On Friday evening, August 5, 2011, the Gene Van Accordion Orchestra, conducted by Gene Van, will perform a benefit concert in South Bend, Indiana, entitled “Accordions Extraordinaire.”
Michiana Performing Arts Association is sponsoring the concert. Members of the orchestra reside in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Florida and South Carolina, and are primarily former students of Gene Van.
Joseph Natoli, 1972 American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) U.S. Virtuoso Champion and Coupe Mondiale first runner-up and 2008 Grand Prize winner of the first Roland V-Accordion festival, from Delaware, Ohio, will once again be a guest performer with the group.
Jessica Faltot, former student of Gene Van, will present the world premiere of his new composition for solo accordion, “Time is Once Again”.
Kenn Baert, 1983 Indiana Accordionists’ Association Virtuoso Solo Champion and 2009 Roland V-Accordion Grand Prize winner from Barrington Hills, Illinois, will also be a featured soloist. Kenn is employed by AT& T Services as a software specialist and is married with three children. Kenn is a former student of Gene Van. All three soloists, Joe, Jessica and Kenn, will also perform with the orchestra
The purpose of this concert is to raise funds to benefit two very worthy causes. The Climb Project, a group of volunteers consisting of parents and family members of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ADS), is affiliated with the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at LOGAN and is dedicated to promoting awareness of this disorder and assisting in fund raising efforts to provide specialized training for local parents and educators facing the challenges of helping individuals with autism. This effort is spearheaded by Mr. Van’s daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Vince DelPrete, whose 11-year-old son, Mateo, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.
Additionally funds raised will be used to support the Mennonite Disaster Service, a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds to those affected by disasters in the United States and Canada by assisting with cleanup, repair and rebuilding of houses and helps to restore lives. With the numerous weather-related disasters in recent months, this organization has been extremely busy.
The Gene Van Accordion Orchestra has performed many benefit concerts in the past supporting various not-for-profit organizations and plans to continue this effort in the future.
The free concert will be held at the Kern Road Mennonite Church located at 18211 Kern Road in South Bend, Indiana, and will start at 7:00 PM.
If you would like to assist one or both of these organizations by making a donation, please make payments to:
The Sonya Ansari Center for Autism ‘Climb Project’ or to the Mennonite Disaster Service and mail to the address below:
Mrs. Joyce Schultz, Treasurer,
Michiana Performing Arts Association
2809 Northwood,
Mishawaka, Indiana 46545
The concert will be recorded and made available for purchase on DVD and CD at a later date. Proceeds from the sales will be directed to the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism ‘Climb Project’ and to the Mennonite Disaster Service.
If you would like to place an order, or have any questions about the concert:
Phone Gene Van:(574) 262-0212
Email: Genevanmusic@yahoo.com
