The 72nd ATG Festival and Competition will be held in Lisle (Chicago), Illinois from July 25-29th at the Hyatt Lisle. The Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival information is available and online including ATG Festival Competitions (Solo, Duet, Ensemble for all ages and Adult Hobby), two Special Competitions including the Competition in Honor of Frank Marocco and US Championship, and the various categories of Coupe Mondiale qualifying competitions.
This year, the 72nd ATG Competition and Festival features renowned Russian accordionist Ioisf Puritz, Jazz accordionist Jeff Lisenby, Roland artist Alicia Baker, University teacher Marko Petričić and popular Milwaukee based artist Stas Venglesvki. In addition, the festival will showcase the Gene Van Accordion Orchestra, the UMKC Chamber Accordion Ensemble, the Soundscape Trio, Betty Jo Simon, Amy Jo Sawyer, Tony Hermanek, Donna Dee Anderson, Esther Lanting, Gordon Kohl and Marion Jacobson.
The ATG welcomes members of the following Associations and Clubs and will feature their members throughout the weekend as they highlight their member and Association/Club activities: Chicago Accordion Club, Peoria Area Accordion Club, Polish American Accordion Association.
There will be three nights of amazing concerts. Thursday evening features an accordion showcase, Betty Jo Simon on MIDI Accordion, the Polish American Accordion Association, Marko Petricic, Alicia Baker, and the UMKC Chamber Ensemble. The Friday Evening Gala Concert will feature the Gene Van Accordion Orchestra, the Winner of the Frank Marocco Competition, and CIA World Champion Alexander Sevastian. The Saturday Evening Gala Closing Concert, “Chicago and all that Jazz” includes the ATG Festival Orchestra conducted by Joan C. Sommers, Amy Jo Sawyer, Selected ATG Competition Winners, Stas Venglevski, and Jeff Lisenby and Chicago Group.
This year, the 2012 ATG Festival Orchestra coordinated by Joan C. Sommers, will unite all attendees, and will be joined in concert by the renowned Youth Choir from Chicago ‘ANIMA’. Just returning from an exciting Concert Tour of Europe, ANIMA will be featured with the Festival Orchestra on the magnificent arrangement of ‘Let There Be Peace on Earth’ by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson arranged for accordion orchestra by Joan Cochran Sommers and conducted by Emily Ellsworth, Conductor and Musical Director of ANIMA Youth Singers. The program includes “Celebration March” by Gene Van and “Marocco Medley- Dedicated to the Memory of Frank Marocco, arr. by Liz Finch conducted by Joan Cochran Sommers.
The three day festival will feature Competitions, Workshops, Concerts, with more details at www.accordions.com/ATG. Please mention the ATG for special convention rates which are available until July 8, 2012. The Lisle Hyatt offers Free Parking, transportation to the train offering frequent service to downtown Chicago, complimentary Breakfast Buffet and Wi Fi.
