Concert USA - 1979 eTracks mp3 Album

North Shore Accordion Orchestra Concert USA - 1979 eTracks mp3 Album 
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Individual Tracks:

1.    God Defend New Zealand, Arr. Oswald Cheesman    05:28 
2.    La Scala di Seta (Rossini), Arr. Donald Balestrieri    06:02 
3.    Tales of Vienna Woods (Strauss), Arr. Fay-ellen Schaw    05:26 
4.    The Sound of Philadelphia, Arr. Franceshina    04:03 
5.    Carmen Suite (Bizet), Arr. Fay-ellen Schaw    09:08 
6.    Villia from Merry Widow (Lehar) Arr. Fay-ellen Schaw    02:33 
7.    Rock-a-Jimmy (Fitzpatrick) Arr. Fitzpatrick    01:43 
8.    Perpetuum Mobile (Strauss) Arr. Anthony Gall·Rini    03:21

PERFORMERS
Conductor: Fay-ellen Schaw
Directors: Fay-ellen Schaw, Harley Jones, Heather Jones
Accordion Performers: Marcel Reithmann (lead), Stan Wolk, Milene Ziebe, Sheridan Read, Vicki Read, Robin Hill, Charles Nannestad, Theresa Glynn, Lyn Parkinson, Ian Masefield, Gerald Ryan, Robert Ziebe, Suzanne Wolley, Susan Pitcher, Fleur Ritchie.
Drummer: James Blackwood
Vocalist: Sharon Tuapawa

1979 Album Cover text:

FAY SCHAW student of Allan Jones. Also studied under Anthony Gall-Rini in Los Angeles for a short period. Twice New Zealand Solo Champion, and in 1969 represented New Zealand at the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships in New York. Was the first New Zealander to attain the Accordion Teachers Diploma of New Zealand (ATDNZ). Currently teaching on the North Shore, she is an executive member of the New Zealand Accordion Association Inc. and the Accordion Examination Board of NZ Inc. and a co-director of the North Shore Accordion Orchestra Inc.

HARLEY JONES a virtuoso performer and talented teacher who, as New Zealand Solo Champion, represented New Zealand at the 1969 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships in New York. Since then he has been active in the CIA world accordion organisation and has judged for them on many occasions and also at accordion festivals throughout the U.S.A. Harley has the ATDNZ and also the LTCL for piano. Harley, is also an executive member of the NZ Accordion Association Inc., Accordion Examination Board of NZ Inc. also teaches on the North Shore and his pupils have been very successful in the New Zealand Accordion Championships.

ALLAN JONES was trained by American concert accordionist Arnie Hartman in the 1930's. He has taught many young accordionists and his teaching skills have had a profound influence on the development of the accordion as a concert instrument and its acceptance by musicians. Secretary of the Accordion Examination Board of NZ Inc., and a founder member and Vice-President of the NZ Accordion Association Inc., he is currently involved in the organisation of the 1980 World Accordion Championships which will be held in Auckland, August 27th – 30th, 1980.

Accordion activities on the North Shore owe their development to the teachings of Allan Jones, an inspired teacher who has influenced two generations of New Zealand accordionists.

In July 1976 three of his students, Fay-ellen Schaw, and his children, Harley, Maurice and Heather decided to combine and form an accordion orchestra; the North Shore Accordion Orchestra (Inc) was born.

Within twelve months of its formation, the orchestra, under the direction of Fay-ellen Schaw (conductor) and Harley Jones, won the New Zealand Accordion Orchestra Championship, playing a symphonic arrangement of "La Scala di Seta". Throughout the years Fay-ellen Schaw's (nee Major) accordion orchestras have performed on radio and television and at innumerable social and cultural events. '

The activities of the orchestra expanded to include a Junior and Intermediate orchestra (conductor Heather Jones) which have both won their respective New Zealand Championship orchestra classes. The Senior Orchestra won the 1978 New Zealand title but in 1979, as contest rules required it to stand down for one year, the orchestra decided to tour overseas.

In July 1979 after eighteen months of intensive fund raising and thanks to the wonderful support of parents and friends, the orchestra left for a three week coast to coast concert tour of the United States. At concerts in Los Angeles, Miami, Springfield (Mass.), St Louis, Kansas City and Salt Lake City, the orchestra was acclaimed and received standing ovations for all its performances.

The touring orchestra consisted of fifteen young people, aged between 16 and 23, all were accomplished musicians and many were current or past New Zealand Solo Champions.

Their dedication to the success of the orchestra and their pride in its achievements ensured that the highest of standards were reached. For these players music was fun, a worthwhile challenge and the key to discovering America . This recording is of the music performed on this tour.

Some of the arrangements are symphonic, each player representing, and playing at the octave pitch of an instrument from the symphony orchestra, others are in the more traditional four or five part band arrangements.