EXHIBITSWORKSHOPS
COMPETITIONGALA CONCERTGUEST ARTISTSDINE & SOCIALIZE
JR. & SR. FESTIVAL
ORCHESTRASOPEN MIC & JAM SESSIONSAMERICANACCORDIONISTS’ASSOCIATION

86th Anniversary AAA Festival
July 12-14, 2024
MARRIOTT PHILADELPHIA WEST
111 CRAWFORD AVENUE
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428

SUBSCRIPTION - $20

Welcome to theAmerican Accordionists’ Association
2024 Festival
Greetings, AAA members and festival attendees! It is wonderful to reconvene with our accordion
family at another phenomenal festival in the Philadelphia area, this time celebrating 86 years of theAmerican Accordionists’ Association!
This year’s festival features several concerts and dining experiences you won’t want to miss:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Friday’s Kickoff Luncheon with Nikolay Bine and Dallas Vietty
Friday’s Pasta Night with Frank Busso Sr, Frank Busso Jr, Dee Langley, and others
Friday’s Gala Concert featuring Hanzhi Wang and Joe Natoli
Saturday’s Luncheon with Nikolay Bine and the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra
Saturday’s Awards Concert with trophy presentations and lots of music
Saturday’s Cocktail Reception & Gala Banquet, featuring Don Gerundo, Trio Called Leonard(with Dallas Vietty on accordion), & the AAA Festival Orchestra conducted by Frank Busso Sr.
Finally, Sunday’s farewell breakfast and open meeting will be a great opportunity to review thisyear's festival and to discuss future AAA endeavors

Throughout Friday and Saturday, please visit our Exhibit Room to say hello to Ernest Deffner
Affiliates, JANPress Music, and Music Magic USA, and to learn more about AAA’s rich history.
Let’s learn! Our Friday workshops will be led by Nikolay Bine (1:00pm) and Dee Langley(2:00pm). On Saturday, Dallas Vietty and (10:00am) and Joe Natoli (12:30pm) will take over.
For our new-to-the-accordion adult hobbyists, please join us at 1pm on Friday and 12:30pm on
Saturday to play with the AAA’s Beginner Adult Band, led by the ever-friendly Joanna Darrow.
Interested in a jam session or open mic? Come play with us on Friday at 2:00pm (hosted by Don
Gerundo) and Saturday at 3:30pm (hosted by Ray Oreggia).
Finally, I invite you to become an AAA member for the first time or to renew your membershiphere at the festival. Your membership will help you stay up to date on accordion events and helps tofund AAA events and projects.

I look forward to connecting with you during the festival!
Very best musical wishes,Frank Busso, Jr.
President
American Accordionists’ Association

Frank Busso, Jr., President
Frank Busso, Sr., 1st Vice-President
Sam Falcetti, 2nd Vice-President
Rita Davidson Barnea, Secretary
Ray Oreggia, Treasurer
GOVERNING BOARD
Frank Busso, Jr.
Frank Busso, Sr.
Alex Chudolij
Dr. Joseph Ciccone
Beverly Roberts Curnow
Joanna Darrow
Rita Davidson Barnea
Sam Falcetti
Kevin Friedrich

Donald Gerundo
Joan Grauman Morse
Dominic Karcic
Dr. Robert Young McMahan
Ray Oreggia
Linda Soley Reed
Mario Tacca
Al TerzoFrank Toscano

APPOINTMENTS
FESTIVAL CHAIRPERSONARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Frank Busso, Jr.
Mario Tacca

COMPTROLLER
Donald Gerundo

HISTORIAN
Joan Grauman Morse
PRESIDENT EMERITA
Faithe Deffner*

AFFILIATIONS
Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA)International Music Council (UNESCO)
National Music Council
A World of Accordions Museum*deceasedMayor Danelle FournierWest Conshohocken Borough112 Ford St
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Mayor Yaniv Aronson
Conshohocken Borough400 Fayette St, Suite 200
Conshohocken, PA 19428
July 5, 2024
For the second straight year, we have the honor of welcoming all of you to the Annual
American Accordionists Association’s 86th Anniversary Festival. Thank you for againchoosing West Conshohocken to host this celebration, competition and festival, andplease make it a point to cross over the Schuylkill River and into neighboring
Conshohocken! You will find both boroughs to be welcoming, friendly, and highly
passionate about the arts. In fact, the Conshohocken Arts Festival was started in 2018
to cater directly to residents’ requests for expanded arts programming, to join WestConshohocken’s rich history and tradition in the arts.
We are so thrilled to see that the AAA has thrived through 86 years in its mission tounite, educate and facilitate bringing people together to play, study and honor theaccordion and the artists to who play the accordion. What a thrill it is to also host yourfeatured guest performers Hanzhi Wang, Joe Natoli, Dallas Vietty, and Nikolay Bine!
We wish all of you the warmest welcome from our two boroughs. We will be a richer
community for your visit, patronage, and friendship July 12th through the 14th, 2024.
Sincerely,

Danelle Fournier
Mayor, West Conshohocken BoroughYaniv Aronson
Mayor, Conshohocken BoroughAmerican
Accordionists'
Association

KICKOFF LUNCHEON
CONCERTFRIDAY, JULY 12
11:30 AM

Celebrating 86 years of the AAA

Nikolay Bine

Dallas Vietty

TICKET REQUIREDthe world’s standard of accordion excellence

We salute AAA’s featured
TITANO artists and educators:

Frank Busso Sr, Dee Langley,
Joanna Darrow, and Frank Busso Jr
The rich history of Titano Accordions includes many important artists andeducators who have developed and popularized these world-class accordions …
♦ Bill Palmer ♦ Bill Hughes ♦ Joan Cochran Sommers ♦ Grayson Masefield ♦Stanley Darrow ♦ The “K” Trio ♦ The International Trio ♦ Helmi Harrington♦ Kevin Friedrich ♦ The Busso Trio ♦ Mary Tokarski ♦ Harley Jones ♦ Bill Schimmel ♦…just to name a few.

