“July was a wonderful, exciting and very busy month for me”, said Bruce when asked about his experiences at two of the premier accordion events in the country. Being able to perform solo, be a part of three orchestras, present workshops, be surrounded by magnificent national and international accordionists and have an East Coast and West Coast opportunity to introduce my 1st solo CD was more than one fortunate “rock ‘n roll” accordionist could wish for.

It started on Wednesday, July 14th in Hershey, Pa with the AAA Festival Orchestra rehearsal and then the famous press & squeeze party and it was non-stop from there. Massed band the next day and a sun-drenched trip to Hershey Park. Then it was Cabaret Night followed by open mic and ending with a trip to the Dog & Pony Lounge.

Friday featured a wonderful luncheon concert, workshops, competitions, orchestra rehearsal and a Gala Concert & Reception. Then, more than a dozen accordionists serenaded guests in the Dog & Pony Lounge till ——-. That was fun.

Saturday brought the event to a high-pitched finally with more workshops, then the Awards Ceremony and concert, ending with the AAA Evening Banquet which had several surprises including “Momma” Joan Grauman & “Daughter “Emily dancing to the Bulgarian music performed by Vladimir Mollov – (Vlado even strapped on his accordion and strolled tables with me during dinner – cool). Then Sunday breakfast and so long till next year.

Then came the long plane ride to San Jose, CA on Wednesday, the 21st but who cares; the weather was so beautiful in Santa Clara that the three extra hours where a blessing. It was great seeing some of the same people who attended AAA the week before but also wonderful seeing folks from the West Coast and Mid-West who I had not seen in many months.

I knew Hershey would be hard to top but ATG sure knows how to throw a party. I missed the sight-seeing tour but caught the 1st round of international competition and finished at the hospitality suite (who needs sleep)?

Thursday started with a 9:00AM ATG Executive Festival Orchestra Rehearsal (still trying to find out who picked 9am – but it gets better later). The day was chock full of workshops, more competition, Anthony Galla-Rini Orchestra rehearsal, social hour and then the ‘California Here We Come Concert’. Then the hospitality suite (did I mention, who needs sleep)?

Friday had more great workshops, competition, orchestra rehearsal, social hour, banquet with live music (Steve “the Great” Albini Trio) and then a magnificent concert followed by, you guessed it; the Hospitality Suite (help – sleep).

Remember, I said it gets better. Saturday started out with a (are you ready) 8:00 AM Orchestra Rehearsal (still investigating). Then a very well organized trip to Great America Park, where the Anthony Galla-Rini Orchestra, conducted Esther Lanting, and Cory Pesaturo played at Jack’s Juke Box to a “standing-room only” crowd. Then it was back to the hotel for more workshops, social hour, another Banquet with live music and a Gala Concert which was preceded by the Award Ceremony.

Every show just got better and better. The Executive Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Joan C. Sommers, not only did “Star Wars Themes” and an original composition by Amy Jo Sawyer but also performed “Video Games Music” while the audience watched the video game in real time on a large screen – That was real 21st Century stuff – WOW !!! This magnificent evening ended at THE HOSPITALITY SUITE! (How do you spell S-L-E-E-P)?

Once again, Sunday morning breakfast and “so long” till next year. Well, that’s my story and I’m stuck with it !! Needless to say, I slept well the next day but I would not have wanted to miss a moment of these two weeks – THANK YOU Linda Soley-Reed, Dee Langley and the rest of the gang(s) at AAA & ATG. LET’S DO IT AGAIN SOON!!!

For further information: accordion2bruce@gmail.com