A musical orchestra made up entirely of accordion players will soon arrive in town.

Of One Accord, composed of 12 accordionists, will play at Rimbey United Church May 4 at 2 p.m. following a silent auction to be held at 1 p.m.

Irene Wegmann from Gull Lake, who plays with the group, said the musicians range in age from university students to retirees and the musical ability varies from novice to accomplished.

“Over the years we have had as few as eight and as many as 16 members in our ensemble.”

The group was formed in 2004 by music teacher Margaret Miller.

“We are honored to be under the tutelage of Margaret Miller, an accomplished musician, teacher, composer and director. Most of the pieces we play have been specifically adapted for accordion by Margaret, artfully arranged in multiple parts to enable each musician to contribute importantly to the finished orchestral sound.”

Wegmann said Of One Accord plays a variety of songs, ranging from traditional music to classical to boggy woogy pieces. She will play the Missing Her Waltz, a song she wrote herself, at the concert.

Of One Accord has performed at the Edmonton’s Ronald McDonald House, International Airport, City Hall and the Festival of Trees in Edmonton. They have also played at the Italian Cultural Centre and other northern Alberta seniors’ lodges.

They have entered the Edmonton Kiwanis music Festival and participated in Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria, B.C. accordion extravaganzas as both competitors and feature performers.

Money raised at the Rimbey performance is to be used to allow the members to attend the Lethbridge Accordion Society’s inaugural extravaganza in June.

They are also preparing to attend Coupe Mondiale, a yearly international accordion competition, being held in August in Victoria.

“Our proximity to this year’s venue provides a rare opportunity for us to attend and compete in an event that in the past has been held in Italy, New Zealand, France, China Portugal and Norway,” said Wegmann.

Tickets are available at Stationery Stories & Sounds and by contacting Irene at 403-748-2893.