Anita & Bob Siarkowski celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary September 15, 2012! Both accordionists, having met through the accordion, still findin’ ‘squeezin’ pleasin’, and ‘pulling together’ after half a century, they celebrated ‘accordin’ly’! There were chocolate accordion favors, an accordion cake, accordion photos and memorabilia on display, plus the band “Squeezebox” from Ohio!
The Siarkowskis danced ‘on a cloud’ to the tune of “Look At Us”, and played a few tunes themselves as an accordion duet for their guests! President of the American Accordionists’ Association, Linda Soley Reed, and Co-Presidents of the CT Accordion Association , Mary Tokarski and Marilyn O’Neil were in attendance as well as Judy Sehnal, CAA member who made the accordion cake and Johanne Beerbaum, wife of deceased CAA member, Tim (who was Bob’s accordion student/was in Bob and Anita’s wedding) – who made the chocolate accordion favors.
Accordionists, Anita and Bob Siarkowski of Bob’s Music Center, Summer Street, Plantsville have been featured guest artists at numerous Connecticut Accordion Association meetings. Bob owns and operated Bob’s Music Center on Summer Street in Plantsville. Anita, a Registered Nurse, performs theme-oriented accordion programs solo or duet with Bob at various facilities and private parties.Their duet performances feature various ethnic repertoires and outfits adapting to every occasion! The Siarkowskis are on the advisory board of CAA, Connecticut Accordion Association.
The Siarkowskis have been each other’s ‘main ‘squeeze’ – “pulling together” from day one! Accordion was ‘key’ to the couple’s introduction in January, 1958 – 54 years ago! Anita LeBlanc , a 7 year accordion veteran at the time, had been rehearsing with the senior band for a recital they participated in for Mecca School of Music in Waterbury. Weeks later, Bob, from Southington, showed up at rehearsal. Anita wondered who this “out of towner” thought he was sitting front-row center! The mystery was solved once she heard his solo! By that time, Bob was a 14 year accordion veteran, practicing four hours/day, pursuing advanced Jazz with Tony Mecca/Classical with Joe Biviano – both in New York!
Bob had already established his own business, “Bob’s Accordion School” in Plantsville – which he opened at the age of “18” – right out of high school! Til today, Bob gives accordion, piano, organ, electronic keyboard, and guitar lessons at Bob’s Music Center.
On the day Anita met Bob, all the other students knew each other from the weekly band rehearsals – except Bob. So Anita, then a high school senior, cordially asked this ‘intruder’…., “You’re new around here, aren’t you?!” Their conversation ended abruptly,,,It was time for rehearsal! Dom Mecca, noticed Anita and Bob talking together, and was aware that Anita was “on foot” ( Spike heels at that – like any 5’2” seventeen year old girl would wear to Sunday Mass in those days!), and had to carry her accordion 3 city blocks each way to/from rehearsals – with no elevator where at her 3rd floor residence –or at the 2nd story accordion studio!
Dom’s suggestion that Bob could drive Anita home from rehearsal was very much a surprise to both of them!, Anita told Dom that she didn’t really know this guy….That she was just trying to be sociable, since he didn’t seem to know anyone there, being his first appearance at the senior band rehearsal!
The teacher assured Anita that Bob was a nice guy! Anita warned Dom that if anything happened, she would hold him responsible! Dom Mecca replied, “Yeah, and I want to be the “Compare! (Italian for Godfather!). Indeed, as it turned out, Dom Mecca and his wife, Rose were at Anita and Bob’s wedding four years later – September 15, 1962! In the meantime, Anita forfeited Mecca’s offer for an accordion teaching position, and pursued the nursing profession, graduating from St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury as a Registered Nurse – still in practice today as a R.N. , Certified Case Manager!
When the Siarkowskis tied the knot, it was a foregone conclusion that Bob’s band would be the featured entertainment! Bob got a substitute accordionist, John Hubeny of Southington, to fill in for him. In their wildest dreams, never did Bob and Anita anticipate playing an accordion duet at their own wedding! However, other plans were in store for the new couple! Anita’s Mom, Adele LeBlanc had other ideas, knowing exactly how to orchestrate it!
Mrs. LeBlanc sent home for Anita’s accordion, figuring Bob could borrow his substitute’s instrument! Voila! An accordion duet by the bride and groom! ’Quite a surprise to their wedding guests!
Although it seemed appropriate for the bride and groom (who met through the accordion) to perform for their wedding guests, Anita feared that her (very fitted) wedding gown was not ‘very fit’ to play her accordion! “I’ll rip my dress!”, Anita warned her Mom, who replied “That’s all right, the pictures are already taken! Voila….The newlyweds’ premiere accordion duet performance as Mr. and Mrs. Robert Siarkowski….Anita in her wedding gown, Bob in his tuxedo! Fortunately for the bride, neither she – nor her wedding gown – ‘fell apart at the seams’ in the process!
Anita commented about the engagement: “Bob brought me home from a date, taking a big box (present) out of the trunk of his car. Being December 20, 1961, I hesitated to open it – kidding Bob that…”If it’s for my birthday (November 29th), you’re too late! If it’s for Christmas, you’re too early! I can wait!” However, Bob insisted that I open up the package right then and there! As I unwrapped the huge package, a smaller wrapped box appeared! Then a still another smaller one! I started getting a little nervous by the 3rd box)! My suspicions were correct! In the 5th wrapped box was my diamond engagement ring – engraved with 12-20-61!”
