The Accordion Pops Orchestra has just released their second CD, entitled “pop” Goes the Bellows with Al Terzo, conductor and Eugene DeBellis, assistant conductor.

The selections include several arrangements by Al Terzo including “Pop Goes the Bellows”, “Disney Remembered”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Donkey Serenade”, and “Frankfurter Polka”. Other works include “Rhapsody #2” by Frosini with Justin Patterson, soloist; “Caramba (Paso Doble) by Jos. Rixner; “Concerto in D” by Desiderio with Albert Manginelli, soloist; “Mozart Flute Concert” with Laura Addeo, soloist and “Concerto in A” by Deiro with Havard Svensrud, soloist.

The orchestra’s roots can be traced to 1970, when it was organized by the Accordion Teachers’ Association of New Jersey.  Over the next ten years it performed at various community functions throughout the state under the direction of its first conductor, Dr. Jacob Neupauer of Philadelphia.
In 1980 the orchestra members took a leave of absence, but four years later the membership was reorganized under the direction of the late Eugene Ettore of Livingston, New Jersey. 

In 1985, Daniel Desiderio was invited to act as a guest conductor of the orchestra and a few years later the A.T.A. of NJ appointed him as conductor in residence.  The name of the orchestra was formally changed to the Accordion Pops Orchestra and its membership was expanded beyond the original members from New Jersey to include performers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island. Maestro Desiderio retired as conductor in May 2011 and turned over the baton to Al Terzo.

The largest professional accordion orchestra of its kind on the East Coast, the group consists entirely of accordions plus percussion instruments.  In addition, the orchestra often accompanies guest soloists including pianists and vocal artists. 

Photo of APO Conductor Al Terzo

To order: AccordionPops@hotmail.com