Accordionist/conductor Daniel J. Desiderio, who is retiring, conducts his final concert, “A Memorial Tribute to Charles Nunzio (1912-2010), with the Accordion Pops Orchestra for the benefit of the Alzheimer’s Association on May 1st. The orchestra is honored to dedicate this concert to the late Charles Nunzio, world famous accordionist, teacher, composer, and arranger who passed away in October 2010 at the age of 97.

World renowned jazz artist, Eddie Monteiro, who studied with Charles Nunzio, will be the featured performer. Alfred Terzo will become the new conductor of the APO.

Daniel J. Desiderio is one of the country’s foremost accordionists. Well known in the accordion field for his compositions and arrangements, Mr. Desiderio has recorded on the Ampco and Cormark labels. He has performed in concerts throughout Europe and America, appearing at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Copenhagen’s Radio House, Munich’s Congress Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall and Town Hall, Philadelphia’s Academy of Music and Kimmel Center, and the White House.

Mr. Desiderio began his formal musical training at the age of 9 under the late Arnold Crowe of Philadelphia and later Pietro Deiro, Sr, the “Daddy of the Accordion.” He also studied arranging and composition with Dr. William Happich of the University of Pennsylvania. He began his concert career at age 17.

 During his four year military service, he was featured soloist with the Air Force Band and Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC, performing around the world under the direction of Col. George S. Howard.

He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Accordionists’ Association, one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Accordion Teachers Association, and a member of the Accordion Teachers Association of New Jersey which has become the MAMTG.

In addition to serving as conductor of the Accordion Pops Orchestra, Mr. Desiderio continues to perform in concerts and private affairs in the Philadelphia area. He also operates a music studio in Media, Pennsylvania where he teaches accordion and piano students.

The origin of the APA 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.

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.

Most of the twenty-five plus members of the orchestra are professional musicians or teachers. Many are soloists in their own right. The orchestra performs a repertoire of light classical, Broadway, big band and popular music. It has entertained audiences at concert halls, county fairs, festivals, schools, and playhouses at many locations primarily in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

The May 1st concert takes place at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, NJ.Lunch/1 PM. Concert/3 PM at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, NJ. The donation is $48.00 which includes luncheon and concert.

Reservations are still being taken up to April 16th for the May 1st event.

The APO will present a concert on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 3:00 PM at the Shannondell at Valley Forge, PA.

For further information about the concerts and the Accordion Pops Orchestra CD: Rosemarie Cavanaugh 732-257-8198