Ian Watson & Julie North

We have 35 players at the moment but could take a couple more... The 
course runs from 29th May till the 3rd of June - here is the info:

At 8.15 pm on Wednesday June 2nd at Emmanuel Church, Ilfracombe (opposite the 
Landmark Theatre) there will be a performance by an orchestra of some thirty 
accordionists drawn from all over the country.
For almost a quarter of a century, enthusiastic accordion players have met 
annually for a four day series of workshops  consisting of rehearsals from 9.30 
in the morning until 9.30 at night, which culminate in a final public concert. 
Until now the meetings have been held at venues in the east of England. This 
year, however, the gathering has moved to North Devon and has been re-named 
Bellows and Waves to reflect both the unique characteristic of the accordion and 
the sound that it makes, as well as the fact that this year’s meeting is taking 
place beside the sea.
The group is led by, Ian Watson, an accordion graduate of the Royal Academy of 
Music, who, in a busy free-lance career has performed with orchestras around the 
world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony orchestra and the 
London Sinfonietta, as well as working with top European chamber orchestras. He 
has also given a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in New York and, for several 
years, has taught at the Dartington International Summer School.
Julie North, who organizes the workshops, is also leader of the orchestra and 
has combined a busy career, as a UK Accordion Champion and influential 
London-based teacher, with raising a family.
Joining the orchestra, as a virtuoso soloist, will be the violinist Sarah Crisp 
who has appeared in several West End Shows, including the 50th Anniversary 
production of West Side Story and has recently worked with Richard Briers at the 
National Theatre.
This national meeting will create a wonderful opportunity to hear a large group 
of accordionists playing together, led by a top class musician.
Although many people enjoy the accordion there is often little opportunity to 
hear the instrument played, especially in North Devon, so to have such a large 
group playing together as an orchestra makes for a unique musical event.
The programme will include a wide variety of well known music. There will be  
film music such as The The Lion King and Star Wars as well as light classics, 
including the Waltz from the Jazz Suite (Shostakovich) and a beautiful 
arrangement of the slow movement of a Beethoven Sonata. Also in the programme 
are original works for accordion including the stunning "Solitude" by Piazzolla 
and a fantastic suite of Irish folk music by Mattias Seiber. Add to that rousing 
marches by Sousa and  violin wizardry from the London soloist Sarah Crisp and it 
amounts to a very exciting evening indeed!
Any accordionist wishing to participate should contact 
Ros Osbourn on 01271 882693