The main squeeze

YUKON — Accordionists ranging in age from 12 to senior years will be in the spotlight Aug. 12 when the Oklahoma Accordion Club presents its annual concert, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Yukon’s Czech Hall, 205 N Czech Hall Road.

Club President Maggie Abel said that as in past years, the free-admission, two-hour concert will be the club’s highlight event this year. “Audiences at this family friendly event include many youngsters seeing an accordion played for the first time,” she said.

Previous concerts, held at the Czech Hall after outgrowing the original venue at the Norman Depot, have attracted crowds of 300 or more, Abel said.

Dick Albreski, past president and the club’s co-founder, said concert selections this year will include current and classical music, ethnic, Latin, western and gospel music. “There will be a variance of tunes to be enjoyed by all,” he said.

Abel said the concert will include close to 20 performers. Acts will include solos, duets, trios and the club’s youth band.

“Some attendees (might) remember when accordion music was a normal part of dance bands and high school orchestras,” Abel said.

Club member Toni Paulding, 67, and her grandson, Matthew Medley, 12, both of Oklahoma City, will be among the performers. Paulding, a lifelong musician who grew up in a musically oriented family and took up the accordion later in life, said the accordion club gives her a chance to share her new hobby with her grandson.

Paulding said her interest in music grew from her mother, who taught accordion, piano, organ and vibraphone, and her father, who played violin in church.

Abel, whose own interest in the accordion began about seven years ago after she saw the instrument played in a local musical program, said the Oklahoma Accordion Club marked its 18th anniversary in June with 60 members. She said the club’s goal continues to be creating interest in the accordion; educating, encouraging and improving members’ playing; and encouraging young accordionists.

Abel said she began playing accordion after contacting Albreski for information about the instrument and later taking some lessons from him. She now enjoys the instrument and participating in the accordion club.

“Some of our members play regularly at parties, senior living facilities and Oktoberfests,” she said.

Club activities include a German Oktoberfest meeting with ethnic food and music in September, and a Christmas meeting that includes fundraising, carols and food.