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AAA Festival July 12-16, 2023. Join the AAA for our 85th anniversary in-person celebration this summer!by Frank Busso Jnr |
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![]() Venue Visit https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1678315148565&key=GRP to book your hotel room today! The discounted room block deadline is June 26, 2023. The rate and room type can sell out prior to the deadline, so book your room early to secure the lowest rate. The importance of reserving a hotel room at the AAA’s official conference hotel, the Marriott Philadelphia West: The AAA makes every effort to keep your expenses at the conference as low as possible. We work hard to negotiate the best hotel rates and to keep conference registration fees as low as possible, even as expenses rise annually. The AAA is able to offer high-quality conferences in desirable locations because we reserve a significant number of hotel rooms. If you choose to stay at another property, the official hotel room block is smaller, making it more difficult for the AAA to gain favorable hotel space at reasonable prices for future meetings. Schedule View the most current version of the festival schedule here: 2023AAASchedule.pdf Registration, Tickets, and Payment Use the following form to register for the festival and to purchase tickets: 2023AAARegistration.pdf Payments can be made by check or online through the AAA’s secure checkout page: AAA-Store Gala Banquet One of the festival’s flagship events is the Gala Banquet on Saturday night. This year’s banquet will feature the 2023 AAA Festival Orchestra conducted by Joan Cochran Sommers, The United States Air Force Strolling Strings, and the Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to Frank Busso Sr. To advertise in the Gala Banquet journal, including special messages to Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Frank Busso Sr, please use the following link: 2023BanquetJournalAdvertisement We also have some ticket/hotel packages available that may be of interest to you: 2023AAABanquetPackagesAds.pdf Advertise in the Festival Program Journal Would you like to send a personal message to the AAA? Do you have a business that might be of interest to accordion enthusiasts? We invite you to advertise in the Festival Program Journal: 2023AAA-Advertiser.pdf Attention Vendors! If you would like to sell or exhibit merchandise during the festival, please complete an exhibitor registration form here: 2023AAA-Exhibitor.pdf Live Competitions are back! After two years of virtual competition, we are excited to return to live competitions for students of all ages and abilities! Solos, duets, ensembles, and bands. Competition rules can be found online at 2023AAARules.pdf. Entry forms must be submitted by June 12, 2023 and can be found here: 2023AAAEntry.pdf Important Dates June 12 - Competition entry form submission deadline June 16 - Advertisements in Festival Program Journal due date June 16 - Exhibitor/Vendor registration due date June 23 - Registrations and ticket purchases deadline June 23 - Advertisements in Gala Banquet/Lifetime Achievement Award Journal due date June 26 - Deadline to book your hotel room at the official festival hotel at discounted rate Some of our Guest Performers and Presenters We are sure we speak for all when we say accordionists cannot wait to get back together - in person! - to celebrate our beloved instrument. And speaking of accordions, make sure you bring yours along to play in the 2023 Festival Orchestra led by world-renowned conductor, Joan Cochran Sommers! Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) will join us for performances and workshops. Very personable and well-spoken, Grayson has won and been laureate at over a dozen international accordion competitions around the world in classical, entertainment, and digital categories. He is currently the instrumental music teacher for accordion at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Another special guest performer will be accordion legend and Grammy award winner, Joey Miskulin (USA). Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018 for his extraordinary accomplishments with the piano accordion, and a recent recipient of the AAA's Lifetime Achievement Award, Joey continues to delight listeners with his "flying fingers" and ability to engage audiences. Looking for even more entertainment? Look no further than Mario Tacca, past AAA champion and AAA Artist in Residence, who will perform as a soloist at Friday night's gala concert, and with acclaimed vocalist Mary Mancini at our Thursday night dinner. Conducting this year's Youth Orchestra will be Joanna Darrow, who has dedicated her entire life to performing, teaching, and promoting the accordion. She has performed several times with the Philadelphia Orchestra and performed all over Europe, concertizing for over 30 years with her accordion teacher/husband, the late Stanley Darrow. Several accordion orchestras are already slated to perform, including the Accordion Pops Orchestra conducted by Al Terzo, the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra conducted by Joanna Darrow, and the Busso Festival Orchestra conducted by Frank Busso Jr. The United States Air Force Strolling Strings, with AAA President Frank Busso Jr. on accordion, will perform at our Saturday night’s Gala Banquet. Also at the banquet, we will present our coveted Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime AAA Board member and past president Frank Busso Sr. Frank has been an educator, performer, conductor, and all-around ambassador of the accordion for decades. Keep checking www.ameraccord.com for announcements of additional performers, workshop presenters, events, and registration information! To read more about Joan Cochran Sommers, Frank Busso Sr., Joey Miskulin, and to learn more about the events that led to the formation of the AAA, please see the articles listed below. Click here for many other articles about AAA History. Article #1 - AAA-Formation.htm What events led to the formation of the AAA? Article #9 - "Spotlight on Frank Busso Sr." Article #18 - Joey Miskulin Article #25 - Professor Joan Cochran Sommers |
