Concert accordionist, Mary Tokarski, performed Gary Daverne’s “Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra” with the Hamden Symphony Orchestra in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. The special event took place on November 6, 2011 at the Hamden Middle School in Hamden, Connecticut.
This performance held great significance because not only was it the 50th Anniversary of the Hamden Symphony but it was also the first time an accordionist had ever performed as soloist with the symphony. The selection of Mary Tokarski playing Gary Daverne’s “Rhapsody” was an excellent and successful choice. The audience gave Mary a well deserved standing ovation for her spirited and technically flawless performance. AAA Board members Kevin Friedrich, Marilyn O’Neil, CAO members, Don Gerundo, Julie Kasprzyk Cardona, and I were there to witness this historic event along with many other accordion and symphony orchestra enthusiasts.
2011 marked the beginning of their 50th season as all-volunteer orchestra of more than 50 members from the Greater New Haven area and beyond. Members include teachers, doctors, lawyers, grandparents as well as both students and faculty from local universities.
Photo of Accordionist Mary Tokarski and Conductor Vesna Mehinovic
Founded in 1962 by Ruth Brooks –who continues to perform with the group– the orchestra provides cultural enrichment to the Hamden and southern communities through its series of concerts, its annual Young Musicians Concerto Competition, the Ruth T. Brooks Scholarship Award, the annual Benefit Concert, and by the orchestral experience it offers area musicians and soloists.
The Hamden Symphony Orchestra was under the baton of Paul Gacek for thirty-eight years, and in 2008 Vesna Mehinovic became the Music Director. Mrs. Mehinovic was the first female conductor in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is also the first female conductor of the Hamden Symphony Orchestra. She conducts the Waterbury Principal Youth Symphony Orchestra and has won multiple awards for conducting as well as pedagogy.
AAA and ATG Board member Mary Tokarski performs both nationally and internationally as a soloist, with Symphony Orchestra, with String Quartets, and a member of The “K” Trio. Mary toured mainland China the Mantovani Orchestra, perfuming both in the orchestra, and as soloist, and performed with the Wolf Trap Performance Arts Center Orchestra in the complete sound track for “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,” complete with the film.
Mary has released two solo CD’s, “Music with Mary…..with my friends!” and “Music with Mary…for my friends!”- both of which received international acclaim. In collaboration with Karen Mala-Uribe and Joan Geller Grauman, Mary narrate and performs the music for the book, “An Accordion! What is That?”. The book was written as an early childhood reader with many text features not often found in books for children of this age.. as well as introducing the accordion to the “Next generation” of musicians.
Gary Daverne is one of New Zealand’s most internationally acclaimed composer, arranger, and conductor. Gary Daverne started his musical career in brass bands as a euphonium player, later changing to clarinet, playing in symphony orchestras, jazz combos, and top NZ rock bands during the 60’s. Gary is New Zealand’s most prolific and successful composer and arranger of music for the accordion. His musical arrangements and compositions for accordion orchestra and solo accordion are played extensively around the world.
For more information: mary.tokarski@comcast.net
