I started taking accordion lessons in 1953 when
I was 7. My first teacher was Mrs. Kunkel. . . and she didn't play the
accordion, she played piano!! There was a piano at the house my parents
rented, and I begged for lessons. But, my dad had a passion for me to play
the accordion, and finally convinced me that I couldn't pack up a piano to
play for my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and my accordion career was
born.
I'm not sure how my dad came to learn about Gene Van, but it must have been
1958 when we started making the long trip up the stairs at Gene's first
studio. The accordion was white, and had my name in chrome letters across
the front. The elbow was tucked in and so was the wrist!! How long do you
think that lasted?? And, the audition song was Lady of Spain; I'm sure Gene
cringed at my bellow shake.
As far as I can recall, Gene first started taking his students to music
competitions at Friendship Gardens in Michigan City. There was a bunch of us
kids from 6th Street in Mishawaka who were taking lessons by then. . . Bob
Haeck, Roger DeRoo; a few more of the St Bavo kids would also come
around-Dennis Noonan, Judy Canarecci, Phil DeCook. We would get together and
practice, practice, practice. It was so long ago; I don't have a clue what
those first competition songs were. Parents and friends listened as we
competed out of doors. I do remember being distracted by bees and worrying
about how high the wind was going to lift my skirt-no pants in those days.
The trophy was a small gold note on a plastic base, and it was my pride and
joy.
We soon graduated to official accordion contests in Indianapolis. I did
"o.k." but never could climb to the top. But the discipline of practicing
served me well as it was the foundation of a work ethic that gave me a
rewarding school and work career.
By this time, the accordion was my life. I became a student teacher, and was
at the studio (now on a ground floor) almost every day. I earned enough
money to buy that Titano Virtuoso-must have been 1960 or 1961, and I still
have the accordion today.
Gene espoused the Palmer-Hughes Method early on, and developed a close
relationship with the "Bills". Gene took several students to an accordion
camp down in Kentucky (don't have a clue what city!!), and he had them here
to a camp at Marian High School. MY most famous performance was as a part of
a mass band at Soldier's Field in Chicago. I wish my memories weren't so
sketchy, and I wish we had tapes to help with the recall.
By far my greatest accomplishments were not as a performer, but as a
teacher. I have always said that my claim to fame was being the first
teacher of Mary Ann and Laura (Van). Those girls put me on my toes, and by
the time they hit Book 6 they were ready to be turned over to "the master".
Mary Ann says I was tough; Laura, I wasn't tough, was I?
I taught throughout my high school years and was a part of the Symphony and
by this time we were making some good headway in reputation. We didn't
always win, but we were always competitive. Those days weren't all work and
no play-I can remember Carol Troyer's mom making us laugh so hard my sides
hurt, and we almost got thrown out of the hotel in Indy for throwing water
balloons on the innocent (?) strollers down below.
My original intent was to go to the University of Houston where I could get
my degree in music using the accordion. Fate intervened; I got a job to earn
the tuition, met my future husband, and Houston never happened.
My accordion days became a fond memory until 1978-the first reunion. It felt
so good to strap the accordion back on and realize that it was just like
riding a bike-you never forget (as long as you practice).
The fingers are a lot slower now, and it takes much longer to learn, but it
still feels good to strap the Titano on the shoulders and remember all those
fantastic days.
Gene, you have no idea the influence you and the accordion have had on my
life.
Thank you for the memories. And a heartfelt
thank you to my parents for the patience and the sacrifices they made so
that I could have these wonderful memories..
Sincerely,
Joyce
