Registration is now open for the NorthEast Squeeze from September 16-18, 2022. This year’s NESI at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield, CT. Wisdom House. Everything is in 2 adjacent buildings: the Main Building and the Farmhouse. Both contain bedrooms and meeting rooms as well as several porches. There is a large auditorium suitable for the concert and contra dance in the main building.

There are many heated, well-ventilated indoor spaces for workshops and jamming that offer excellent sound separation and comfortable seating. Responsible consumption of your own alcohol is permitted.There are gardens and other outdoor spaces in their well-kept grounds. Topsmead State Forest is within walking distance and offers many natural trails. (Admission is free.)

FAQ about NESI:
1. What workshops are offered?: This is a free-form gathering that evolves throughout the weekend. People post workshop offerings on the Big Board located in the registration room. People also post requests for things they hope someone else might agree to lead. Some “workshops” are really tune swaps, often focused on a particular genre, such as Morris tunes or Scandinavian waltzes. Some are for specific instruments, such as Hayden duet concertinas. Sometimes there is a “slow jam” for people who are just learning the tunes or their instrument. There is usually one that is a rehearsal for the pick-up band that plays for Saturday night’s contra dance, and that may happen just for fun even if we don’t have a dance. If you have a request or if you want to find out if there is interest in a workshop you’d like to offer, you can post it on Si-Talk ahead of the weekend.
2. Do I have to go to the workshops?: Definitely not. Some people never go to any and just join in the many jam sessions that spring up in every available corner. This is a weekend for fun and camaraderie, and nothing is required except your presence. I’m a first-timer.
3. Can I offer a workshop?: Of course. All you have to do is post it on the Big Board in the registration room. Write a brief description on a post-it (provided on the table) and put it in an available location and time slot on the schedule on the bulletin board. You don’t necessarily need to be a teacher – you might just want to be a facilitator for something that interests you, such as an Irish tune seisiún. Post it, and they will probably come.
4. There’s something I’d like to learn; will there be a workshop for that?: If what you want is not listed on the Big Board, you can post a request there. It’s quite possible that someone will decide to lead such a workshop or offer to give you some one-on-one help. You could also post a request ahead of time on Si-Talk.
5. I don’t play a free-reed instrument yet, but I’m interested in starting. Will there be anything for me to do?: Absolutely. First, you’ll be able to hear, see, and try out everything from big piano accordions down to a 20-key Anglo concertina. You’ll be able to find people who will talk with you about what they play and why. You’ll hear all kinds of music being played on free-reed instruments and consider which ones seem to relate best to your own musical interests. You might be able to find a teacher who lives in your area. Some workshops are quite suitable for absolute beginners. This is an excellent way to take the first steps toward becoming a player.
6. I have a free-reed instrument that needs to be fixed. Is there someone there that can help?: You can ask around — many attendees are quite knowledgeable about instrument repair.
7. My partner plays the fiddle (guitar, ocarina, nose flute, etc.) – can they take part?: For workshops, it would be good manners to ask the workshop leader. Generally, there will be no objection as long as your partner is aware that the activity is primarily for the free-reeders and is probably not the time to ask for advice on bowing technique. Finding a jam session to join is often a better option. All instruments are welcome in those, and they happen just about continuously.
8. Should my non-playing partner/spouse come along?:If your partner likes music, there is a lot to listen to, and some non-players decide to take up an instrument after a weekend of free-reed saturation. There are lovely grounds for walking onsite, and Topsmead State Forest is about a mile away.

The Young Player Award provides full registration for accommodation in our least-expensive 2-person housing, including meals, for the upcoming NESI event. If the award winner is under 18, we will also provide the same accommodation for the required accompanying adult. 

The NESI Young Player Award is intended to find and encourage a young player who demonstrates a growing interest and engagement in music with a free-reed instrument. Commitment to becoming a better player is the primary criterion for selection. Advanced proficiency on the applicant’s instrument is not required.
The applicant must:
* be 25 or under by Sept. 1 of the year of the NESI event for which the award is given;
* be a player of concertina, button accordion, or piano accordion
* be identified in writing by a teacher or other adult free-reed player as serious about his/her advancement as a player of his/her instrument
* if under 18, be accompanied to the event by a responsible adult who will remain on site for the duration of the event
Applications must be submitted by June 30th. All applications will be reviewed by an individual or committee comprised of or appointed by the NESI organizers. One applicant will be selected and notified no later than July 5th of the current year. The award winner must confirm his/her intention to accept the award by July 31st, or another winner will be selected.

Please note that all participants must be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination as defined by the CDC.

For information on registration and more: lynnh1947@gmail.com