::Bellows and Reeds: Not Just for Polkas Anymore [ New York Times ]:: Excerpt

American Accordionists' Association's 10th annual Accordion Master Class and Concert Series, which William Schimmel directs, begins today and runs through Sunday evening. The master classes, which are daily at 3 p.m., cover a variety of topics and are overseen by Mr. Schimmel and colleagues who approach the accordion with particular specialties that range from classical and avant-garde music to lambada, Tex-Mex and punk rock. The concerts are daily at 7 p.m.

Tonight's program includes works by Mr. Schimmel, Rembert Block, Kamala Sankram, Mark Birnbaum and Lee McClure, performed by the composers, as well as works commissioned by the American Accordionists' Association from José Serebrier and Alexander Tcherepnin and Mr. Schimmel. Micki Goodman and Marika DuRietz will perform a dance program choreographed by Ms. Goodman and performed to the music of Mr. Schimmel. The program tomorrow evening includes another commissioned work by Mr. Serebrier, as well as performances by Mr. Schimmel, Ms. Sankram, Paul and Beverly Stein, Will Holshouser, Benjamin Ickies and his band, and the K Trio.

The closing concert, on Sunday evening, includes Mr. Schimmel performing his arrangement of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," as well as works of his own. The other performers on Sunday include Allyssa Lamb, a vocalist and melodica player, and Robert Young McMahan, Thomas Massucci, Mr. Ickies, Brian Dewan and Rita Davidson, accordionists.

All the classes and concerts are at the Tenri Cultural Institute, 43 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, (212) 876-0827. Tickets for the complete seminar are $85.

Single-day passes for both classes and concerts are $30. Individual classes and concerts are $20.

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