Girl seeks sweet sound of success

Playing the accordion on the streets of Spokane may not seem like a great way to raise $3,500. Unless you’re 12-year-old Lilian Deck and you’re trying to get to the world accordion championships. The granddaughter of a late accordion player, Deck has been playing for three years. She comes from a musical family, with a father who plays the flute and relatives having played other instruments, including the accordion.

For her, playing an accordion in public is a good deed. “I like that it makes other people happy,” she said.

In her quest to reach the 60th anniversary Coupe Mondiale – a yearly worldwide accordion championship open to competitors of all ages – Deck is playing a lot in public.

Deck’s father, Hennry Deck, thought he had raised enough money for both of them to go to Washington, D.C., in August for her to compete.

But two of their sponsors, whom he would not name, backed out, saying they were giving the money to sports teams instead.

“It didn’t surprise me, but it was a shock at the last minute,” said Hennry Deck.

Now, his daughter is performing around the city trying to raise the needed money. Sometimes Hennry Deck accompanies her.

Two other accordion players from Spokane will compete in the Coupe Mondiale, which was last held in the United States almost 25 years ago. Hennry Deck said he has promised some of Lilian’s street-music money to that pair.

The Decks started playing in public last week, with a jar for people to make donations. Deck said his daughter plays special requests