Linda Soley Reed, AAA President summarizes many recent events: Is winter over yet? Hopefully the last “blast” of snow and ice arrived surprisingly on April 16th. Those of us on the East Coast had the worst winter imaginable and I’ve never been so happy to see my daffodils and semi-green lawn!

The Carrozza Scholarship Dinner was a huge success and we were delighted to have a few of our young performers participate. Thanks to Cody McSherry, Rachel Quirbach, Nathan Chapetan and Albert Manginelli and their families for their participation and the young musicians even took part in the Grand Finale when all the pros and the youngsters performed the “Jolly Caballero!”

Thanks to the musicians who gave of their time and music for the Scholarship Dinner: Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini, Frank Toscano, Manny Corallo, Frank Carozza, Ray Oreggia, Dominic Karcic, Beverly Roberts Curnow, Julie Cardona, Mary Tokarski, Emilio Magnotta, Anita & Bob Siarkowski, the Connecticut Accordion Orchestra conducted by AAA President, Linda Soley Reed, and Master of Ceremonies – Lenny Feldmann. Let’s not forget our amazing percussionists: Mike Rasimas, Phil Battiston and Ricci Saracino. Thank you – your talents are appreciated!

Dr. Joe Ciccone chaired the sold-out event and it was great to see Carmen’s family (Marianne and Carmen Jr.) and friends join us on this beautiful day.

Mary Tokarski, Frank Busso, Sr. and I have been working on the 2014 Festival at the Double Tree by Hilton in Tarrytown, NY. Reserve your hotel accommodations early – last day for discounted hotel rates is June 16th. The Contest Rules, Entry Forms, Journal Ad Forms and Registration Forms are online. Please review them and if you have questions, feel free to call or email.

While the workshops and artists are still being planned, we are pleased to have Guy Klucevsek and Violinist, Todd Reynolds join us this year, as well as Vladimir Mollov, Steve Albini, Mario Tacca and Friends, Dallas Vietty and Hot Bijouxx, Dr. Robert Young McMahan and Frank Carozza,

The Junior Festival Orchestra will be conducted by Mary Tokarski and the AAA 2014 Festival Orchestra will be conducted by yours truly. Marilyn O’Neil has been working with the Youth Involvement Jazz Group and Vladimir Mollov has some wonderful arrangements already prepared.

We hope you will join us in Tarrytown – July 9-13 at the Double Tree!