Video above: Rita Barnea introduces her workshop: The Life and Music of Eugene Ettore” with her performance of his “Rhapsodie Espagnol.”

With this December 2021 publication of the Accordion USA News, I am beginning my 14th year as Editor. I am enjoying every second of it! I would like to share my life in music with you all:

I had a teacher in elementary school who once told us that “You are the sum of your life’s experiences.” That is certainly true for me! After you read about my life, you might conclude that my position as Editor of www.accordionusa.com is a natural outgrowth of everything that occurred in my life. With the December www.accordionusa.com publication, I will begin my 14th year as Editor and I am even more enthusiastic, excited, committed, and loving every moment of this endeavor.

My goal is to ensure that the Accordion USA News is eclectic, accurate, fun, exciting, educational, entertaining and relevant to all that happens in the accordion/musical world. I do not say “accordion world” because the accordion is part of the entire musical world and includes every type of music one might think of. And, as long as you are reading this, I want you to know that you are welcome to submit your ideas and comments to me at Ritabelll@aol.com or text/call me at 201-675-4861. I am always available and look forward to hearing from you.

Of course, we all want to know how people are introduced to the accordion. My story goes like this: I showed interest and musical ability as a small child which my parents recognized when, at the age of 4, I filled glasses of water to create a musical scale and tapped out little songs with a spoon!! At the time, we lived in a small apartment. Perhaps they may have thought of piano for me but there was no room for one. Fortunately and thankfully, they took me to Major Music in Irvington, New Jersey where Eugene Ettore became my accordion teacher at the age of 9. (My first teacher there at age 8 was Anthony Listopad for one year).

I do not remember asking my parents for the accordion or any specific instrument, but their being European (my mother came to the USA from Germany and my father was a Holocaust survivor from Poland) led them, I am sure, to giving me the accordion for which I am eternally grateful to them!

My personality as a child (and even until today) was one of being very energetic, active, curious, sociable. My feeling is that the accordion was also “good” for me because it made it necessary for me to sit! Anyway, I loved it the minute I was given my little red accordion, and to this day, not a day goes by that I am not either playing the accordion, listening to the accordion, or writing about the accordion! The accordion is and always will be my favorite instrument!

I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to learn the accordion. I can say that most of the great friends I have made in my life, were due to being involved with the accordion. And I continue to meet and develop new friends all over the world because of the accordion.

Have you also had a similar experience in your life? Please let me know. I am interested. Ritabelll@aol.com.

My formative years as a musician/student years growing up in the accordion studio of Major Music in Irvington, New Jersey began where my parents took me for lessons/band practice at least twice a week. I loved every minute and measure of it! As a young child, we lived in Irvington, NJ. My mother would wheel younger sister in a stroller as we walked to Irvington Center’s Major Music Studio, about a 2 mile walk!

I remember sitting in the waiting room talking to other students who were waiting for their lessons. I loved looking at the accordion displays and the smell of the accordion polish…. my dream was to have a shiny new accordion one day as my parents rented one for me. My lesson room with Eugene Ettore was across the hall from Flora Foscato, remember her? She was a beautiful person, a dedicated accordion teacher. She taught one of my “oldest” accordion friends, Al Terzo who is the Conductor of the New Jersey based Accordion Pops Orchestra. (APO)

My mother would sit with me when I practiced, in the basement of course, who had air conditioning back in the day? I had to practice every day, even in the summer. All the children were outside in the morning playing on the street or backyards. I was in the basement until I finished my practicing. This went on until I internalized the idea of practicing daily and, of course, then did it on my own…….. as a matter of fact, later there were many days when my mother would call me, “Rita, stop practicing, don’t you think it is enough for now?” Well, no, it was not enough and I did practice consistently.

In addition to the weekly lesson, my father drove me once a week to band practice. It was the days of the accordion bands. I began in Freshman moving up to Junior, Junior Symphonette, Senior Band etc etc. until I arrived at the top level which was the Sano Symphony conducted by Eugene Ettore! We performed in many places. We had special white gowns which gave the accordion orchestra class and elegance. In order to be accepted into the Sano Symphony, I had to take a written theory test, audition, and own a Sano accordion! With Eugene Ettore’s expert advice, my parents bought me a Sano Concert Master, the same model that Carmen Carrozza played. I still have mine today and it is in excellent condition. Learning that I was accepted as a member was a truly important highlight in my life at the time (age 13).

I also played the violin since fourth grade, taking lessons in school and participating in the school orchestras in high school. While in high school, I realized that I wanted to be a music teacher, but I needed to play the piano! My parents quickly took me to Alex Chiapinnelli, a well known piano teacher in New Jersey. I have to confess that it was a very frustrating experience for me because I had almost 7 years experience on the right hand and zero experience on the left hand keyboard. I had to start in the beginner books and work my way to equalizing my two hands while at the same time, taking accordion lessons, competing, playing violin, doing homework etc. etc.

Fortunately, I was able to audition on accordion for the University of Connecticut music department and I was accepted as a piano major in music education with a minor in viola. Fast forward a few years and I was employed as an elementary music teacher Pre-K special needs to 5th grade in the West Orange, New Jersey Public Schools where I spent almost 40 very very happy years as a music teacher playing my accordion every day for my classes, to accompany their singing, chorus, sing a longs, international festivals, outdoor programs and more!

It is interesting to me that some people think it is a “new” idea to use the accordion in school music teaching. From day one as a teacher, I used my accordion to accompany the children in the music classes. The accordion is a perfect instrument, especially during the years when I did not have a music room. I carried my accordion and bag of music, etc. to the classrooms. We would move the desks around if space was needed for movement activities. Also…. the children…. ALL wanted to carry my accordion for me so I would choose two or three “Lucky” ones to carry it to the next class!! I was really the lucky one to not carry my accordion around for 8 classes a day on multiple floors of the school.