You’ve heard our music since 1934!

ernestdeffner.com  info@ernestdeffner.com(703) 941-9300  P.O. Box 11663  Alexandria, VA 22312 USA

AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS’ ASSOCIATION
86th Anniversary Festival - July 12-14, 2024
Schedule of Events
Friday, July 12, 2024
10:00am Registration Desk opens (until 11:30am) ................................................................. Ballroom Foyer
11:30am Kickoff Luncheon Concert (ticket required) ............................................................. Ballroom B
featuring Dallas Vietty and Nikolay Bine
1:00pm

2:00pm

3:30pm
5:30pmRegistration Desk opens (until 5:30pm) ................................................................... Ballroom Foyer
Exhibit Room opens (until 5:30pm).......................................................................... Forrest Room
Junior Festival Orchestra Rehearsal (until 2:00pm) ................................................. Ballroom B
Competitions (until 3:00pm) .................................................................................... Academy Room
Beginner Adult Band Rehearsal #1 (until 2:00pm) ................................................... Walnut RoomWorkshop #1 presented by Nikolay Bine:“Interactive Workshop - Proper Fundamentals” ............................................... Salon E
Open Mic and Jam Session ....................................................................................... Walnut RoomWorkshop #2 presented by Dee Langley:“Losing the Fear of Flats and Sharps: Playing in Any Key You Want” ................ Salon E
Festival Orchestra Rehearsal #1 (until 5:30pm) ....................................................... Ballroom B
Pasta Night (ticket required) .................................................................................... Salon D
featuring Frank Busso Sr, Frank Busso Jr, Dee Langley, and others!

7:00pmGala Concert (ticket required) .................................................................................. Ballroom B
featuring Hanzhi Wang and Joe Natoli

8:30pmArtist Reception immediately following concert (ticket required) .......................... Salon E

AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS’ ASSOCIATION
86th Anniversary Festival - July 12-14, 2024
Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 13, 2024
9:00amRegistration Desk opens (until 11:30am) ................................................................. Ballroom Foyer
Exhibit Room opens (until 11:30am) ........................................................................ Forrest Room
Junior Festival Orchestra Rehearsal (until 10:00am) ............................................... Ballroom B
Competitions (until 11:00am) .................................................................................. Academy Room
10:00am Workshop #3 presented by Dallas Vietty:“GrooveGrid: A Method for Connection to your Inner Groove” ....................... Salon E
10:15am Competitions (until 10:45am) .................................................................................. Ballroom B
11:30am Saturday Luncheon (ticket required) ....................................................................... Salon D
featuring Nikolay Bine and the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra
12:30pm Registration Desk opens (until 7:00pm) ................................................................... Ballroom Foyer
Exhibit Room opens (until 5:30pm).......................................................................... Forrest Room
Beginner Adult Band Rehearsal #2 (until 1:30pm) ................................................... Walnut RoomWorkshop #4 presented by Joe Natoli:“Inexpensive Studio Quality Home Recording” ................................................. Salon E
2:00pm Awards Concert ........................................................................................................ Ballroom B
featuring Entertainment AAA, the Junior Festival Orchestra, and more!
3:30pm
6:00pm
7:00pmFestival Orchestra Rehearsal #2 (until 5:30pm) ....................................................... Ballroom B
Open Mic and Jam Session ....................................................................................... Salon E
Cocktail Reception .................................................................................................... Ballroom Foyer
featuring Don Gerundo
Gala Banquet (ticket required) ................................................................................. Ballroom B
featuring the 2024 AAA Festival Orchestra andTrio Called Leonard (Dallas Vietty accordion, Shane Aaserud bass, Kevin Ripley drums)

Sunday, July 14, 2024
9:00amBreakfast (ticket required) and Open Meeting ........................................................ Ballroom B

86 Years of American Accordionists’ Association Presidents
1938-1939
Pietro Deiro, Sr.

1940-1941
Charles Magnante

1942-1945
Joseph Biviano

1946-1947
Eugene Ettore

1948-1949
Joseph Biviano

1950-1951
Charles Magnante

1952
Pietro Deiro, Jr.

1953-1954
Eugene Ettore

1955-1956
Charles Magnante

1957-1958
Louis Iorio

1959-1960
Pietro Deiro, Jr.

1961-1962
Joseph Biviano

1963-1964
Eugene Ettore

1965-1966
Carmen Carrozza

1967-1968
Joseph Biviano

1969-1970
Charles Magnante

1971-1972
Maddalena Belfiore

1973-1974
Elsie Bennett

1975-1976
Maddalena Belfiore

1977-1978
Carmen Carrozza

1979-1980
Maddalena Belfiore

1981
Frank Busso, Sr.

1982-1984
Addie Cere

1985-1986
Faithe Deffner

1987-1988
Anthony Ettore

1989-1991
Carmen Carrozza

1992-1994
Frank Busso, Sr.

1995-2000
Faithe Deffner

2001-2004
Dr. Carmelo Pino

2005-2014
Linda Soley Reed

2015-2018
Mary Tokarski

2019-2022
Dr. Joseph Ciccone

2023-present
Frank Busso, Jr.

Celebrating 90 years!

Sheet Music & Method Books from:
Alfred ⬧ Aretta ⬧ Astier ⬧ Deffner ⬧ Galla-Rini ⬧ Hal Leonard ⬧ Hohner ⬧ LaCroix ⬧ Mel Bay⬧ Mosti ⬧ Preissler ⬧ Santorella ⬧ Schmuelling ⬧ Stricker ⬧ and others!
Palmer-Hughes Books and Arrangements:
Bach ⬧ Band ⬧ Christmas ⬧ Free Bass ⬧ Jazz ⬧ Polka ⬧ Rock ⬧ Recital ⬧ Sacred ⬧ Solos⬧ Technical ⬧ 8-Book Prep Course ⬧ 10-Book Course ⬧ and more!

