AWW is very sad to report that the accordion world lost a great man and world class accordionist. Bill Cosby passed on July 7, 2016. Bill was National Champion (ATG, 1964, 65, 66, 67) winning the Silver Medal at the Coupe Mondiale in 1964 and the Bronze Medal in 1965.

William Cosby, Cosby, an accordionist since 7, was the winner of three Accordion Teachers Guild national titles and two American Accordionists Association titles. He was also the Instructor of Cadet of Music and the Music Director and Conductor of the West Point Glee Club during his time at the United States Military Academy.

Cosby played both pop and classical jazz styles as an accordionist. He also played the piano, conducted symphony orchestras and produced demos for Warner and Atlantic record labels. Originally from California, Mr. Cosby was an organist, pianist, and five-time National Champion Accordionist.

In 1971 COL William Shempf, Professor of Music at West Point, turned the Cadet Glee Club over to Mr. Cosby, and he continued to serve as director for the next 17 years. He then moved on to become the Founding Musical Director of the West Point Alumni Glee Club in the D.C. area, and returned to playing his beloved Knowlton accordion in recordings and live concerts.

The William H. Cosby Award—was established by the West Point Alumni Glee Club and presented for the very first time at the Glee Club Graduation Concert in May 2015.

This award highlights another unique connection between the band and glee club, which is that William H. “Bill” Cosby was himself a former band member. He joined the West Point Band as a specialist in 1970.

Mr. Cosby influenced hundreds of United States Military Academy graduates with his zest for life, music, fun and support of the military.

The William H. Cosby Award is awarded annually by the West Point Alumni Glee Club to the Most Valuable Member of the West Point Cadet Glee Club. Selected by the members of the Cadet Glee Club, it is awarded to the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of the motto: “No fun without music; no music without fun!”

Bill will be greatly missed both in and beyond the accordion world. More information and videos will be included in the August www.accordionusa.com news.

“‪Scarlatti Sonata in E Major L 430 ” performed by William Cosby‬.
Published on Jul 20, 2014: William Cosby said, “In memory of one of the accordion world’s most cherished matriarchs, Sylvia Prior. In my 30-year absence from accordion Sylvia was the only person I always stayed in contact with. She was a spiritual mentor – and someone I always respected for doing the right things for the right reasons. Thinking that Sylvia and Tito were only about ‘jazz’ would be missing a huge part of what they were about. They weren’t merely accordionists, they were musicians in the true sense of the word. In all the years I knew them, I never heard a discouraging word spoken to a student. Music was something to be enjoyed and cherished throughout a lifetime. And life was worth living to the fullest. So for Sylvia, I offer this Scarlatti Sonata on the 50th anniversary of my first ATG National title in 1964. And thank you for all you shared with me”

“Mephisto Waltz, Franz Liszt” “Mephisto Waltz, Franz Liszt” performed by William Cosby, Accordionist. Published on Mar 15, 2014: The arrangement was done by Anthony Galla-Rini and William Cosby. William Cosby was a student of both Tito Giudotti and Galla-Rini. Recorded March 14, 2014

It was the wishes of Bill Cosby that there be no funeral, no memorial, that Bill’s ashes will be scattered in a place Bill loved.

For further information: Ritabelll@aol.com