Joan Sommers has directed the world famous University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Accordion Orchestra since it formed almost 50 years ago, when she established the accordion program at UMKC in 1961.

During its long history, the UMKC Accordion Orchestra has won many national titles in the USA, and toured to such places as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Estonia, New Zealand, Australia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Italy.

The orchestra presents regular concerts at the University and has made guest appearances at national festivals and other important engagements throughout the United States.

Highlights include appearances with the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Civic Symphony Orchestra, and at the American Accordionists Association, the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International, and the Accordion Federation of North America Annual Festivals.

Concert repertoire includes original accordion orchestra music, orchestral transcriptions, Broadway Music, Jazz and popular favorites.

The UMKC Accordion Orchestra members consist of UMKC students, graduates, alumni and special guests who accompany the orchestra when on tour.

The Annual Spring Concert of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra on April 29th, 2001 marked the 40th Anniversary of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra which gave its first University Recital in the Spring of 1961.

This landmark concert also marked the retirement of Joan Sommers from the Conservatory therefore making this concert the last official concert of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra.

The orchestra continues to rehearse and perform at the University, however, it is now called the UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra.

In conjunction with this 40th Anniversary Concert, the UMKC Accordion Orchestra released a set of six CD's highlighting the 40 years of accordion greatness.
 

Joan Sommers is sought after as a performer, conductor, clinician, adjudicator and musical director for major accordion festivals throughout the world, such as those in China, Poland, Norway, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

Joan is the immediate Past President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International, marking the third time she has led this esteemed International organization which is affilitaed with the International Music Council (IMC) - UNESCO.

Internationally, Joan is the Vice President of the Music Committee of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes, at which she also serves as an jury member on many occasions.

Joan earned the right to represent the USA in the Coupe Mondiale in both 1955 and 1956, which undoubtedly developed her interest in worldwide accordion activities. Joan has since been honored numerous times by both national and international accordion organizations, as well as other musical organizations for her ongoing dedication and contributions to the field of music.

As a performer, she uses the piano accordion, but she teaches all types of systems. Her students play both chromatic and keyboard instruments with various configurations.

Her students have won numerous top awards, including the United States Championship Competitions and have been candidates to the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships on many different occasions over a long period of time. Some of the most outstanding accordion professionals, both men and women, have been her students and have earned music degrees at the UMKC Conservatory of Music.

Joan C. Sommers, Director
UMKC Community Accordion Orchestra
2312 West 71 Terrace
Prairie Village, KS 66208-3322
USA

Phone: (913) 722-5625
E-Mail: joansommers@kc.rr.com