On January 20, 2013, the first rehearsal of the newly formed USA Roland V Accordion Orchestra was held in the performance hall of Falcetti Music in Springfield, MA.

At that time, no one really knew what to expect including the orchestra’s conductor, Sam Falcetti who kept saying that his dream is becoming a reality. From the first selection, “Stars & Stripes Forever” with the blending of flutes, clarinets, trumpets, saxes and baritone horns, it was truly the sound of a marching band. Even the wonderful piccolo counter melody on the last section, (usually performed with the piccolo reed sound of the accordion), had the true piccolo sound.

Next, the orchestra rehearsed the “Godfather Medley” and employed the beautiful French musette accordion sound blending with clarinets, counter melodies with mandolin and accompanied by strings and vibes. The “Godfather” doesn’t get any better than this, especially when the vocalists are singing in Italian.

Everyone was very excited about doing a Duke Ellington big band arrangement by John Franceschina. This arrangement is divided into sax, trumpet, and trombone sections, backed by a great rhythm section and vocalists. Last but not least, the orchestra rehearsed “Quartet in D” by Haydn. Everyone was amazed by the violin, viola, and cello sections sounding just like a string orchestra.

The Roland V Accordion Orchestra is comprised of students, accordion hobbyists, and a few semi-pro players from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. This first rehearsal taught everyone
how versatile the Roland V Accordion is by simulating the bowing of the violin, the changing of the embouchure on woodwind and brass instruments using the velocity of the bellows, the touch sensitivity of the mallet percussion keyboard and the plucked string instruments.

The Orchestra will have their premier performance in the Festival Band category at the New England Music’s 51st Festival at the Newton Marriott in Newton, Massachusetts on Sunday, April 7, 2013.

For further information: peggyf1944@gmail.com