The Amsterdam Accordion Club FORZANDO was founded June 7th, 1938. Right now, the club has
about 50 members. FORZANDO is member of the NOVAM, the Dutch Organization for Accordion
and Mouthorgan. This organization uses an internationally approved system of
classification of accordion music, i.e. 3rd, 2nd, 1st, and Honourable Divison. To make it
possible for our members to play accordion at their own level of expertise, the club has 3
orchestras.
The ‘C-orkest’ is the basis of the club, and is directed by Piet Verzijde. The members of this orchestra have only little experience with playing the accordion, and/or playing together in an orchestra. If necessary, individual lessons are given. The ‘B-orkest’, the level which is between 3rd and 2nd division, has approximately 20 members, and is conducted by Marian van Vloten. The ‘A-orkest’ takes part in the musical contests and festivals organized by the NOVAM on a regular basis, and its level (for many years) is Honourable Divison. It is relatively small (14 members), and is conducted by Piet Verzijde, who is well known for his compositions and arrangements for accordion-orchestras. The idea within a club like FORZANDO is, whenever members have enough capabilities and experience, they are placed in the next higher orchestra.
Years ago the traditional music for accordion-orchestras consisted for the most part of arrangements of marches, overtures, and melodies from operettes. During the last two decades much has been changed, and FORZANDO followed the new developments. The repertoire of FORZANDO is now very extensive, and varies from folk music to symphonic poems, from pop-music from the eighties to dance band music from the thirties.
A few years ago, a 4th orchestra was founded: the FORZANDO Light Orchestra. This
orchestra includes various different instruments, like clarinet, saxophone, horn, keyboard
and synthesizer. The repertoire is essentially dance-music and sing-along-songs.
For more information, we invite you to contact us via e-mail: forzando
