Alison plays bass accordion in the ensemble. Here's her story...
I think I first became intrigued by the accordion as a child, whilst on holiday in Norfolk, listening to the ‘Sheringham Shantymen’ perform at a local pub. Later at university, I remember my flatmate’s French boyfriend coming to stay, with his accordion in tow, much to my flatmate’s annoyance, but to my delight. However, it was at Morley College that I was able to turn my interest into a passion…
I discovered Morley back in 2000 when I signed up for a vegetarian cookery class. It is one of the oldest adult education colleges in the country and offers a range of weird and wonderful courses to suit all tastes. Five years on, having sampled Intermediate Philosophy, Scottish Dancing, French Film and Street Dance Aerobics, my eye was drawn to the Accordion for Beginners course. I soon found myself amidst a group of keen-looking adults, each with their own story to tell about how they came to be sitting in a central London college at 9 o’clock on a Saturday morning, with an accordion in their lap!
Whilst a member of the Saturday morning class, I went along to a concert given by ‘Accordions at Morley’ - a Morley college club. It was the first time I’d seen an orchestra made up solely of accordions, and the sound was fantastic. I knew straight away that I had to be a part of it!
The club meets on the first two Fridays of the month, rehearsing a diverse range of pieces for performance in a summer and Christmas concert, as part of Morley’s lunchtime concert series. The most recent concert included Second Waltz, from Suite no. 2 for Jazz Orchestra by Dimitri Shostakovich, Modern Suite, by Renato Bui and Zwischen Don und Volga, by Adolf Gotz (“From the Don to the Volga”: famous Russian songs and dances arranged for accordion orchestra). The club also offers the opportunity to play solos or small ensemble pieces to one another in an informal setting.
Players of all standards are welcome to join. Several members, like me, have progressed to the club from the Saturday morning classes. Others have been playing the accordion for years and see it as an opportunity to gain orchestral experience, or to broaden their repertoire. We are lucky to have two hugely experienced accordionists, Ian Watson and Julie North, as the musical directors, who make the club all that it is.
I have been part of the club for two years now, and what I like most of all about it is the infectious enthusiasm of its members. I get to hear about all sorts of interesting concerts and events, not to mention accordion holidays of one description or another. I’ve been inspired to play different types of music, and I’ve even taken up the bass accordion, which is a great sound to behold!
So, I’ve come a long way since hearing those Norfolk sea shanties! If you are a budding accordionist living in London, or a train journey from Waterloo station, then perhaps ‘Accordions at Morley’ is just what you’ve been waiting for too….
Alison Briggs