At the Annual 27th Cotati Accordion Festival (CAF) in Cotati California on August 19, 2017, well deserving young accordion students participating in the Annual CAF’s Student Stage were awarded a combined total of $1600. The Student Stage aims to minimize stress among young performers while providing a warm, welcoming ambiance with supportive teachers, parents, friends, family, and festival attendees.
Since August 2014, an annual fund raiser has been held the Friday evening prior to the festival. Its first year was held at Petaluma’s Aqus Café, and starting in 2015, Redwood Café in Cotati, California. Professional accordionists donate their time and talent. This year fundraising activities brought in nearly $800. Throughout the year, individuals, accordion clubs, and businesses donate to the scholarship fund. Together, the donations combine with an investment from the CAF’s board of directors. 2017 was the first year that every student who competed was awarded a scholarship. These scholarships help them to continue their successful studies with their teachers.
The Student Stage competition is held inside the Social Hall of the Church of the Oaks, just a block from the polka tent (about two blocks from the south entrance to the festival). More than 45 enthusiastic parents, teachers, and first time visitors attended. Students prepared and presented several songs in a recital format for 10‐15 minutes. The judges follow the music scores and provide positive reinforcement in their evaluations. These comments serve as great encouragement for the students who are all outstanding! What hard work went into all their performances!
Photo of 2017 Winners with their teachers: Left to Right: Teachers: Dave Chelini, Mike Zampiceni, followed by students: Evan Yuan, Derek Yuan, Siouan Donnelly, Nicholas Plasichuk, Joey Matella and David Matella
The Student Stage scholarship competition is open to all students up to age 18, or still in high school. There is no regional limitation. The 2018 application form will be posted on the CAF web site early next year. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to let more students know about the Student Stage opportunity at the festival.
The benefits to competing include musical development, helpful feedback for improvement, and building self‐confidence. Having watched the children for three years now, I see the advancement and improvement in skills of each child. It is worth it to watch them grow up playing.
Until then, a thank you goes to every accordion club, business sponsor, and to every generous individual who wrote checks, stuffed $20, $40, or even $100 in my purse (!!) and said “give it to the kids.” I’m grateful for your continued support and hope that this tradition will flourish and provide us with accordionists to perform at the Festival in 2050! Now that would be the best result of all! We want the accordion to remain front and center; moreover, we want the Festival to grow and continue to support the upcoming generation of new accordionists who will entertain, teach and bring musical joy to the world.
Cordially,
Sheri Mignano Crawford, Student Stage Coordinator
CotatiAccordionStudentStage@yahoo.com
Please send checks to P.O. Box 2704 Petaluma, CA 94953‐2704. I will send a receipt and letter upon request with tax‐deductible information.
