The weekend of December 12-13 was a busy, festive time for our local accordionists: Dale Wise held his annual “Accordions For Kids Holiday Concert” on Saturday the 12th, in Oakton, Virginia. It was preceded that afternoon by a well-attended and well-received workshop, sponsored by Dale, led by the four-time ATG US Accordion Champion, Bill Cosby. The evening concert was very nice with sing-along carols, solos and duets. Then, the audience was treated to a stellar performance by Bill Cosby. His stage presence, rapport with the audience, and his unbelievably delightful and skillful playing was dazzling!! Many in the audience stood in the back so they could watch, in total awe, both of his hands fly flawlessly over the keys and buttons. The accuracy and emotion this man pours into his music makes it very hard to believe that Bill stopped playing accordion over 30 years ago and has only recently started playing again.

On Sunday, the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society (WMAS) held its annual Holiday Concert and Dinner in Falls Church, Virginia. The weather was horrible, yet much to our surprise and delight, we had a huge audience and every seat was filled for dinner. Our terrific Master of Ceremonies, Ken Kunec, kept the concert moving as our Holiday Orchestra, the Potomac Accordion Ensemble, and many soloists (plus a young tap-dancing accordionist!) played for a very animated and appreciative crowd. “Decking the Halls” with accordions and accordion-playing friends was a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season!