Music with ‘a lot of meaning’
Concertina player entertains Boulder residents
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MARSHALL -- After finding a long lost family treasure, Ann Albrecht is using it to entertain audiences at places like Boulder Estates and Boulder Creek.
She played her concertina last week at both senior citizen housing facilities. She performs at a variety of locations within driving distance of her hometown of Fairfax.
The concertina originally belonged to her grandfather. Happy memories of his music motivated her three years ago to locate the current owner, who was willing to sell it back to her.
"I decided I wanted to buy it back," Albrecht said. "It has a lot of meaning for me and my family. I felt like it belongs with us."
To locate the owner, she enlisted the help of family friend Harry Wojahn who also played the concertina. Using Wojahn's connections through a regional concertina association based in Sleepy Eye, they found the instrument in the nearby town of Lafayette.
After discovering that the concertina was still in good working condition, Albrecht decided to go beyond just owning by also learning how to play it.
Wojahn encouraged her to join the regional association. He advised her to practice for at least an hour every day in order to quickly learn the instrument.
She said the concertina is one of the simpler musical instruments to play. It's also a staple of traditional polka music, since almost every polka band has had at least one concertina.
"I didn't sound all that good at first," Albrecht said. "My husband was very patient. It took several months before it started to come together."
She eventually became confident enough to perform for audiences. Her most frequent venue is a senior housing facility with residents that include two aunts.
She performs music that senior citizens will remember. Her concert last week at Boulder Creek included selections like the Hawaiian song "Pearly Shells" and the ballad "Que Sera Sera." She ended the concert with a patriotic medley that featured "This Land is Your Land" along with the Army's song and the "Marines Hymn."
She performs in addition to working in the field of early childhood education in New Ulm. She said her favorite part of performing is the opportunity to entertain.
"I always enjoy it when I get a good response from an audience," she said. "They're the reason I perform. If it makes their day, it's worth all the time I put into it."
Boulder Creek Dircetor Jan Mason said Albrecht's performance got a favorable response from residents, all of who face dementia or Alzheimer's Disease.
"They liked it," Mason said. "Some of them sang along and tapped to the music. They remember polkas and the old popular songs. Anything that helps to keep those memories alive is valuable."
Boulder Creek Activities Director Pang Crain said Albrecht was highly recommended by counterparts from other senior housing facilities around the region.
"We have a strong network of activity coordinators," Crain said. "It's good when we can give each other ideas for performers. I'm very happy that we connected with Ann and definitely want her to come back."