AAA Board member Doinic Karcic has created a Valtaro Musette web site to store, document and preserve as much history, information, articles, podcasts, pictures, and videos dealing with the founders of the Valtaro Musette Orchestra, John “Scudlein” Brugnoli and Pete “Philomena” Delgrosso, and also the many prominent musicians / accordionists, their colleagues, and people who heard this music.

Born and raised in Borgo Val Di Taro, Italy (Pr. Parma) Brugnoli and Delgrosso immigrated to the United States at different times in the 1930s and proceeded in their own unique way to make their contribution to the history of accordion music. They collaborated, recorded, wrote and arranged music that reflected their own genuine creative style (Valtaro Musette) touching the hearts and souls of thousands of music lovers, dancers and above all fellow accordionists in the United States and beyond. 

Their story is also an “American success story” that illustrates the opportunities that this great country offered to the millions of immigrants.

Additionally, Dominic would like to interview people who played Valtaro music in NYC between 1936 and 1961. He also requests interviews of people who went there for dinner or dancing. You do not have to be an accordionist or musician to participate in this project.

Originally from Astoria, NY, Dominic Karcic earned a Bachelor of Music degree from New York College of Music. He received his Masters Degree in Music from the City University of New York (CCNY)

Dominic was a public school music teacher for thirty-two years focusing on vocal and instrumental instruction in the Long Island towns of Valley Stream, Freeport, and Baldwin. He has always played professionally in the New York metropolitan area and continues to do so today.

Dominic’s ultimate goal is to take all this information and present it in a concert and documentary for television. If anyone has an pertinent and relevant pictures, videos, recording, documents etc. and would like to contribute / donate them to this web site please contact Dominic at accordionman@optonline.net.