The Spokane Accordion Ensemble is a unique blend of players of all ages with a common love of music and the accordion. It is a close-knit group that really enjoys just being together – rehearsals are serious but fun, too.

The Ensemble had its beginning many years ago, sometime in the fifties or sixties as a group of accordion teachers and their advanced students. It is a dedicated group – several travel up to two to three hours each way to attend weekly rehearsals, coming from Usk, Careywood, Republic, Chewelah, Cheney, Spokane and Spokane Valley..

The group changes almost yearly as business and family commitments make it impossible for them to participate, but most return as circumstances permit. A strong core group is maintained and newcomers are welcomed.

The Ensemble enjoys entertaining for a wide variety of audiences, from small groups to national conventions, such as the National Studebaker convention, the Leavenworth Accordion Festival, First Night Spokane, a number of retirement centers, Oktoberfests, luncheons, and many others. Their repertoire ranges from Bach to old standards, Broadway melodies, Movie themes, and yes – a couple of polkas!

The Ensemble is directed by Patricia Bartell, who has been a part of the Spokane Accordion Ensemble for the past 13 years, and has been the full time conductor for the last 6 years. Patricia graduated from Whitworth College with degrees in Music Education for Choral and Instrumental as well as a Performance Degree with the accordion. Patricia is well known for her accordion performances; she has won many International competitions, and this past summer, she spent 5 weeks in Europe adjudicating for the World Trophy in Portugal, studying in France with her teacher and then competing in Italy where she took 3rd place. In addition to directing Ensemble, Patricia enjoys playing, teaching over 50 accordion and piano students at Music City in Spokane and traveling as a missionary to many countries.

Bio - Patricia Bartell Patricia Bartell is a graduate of Whitworth College, holds a B.A. in Music Education and Music Performance. She is widely-known throughout the U.S. northwest and western Canada as an adjudicator, professional performer and teacher.

With the accordion, she performs and teaches a wide variety of music which includes classical, ethnic, musette, and sacred music. Patricia is the director of the Spokane Accordion Ensemble.

She has also studied “The New Technical Approach” with the world-renowned accordion teacher Frederic Deschamps in France. This technique approach has helped produce amazing results for all ages.

Patricia is now the USA delegate (a member of the jury) for the international competition of the C.M.A (World Confederation for the Accordion – World Trophy)