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2023 Sata-Häme Soi International Accordion Festival - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
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The 2023 Sata-Häme Soi International Accordion Festival will be held in Ikaalinen, Finland from June 29th to July 7th, 2023. The Artistic Director is Sami Pirttilahti. The festival will include a concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Golden Accordion, featuring several performers from over the years, with a program of Argentine tango, popular wartime hits, songs made famous by Georg Ots, accordion ensembles around Finland and much more. The event will also feature the finals of the Golden and Silver Accordion 2023 competition. An Accordion Cruise organised by the Finnish Accordion Association in March decided the finalists of this year's Golden and Silver Accordion competition, which focuses on light entertainment music. The Silver Accordion is a competition for children where participants are aged up to 11 years old. Seven players made their way to the finals: Aatu Kirén (Lahti), Joel Koivisto (Kokkola), Maija Liedes (Kokkola), Tara Pihlavisto (Karkkila), Alexander Repin (Tuusula), Emma Rissanen (Nummela) and Aimo Sorsa (Helsinki). The finalists of the Golden Accordion are: Marko Haapapuro (Kolari), Saana Kastelli (Pyhäjoki), Ronja Pehkonen (Jyväskylä), Heidi Rintamäki (Pori), Satu Sarkoranta (Laitila), Ilmari Tiainen (Lappeenranta) and Jarno Tourunen (Lappeenranta). All finalists are pictured below. Nearly 1,500 accordion music lovers and enthusiasts travelled on the two-day accordion cruise, which featured concerts, dances and bands performances. At the closing ceremony, the Accordion Artist of the Year 2023 was announced as: accordionist Harri Kuusijärvi from Rovaniemi. Next year’s accordion cruise will be held on March 23rd and 24th, 2024. Download the 2023 Sata-Häme Soi program here: 2023satahamesoi.pdf |
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2023 South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival Daily Reports - New Zealandby Heather Masefield Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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![]() On Sunday 4th June, was the Finale Concert at St Georges Church, Takapuna. Finale Concert Performers: Kevin Friedrich and organist Michael Bell, the Massed Orchestra and NSAO also performed works with organ. Other performers included Grayson Masefield, the Australia FunKordeon and the 2023 competition prize winners. The Sunday Farewell Dinner at Aubergine Restaurant, Takapuna had live music and lots of dancing fun. Daily Reports pictures and results at: 2023SouthPac |
Leonardo "Flaco" Jiménez Honored at the 41st Annual Conjunto Festival - USAby AWW |
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Report from Kate Richardson, Richlynn Group: Legendary musician Leonardo “Flaco” Jiménez was honored with the Hohner Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Gilbert Reyes at the 41st Annual Conjunto Festival at Rosedale Park this past weekend in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Recognized as an international ambassador of Tex-Mex / Conjunto music, Flaco Jiménez has had a remarkable career. With six Grammy Awards to his name, he has played an integral role in expanding the popularity of accordion-based music. His mastery of the accordion, distinctive sound, and innovative musical fusion have been instrumental in elevating the status of these genres, crossing cultural and linguistic boundaries. This prestigious award is a testament to Flaco Jimenez's extraordinary contributions to the music industry, his unwavering dedication to accordion music, and his inspiring musical journey. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire future generations of musicians. |
5th Bals et Roses Folk Festival - Belgiumby Christine Johnstone |
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The Bals et Roses Folk Festival will be held at the Ferme des Roses in Florenville, Belgium from June 30th to July 2nd, 2023. This festival of traditional music and dance will include concerts, a small craft market, dancing and entertainment for young and old. Accordion performers include Didier Laloy & Bruno Le Tron, The Trivelin Band, Embrun, 3... 4, Farem Tot Petar, Kafe Koefet, Naragonia Duo, Le p'tit Bal à Oli, La Rawette and Shillelagh. Download program details here: 2023BalsRoses |