World Class Accordion Design
Lightweight Acoustic Models
Digital and MIDI Instruments
Tuning/Refurbishing Services
MIDI and Pickup Installations
Accordion Recordings & DVDs
Sheet Music & Method Books
Amplifiers and Synthesizers
Straps, Parts & Accessories

You’ve heard our music since 1934!

ernestdeffner.com  info@ernestdeffner.com(703) 941-9300  P.O. Box 11663  Alexandria, VA 22312 USA

2024 AAA Festival
Competition Schedule
Solo & Duet categories will be in the Academy Room
Ensemble & Band categories will be in Ballroom B
Friday, July 12 - 1:00pm

Friday, July 12 - 2:35pm

EVALUATION SOLO AETHNIC SOLO JUNIORETTE

Daniel Lee

Iven Kavich

Ed Komczyk
Corbin Schaeffer

Friday, July 12 - 2:40pm

Nate SmithETHNIC SOLO JUNIOR
Liza Pokislyuk

Friday, July 12 - 1:30pm
EVALUATION DUET

Friday, July 12 - 2:45pm

Corbin Schaeffer & Nate SmithETHNIC SOLO SENIOR

Gabe Abreu
Friday, July 12 - 1:40pm
STANDARD SOLO ELEMENTARY

Saturday, July 13 - 9:00am

Daniel Lee

EVALUATION SOLO B
Karen Blisnuk (A)Friday, July 12 - 1:50pm

Michelle Reasso

FOUNDER’S SOLO ADULTJulianna Busso

Kathy Haywood

Francesca Busso

Mike Silvia

Ava Yip
Karen Blisnuk (B)Friday, July 12 - 2:10pm
OPEN SOLO JUNIORAva Yip
Caroline Lammers
Liza Pokislyuk

Olasonda Cerrito

2024 AAA Festival
Competition Schedule
Solo & Duet categories will be in the Academy Room
Ensemble & Band categories will be in Ballroom B
Saturday, July 13 - 9:45am

Saturday, July 13 - 10:40am

OPEN DUET JUNIORETTE

FOUNDER’S SOLO SENIOR

Julianna Busso & Francesca Busso

Gabe Abreu

Iven Kavich & Heloise Kavich
Saturday, July 13 - 10:50am
Saturday, July 13 - 10:00am

HONORS SOLO JUNIORETTE

OPEN SOLO JUNIORETTE

Iven Kavich

Julianna Busso

Julianna Busso

Iven Kavich
Saturday, July 13 - 10:15am

Saturday, July 13 - 10:10am

FESTIVAL BAND

POP SOLO JUNIORETTE

Westmont Accordion ClubFrancesca Busso
Saturday, July 13 - 10:30am
Saturday, July 13 - 10:15am

OPEN SENIOR ENSEMBLE

POP SOLO INTERMEDIATE

Imbriglio Trio

Nicholas Busso
Saturday, July 13 - 2:00pm

Saturday, July 13 - 10:25am

ENTERTAINMENT AAA

HONORS SOLO JUNIOR

Busso Festival Orchestra

Caroline Lammers
Saturday, July 13 - 10:30am
HONORS SOLO INTERMEDIATE
Maksim ToftMeet your 2024 AAA Festival
Guest Performers and Presenters
Nikolay Bine: Kickoff Luncheon Concert Performer, Saturday Luncheon Performer, andWorkshop Presenter
Nikolay Bine’s accordion playing spans over 22 years. Despite being only 28, he has already won
many prestigious worldwide competitions, including first place in Accordion Star International(USA, 2022) and Trophée Mondiale (Kaunas, Lithuania, 2014), where he was named a world
accordion champion. In 2019, Nikolay was also invited to play in the international exhibition “TheNew York Times Travel Show” in New York. He has played with world-famous musicians such as
24-time Grammy winner Chick Corea and Emmy-nominated trumpeter Benny Benack III. Nikolay
has also been an invited jury member of the prestigious world accordion competitions in “PIF
Castelfidardo” (2019), “Trophée Mondiale” (2020), “Italia Award” (2021), and “Accordion StarInternational” (2023). In 2022, Nikolay made his debut at the world famous Carnegie Hall.
Frank Busso, Sr.: AAA Festival Orchestra Conductor
Frank has served on the governing board of the American Accordionists’ Associationfor over 45 years. He has held the offices of President, First Vice President, Second
Vice President, and Treasurer. Frank started studying and playing accordion at age 7.
Since then, he has achieved great successes as a performer throughout the New York
metropolitan area. As director of the Staten Island Music School in New York, Franktaught many award-winning students and conducted numerous classical & festival
accordion orchestras. He was also the music teacher at two parochial schools for over
25 years. Currently a resident of northern Virginia and Palm Beach, Florida, Frankcontinues to perform and arrange orchestral works. At last year’s AAA Festival, hebecame the twelfth recipient of the AAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Joanna Darrow: AAA Beginner Adult Band and Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra Conductor
Joanna Arnold is the personal protégé of Stanley Darrow. During her studies at the Acme
Accordion School, she covered all aspects of musical training, specializing in music of the
Baroque period and chamber music. Joanna has studied with Guy Klucevsek, and also
composition and analyses with Dr. E. Avril. Performing in conjunction with bassoon, harp,
harpsichord, strings, and piano, she has brought the accordion to the attention of local
professional musicians and to members of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, for which she
now serves as staff accordionist. Joanna is Director of the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion
Orchestra and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the AAA, Accordionists andTeachers Guild International (ATG), and A World of Accordions Museum. She has also been
appointed adjunct accordion instructor for accordion majors at Rowan University in Glassboro,
New Jersey.

