Not so sure about the majority of melodeon players, don't know them all. In our band we have 3 people who can play melodeon, none of us is capable of playing from sheet music and we'll give any tune you like a fair crack!
I love the morris tunes and learn't most of mine on the road and found that if I sat in the corner of a bar and quietly played you soon got an audience that tapped along and bought you a pint.
Mrs. Duck I think you are right about the ridicule from the press and media (unless they want to shoot a quaint holiday video). They don't get a lot of problem down here from the public though and we have two local established local sides and a third just starting. Iv'e got 12 kids interested the head's permission and the parents think it's great and I'm just trying to persuade a dancer or 2 come along and teach and we're away. Wish me Luck!
KJ