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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=15-Jul-2016&lang=fr&s=12013
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=15-Jul-2016&lang=fr&s=12013
15-Jul-2016
by Joan Grauman Morse
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 Pictures above: 1. Busso Show Band: (l to r) Frank Busso, Sr., Christina Busso Lammers, Alexander Lammers, Michael Parziale, Max Hoffman, Pat Saylor, Frank Busso, Jr.2. AAA archival display. From start to finish, this year’s AAA Festival (July 6th - 10th) was glorious in every way imaginable! The sky was a bright blue over Buffalo, New York, and the accordionists and the press happily poured into the Adams Mark Hotel on Wednesday afternoon. Great, well-attended workshops by Alexander Sevastian (picture left) and SGM Manny Bobenrieth kicked off the festivities, followed by a lovely “Meet and Greet”, where many of our talented young accordionists played for us. A new feature for this year’s event was a nightly “After Hours Club”. Our festival’s featured young performers, Grayson Masefield, Ginny Mac and Cory Pesaturo took turns hosting these evening parties where all of the participants could sign up to play. It was delightful to have a relaxed setting where we could hear the many talented attendees play their favorite pieces. We were treated to the beautiful sounds of 13-year old Cody McSherry’s Austrian diatonic accordion (the Steirische Harmonika), as well as duets and impromptu jazz groups – a huge success and lots of fun for all! Kudos go to all of the workshop presenters who did a great job sharing their vast knowledge with the many participants who attended the workshops. In between activities, participants visited the Exhibit Room which was filled with new accordions, straps, sheet music, childrens’ books, gifts for accordionists and the large AAA Archival display. The Thursday luncheon concert and the amazing Friday night concert at the nearby Tralf Music Hall featured our gifted young headliners: the world accordion champions Grayson Masefield, Alexander Sevastian and Cory Pesaturo, plus Ginny Mac (picture left) and her brother Glenn McLaughlin. At The Tralf, we were also treated to the world premiere of the AAA’s commissioned composition, “Three Tributes”, by Guy Klucevsek – what a beautiful and moving piece! The evening at the Tralf also included a fun-filled performance by mezzo-soprano Dr. Nora Sirbaugh accompanied by accordionist Dr. Robert Young McMahan, and ended with a rousing, delightful concert by the highly acclaimed “Quartetto Gelato”. Lynn Ewing flew in from California and Beverly Fess from Canada for the festival. Each remarked at The Tralf, “It was worth it all just to be here tonight!” I think we all felt that way. For me, that evening was pure “Accordion Heaven”! The Saturday afternoon Awards Concert featured excellent performances by the Busso Music School Senior Ensemble and Show Band (under the direction of Frank Busso, Jr.), plus the AAA Youth Orchestra (directed by AAA President Mary Tokarski) and the Youth Jazz Ensemble (directed by saxophonist Mitch Guido). Will Comer took 1st place in the Junior category and Emmanuel Gasser took 1st place in the Open Category of the Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition and played their wonderful winning selections for us. 2016AAAResults.pdf This year’s Festival Orchestra conductor was Frank Busso, Sr. Frank did a stellar job preparing and conducting the group with minimal rehearsal time! The beautiful music of the Festival Orchestra filled the air at our Saturday night banquet, followed by a surprise unrehearsed performance by Ginny Mac, Glenn McLaughlin, Cory Pesaturo and Mitch Guido, accompanied by percussionist Steve Leotta. SGM Manny Bobenrieth was our spirited emcee for all of our concerts. A good time was had by all! Pictures below: Impromptu Band, Festival Banquet Standing ovation for first half performers at The Tralf Music Hall: (l to r) Glenn McLaughlin, Manny Bobenrieth (emcee), Ginny Mac, Guy Klucevsek, Dr. Robert McMahan, Dr. Nora Sirbaugh, Grayson Masefield, Cory Pesaturo |
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