CNIMA July 2023 Accordion Workshops – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix will hold two accordion workshops next month as follows: July 10th to 15th, 2023 July 17th to 22nd, 2023 The workshops are for all ages, levels and styles. Tutors Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix (pictured below) will cover instrumental work based on the Jacques Mornet method, approach of the accordion as a wind instrument, management of the air column and the bellows, search for a balance between body and instrument, work on touch and articulations, quest for musicality. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Venue & Date Change: UKAAT (UK Association of Accordion Teachers) Teacher and Student Workshop, England – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Guest speakers include Owen Murray (RAM Professor of Accordion) and Anthony Beckwith (Teacher at Diocese of Leeds) as well as a jazz workshop by Italian jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri (picture right) who will also give a short concert at the end of the day. |
Video: Arseniy Strokovskiy Features on Weltmeister Wednesday Concert Series - Germanyby AWW |
![]() This year, for the first time since 2019, the famous accordion competition in Klingenthal was held in the usual full-time format. The duet AMuse performed at the opening concert of the competition: Michiru Soeda (violin) and Arseniy Strokovskiy (accordion). After the concert, the musicians received an invitation to the Weltmeister Akkordeon Manufaktur GmbH factory, where they gave an interesting interview. Video as follows: 00:00 Intro 00:14 Beginning 02:39 Arseniy Strokovskiy plays the "SUPITA" 03:13 Interview with Michiru Soeda and Arseniy Strokovskiy Part 1 - How it all started 09:45 Festive start 60th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 19:11 Interview with Michiru Soeda and Arseniy Strokovskiy Part 2 - What teachers were formative? 26:12 A favorite piece of music 40:35 Participation and winning in the top class of the competition 2016 48:12 Arseniy at the Pantonale 55:26 Interview with Michiru Soeda and Arseniy Strokovskiy Part 3 - Michiru - how it all began and how she came to play the violin 01:02:40 Another favorite piece of music 01:15:31 Interview with Michiru Soeda and Arseniy Strokovskiy Part 4 - Vienna Moscow Vienna - in one day 01:19:25 Orchestra 01:26:52 opening concert and impression 60th International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 01:31:50 concert in the Gliersaal in Klingenthal 01:34:26 The End |
Video: Iman-nigunika Ensemble Performs “Nigonics” - Israelby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Iman-nigunika Ensemble Performs “Nigonics”, written by accordionist Nika Kushnir (Israel). The group includes Nika Kushnir (accordion), Vera Gorenstein (violin), Elyashiv Shapira (clarinet), Hillel Shapira (double bass), Zohar Shovel (percussion) and Uriel Severdin (drums). |
Future events |
Fernando Ávila June Concerts – Brazilby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionist Fernando Ávila will perform concerts in various venues of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil this month. See poster above for dates and venues. For further details email: fernandoacordeon@gmail.com |
“The Power of Bach” Concert – Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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The Netherlands Symphonic Accordion Orchestra (Nederlands Symfonisch Accordeon Orkest - NSAO) will perform the third concert in the concert series “The Power of Bach” at The Morning Star in Hilversum, Noord-Holland, Netherlands on June 10th, 2023 at 8pm. The orchestra, conducted by Tim Fletcher, aims to show at a high musical level what an accordion in an orchestra has to offer. The event will include Leo van Lierop performing the solo in Bach's fifth keyboard concerto as well as the orchestra playing various other works, including 'Symphonic Variations' by Jacob de Haan. For details email: info@nsao.nl |
Skerryvore Entertain at Trad & Folk Music Festival – Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
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Skerryvore (which includes brothers Daniel on accordion and Martin Gillespie on pipes, whistles and accordion) will entertain at The Reeling Trad & Folk Music Festival held in Rouken Glen Park, Glasgow, Scotland on June 10th and 11th, 2023. This concert is part of their Tempus World Tour. For details email: info@skerryvore.com |
2nd Festival del Mantice Accordion Competition - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() The event is organised by the Associations "Comitato Festeggiamenti B.V.M. Sant'Anatolia" of Sant'Anatolia di Borgorose (RI) and "Gli Amici dell'Organetto" of Corvaro di Borgorose (RI), in collaboration with the Italian Music Association of Reed Instruments, Diatonics (A.M.I.SA.D. APS) of Maiolati Spontini (AN) and the Musical Association "Amici della Musica" APS of San Benedetto del Tronto (AP). The event is for candidates of Italian nationality with accordions of any type and brand (some exceptions apply). Download competition rules and registration form in Italian language here: 2023Mantice.pdf |
The Garrett Tatano Band Entertain at Summer Picnic – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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The Garrett Tatano Band will entertain at the SNPJ Lodge 158 Loyalites Summer Picnic, held at the SNPJ Farm in Kirtland, Ohio, USA on June 18th, 2023, from 3pm to 7pm. The group which features accordionist Garrett Tatano, specializes in Cleveland-style (Slovenian) polka music. For details email: gtatanoband@gmail.com |
Stockport Accordion Club Afternoon Concert – Englandby Rob Howard |