Don Gerundo: Cocktail Reception Performer
Don is an active accordionist and pianist in the New York metropolitan area, playing various styles
that range from popular American standards to jazz and rock. He has performed with the BensenScott Big Band, the Westchester Jazz Band, Scott Wenzel Big Band, Lenny Welch (hit record“Since I Fell For You”), and Joe Piscopo. Don starting playing the accordion at age 10, later
studying harmony and theory with famed accordionist Tony Mecca and improvisation with Adolph
Sandole in New York. During that time, Don started to perform club dates with some of the local
leaders in the New York metropolitan area, as well as working at resorts in the New York Catskill
area. This on-the-job training helped him hone his improvising skills and expand his repertoire. Don
continued to perform during his college years attending Ithaca College, where he joined the nationalmusic fraternity Phi Mu Alpha as the first accordionist to be offered an invitation in that chapter. For
the last several years, he has focused on the free bass accordion, exploring its use in the pop and jazz
idioms by utilizing its flexibility in chord voicings, bass lines, and general accompaniment.

Meet your 2024 AAA Festival
Guest Performers and Presenters
Dee Langley: Workshop Presenter and AAA Junior Festival Orchestra Conductor
Dee specializes in both solo and ensemble works for the accordion, having appeared with theMinnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, Nautilus Music Theater,
Ethnic Dance Theatre, and Theater Latte Da. She won the 2012 Minnesota Emerging
Composer Award (Orkestar Bez Ime - World Music), the 2011-2012 McKnight Fellowshipfor Performing Musicians. In 2019, Dee was honored at the American Accordion
Musicological Society (AAMS) for her lifelong dedication and service to the accordion as aperformer, educator, director, and composer. She was inducted into the American Accordion
Hall of Fame in 2020. Founder and coordinator for the NE Accordion Festival, Dee is also apast president of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild International (ATG) and currently
teaches accordion for Minneapolis College, as well as privately in NE Minneapolis.
Joe Natoli: Gala Concert Performer and Workshop Presenter
Joseph Natoli, has been a performer and advocate of the accordion since age
seven. He won the 1972 AAA Virtuoso championship under the tutelage ofMickey Bisilia of Youngstown, Ohio, and earning first runner-up honors
several months later in the Coupe Mondiale in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2008,
Joe won the grand prize for the first Roland US V-Accordion competition heldin Los Angeles, California. His education includes Bachelor and Master ofMusic degrees in music theory and composition from the University of Toronto
Faculty of Music, where he was the first student accepted there to use the freebass accordion as an applied major instrument, studying with renowned
Canadian accordionist, Joseph Macerollo. He is also well-known for his
original compositions and has written many pieces in all musical styles andgenres for standard and free bass accordion.
Dallas Vietty: Kickoff Luncheon Concert Performer, Gala Banquet Performer, and Workshop Presenter
Dallas’ unique style comes from his background in the American jazz tradition, as well as
study and immersion in the European swing tradition of Django Reinhardt (Gypsy Jazz)and French accordionists. He remains very active on the East Coast concert and festival
scene. His groups have performed at some of the top US festivals, including TEDx Philly,and Djangoary Festival. As a sideman, his performances have taken him to legendary
venues such as: on Broadway as the accordionist in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish
2019/2020, for Djangofest Northwest with Rhythm Future Quarter 2019, The Iridium NYC,
BB King’s Times Square, Dizzy's Club at Lincoln Center, the Philadelphia Kimmel Center,many performances across the beautiful city New Orleans, and performances in concert
halls in Auvergne region of France in 2022.

Hanzhi Wang: Gala Concert Performer
Acclaimed for her "staggering virtuosity," Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist to ever win a placeon the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 60-year history. An ambassador for theaccordion, she has been praised for her captivating stage presence and performances that display
passion and finesse. A first prize winner of the 2017 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth
International Auditions, Hanzhi debuted in New York in The Peter Marino Concert at CarnegieHall’s Zankel Hall. Her Washington, DC debut opened the 40th Anniversary Young Concert Artists
Series at the Kennedy Center, co-presented by Washington Performing Arts. She holds the Ruth
Laredo Prize and Mortimer Levitt Career Development Award for Women Artists of YCA. Hanzhi
won First Prize in the 40th Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition in Italy. She inspires
the next generation of accordionists with lectures, performances, and master classes at the Manhattan
School of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music, Tianjin Music Conservatory, Ghent Music
Conservatory (Belgium), and in Norway and Portugal.

American
Accordionists'
Association

PASTA NIGHT
FRIDAY, JULY 12
7:00 PM

Celebrating 86 years of the AAA

Frank Busso, Sr.

Frank Busso, Jr.

Dee Langley...AND OTHER ENTERTAINERS!
TICKET REQUIRED2023 AAA Festival in Review
The many activities of the 85th Anniversary AAA Festival began on Wednesday, July 12,2023 with exhibits, competitions, a workshop, and socializing during our Meet & Greet
Reception. Thursday started off with two workshops and more competitions before
celebrating Accordion Day at the King of Prussia Mall. When we returned to the hotel in
the afternoon, we had our first AAA Festival Orchestra rehearsal, followed by Pasta Night,
with entertainment provided by AAA champion Mario Tacca, acclaimed vocalist Mary
Mancini, and the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra directed by Joanna Darrow.
Friday included time in the Exhibit Room, a pair of morning
workshops, and our Luncheon Concert with entertainment provided byworld champion Grayson Masefield, AAA Coupe Mondiale
representative Nathan Chapeton, and the Westmont Accordion Club.
That was followed by two more afternoon workshops, competitions,the second AAA Festival Orchestra rehearsal, and our Gala Concert
featuring Grammy winner Joey Miskulin, world champion Grayson
Masefield, AAA champion Mario Tacca, and the Accordion Pops
Orchestra conducted by Al Terzo.
On Saturday, there were more workshops, competitions, another visit to the Exhibit
Room, our awards concert, and the final AAA Festival Orchestra rehearsal. The
Gala Banquet included the 2023 AAA Festival
Orchestra conducted by world-famous conductor
Joan Cochran Sommers, The United States Air
Force Strolling Strings with accordionist Senior
Master Sergeant Frank Busso Jr, and the AAA
Lifetime Achievement Award presentation toFrank Busso Sr. Finally, during Sunday’s
breakfast and open meeting, we had a chance torecap the festival and gathered attendees’ ideas
for future AAA events and initiatives.

