Michigan Accordion Society President, Joe Recchia, recently drove to meet MAS member, Gene Van, to pick up a car load of 12 bass accordions which will be used to kick off the new MAS Accordion for Kids program. Photo below.

The accordions will be provided free of charge to students. Organization of this program is currently underway. The accordions were provided by Gene Van and also purchased, in part, by the Tony Dannon Scholarship Fund which is managed by the Michigan Accordion Society. (MAS).

Bill Palmer, who is a MAS member, is donating the Palmer-Hughes beginner books. Twenty four students have already received accordion tuition scholarships.

The Michigan Accordion Society (MAS) awarded $2,700.00 in Music Scholarship to Music Students at their Monthly Music Event on Tuesday June 17, 2014 at the Forestre Banquet Center in Rochester Hills, Michigan to a packed audience.  

The evening was wonderful as many students participated playing a variety of instruments…Accordions, Guitar, Trumpet, Piano and Voice. Students ranged from 7 years to 22 years of age.   Tri County Music Studio’s that participated in the program were Evola Music Shelby Township, Gus Zoppi Music Center Troy, EDB Studio’s Warren and The Music Authority School Dearborn as well as private Instructors Bob George & Yakov Todromovich.  

“The Event was a big success and we are very pleased that the scholarship money was paid out directly to the student’s teachers so that the money will be used for future music lessons for these talented kids” said Joe Recchia MAS President. 

Recchia also mentioned that “as a 501c3 tax deductible nonprofit Music Society we have been awarded significant funding from family’s in our community that have lost loved ones and in lieu of flowers they wanted memorial funds to be set up so that these funds can be used to promote accordions and music education programs for local area children.  The proceeds that were paid out came from the Ray Battani, Jerry May and Tony Dannon Memorial Scholarship Funds that the Michigan Accordion Society Manages.  This is a win/win for both the families of the deceased and the Music Students in our community”    

The funds that were awarded is only the beginning as the MAS also unveiled a brand new “Accordion for Kids Program” and has already signed up several students immediately after the announcement.  The program is great because MAS will supply the instrument and music educational books.  Then the student’s family is provided with several MAS Accordion Teachers that they can choose from.  

The student is then off to the races learning the instrument and all that is asked in return is for the student’s commitment to learn the instrument.   “We have seen a very interesting resurgence in folks wanting to be around accordionists and that is great for not only the instrument but for the music students in our community as well.  It’s something great for the students to do that will keep their mind sharp and stay out of trouble” said Recchia. 
MAS was founded in 1996 and has grown from a small handful of members to nearly 280 members today.  Our members range in age from 4 to 100 which include Guitarists, Singers, Accordionists, Wind Instruments, Bass Players, Drummers & Accordion fans and enthusiasts.  MAS holds monthly music events which are always open to the public and always with an interesting line up of featured musicians. 

“The key to our success has been building a positive, enthusiastic and visionary membership base along with embracing the right people that want to see the instrument and music benefit our community in positive ways” said Recchia.

Music Scholarship recipients photo’d are: (Photo Courtesy Bob Berta, MAS Vice President)

Front Row, left to right: Jaixai Reineke age 9, Karter Wells age 7, Lukas Stachurski age 9, Maria Magnoli age 10, Jessica Fligger age 9,
Back Row, left to right:  Natalia Lacki age 16, Arianna Hosinski age 17, Morgan Ross age 13, Vanessa Carr 22, Sabrina Carr 18, Serafim Mazurs age 11, Johnathan Oestringer age 13, Mario Simone age 16, Anthony Wiederhold age 13,  John Orischak age 17, Joey McLennan age 18, Bernadette Kathryn age 14, Andrew Oughton age 16, Emma Burgin age 18, Michael Galbenski age 13, Justina Gaynor age 12, Delaney Garron age 12 & Tara Cicillian age 12

For further information: jrecchia@comcast.net