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The Stockport Accordion Club will hold an “Afternoon Concert” at the Woodley Methodist Church in Woodley, England on June 21st, 2023 at 2pm. Their program will include performances by the Stockport Accordion Band along with soloists from the club. For details email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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The Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration will take place in Leavenworth, Washington, USA, from June 22nd to 25th, 2023. The festival features concerts with renown performers, workshops, jam sessions, accordion competitions, accordion parade, and accordion vendors. The Northwest Accordion Society, proud sponsors of LIAC, brings people together "for the love of the accordion". 2023 featured performers include: Joey Miskulin Alicia Jo Straka Lyle Schaefer and Toby Hanson Creosote Duo - Jamie Maschler & Gabriel Hall-Rodrigues Andy Gonzales & Juan Barco Max Kyllonen Workshops include: “Conjunto Music and the Button Diatonic Accordion” with Andy Gonzalez & friends “Accordion Gym” with Jamie Maschler and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues “How to Play Together” with Toby Hanson and Lyle Schaefer “Varying Your Performance” with Grammy Award Winner, Joey Miskulin “The Difference Between Demonstrating and Communicating with your Audience” with Andy Mirkovich “Ask A Teacher” with Cooksie Kramer (Kaserzon), AB CA, LB CA, Member ABRSM Trinity College London, UK “The Art of the Musette” with Alicia Jo Straka |
2023 Landes (State) Music Festival – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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The 2023 Landes (State) Music Festival will be held in Bruchsal, Germany on June 24th, 2023 organised by the Landesmusikverband Baden-Württemberg (State Music Association of Baden-Württemberg). This year is the 25th anniversary of the festival which will feature a “diverse program for music lovers” with over 200 musicians. For details email: info@landesmusikfestival.de |
Richard Galliano Performs Solo “Passion Galliano” Concert – Franceby Rob Howard |
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Richard Galliano will perform a solo concert entitled “Passion Galliano” in Tulle, Corrèze, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France as part of the Nuits de Nacre festival held from June 30th to July 2nd, 2023. For details email: solathierry@gmail.com |
Piano Accordion Weekend at Halsway Manor, England – UKby Christine Johnstone |
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A “Piano Accordion Weekend” will be held at the Halsway Manor Centre for Folk Arts in Crowcombe, Somerset, England, UK from June 30th to July 2nd, 2023. The weekend is aimed at intermediate and advanced players. Tutors include Paul Hutchinson and Murray Grainger, who will be joined by guest Amy Thatcher (pictured below). For details email: office@halswaymanor.org.uk |
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Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
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Release of 2023 Coupe Mondiale Rules and Regulations 2022 Coupe Mondiale, October 04 - 09, Switzerland Daily Reports from 05 October |
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PIF Castelfidardo 2023 Competition Information PIF Castelfidardo 2022 Daily Reports |
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XXXIV International Festival, Moscow Daily Reports |
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Information 2023 World Accordion Day, 6th May each year News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article |
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2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
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Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
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Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article Link |
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Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
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AAA information, USA 2023 AAA Festival News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
2023 Coupe Mondiale Online Entry System Now Open - Finland / B&Hby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() CIA Secretary General Kimmo Mattila announces that the 2023 Coupe Mondiale online entry system is now open for entries to the 76th Coupe Mondiale from the 2023 General Competition Rules page: 2023CM-Rules CIA President Mirco Patarini invites the nearly 50 CIA members to register delegates to the 150th International Congress of Delegates which meets twice in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. President Patarini also invites competitors from all nations to please lodge their entries well before the closing date to assist the organisers for what will certainly be a great Coupe Mondiale. The 76th Coupe Mondiale will be held from 5-9 October 2023 in Bijeljina, B&H hosted by the by the CIA member Association of Artists (Bijeljina), contact Slaviša Peric. 2023 CIA Honorary Vice President Slaviša Peric welcomes everyone to Bijeljina and the excellent facilities and halls for competitions and concerts. The festival will feature competitions as follows: • 76th Coupe Mondiale • Masters Coupe Mondiale • Junior Coupe Mondiale • International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Junior International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Chamber Music - Classical • Chamber Music - World Music Entry closing date is 15 July 2023 and all entry information is online at: Coupe Mondiale Online entries at: 2023CM-Rules |
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