Musicians and artists from around the world will gather in the Chicago Western Suburbs on July 20-23, 2022, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Accordionists & Teachers Guild International (ATG) with an amazing line-up at the ATG Accordion Festival. The festival will feature internationally acclaimed musicians at three special concert events as well as fun activities for the entire family. 

Be sure to attend this magnificent event: Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 7:30 PM CDT at Armerding Concert Hall, 520 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton for the closing celebration of the Festival, featuring the Racine Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. William Morse, featuring solo accordionist Stas Vengleski. The program culminates with the 80-piece Festival Orchestra conducted by the one and only, Joan C. Sommers, herself a former ATG Champion and founder of the World Accordion Orchestra.

Maestro Dr. William Morse has been Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra since 1999. The orchestra continues to develop and flourish under his leadership. Dr. Morse holds bachelor and master degrees in music from Oberlin Conservatory and a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the University of Arizona. He has also studied at the Mozarteum Academy of Music in Salzburg, Austria.


Bill is Professor Emeritus at Metropolitan State College in Denver where he conducted the Metropolitan State Symphony Orchestra and taught Advanced Conducting and Music Theory. A man of diverse musical talents, Dr.Morse is fond of the literature for symphony and chamber orchestra. His dynamic conducting style, innovative musical taste, and outstanding musicianship have made him very popular with Colorado audiences.

Excerpts from AAA website: In recent years, Dr. Morse “had a calling” to return to his roots and the accordion. He became close friends with Robert Davine, Professor of Accordion at Denver University, and was inspired and encouraged. After conducting several concerti for Mr. Davine, Dr. Morse decided to take up the accordion again in the early 2000s. He purchased a lovely used Titano Emperor from Faithe Deffner, had it tuned to A440 for use in orchestras, and since then it has been a “serious labor of love” in his musical endeavors. He has soloed on accordion with the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra, Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, Concord Orchestra (Massachusetts), and the Mahlerfest Orchestra (Boulder, Colorado) and looks forward to many more years with his “new found old love – the accordion.” Having recently retired, he enjoys playing the accordion in duets with his wife, Joan who is the AAA Historian.

The Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International is a non-profit organization of accordion teachers, students, composers, professional musicians, and hobbyists from around the world. Its goal is to foster an appreciation of this remarkable instrument and its music. Since its establishment in 1940 by the late Anthony Galla-Rini and colleagues, the ATG has garnered international prestige and respect for its ongoing pursuit of excellence in music education.  The ATG offers scholarships, hosts seminars, workshops, concerts, recitals, and an annual festival — all of which provide accordion education and performance opportunities for players of all ages and levels.