Anita and Bob are Charter/Advisory board members of C.A.A. (Connecticut Accordion Association – plus members of the AAA (American Accordionists’ Association) and the ATG (Accordionists and Accordion Teachers’ Guild). The Siarkowskis are frequently featured as guest artists at the C.A.A. meetings, wineries, restaurants, various facilities, organizations, private parties (birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, reunions, etc.), holiday functions, etc. – always accommodating their audience with theme-oriented musical repertoires and apparel. Active participants of the Connecticut Accordion Association Orchestra, the Siarkowskis have performed in concerts several places in Connecticut (7 Angels Theater in Waterbury, etc.), New York, New Jersey, Michigan, New Hampshire, Quebec, Canada – at the nation’s capitol in Washington D.C. in conjunction with the 2007 Coupe Mondiale of the Accordion (world-wide accordion competition) and at Graceland, Elvis Presley’s mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.
Bob and Anita are special caring individuals whose music has always been an integral part of their lives. Anita’s inspiration to play the accordion came from her parents, Adele (Clavette) and Ernest LeBlanc, who supported her accordion studies from age ‘9’through ‘17’. Anita, while still an accordion student in high school, gave also private music lessons. Music always was, and continues to be, a very integral part of Anita’s life – professionally and socially. As an accordionist, Anita’s claims to fame are her theme-oriented repertoires and outfits to fit any/every occasion (Cupid, Leprechaun, Spring Chicken, German Fraulein, French Maid, Polish Folk Costume, Hawaiian, Mexican, Western, Railroad, Old Fashioned Bathing Suit, Mrs. Pilgrim, Mrs. Santa, Angel, Elf, etc.) – plus her sense of humor!
Aside from solo engagements, Anita and Bob duet (in coordinated apparel) for private parties, organizations, community events, convalescent homes, assisted living facilities, church functions, etc. Anita’s spirited performances inspire otherwise motionless and speechless healthcare facility residents to respond positively! Her audience’s participation is proof that “Laughter is the best medicine”, and that accordion music is therapeutic! Speaking of “Thera Peutic.”, that’s Anita’s alias! “TheraP”, quite the character – a voluptuous nurse, with a hilarious nurse’s cap and fishnet pantyhose! With her Nurse’s Bag full of “cure alls”, “Thera P” cheers up the sick ….however, whenever, wherever! Those who know Anita are well advised to expect the unexpected! People always “read between the lines” with Anita’s “Rhymes For All Reasons”…personal, theme-oriented poetic tributes! For instance, in anticipation of the Siarkowskis’ wedding Tanniversary, Anita ‘bellowed’ out “Pulling Together” – narrating the couple’s accordion connection!
Bob’s entire career has a musical ‘accent’! Bob’s inspiration came from his Uncle Louis, who played the accordion. It was love at first sight! Bob’s parents, Rose (Martinell) and Peter Siarkowski wasted no time enrolling Bob for accordion lessons with Joe Gurka of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania – with whom he specialized in classical and jazz accordion for 9 years – from ages “7” to “16”.Siarkowski’s professional career began at age ‘15’, as accordionist with “The Wanderers” dance band. Bob has since performed with various combos, eventually forming his own orchestra for entertaining at dances, private parties, anniversaries – and weddings, even his own! At ‘16’, Bob moved with his family to Connecticut, when his accordion teaching career began at “Matt’s Accordion Studio”. After 2 years , Siarkowski established his own teaching business, “Bob’s Accordion Studio” – right out of high school at the age of ‘18’! The young entrepreneur, with accordion gig supplements, gradually developed a full time teaching studio, along with a flourishing musical career! Several of Bob’s students, given the accordion expertise gained under his tutelage, won multiple contests and trophies in Connecticut and New York, annually. As an accordion teacher, Bob ‘practiced what he preached’ – being an accordion student at the same time! Siarkowski’s continuous passion for the accordion led him to Domenic Mecca in Waterbury –who in turn, referred him to renowned accordionists in New York – Dom’s brother, Jazz specialist, Tony Mecca – and Classical Accordion specialist, Joe Biviano .
At age ‘21’, Bob managed the 750 accordion pupils Esnar Music Company in Sacramento! Siarkowski taught their most advanced students – plus supervised their 9 accordion teachers! While in California, Siarkowski studied advanced classical accordion with John Molinaro. Siarkowski later moved back east, and managed the Richard Moore Music Center in Collinsville, New Jersey. Then, Bob came full circle and opened his own studio, “Bob’s Music Center” in Plantsville, Connecticut staffed with several music instructors including his wife, Anita (on accordion and organ) and their sons, Scot (on guitar) and Bret (on Piano and Organ)! Bob’s extensive curriculum incorporates chord construction plus all varieties of music. His teaching business continues to thrive, offering private musical instruction to pupils of all ages (three generations in some cases) and musical expertise on all keyboard instruments. Relatively few musicians have dedicated their entire life to music, while making it a full time career like Bob Siarkowski. Since opening his studio in 1954, Bob has been in the (full time) music business for 53 years!
Aside from teaching music, Bob continues to play professionally as an accordion duet with his wife, Anita. The Siarkowskis have performed in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and California – plus in Canada (New Brunswick and Quebec Provinces – at the International Accordion Festival in Montmagny.
The accordion not only unites people of all cultures with wonderful music, but it also serves as a special bond between people…..even leading to marriage! Congratulations and on behalf of Accordion Worldwide, we wish Bob and Anita many more happy years of playing duets together!
