The AAA Workshops and Schedule is now released for the American Accordionists’ Association 2012 AAA Festival from July 11-15th, 2012 at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. To print: 2012AAWorkshops
The American Accordionists’ Association presents the 2012 AAA Festival from July 11-15th, 2012 at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The AAA Festival will present another great event! New this year is the Junior Festival Orchestra under the direction of Mary Tokarski. This event is designed for those young people who are not quite ready to participate in the Festival Orchestra or who have never had the experience of performing with other accordionists. Mary has selected some fun pieces and rehearsals will be scheduled to avoid competition schedule conflicts. Interested participants should contact Mary at mary.tokarski@comcast.net.
Another new addition is the “Finale” workshop which will be a hands-on workshop with the basics of learning this music writing program. AAA member, Don Gerundo, will conduct the workshop with support materials supplied by the people at Finale.
Back by popular demand will be the Youth Outreach Jazz Ensemble with select young musicians from the Baltimore school system partnered with ambitious young accordionists. Both the Junior Festival Orchestra and the Youth Outreach Jazz Ensemble will perform at the Awards Concert on Saturday afternoon, July 14th. If you want to participate in this great (and fun) program, contact Marilyn O’Neil (Marilyn@ctaccordion.com). All of these events are included in the registration.
The Festival will also see the return of the Digital Entertainment category so be sure to visit www.ameraccord.com for updated events including PDF files for downloading all Festival application forms.
Thursday night will feature an Italian Cabaret night. Enjoy a delicious Italian dinner while being entertained by wonderful accordion music by the Potomac Ensemble conducted by Joan Grauman. Enjoy singer, Soprano Joy Bechtler, Tenor Joe McKesson, and Dr. Robert Young McMahan as well as accordionists playing and singing your favorite Italian songs!
Friday evening performers include the Busso Trio (comprised of Frank; Frank, Jr.; and Christina) and Tatiana Semichastnaya. Virtuoso accordionist Stas Venglevski will be the Guest Artist and Guest Conductor of the Festival Orchestra. He delights all with his friendly and humorous manner, educating and entertaining at the same time. Truly a unique experience you will want to see and hear.
This year the Festival Orchestra features Mary Tokarski as soloist. Vladimir Mollov and Mary Tokarski will also be featured as “two soloists”. Dr. Robert Young McMahan will be joined by prominent classical saxophonist Dr. Paul Cohen in a performance of McMahan’s new composition for accordion and saxophone.
Vladimir Mollov, virtuoso accordionist, will perform solos and also duets with his wife, renowned violinist, Annie Mollova. Gabe Hall-Rodrigues and Frank Petrilli will perform solos and duets at concerts during the Festival. Please refer to the San Francisco Accordion Club article in the January issue for their biographies. Other performers and workshop presenters include: Cody McSherry, Amanda and Michael Parziale, Joe Zale, Linda Warren, and Manny Bobenrieth with the United States Army Strings and more!
Plan this summer around the festival’s exciting days of Workshops, Exhibits, Cabaret, Luncheon Concert, Gala Concert, and Festival Orchestras. The event will be held at the Sheraton City Center in Baltimore. It is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and in walking distance of the famous Baltimore Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center and numerous other attractions.
Please refer to the AAA Website and the USA News for updates on the festival. For further information:aaa1938@aol.com