2023 AAA Competition Results
Honors Solo JunioretteJulianna Busso 1st
Iven Kavich 2nd
Honors Solo Junior
Maksim Liam Toft 1st
Caroline Lammers 2nd
Ava Yip 3rd
Honors Solo Intermediate
Max Hoffmann 1st
Alexander Lammers 2nd
Open Solo JunioretteJulianna Busso SILVER
Iven Kavich GOLD
Open Solo Junior
Caroline Lammers GOLD
Vladimir Maximilian Stefanik GOLD
Open Solo Intermediate
Max Hoffmann GOLD
Alexander Lammers GOLD

Open Solo Adult
Mike Silvia SILVER
Pop Solo JunioretteFrancesca Busso SILVER
Pop Solo Junior
Nicholas Busso GOLD
Ethnic Solo Adult
Mike Silvia GOLDFounders Solo Adult
Mike Silvia SILVER
Entertainment AAA
Busso Festival Orchestra
Evaluation Band
Acme Adult Preparatory Band
Evaluation DuetJanine Lenguadoro &Michelle Reasso

Evaluation Solo
Gabe Abreu
Dan Badecki
Karen Blisnuk (2 entries)
Francesca Busso
Julianna Busso
Ethan Davenport
Kaidson Davis (2 entries)
Lisa DeAngelis
Kathy Haywood
Iven Kavich
Bob Klatte
Daniel Latch
Janine Lenguadoro
Judy Monro
Michelle Reasso
Dan Riccio
Grace Wu
Ava Yip

American
Accordionists'
Association

EXHIBIT ROOMFORREST ROOM

Celebrating 86 years of the AAA
Shop for your next new accordion
Browse accessories and music
Learn more about 86 years of AAA history

FRIDAY, JULY 12

1:00 pm - 5:30 pm

SATURDAY, JULY 13

9:00 am - 11:30 am
12:30 pm - 5:30 pm

ernestdeffner.com

AAA
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You’ve heard our music since 1934!

ernestdeffner.com  info@ernestdeffner.com(703) 941-9300  P.O. Box 11663  Alexandria, VA 22312 USA

American
Accordionists'
Association

WORKSHOPS
Nikolay Bine

Friday, July 12 - 1:00pm

Saturday, July 13 - 10:00am

Interactive Workshop Proper Fundamentals

GrooveGrid: A Method forConnection to your Inner Groove

In this workshop, Nikolay will talk about
fundamentals of accordion playing are
neglected by many accordionists. It will consistof topics such as proper band and handpostures, bellows change techniques, the roleof pauses in music, proper phrasing, andothers. Being able to follow these tips gives agreat freedom to a musician when playing
music. Connecting all the importantfundamentals will bring much more
confidence and professionalism to playing thatis so important for a musician.
Bring your accordion!

Friday, July 12 - 2:00pm

Dee Langley

Losing the Fear of Flats and Sharps:
Playing in Any Key You Want
Ever just turn the page of a good song in
resignation when you see too many sharps orflats in the key signature? In this workshop, Deewill walk you through the mysteries of key
signatures with concepts and exercises thatunravel the stress of keys other than “C.” The
group will focus learning to change keys
(transpose) with attainable folk songs while
using the harmonic strength and wisdom of thestradella system (left hand buttons) of theaccordion. Never fret about missing or forgetting
a sharp or flat again! This workshop is nonthreatening and suitable for all levels.
Bring your accordion!

All workshops are included
with your Festival Registration.
Don’t miss out!

Join Dallas for a class that shows you how tocreate the groove inside you, feel it in yourbody, and hear it in the voice in your head,
and *THEN* add the notes of your accordion
into the good feeling grid. Relaxed, expressive,and deeply satisfying. This is a method Dallas
has found to be a solution to his own struggles
with time and feel, which he shares in his owngroup and private classes every week. You’lllearn how to understand the unique
GrooveGrid of your music, how to feel it inyour body, how to put your accordion notes on
top of the GrooveGrid, and how to listen andadjust to sync up with musicians on recordings
and in real life. For all styles of music and alllevels of experience. Bring your accordion!

Dallas Vietty

Saturday, July 13 - 12:30pm
Inexpensive Studio Quality
Home Recording Workshop

If you have ever wanted to provide studioquality recordings of yourself in the comfort
and privacy of your own home, but on a veryminimal budget, you will want to attend thisworkshop. If you already have a functional
computer, you can add just a few pieces of
inexpensive equipment to produce stellar
quality recordings that will amaze you. In fact,
if so desired, once you produce your own
studio quality recordings, you can thencapture them on CDs for friends and family, oreven market your music to online distribution
venues like YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, AppleMusic, and many more. Joe will provide all thenecessary information to demonstrate exactly
how easy it is to get top quality recordings at
home. Live examples will be provided.

