Michael Falcetti, President of the ATAM, and the current members are proud to honor eight charter members at the 2012 New England Music Festival sponsored by the Accordion Teachers Association of Mass. The Gala Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Boston Newton Marriott. Performing in concert, at this prestigious affair, will be the Air Force Strolling Strings with accordionist Technical Sergeant Frank Busso, Jr.

Those being honored are Ida DeRossi from Fairhaven, Ma.; Sam and Peggy Falcetti from Wilbraham, Ma.; Tulio Gasparini from Lincoln, R.I.; Frank Gaviani, Jr. from Braintree, Ma.; Rosita Lee Latulippe from Hudson, N.H.; Leonard Ludovico from Warwick, R.I.; and Paul Monte from Wellesley Hills, Ma.

The New England Music Festivals three day event, April 13, 14, 15, 2012 , marks not only the 50th Anniversary of the ATAM but also their 35th year at the Boston Newton
Marriott. This year, the association will award three $500.00 scholarships for those students selected who are seniors and will be majoring in music in college. There have been over 400,000 entries in the past 50 years and close to $300,000.00 in cash awards, scholarships and trophies awarded. Workshops will take place on Saturday afternoon in the Lexington room and reunion bands will perform in the Ballroom on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Featured performers, the United States Air Force Strings is comprised of 22 world-class musicians. Each of these outstanding performers has studied and perfected their craft at leading colleges, universities and music conservatories around the world. Their studies prepared them to excel during an intensive and competitive audition process, which led to their selection for membership in The United States Air Force Band. A performance by The United States Air Force Strings reflects a combination of immense collective musical experience with the boundless dedication to perfection.

The New England Music Festival is an annual musical competition sponsored by the Accordion Teachers Association of Mass. (ATAM). Established in 1962, it typically features more than 1800 entries and 800 contestants from all across New England. All events are free and open to the public. During the festival, contestants, ages through 22, take part in accordion, guitar, bass guitar, drum, percussion, piano, and voice competitions. Solo, duet and group categories are also offered. Non Competitive Categories include evaluation solos and festival group divisions. Contestants must be students of ATAM teachers.

The three-day event takes place Friday through Sunday with a “Battle of the Bands” held in the hotel ballroom and cash awards given to the first, second and third place winners in three divisions. The Accordion, Guitar, Drum, and Piano Championships are also held Friday evening with cash awards given to all competitors.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, continuous group competitions are held in the hotel ballroom. Solo and duet competitions are ongoing. An awards banquet is held on Saturday evening with more than 500 in attendance. A $500.00 cash scholarship is awarded to a contestant accepted as a Music Major in college. Contestants are evaluated by judges from all over the country. At the event, students will have an opportunity to participate in workshops, compete in age-level categories, perform for evaluation, attend concerts, and have fun at a Dance Party on Saturday evening. One of the best things about the event is that contestants can participate regardless of their experience level or ability.

In addition to the new Super Championship Accordion category, sponsored by Dr. Emilian Badea, which has a $1000.00 cash award for the 1st place winner, over $4000.00 will be awarded in scholarships and cash awards in group and advanced categories. The New England Accordion Super Championship is open to all previous New England Accordion Champions and any Champions from outside the New England area ( excluding Coupe Mondiale winners).

All first place Champion winners over the last fifty years are invited back to this prestigious event and will be honored at the Gala Awards Ceremony. Many of the members are planning to participate in reunion bands performing in the Festival Band category to be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

If you decide to attend, rooms will be available at a discount rate. The cutoff dates for these rooms is March 29, 2012. Reservations can be made on the ATAM website {www.atamnemusicfestival.com}.More information will be posted as it is available.

Roger Latulippe and Peggy Falcetti are Contest Co-Chairpersons. For further information, please email the 50th Anniversary Committee Chairman, Sam Falcetti: peggyf1944@gmail.com or call 413-204-5522.