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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=09-Feb-2024&lang=en&s=20910
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=09-Feb-2024&lang=en&s=20910
09-Feb-2024
Joan Cochran Sommers Celebrates 90 Years - USAby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
ATG poster featuring Joan Sommers
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90th birthday celebration, Jane Christison accordionist
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90th birthday celebration.
Picture below Joan Sommers, daughter Cathy and Kevin Friedrich |
 The University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Ensemble joined together to celebrate the 90th birthday of their long time director and teacher Joan Cochran Sommers.Joan founded the UMKC Accordion Program in 1960 and went on to lead one of the most prestigious accordion programs for more than 40 years, attracting students from all over the USA and abroad, studying the accordion in Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral degree programs. In recognition of her stellar career, she was awarded the title of Professor Emerita upon her retirement. After being the first USA representative in the Coupe Mondiale in 1955, her students went on to compete with great success in both National and International festivals, winning numerous titles over many decades in solo, ensemble, chamber and orchestra competitions. Joan C. Sommers has held numerous positions in several music organizations, including the Accordionists and Teachers Guild International (ATG) and the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA – IMC-UNESCO) where she was awarded Lifetime Honorary Membership. She has arranged innumerable works for both Accordion Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble over many years, works that have been performed around the globe. Today she enjoys performing with fellow accordionists in duo, with other instrumentalists, with the UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble and as guest Conductor with various orchestras around the world including founding and leading the magnificent CIA World Accordion Orchestra in many countries around the world including the USA, Scotland, New Zealand, Croatia, Canada, Austria and Lithuania and twice in both China and Italy. Joan enjoyed a weekend of activities with her students and family celebrating 90 magnificent years of accordion excellence. There are no signs of slowing down any time soon and based on her busy schedule, her musical inspiration will continue for many years to come. The Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) will host their annual competition and festival in Kansas City from July 23-27, 2024 to celebrate Joan’s 90 years. Poster above. The main activities will be held at UMKC with the grand finale being Joan conducting a festival orchestra of 90 players! For more information, please visit www.atgaccordions.com Picture below: Conducting 2009 World Accordion Orchestra III in New Zealand |
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