Joe Natoli

American
Accordionists'
Association

GALA CONCERTFRIDAY, JULY 12
6:30 PM

Celebrating 86 years of the AAA

Hanzhi Wang

Joe Natoli

TICKETS REQUIRED FOR
CONCERT AND RECEPTIONRece
imm ption
edia
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Update on the AAA Commissioned Works
Historical/Analytical Articles Expansion Project
Robert Young McMahan, DMA
Professor Emeritus, The College of New Jersey
AAA Composers Commissioning Committee Chairperson
Welcome to the second post-COVID AAA Festivaland, among its many traditional events, its continuingquest to commission, have performed, and examinecontemporary concert works for or including theaccordion via its Composers Commissioning
Committee, established 71 years ago and boldly
carried out over the first 50 of them by the late Elsie
Bennett. For those new to the AAA or at least thiscompartment of it, the following is a bit of a reviewof what my involvement in all this is about.
Knowing of my interest in performing andcomposing works for or including the accordion,
Elsie, in 1992, first commissioned me to compose
two works for the AAA (which resulted in my
Incantations, for cello and accordion, andApparitions, for flute/alt piccolo and accordion) andthen invited me to join her AAA committee in 1995.
Two years later, I decided to begin a series of articles
for the annual AAA Festival Journal researching thehistory of each commissioned work as well as
examining its structural and stylistic aspects. This
plan was carried out every year from 1997 to 2019,
skipping only 2007 when AAA’s efforts concentrated
on hosting the Coupe Mondiale.
By covering from one to four works per annual issue,
I was able to research and analyze the first 35 ofwhat presently stands at 62 compositions by 38composers before the advent of the COVID-created hiatus between AAA festivals. During this “quiet’ period,
however, Harley Jones suggested I consider making my articles available worldwide by preserving them on
the AAA website and linked from Accordions Worldwide (accordions.com) via announcements of new articles
each month or so in the announcement section of the USA segment of AWW. This was a very liberating idea
since it would be easy to make the articles far lengthier and thorough and supply copious musical examples,
occasional sound samples, and photos, all far beyond the spatial and economic limitations of a once-per-year,
black and white print journal available only to AAA festival attendees during a days-long annual event.
As a result of this new liberation, my immediate impulse was to first expand my past 19 articles, now liberated
from just print form, adding photos, musical examples, sound samples, etc. before getting on to new articles on
the works that follow the ones about which I have already written, all of which would hereafter only be on the
AAA website as are now the old, newly expanded ones. Therefore, one by one, I have expanded my pastarticles in the ways described above and Harley Jones has generously and painstakingly converted them(again, one by one as his incredibly busy schedule allows) to html form and put them on the AAA website. In
addition, each month I announce in the American section of accordions.com the latest article that has
undergone this process and supply a direct link to it for anyone who wishes to easily access it.

Continued…

AAA Commissioned Works…continued
As of now I have expanded all but the first of the past 20 articles andthey are edited and either already converted to html or will soon be toreplace their old versions still in the articles section of the AAA web
page (www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions2.php). When that part ofthis project is completed, I will then forge on to writing new articles ofthe ever-growing remainder of the chronological list of AAA
contemporary repertoire.
In the meantime, here is a quick reference guide to AAA Commissions
content on the History section of the AAA website,www.ameraccord.com:

Music Commissions Home: List of commissioned works inalphabetical order by composer, with titles, dates of commission, andrecordings or videos (mp3 or mp4) of performances when attainable.
Return often to this page for new additions of works and/or recordings
as they become available. www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions.php
Music Commissions Brief History: A brief overview and history ofthis endeavor. www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions1.php

Harley JonesMusic Commissions Articles: My actual articles on the history and analysis of the AAA commissioned works
in chronological order of commission. Therefore, each article is somewhat like a chapter in an ever-expanding
book on the compositions. Included in the updated, expanded editions are musical examples, occasional soundsamples, and many priceless, historical photos, mostly taken from Elsie Bennett’s photo albums in which she
more often than not posed with the commissioned composers and involved accordionists who helped edit andoften premiered the works. www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions2.php
Composer’s Guide to the Piano Accordion: A short manual I
created for non-accordionist composers writing for any of thethree prevalent forms of the accordion played by mostAmerican artists (piano right-hand manual, 120-button
stradella left-hand system, and the two prevailing forms of freebass systems used in the US, the quint and chromatic formats).
www.ameraccord.com/commissions/ComposersGuide.pdf
In closing, I hope this report has been of interest and use to thereader and has provided encouragement to check out the broad,
historical, multi-varied original contemporary works for or
including accordion that the CCC has provided over the last 67
years. Keep tracking us on Accordions Worldwide andwatching the AAA website for updates. Feel free to contact mewithany questions,comments,
orrequestsatmcmahan@tcnj.edu. I would love to hear from you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elsie Bennett

Final idea and possibly-annual request: Please report to me any
performances of AAA commissioned or other contemporaryclassical works for or including accordion so that I may list
them in this annual journal and periodically online on
Accordions Worldwide. The world needs to know! Send
information or any comments you wish to make tomcmahan@tcnj.edu. Grateful thanks!

Works Commissioned by the American Accordionists' Association - 1957-2021
Composer
Adler, SamuelBakasa, Robert
Bennett, Robert Russell
Bennett, Robert Russell
Biviano, Joseph
Brant, Henry
Brickman, Joel
Cowell, Henry
Cowell, Henry
Creston, Paul
Creston, Paul
Creston, Paul
Creston, PaulDavidson, Roger
Diamond, David
Diamond, David
Diamond, David
Flagello, Nicholas
Foss, Lukas
Foss, Lukas
Franceschina, John
Franceschina, John
Franceschina, John
Fremar, Karen
Fremar, KarenFriedman, Gary William
Gordon, LouisHalac, Jose
Holshouser, Will
Katehis, George
Kleinsinger, George
Klucevsek, Guy
Krenek, Ernst
Lockwood, Normand
Luening, Otto
McMahan, Robert Young
McMahan, Robert Young
Natoli, Joseph
Natoli, Joseph
Oliveros, Pauline
Pisk, Paul
Pisk, Paul
Riegger, Wallingford
Schimmel, William
Schimmel, William
Schimmel, William
Schimmel, William
Siegmeister, Elie
Serebrier, Jose
Serebrier, Jose
Soldier, Dave
Still, William Grant
Still, William Grant
Surinach, Carlos
Surinach, Carlos
Tcherepnin, Alexander
Tcherepnin, Alexander
Tcherepnin, Alexander
Thompson, Timothy
Thompson, Timothy
Thompson, TimothyThomson, Virgil

