The Accordionaires “Pops” Orchestra performed In Santa Barbara, CA. Over 150 people turned out on Sunday afternoon, February 28, 2016 to hear a concert performed by The Accordionaires “Pops” Orchestra.

The concert was sponsored by AIMS (Accordion International Music Society), the Santa Barbara accordion club. Selections included a wide variety of music. The program began with Verdi’s “Nabucco Sinfonia” and concluded over an hour and a half later with a Ployhar’s patriotic medley, “Americana,” as arranged for accordion orchestra by Dan Desiderio.

Many of the audience members proudly stood during the playing of their service branch’s song. Also featured on the diverse program were accordion soloist Gail Campanella, playing “Flight of the Bumblebee” and tenor Ara Kocharyantsa singing “Torna a Surriento” and “O Sole Mio”.

The orchestra received a long, standing ovation at the end of the concert from the warm and enthusiastic audience. This concert has become an annual event, with each recent performance being sold out.

The Accordionaires “Pops” Orchestra is based in North Hollywood and performs under the baton of Janet Hane. The orchestra has over twenty accordionists (including two on electronic accordions and a bass accordionist), a bass guitarist, a trombone player, and a drummer.

This combination gives the group a unique sound that has been widely appreciated by audiences throughout the southland, including at the Ronald Reagan Library, the annual Swiss Fair, and with the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra. Many members of the orchestra are professional or semi-professional musicians, and several teach accordion.

Photo by Tommy Xing