Thomas Tilton to showcase historic accordion collection

LEAVENWORTH –  For decades, Thomas Tilton has been at the heart of Leavenworth’s alpine music scene, whether it’s performing solo in Andreas Keller, with his wife and son in their band Alpenfolk, or alongside the Leavenworth Alphorns. And while he has played many instruments over the years, the accordion has stayed at the forefront.

“I guess my contribution over the years is to help make this a place where our visitors can come and hear the accordion if they wish, and to experience the culture that goes along with the folk music and culture that goes along with that instrument. I'm happy about that,” said Tilton.

Inspired by his own family tree, Tilton has always been interested in German language and culture, starting in high school and later studying it in college. In fact, it was a German class in high school where Tilton began his interest in alpine music, and got his first experience performing in public.

“I was a German student, and we were really good at talking the teacher into singing folk songs on Friday because we didn't have to work,” said Tilton. “Someone had given me a little concertina, so I learned a few of our folk tunes and brought it to class.”

From there, Tilton became more invested in the accordion, booking performances in his free time as he pursued a career as a guidance counselor. In the 1970s, he started visiting Leavenworth to play in the streets.

“It seemed to be a hit, and so a little while later, the Chamber of Commerce came up with some money for a strolling musician, and then I started playing at restaurants,” said Tilton.

In 1987, Tilton and his wife Cori Pflug-Tilton started Alpenfolk (with their son Peter later joining), frequenting Leavenworth to perform while maintaining life and work in Snoqualmie. After decades of performing, the family made Leavenworth their permanent home about 13 years ago.

“I guess my contribution over the years is to help make this a place where our visitors can come and hear the accordion if they wish, and to experience…the folk music and culture that goes along with that instrument. I'm happy about that,” said Tilton.

Over his years of playing, Tilton has also built up an impressive collection of accordions. His first “collectible” came from a friend in his early years of playing.

“It was a really whimsical instrument. It had a little kind of a horn on it…From then, I was hooked,” said Tilton.

Fast forward to present day, and Tilton has over 120 accordions in his collection, some of which date back to the 1830s. His collection reflects almost 200 years of the accordion, ranging from diatonic button accordion to the modern piano accordion.

Tilton will be sharing his collection of accordions and the history of the instrument at the Grange Hall on June 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in a workshop sponsored by the Greater Leavenworth Museum. 

He will also be sharing his collection in the Festhalle during the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration (LIAC), which takes place June 26-29. His band, Alpenfolk, will also be performing at the festival for the first time.

“[LIAC is] just delightful, because you meet a lot of birds of the same feather, but also, I'm just always in awe of the talent that comes to town,” said Tilton. “And Andreas Keller becomes accordion central during that weekend, because this is kind of where everyone comes to jam.”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media