Music (with publication or completion dates)
Canto XVIII (2009)
Accordion Sonata (1998)
Four Nocturnes (1960)
Quintet (Psychiatry), for Accordion and String Quartet (ca. 1963)
Quintet in G, for Accordion and String Quartet (n.p., n.d., ca. 1986)
Sky Forest, for Four Accordions (1962)
Prelude and Caprice (1973)
Concerto Brevis, for Accordion and Orchestra (1962)
Iridescent Rondo (1960)
Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra or Band (1960)
Embryo Suite (1968)
Fantasy for Accordion and Orchestra, or as solo (1966)
Prelude and Dance (1957)
Tango Blues, for Flute, Viola, Cello, & Accordion (2010)
Night Music, for Accordion and String Quartet (1966)
Introduction & Dance (1967)
Sonatina (1966)
Introduction and Scherzo (1964)
Curriculum Vitae (1978)
Triologue, for Violin, Cello, and Accordion (n.p., n.d., ca. 2003)
Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra (1987)
For Elsie (2004)
Scaramouche (1975)
Introduction & Allegro for Accordion and Synthesized Tape (1976)
Herricks Road, for Accordion and Percussion (2009)
Accordion Samba for Vocalist, Bassoon, Cello and Accordion (1997)
Aria, Scherzo and Finale for Accordion and Orchestra or Band (1962)
Accordion Shadow for Accordion, Flute and Percussion (n.d., 1993?)
Redbud Winter, for B-flat Trumpet & Accordion,with alt. versions for B-flat Clarinet & Accordion, and 2 Accordions (2021)
Become/Desiccated (2017)
Prelude and Sarabande (1963)
Three Tributes (2016)
Toccata (1964)
Sonata Fantasia (1965)
Rondo (1961)
Apparitions, for Flute (alt. Piccolo) and Accordion (1996)
Incantations, for Cello and Accordion (1995)
Child's Play, for 2 Accordions, Cello & Percussion (2019)
Sonata in F Major (in the Classical Style) (2018)
Shape Shifting (1995)
Adagio & Rondo Concertante, for Two Accordions & Orchestra (1962?)
Salute to Juan (1961)
Cooper Square (1958)
Fables (1975)
Remembering a Legend: Charles Magnante (n.d., 1987?)
The Spring Street Ritual (1979)
Variations in Search of a Theme (n.d., 1976?)
Improvisation, Ballad and Dance (1962)
Danza Ritual (1967)
Passacaglia and Perpetuum Mobile, for
Accordion, Strings, Brass and Percussion (1974)
Sontag in Sarajevo, for Accordion, Melody, Chordal,
and Bass Instruments, and Drums (n.d., 1993?)
Aria (1960)
Lilt (1967)
Prelude to the Sea (1965)
Pavana and Rondo (1959)
Invention (1968)
Partita (1962)
Tzigane (1968)
Growth Cells (n.d., 1977?)
Keyworld (n.d., 1977?)
Rossiniland (n.d., 1977?)
Lamentations (1960)
Most Pagani and Deiro titles available from Ernest Deffner Publications

Publisher
Ludwig Masters
Theodore Presser
Chappell & Co.
Chappell & Co.
Rental Only
O. Pagani & Bro.
Pietro Deiro Publications
Pietro Deiro Publications
Pietro Deiro Publications
Ricordi Music/Ernest Deffner
Pietro Deiro Publications
Mills Publishing Co.
Pietro Deiro Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Southern MusicSouthern MusicSouthern Music
Pietro Deiro Publications
Pembroke
Ernest Deffner Publications
Pietro Deiro Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
150 Music
Pietro Deiro Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications

katehis-music.com
Pietro Deiro Publications
Guy Klucevsek
O. Pagani & Bro.
O. Pagani & Bro.
Pietro Deiro Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
JANPress
JANPress
Ernest Deffner Publications
Alfred Music
Alfred Music
Pietro Deiro Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Sam Fox Publications
O. Pagani & Bro.
Peer International Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Sam Fox Publications
Pietro Deiro Publications
Alfred Music
Alfred Music/Ernest Deffner
O. Pagani & Bro.
O. Pagani & Bro.
Pietro Deiro Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Ernest Deffner Publications
Pietro Deiro Publications

American
Accordionists'
Association

SATURDAY LUNCHEON
SATURDAY, JULY 13
11:30 AM

Celebrating 86 years of the AAA

Nikolay Bine

Westmont Philharmonia
Orchestra
Joanna Darrow, conductor

TICKET REQUIREDAcme Accordion School
322 Haddon Ave.
Haddon Township, NJ 08108
856-281-4035

Founded 1948

Professional Faculty - Ensembles

Private and Class Instruction
Accordions - Accessories
Home of:
American Accordion
Musicological Society

Celebrating Over
75 Yearsof Accordion
Education and
EducatingAccordionists
Worldwide

Westmont Philharmonia
Accordion Orchestra
Westmont Accordion ClubAAMS Tribute CD to Stanley Darrow

Balkan Fantasy
Ukrainian Fantasy
Dance of the Winds and more.
$20. Includes shipping
CDs available thru
Acme Accordion School
acmeaccordion@gmail.com
856-281-4035
acmeaccordion@gmail.com

Awards Concert

Saturday, July 13 - 2:00pm♦ Ballroom B ♦Competition Prizes ♦ Busso Festival Orchestra♦ Junior Festival Orchestra ♦Included with your Festival Registration

American
Accordionists'
Association

GALA BANQUETSATURDAY, JULY 13

6:00 PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION
7:00 PM BANQUET

Celebrating 86 years of the AAA

2024
AAA Festival
Orchestra

Trio
CalledLeonardConducted byFrank Busso, Sr.

