<p>I get dibs on playing the Ukulele!</p>
<p>I play a mean Ralph Vaughn Williams "Lark Ascending" on the Comb w wax paper.</p>
<p>I refuse to play Bolero. I call it the Elephant Song. That's what it sounds like to me - elephants tromping through the whatever elephants tromp through. I hate it. My S plays it to spite me.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it might sound better on an accordian.</p>
<p>No, Lorelei, I don't have one. It does seem like accordians tend to disappear, but not usually the ones that stay in their cases. Just the ones people attempt to play.</p>
<p>If we do Mamas and Papas songs, I need to practice flipping my hair around.</p>
<p>I figure we can always end with the Star Spangled Banner (or Handel's Messiah) to ensure the SO. Or maybe "YMCA." :D</p>
<p>Actually I know someone who has one, and he plays it, I have heard him. He has Polish heritage and he is from Eastern Ohio. I think he is recruitable. In fact his wife frequently warns people not to ask him to play, but it happens, and he does, very willingly. He is also a symphony conductor, so if I get in over my head, he can step in.</p>
<p>I have a friend who owns THREE accordians...and yes...plays them at family events.</p>
<p>There seems to be an overwhelming urge to find an audience on the part of those few musicians who have developed their talents on the accordian. Is it possible to "study" the accordian anywhere as part of a curriculum. I knew someone who launched a search for a place to major in "bag-pipes" and had no luck. What about the hurdy-gurdy? There are talents waiting to be nurtured and instruments waiting to find their, dare I say it, SO audiences!</p>
<p>Just had to add....every time I see the title to this thread, I think that it's going to be about Ovation guitars INCREASING in value.</p>
<p>We should have one of those playing in our ensemble.</p>
<p>Slightly OT (is that possible on this thread?)...Lorelei, ask and you shall receive: <a href="http://www.wooster.edu/music/bmperfbagpipe.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.wooster.edu/music/bmperfbagpipe.html</a></p>
<p>I have contacted my friend who aspires to be a bagpipe major, and he is eager to pursue this option. Stay tuned! </p>
<p>What do you mean, is that possible on this thread? Us, off topic, of course not, we are on the topic of what makes us want to stand and cheer! Hear, hear!</p>
<p>I think there's a bagpipe program at one of the Canadian maritime colleges as well (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or PEI). Had a friend who was an accomplished piper (pipess?), and she was in demand throughout eastern Canada.</p>
<p>Welcome</a> to the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada</p>
<p>Just found this Bagpipe</a> Student Drowns Out Critics, Nick Hudson Is The Only U.S. College Bagpipe Major, And Proud Of It - CBS News</p>
<p>My friend does not play the bagpipes, he just thinks that more people should. Sounds like there is a market out there, imagine, a dedicated scholarship, and only one major in the country. I wonder if Wooster has had any applicants. I would not have realized that the practice situation could be so accoustically challenging!</p>
<p>It seems the pipes are a love it or hate it type of instrument. Played poorly, it sounds like a flock of extremely distressed sheep, or a barnful of randy cats. Played by an artist, I find it a unique experience, with a sound that can't be described. Stirs the emotions, and I not be celtic. </p>
<p>My wife hates 'em.</p>
<p>Oh gosh, you go away to one short rehearsal and come back to find your thread about standing ovations has somehow gotten onto accordions and bagpipes. Pretty soon it will be shawms and sackbuts.</p>
<p>Oh, very well. I can provide the accordions. We have two full sized ones (having made the mistake of leaving the first one in the car in plain sight without locking the doors) plus a bandoneon (think concertina on steroids). Maybe binx can help translate the instruction book for the latter, which is ganz auf Deutsch.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon offers a bagpipe major as well. See Carnegie</a> Mellon School of Music : Programs of Study</p>
<p>violadad may be thinking of the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne, Nova Scotia. See Gaelic</a> College of Celtic Arts and Crafts - Home for more information. I have attended concerts there while on vacation and it is a lovely place.</p>
<p>I loved the video on violadad's second link. Hysterical! Cute kid. Wonder if he has any trouble getting dates.</p>
<p>Edit - crossposted with Bassdad. You made me laugh out loud! Need to warn you, though. Now that you have two of them, don't leave them alone together.</p>
<p>How do you think we wound up with the bandoneon?</p>
<p>As long as this thread has been so thoroughly taken over by most of my best friends on CC, I might as well put this here. Daughter completed her first real pro gig this week. She and several other Oberlin Conservatory students were hired to back up the principal flute and harp players from the Cleveland Orchestra for a recording of music by Takemitsu that will be coming out later this year on the Telarc label. The first flicker of light at the end of that tunnel!</p>
<p>Wahoo! Great news. That is exciting. How many copies are you buying?</p>
<p>.....And not an accordian in sight, I'll bet.</p>
<p>Oh, I expect quite a few will find their way into various Christmas stockings eleven months from now. As far as I know, no accordions.</p>
<p>It is nice when the offspring have "professional" CD's, the perfect holiday gift, and it lines the pockets. Somehow it seems like a more gracious gift than a copy of that novel junior has been working on for ages and finally got published. Of course, if JKRowling's mom handed out first editions of her book, there are some pleased folks out there.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, congratulations, great gig!</p>