What a terrific way for the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society (WMAS) to end the year: our 12th annual Holiday Concert, held on December 14, was attended by the largest audience we have ever had (140 people), and it was a huge success!

We had 24 accordionists and a guitar player in the Holiday Orchestra, several soloists and, for the first time, our duos all consisted of accordion with another instrument. We had two accordion duos with violin, one with oboe, and one with classical castanets. All played beautifully and added so much to the festive atmosphere.

As always, so many of our members and their spouses worked hard to make the day a success. We had beautiful handmade decorations and centerpieces, a tremendous amount of delicious refreshments, many hands when it was time to move tables and chairs, and the list goes on and on.

Our emcee, Ken Kunec, kept the concert light and amusing with his jokes and his uplifting musical interludes, and our very own percussionist, Santa Claus (Luis Uribe), looked so “adorable” that the musicians had a hard time playing through their laughter.
“It isn’t the great big pleasures that count the most; it’s making a great deal out of the little ones.” — Jean Webster.

Since the club was founded in 2003, WMAS has been making a great deal out of the little pleasures and accomplishments of our constantly growing membership. We work as a group, for a group, that celebrates our deep love and appreciation of the accordion.

We at WMAS want to wish everyone a very happy, healthy New Year!

Photo descriptions: Top:WMAS Holiday Orchestra, Joan Grauman conductor. Bottom: Accordion Duos, clockwise from top L: Rocio Ford(castanets) and her father, Robert Ford;  Michael Hansen(violin) and Robert Ford;  Judy Humphrey(oboe) and Peter DiGiovanni;  Nick Sungenis (violin) and Mark Nejako. Left: Percussionist, Luis “Santa” Uribe with Val & Donna Zadnik and Mara Cherkasky.