Dallas Vietty, accordion
Shane Aaserud, bass
Kevin Ripley, drums

TICKETS REQUIREDCOCKTAIL / BUSINESS ATTIRE

Memories of AAA Events
Through the Decades
An Ongoing Photo Article byJoan Grauman Morse, AAA Historian

Old photos, as well as more recent photos, can evoke
amazing memories of accordion events of yesteryear.
I am so very grateful for the opportunity to be present
at so many of the AAA events and festivals throughthe decades. I was blessed to get to know one of thefounders of the AAA as well as many of the earlyrenowned accordionists in the US. I heard fabulous
performances and made many friends along the way.
I am certain that many of you have your own special
memories of AAA events through the years! Please
send me your favorite photos as I will be adding tothis article on a regular basis. It won’t be inchronological order. Some additions will be of aparticular person, some of particular events —whatever comes to mind! As the AAA Historian, I
have amassed an enormous collection of beautiful andhistorical photos that I want to share with all of you.
Let’s step back to 20 years before I was born. The
young (and not so young) accordion greats of the
1930s were busily creating a new national accordion
organization. The time had come to bring together

accordion enthusiasts, teachers, publishers, andperformers for the purpose of standardizing registers
on the instruments, standardizing notation in sheetmusic, creating educational materials, promoting theaccordion, and the list went on. The first meeting of
this new organization, the American Accordionists’
Association (AAA), took place in March 1938.
The planning of this organization, however, began a
few years earlier. One thing that the founders
encouraged was professional, promotional 8x10
photos of the prominent accordionists of the day.
These beautiful, glossy, black and white photos weretreasures to those who received them. They were
often autographed and dedicated to the recipient. This
practice lasted through the early 2000s! The firstgroup of photos in my article will be of many of theseearly 8x10s. I hope you enjoy seeing them andreading the dedications! I will continue to post later
promotional photos – so please send me yours!
graumanjoan98r@gmail.com

Charles Magnante

Myron Floren &Maddalena Belfiore

Anthony Galla-Rini

Elsie Bennett

Continued…

Memories of AAA Events Through the Decades...continued

Abe Goldman, Charles
Magnante, Gene Von
Hallberg, Joe Biviano

Essie Bradshaw

Maddalena Belfiore

Lou Coppola

Elsie Bennett

Andy Arcari

Joe Biviano

Anthony & Dominic
Mecca

Maddalena BelfioreCharles Nunzio

John Serry

Don Mills

Continued…

Memories of AAA Events Through the Decades...continued

John MagnanteFrank Gaviani

Maddalena Belfiore

Elsie Bennett

The next five collages depict delightful record album covers. The ones featured here are part of my collection
and, of course, they all feature accordion soloists, duos, and ensembles. It is truly hard to comprehend theenormous number of accordionists who created LPs in the 1950s through the 1980s! Featured in my photocollages are LPs from greats such as Carmen Carrozza, Charles Magnante, Leon Sash, Stephen Dominko,
brothers Harley and Maurice Jones (New Zealand), Myron Floren, Dick Contino, and the list goes on.

Continued…

Memories of AAA Events Through the Decades...continued

What a pleasure it is to listen to these greats on my old
turntable! If you have old accordion records, or comeacross any at yard sales, etc., take them home, dust off
your turntable, pour a glass of wine, and ENJOY!
And remember: this is an ongoing article. I lookforward to seeing your photos and including them in
the article. Please send them to me at:graumanjoan98r@gmail.com“The American Accordionists’ Association’s aims and accomplishments, if itemized, would fillvolumes but, suffice it to say that, since its beginning, it has been dedicated not only towards
building a position for the accordion and the accordionist in the family of music and musicalinstruments, but in helping to further the musical culture of the world.”—Pietro Deiro, Jr., 1962

Join us on September 15 for an AAA
Carrozza Scholarship Fundraiser
Featuring:Alex Chudolij, Lillianna Chudolij, Dominic Karcic, Mary Mancini,
Ray Oreggia, Mario Tacca, and Frank Toscano
Sunday, September 15, 2024 - 12:00-5:00pm
Famee Furlane Club: 2008 127th Street, College Point, NY 11356

Event ticket includes buffet dinner,bottles of wine, entertainment, & dancing

No. ___ @ $85$________$________

Donation to AAA (tax deductible to full extent of the law)
GRAND TOTAL$________□ Charge my credit card: No. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Exp Date ____ / ____ Sec Code __ __ __ __ Zip _______□ My check in the amount of $__________ payable to AAA is enclosed.
□ I will submit my payment through the AAA secure payment portal at www.ameraccord.com/cart.aspx
Name_________________________________ Phone_____________________ Email__________________________________________
Street Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
City / State / Zip / Country_____________________________________________________________________________________________
This ticket order form and all checks payable to AAA should be mailed to:American Accordionists’ Association
c/o Ray Oreggia, Treasurer
36 Renee Road, Syosset, NY 11791 USA
Email: ameraccord1938@gmail.com Phone: (631) 864-4428
The American Accordionists’ Association is a 501(c)(3) corporation. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

For event details or to become an AAA member, please visit ameraccord.com

AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS’ ASSOCIATIONThe American Accordionists' Association is a non-profit
organization founded in 1938 for the following purposes andobjectives:• To provide the media and public with information to stimulate
an increasing awareness of, knowledge about, andappreciation for the accordion;• To promote unity within the accordion community byencouraging cooperation among members and with theirorganizations which work on behalf of the instrument;• To set and maintain high standards for those interested in theaccordion, thereby working to facilitate and coordinate thevarious segments of the accordion world;• To increase the number of people playing and studying theaccordion, with a particular emphasis on young people;• To honor achievement throughout the accordion community;• To organize, sponsor, and support competition for accordionists
at all levels and dispense scholarships and/or honors to those
who distinguish themselves through outstanding performance;• To organize, sponsor, and support workshops, advancing
educational standards and artistic levels of accordion
enthusiasts;• To promote communication among segments of the accordion
world; and• To assist all accordion-related organizations with a forum fordiscussion of matters affecting the accordion in particular, andmusic in general, both nationally and internationally.

AN ORGANIZATION OF ACCORDION ENTHUSIASTS: PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND HOBBYISTS

Members receive publications of worldwide accordion news andspecial rates for a variety of accordion functions and accordion-related items.

ameraccord.com