Concert Accordionist, Mary Tokarski will be the featured soloist with the Hamden Symphony Orchestra at 3:00 p.m. on November 6, 2011 at the Hamden Middle School Auditorium, 2623 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT – Vesna Mehinovic, Conducting. Mary will perform “Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra” by Gary Daverne, O.N.Z.M. from Auckland, New Zealand. Mary has recorded and performed this magnificent, lyrical music score several times with the composer conducting both the Auckland Symphony and the Moravian Symphony in the Czech Republic.
Gary Daverne is New Zealand’s most prolific and successful composer who has become a great supporter and arranger of music for the accordion, although he does not play the accordion. His arrangements and compositions for accordion orchestras and solo accordion are used extensively around the world. Also included on the concert will be music by Wolf-Ferrari’s ; “Secret of Suzanne Overture”, selected arias from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” featuring Daniel Schlorff, bass, and Beethoven’s “Wellington’s Victory”.
In October, Mary visited China to serve as a United States Delegate to the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes World Accordion Congress, and as a member of the International Jury Panel – an honor she has been selected to perform for the Coupe Mondiale (World Championship) events in Croatia (2010), New Zealand (2009) and Scotland (2008). Along with accordionists from around the world, Mary served as Principal of her section in the World Accordion Orchestra since its inception in the United States in 2007.
Among her many awards, she was recently presented with the prestigious “Artist in Residence” position by the American Accordionists’ Association at a Lifetime Achievement Ceremony in New Jersey. Performing both nationally and internationally as a soloist, with Symphony Orchestras and string quartets, this year Mary has traveled extensively within the United States, and also to China for a 5 city tour with the Mantovani Orchestra. As a workshop presenter, Mary is sought-out by numerous associations for presentations on all aspects of music, performance, and Master Classes.
For 20 years Mary served as Director of Music Education at Tokarski Music Center in North Haven, Connecticut, where she taught piano and accordion, as well as conducted the choral & ensemble programs, and supervised the pre-school programs. Mary currently teaches piano and accordion at her home in Northford, Connecticut. She also served for many years as a Music Educator in the North Haven Department of Education’s Early Childhood Development Program at Green Acres Elementary School, is currently 2nd Vice President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) as well as on the Board of Directors with both The American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) and the ATG which are the two national member organizations of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes, (IMC-UNESCO). For more information email: info@hamdensymphony.org
Mary and her siblings, Julie Cardona and Walter Kasprzyk, reunited this past July at the AAA Festival in Charleston, S.C. where they performed together as the K Trio. . Julie represented the United States in the Coupe Mondiale in Holland (1967), England (1968) and New York City (1969). Mary also represented the United States in the Coupe Mondiale in Belgium (1971) and France (1973). Walter captured the Connecticut State Championship Title in 1966, 1967 and 1968, and went on to be a contender for the United States Championship many times thereafter.
Future Performances include:
December 11, 2011: The Schubert Club of Connecticut presents a Holiday Entertainment Concert at the New Canaan Inn, 73 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, Connecticut. The free concert begins at 3:00 p.m., donations graciously accepted.
January 22, 2012: The Connecticut Accordion Association Monthly Meeting will feature Mary “In Concert”, with a brief presentation on recent travels and world-wide events. 1:00 p.m. at Spartan’s Restaurant, Meriden-Waterbury Road, Plantsville, CT.
March 31, 2012:Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers’ Guild in conjunction with the American Accordion Musicalogical Society honor Dan Desiderio. Mary will perform Dan’s composition “Mexican Carnival” with the Accordion Pops Orchestra (now under the direction of Al Terzo) as well as other solos at the event. Saturday evening, 6:00 p.m. at the Hanover Marriott, 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, NJ. Contact Al Terzo for reservations at mamtg@hotmail.com. The Testimonial Dinner will be followed by the concert featuring Mary Tokarski, Beverly Curnow and Lenny Feldmann, along with the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra and the Accordion Pops Orchestra.
For further information: mary.tokarski@comcast.net
