Then the band took over and played a few numbers--until the meeting started with Pres. Frank Montoro's very sad announcement that Santa couldn't be here today because he had the swine flu!

Before the day's program began, we enjoyed a special treat: 8-year-old Lorenzo Lucchesi, proud and enthusiastic student of Skyler Fell, made his debut performance by playing Jingle Bells for us--after playing for only 3 months! Lorenzo's heroes are Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren--wow! Nice going, Lorenzo!

The SF Accordion Band then played its full program, consisting of 8 Christmas pieces, representing traditional Christmas music and children's Christmas music; plus two non-Christmas pieces (Liechtensteiner Polka and Five Foot Two) and of course, Auld Lang Syne. Once again Bob Smith played his gorgeous Bach Christmas piece, How Brightly Shines the Morning Star, and again this year we laughed and sang along with Lynn Ewing's hilarious novelty pieces, I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas and The Twelve Days of Vacation (how can she remember so flawlessly all the words with all the repetitions??)

Break time was the perfect time to wish Vince Cirelli a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Adding to Vince's celebration was a visit, some words and some musical memories by Don Garibaldi. Happy, happy birthday Vince from all of us in SFAC! We were happy to see Ed and Isabelle Massolo, whom we don't see very often.

The San Francisco Accordion Chamber Ensemble (ACE) with Joe Smiell took over the rest of the afternoon with a mini-concert of its own. Using Joe's arrangements, and conducted by Joe, the ensemble played an eclectic mix of marches, a Hungarian suite, a couple of accordion old-time favorites that I will mention below, Polish Christmas music, American Christmas music (White Christmas), and a fairly long Scandinavian Suite that is absolutely gorgeous.

The spirit lingered into the afterglow in the lounge. Everyone carried home some of that spirit!

Val

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