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Harrington ARTS Center
Accordion-concertina Repair and Technicians’ School
Affiliated with American Accordionists’ Association, International
1401 Belknap Street, Superior, WI 54880
Phone: (715) 395-ARTS [2787]
Website: www.accordionworld.org
Email: accordion@sprynet.com
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A World of Accordions Museum
Hanni Strahl Concert Hall
Helen and Theo. Miller Concert Series
Duane Sellman Special Exhibits Area
Accordion Resource Center Libraries
Harrington ARTS Center Publications
Accordion Concertina Music
Accordion Concertina Music Ensemble
ADVANCED PIANO ACCORDION SEMINAR
July 18, 2015
6:00 to 9:00 PM
July 19
9:00-12:00 AM and 1:00-8:00 PM
July 20
9:00-12:00 AM and 1:00-8:00 PM
$350.00
(submitted with registration)
Instructors: Helmi Strahl Harrington, Ph.D.
Yvonne Marts, Certified Accordion Repair Technician
PRELUDE: This seminar is conveniently timed to begin immediately after our annual Willard A. Palmer Festival (July
16-18, 2015) as an advantage to participants at both events. The chance to hear (and chat with) internationally renowned
accordionists in concerts (Alex Meixner, Florian Chmielewski), learn in workshops on topics of interest to accordionists,
enjoy entertainments of exceptional quality (Willard Palmer III, Master of Magic and Music, Dr. Anthony Bukowski, cultural
folklorist), hear museum instruments demonstrated and explained in evolutionary chronology, and jam with enthusiastic
musicians, is simply not to be missed by seriously involved accordionists. This extraordinary five-day offering is strongly
recommended to participants of the advanced piano accordion seminar.
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
Industry statistics state over 10 million accordions are in use in the USA! The resurgence of accordion music is evident
everywhere—for novelty sounds in pop bands, for trendy styles like tango and musette, for ethnic specializations, and for
original compositions. The industry is thriving—growing exponentially with new brands and models, new sizes and features,
and often, problems during the “breaking-in” process. Every accordion needs annual maintenance, which most do not get
because technicians are few and far-between.
Older accordions are coming out of storage for reuse as their owners rediscover their love of making music, or for resale
purposes. But every accordion older than 20 years needs renovations and repairs that are troublesome. Look on Ebay and
other websites to find rapidly selling, low-priced, beautiful instruments whose only problems are that they don’t work too
well. If you bought one such, you have already discovered that repairers are often distant, usually expensive and questionably
qualified.
If you have dabbled in repairs, you have undoubtedly found that, while suppliers are multiple, modern parts usually do not fit.
More significantly, your ability to diagnose the source of problems and the procedural steps in correcting them cannot be
successfully self-taught or read in a manual. Practical hands-on experience and observation of expert techniques is the
answer.
If you knew what to buy, what to avoid, and how to fix, the rewards are multiple. For yourself, there are pleasures in
choosing a worthy instrument with which to make your own music. If you establish a business, the sentiment you see in
others in having an heirloom instruments restored is of great value. Perhaps most importantly, your ability to make a dynamic
living that you control is the greatest reward. The field is most attractive to those who are creative, enjoy problem-solving,
are self-motivated, can work successfully alone and with others. Rewards of the profession offer prestige, lucrative income,
excitement and challenge with skills that continue to develop.
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WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS SEMINAR?
This seminar is intended for people who intend to learn about America’s most popular accordion type—the Piano Accordion.
Those who should attend are amateur or untrained repair people wanting to upgrade their skills, retired people wanting
additional productivity, under-employed musicians, people changing professions or wanting to add to their portfolios of
qualifications, and of course, those who desire professional distinction in this in-demand field.
Also, almost every player understands the importance of proper maintenance and repair, often not available locally and timedelayed by the need for shipping to few national centers. It behooves serious musicians to know their instruments and to be
able to make their own repairs and improvements as needed.
SEMINAR CHARACTERISTICS
Enrollment in the seminar is limited so as to provide participants with individual attention. Send in your enrollment fee
promptly.
The seminar seeks to offer participants knowledge-based insights into varied disciplines: acoustics, aesthetics, construction,
glues and adhesives, metals/plastics/woods, and to familiarize them with internet resources, power and hand tools, jigs, and
helpful devices unique to accordions. Handouts serve to remind participants what they have learned. Seminars require of the
student mental disciplines involving academic learning, recall, auditory perception, physical skills, emotional stability, and
concentration stamina. Refreshment breaks are included when requested.
The advanced seminar involves investigation of instruments from various countries of origin, manufacturing styles and eras
of technology, of wide-ranging complexities and values. Major topics to be addressed are: diagnosing problems; annual
maintenance procedures, treble keyboard leveling, axle removal, pallets replacement, tone-chamber issues; bass machine
removal and alignment; gaskets replacement; reeds tuning, waxing, releathering, chartings and organization; bellows corners
replacement and retaping; cosmetic improvements like grill cloths replacement, celluloid scratch removal and buffing. Class
progress varies according to the aptitudes of participants, therefore, if time permits, preventive care, storage, crating and
shipping can be included. A schedule of topics and recommended reading list will be sent to enrollees before the seminar
begins.
In general, teaching methodology is by concept and then specifically applied. Subjects discussed in theory are put to practical
application in progressive layers of increasing depth and difficulty. Repair procedures evolve from simple to complex in
logical sequences. Although no experience is required from the prospective student, the advanced seminar presumes basic
familiarity with piano accordion sections and their functional operations.
Although we cannot promise to repair individual accordions, participants may bring their own accordion for diagnosis and
advice.
BUILDING FACILITIES
The principal features of Harrington ARTS Center involves its acoustically ideal concert hall and A World of Accordions
Museum displaying 1,300 accordion-family-instruments from their inventions in the 1800s to state-of-the-art modern,
including Beginner, Intermediate, Professional, Fine, and World-Class models. The building has three floors, five workshops,
three libraries, commercial kitchen, instrument storage for ca. 750 accordions, and guest rooms. It is protected by security
system, two German Shepherd dogs, and mouse-proofed by two cats. (Animals will be segregated during the seminar.)
POSTLUDE: HOUSING AND FOOD Housing and transportation must be arranged by the individual participant. We recommend
the reasonably priced Superior Inn, 525 Hammond Ave., Superior, WI 54880, 715-394-7706, located 10 blocks from Harrington ARTS
Center. Several eating establishments are within walking distance.
BOOKS, TOOLS, SUPPLIES
Eye protectors or safety glasses, air filter nose masks, aprons or cover-ups are recommended. All
personal possessions must be marked to identify the owner. A list of suggested items you may wish to bring will be provided in timely
manner after registration. ARTS offers many items unavailable elsewhere.
INSURANCE Students are encouraged to obtain health, injury, and liability insurance coverage for themselves and their possessions.
DRUGS and INTOXICANTS
Use of illegal drugs or intoxicating substances is expressly prohibited during the seminar, and may be
a cause for immediate expulsion.
HOLD-HARMLESS AGREEMENT
The student will hold harmless Accordion-concertina Repair and Technicians’ School,
Harrington ARTS Center, any associated or subsidiary business, any faculty, staff, guest lecturers, or Board of Directors (individually or
jointly) in the event of any circumstances of damage to self or property regardless of cause.
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