Since these pages were updated business has continued to be encouragingly brisk up in the Concertina Gallery. There’s a continuing growth and resurgence of interest in concertinas - and, from information and discussions elsewhere, I’m pleased to report that this “concertina renaissance” is not just confined to Cleckheaton, or even the UK, but seems to be an international trend! So – there you are folks – concertinas are on the way to being the chosen instrument for the 21st century!

Frequently, instruments from Marcus and Morse are pre-sold to customers before they reach us. It seems that several people are now well on the way to “concertina addiction” – players will know that feeling – the urge to just take a peep and perhaps buy that new instrument which will offer a little something else…which is why so many people seem to end up with a little “family” of instruments. Demand continues to grow – with more people looking at playing baritone as well as treble instruments.

In addition to our baritone English concertinas (Morse, Marcus and the JACK), we’re now able to offer a BARITONE ANGLO – made in Wales, by Marcus. This is a very exciting development – please contact me if you’d like more details. The baritone range is good for accompaniment, or part playing, and those deep resonant tones really sends a shiver down the spine – lovely! We offer a wide range of books, and instruments, suitable for all levels from novice to advanced, and have gig bags and hard cases available either off the peg or custom made to safeguard your investment.

These photos show the “twin” of my own scarlet Marcus – with lacewood ends (mine are metal, on lacewood) and 7 fold scarlet bellows – with our standard English Marcus on the right beside it, with 6 fold black bellows and wooden ends.

Some of you may have seen the Marcus Concertinas featured in BBC 2’s TV “Flog It!” programme recently – the stunning scarlet bellowed, metal ended English treble in the programme is the one made especially for me. It’s really very striking, and is playing in beautifully, since its arrival in September - the reeds are settling in well, and the bellows softening. It’s a joy both to look at and play. It was certainly a star attraction last weekend when I took part in the “4ème Ronde Européenne de Géants Portés” at Steenvoorde in France with fellow members of the Sheffield City Giants (see our webpages at www.sheffieldcitygiants.org.uk for details of us!). The three English concertinas in our band are all from The Music Room – my own Marcus, my husband Mike playing my Morse Albion treble, and Anita Carr playing a JACK baritone! The streets were packed with crowds of over 55,000 watching the Sunday procession, featuring Giants from around the world (as far afield as Brazil and Burkina Faso) but the only concertinas being those in our band!

New and fledgling concertina players come in all sizes and shapes – and all ages – from junior school to the long retired – proving that the concertina can open the gateway to musical enjoyment at any stage in life. Its portability is a huge bonus – there aren’t many instruments so small yet packing such a sound and volume (yet small enough to hide under a table if you’re perhaps feeling a little coy!).

Sadly, Reuben Shaw, one of the foremost Duet Concertina players, died on 15th December at the grand old age of 92. His funeral, on a bitterly cold day, was very moving and in a packed church (where he’d formerly been Verger – the well kept grounds being a testament to this ) – the importance of the concertina to Reuben was emphasised. I’d last seen him two months before, when, although frail, he came along to the Nottingham Concertina group meeting and enjoyed listening – he was also quite clearly interested in seeing and hearing my scarlet bellowed Marcus English Treble! Reuben will be greatly missed, he’d been a mentor and inspiration to so many over his long and fruitful life.

Although it’s farewell to one of the older generation, there are many younger players learning the instrument – a trend which looks set to continue. If you’d like any help or advice on concertinas, please contact me any time – I’m always happy to help.

I’m hoping to meet many concertina players over the summer months – and will be at several festivals – including Holmfirth Festival of Folk this coming weekend.

Gill Noppen-Spacie, 3.5.06

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