The ATG Festival, held from July 23-28 in Kansas City, Missouri, was a huge success, from start to finish, and a total delight! The focus of the entire festival was a joyous celebration of Joan Cochran Sommers’ 90th birthday. Attendees and performers came in from all over the world to celebrate this amazing woman who is truly loved by all!

Joan has been a tremendous supporter of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) and the American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) for more than six decades. Her tireless hard work and generous contributions are immeasurable.

The AAA created a beautiful plaque for Joan, in honor of her 90th birthday, and the governing board members at the festival were delighted to have the opportunity to present this award to Joan during her special “red carpet” celebration. AAA President Frank Busso, Jr. expressed, for all of us, how much the AAA appreciates Joan’s dedication to and support of the AAA since the 1950s.

Through the decades of AAA events, Joan was an adjudicator, the festival orchestra conductor, a workshop leader, the conductor of many “massed band” performances, and always, always there with a smile and encouragement for all participants. Joan Sommers is truly a gift to the accordion world!

Daily Reports of 2024 ATG Festival are at: https://accordions.news/daily-report-the-2024-accordionists-teachers-guild-international-atg-82nd-festival-23-july/