Additionally, on beautiful warm days, I would take my classes and accordion outside to sit under a tree to teach my lessons. We went to the indoor Mall several times a year for Holidays, etc. where the choir would perform. Sometimes a piano was there and sometimes not, but my accordion was always ready to accompany the singers and, perhaps, stroll around in the audience! Every principal and supervisor I ever had realized the benefits of an accordion playing music teacher!

The children loved to carry my red accordion (decorated by them with stickers ranging from Mickey Mouse, to Star Wars and more!) from class to class! In fact, since they ALL wanted to carry my accordion to the next class, it was a motivational factor for them to behave and participate well in class and then, maybe they would be chosen to carry my accordion! It was really fun to play my accordion for them. I could stroll around the class and, while playing, lean over to my students to hear them sing, all done, of course, in a fun, lively, and positive way! Lots more “accordion in the classroom” stories to come. All I can say is that it was and is of great benefit in so many ways for a music teacher to play the accordion.

I also organized a children’s birthday party business. I would go to parties indoors, outdoors, wherever the parents wanted the children to be. I brought my accordion (little red one with stickers!), a bag of musical instruments, hats, balloons, etc. The activities centered around the accordion and being actively engaged in singing, playing instruments, dancing, etc. In recent years, I even gave workshops on how to run a party business. I am willing to share my “secrets”!

Here are a few more stories about my accordion:

“A Nickel A Page”
This is a true story. When I was about 13, we moved to a larger home in Springfield, NJ. where I had my own room, a great place to practice. By that time, I was playing longer and more complicated pieces. As you may identify with, it is so frustrating to play and then have to stop to turn the page! What did I do? I asked (i.e.. bribed ) my younger sister, Lori, who was about 8 or 9, to turn the pages for me. She was not very enthusiastic about doing this. I said to her, “It is quite simple. Sit quietly. When I nod my head, then you turn the page. And I will pay you a nickel a page!” She thought that idea was great! Sounds simple? It was not. As Lori would tell it, “Rita was so intensely involved in the composition that she was nodding her head frequently while playing and it was not when I was supposed to turn the page!” Somehow we resolved the situation and she would turn pages for me for about an hour each time. Perhaps this experience had an influence on her. Today she also is a professional musician. Now. technology has replaced the “nickel a page” challenge.

“Playing for Friends and Family”
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving with friends and family….. which reminds me of the many times my parents would say when family was over visiting……”Rita, please take out your accordion and play for us!” I remember doing that and feeling very good about it. How many of you have had similar experiences performing for family and friends as a young accordionist. Well, this continues even today. When we have family gatherings for holidays, I will sometimes bring along my accordion and a bag of rhythm instruments. Everyone wants to get into the act! The accordion makes every holiday more festive!

Most fortunate are people who have a mentor in their life, someone who takes a special interest encouraging and guiding them. I was fortunate to have my music teacher, Eugene Ettore, as my mentor since early childhood. Here is the information in honor of his 100th Birthday: June 2, 2021:

“Remembering and Honoring Eugene Ettore on His 100th Birthday”

Today, June 2, 2021, would have been Eugene Ettore’s 100th Birthday. In honor of his birthday, I am posting the link to the website I created to educate all about a unique, versatile and talented individual who made great contributions to the accordion world and musical world in general. I encourage you to visit this page to learn about him:
http://www.accordions.com/memorials/mem/ettore_eugene/

During this year, I will include articles on his music, musicians who perform his music, and scheduled programs featuring his compositions. If you would like to share memories or information about Eugene Ettore please send it to me at Ritabelll@aol.com

I was extremely fortunate to be his student. He prepared me for my long career as a music teacher in the public schools. Eugene Ettore inspired all of his students with an approach which included discipline, encouragement, and kindness. Those of you who had a music teacher as a guiding light in their lives will understand the importance of having a teacher/mentor. The lifelong benefits and influence branch out into so many other areas of life.

Eugene Ettore was well known as a gifted composer for the accordion. He performed as both soloist and in the duet team, “Concert Duo” with Carmen Carrozza, his great friend. As a Renaissance man, Eugene Ettore also played the French Horn, and wrote method books for the accordion and French Horn. He was an artist, inventor and Braille transcriber etc. He was President of the AAA (American Accordionists’ Association) three times!

I presented a lecture/concert workshop, “The Life and Music of Eugene Ettore” at the 2018 AAA Festival in Alexandria, Virginia. In honor of Eugene Ettore’s birthday, I am offering a free download of the recording of his original compositions:
http://www.musicforaccordion.com/eTracks/inform/davidson/index.htm

If you would like to see recent performances of some of his works, please visit:
1. Rita Barnea Workshop “PRELUDE & SCHERZO”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etP04Tf6rQc

2. Eugene Ettore: “Spanish Holiday”, for Accordion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFhxhXcb7pQ

3. Rita Barnea Workshop “Accordion Miniatures”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPyCpSxiT8E

4. Rita Barnea Workshop “Five O’Clock Rush”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-7JMjGdU1c

If you wish to learn his music, please email me and I will send the music to you as a free download.

I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to AWW Founder and Director Harley Jones for his years of kind support, encouragement, and technical instruction in how to be a successful editor. I continue to enjoy our camaraderie and friendship! I also want to express my great appreciation to Kevin Friedrich, the first Editor of the USA News who taught me the technical procedures involved in being editor. His patience and great sense of humor made me feel comfortable and confident.

I hope that you enjoyed learning about me and Eugene Ettore. He deserves to be remembered and recognized for his important contributions . I welcome any comments to be sent to me, Rita Barnea: Ritabelll@aol.com.

Lower picture: Rita Barnea performing at the 2018 AAA 80th Anniversary Festival.