The 81st AAA Festival and Competition was held July 17-21, 2019 in King of Prussia, PA. It was very well attended, an event filled with excitement, comraderie, great talent, collegial competition plus more! Attendees were enthused to meet old friends, make new friends, play together, hear young and upcoming accordionists and learn about both the acoustic and digital accordions.
Additional photos and videos at 2019FestivalAAA
There were many excellent participants in the AAA Competitions.
Junior Carrozza Championship: 1st place winner is Gia Ciccone
Senior Carrozza Championship: 1st place winner is Nathan Chapeton
A complete list of winners will be included in an additional article in the September USA News.
The first day, Wednesday, began with workshops by Joe Natoli and Dr. Robert Young Mcmahon, opening of Exhibits, Meet and Greet. The amazing “After Hours Club” hosted by Micheal Bridge featured impromptu performances by Micheal Bridge, Mario Tacca, Cody McSherry, Nathan Chapeton, “Papa Joe” DeClemente and more. Each night featured an After Hours Club filled with surprises and spontaneous performances!
The Thursday Luncheon Concert included Nathan Chapeton (AAA USA Representative for the 2019 Coupe Mondiale, Saxophonist Mitch Guido, Stanislav Culcicovschi and an outstanding performance by Joe Soprani. Pasta Night featured more wonderful performances including Ray Oreggio, Cody McSherry, Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini, followed by the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra conducted by Joanna Darrow.
On Friday, there were performances at the King of Prussia Mall with Major Sargent Frank Busso, Jr. coordinating the events. The Busso Orchestra performed as did Papa Joe DeClemente and others. The Friday Night Gala Concert included the Joseph Natoli Chamber Ensemble ( with Dr. Robert Young McMahon, William Trigg and Cecylia Barczyk), presented Joe’s new compositions. Michael Soloway and Joe, Peter Maric and Featured Guest Artist, Michael Bridge, showcased their talents. The program MC was Manny Bobenrieth. The After Hours Club included many talented convention attendees.During the festival, there were many competition and evaluation categories in all ages, Junior orchestra rehearsals, Festival orchestra rehearsals, Master classes/workshops presented by Micheal Bridge, Sam Falcetti, Mario Tacca, Dr. Rober Young McMahon, Joe Natoli, Cody McSherry, Ray Oreggio, Don Gerundo.
The Saturday Night Gala Banquet introduced by Ray Oreggio featured the Junior Orchestra, Youth Involvement Jazz Ensemble, and Competition Winners. The 2019 AAA Festival Orchestra conducted by Vesna Mehinovic presented an eclectic and sensitive program which included “Serenade Valse” by Tchaikovsky: “Humoresque” by Dvorak: “Concerto Grosso” by Handel and “Fugue on a Macedonian Theme” by S. Mehinovic. The Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Winner Gia Ciccone performed “Waltz Allegro” by Magnante. Don Gerundo provided wonderful entertainment during the cocktail reception.
Will Comer performed his composition as an Elsie Bennett Competition Winner, AAACoupe Mondiale Representative Nathan Chapeton gave an outstanding performance. It was inspiring to hear everyone and very encouraging to hear the Youth Involvment Jazz Ensemble which combines accordions and other jazz instruments. Each year since its inception, the group has grown in the number of accordion and other instruments. Mitchell Guido conducted.
The exhibits in which attendees were encouraged to try out the many brands of accordions included Ernest Definer Affiliates, Liberty Bellows, and Music Magic Accordions USA.
TV News Coverage and newspaper articles let everyone know about the AAA Festival. Special thanks for their great efforts, hard work and commitment go to Dr. Joseph Ciccone, AAA President; Mary Tokarski, AAA Contest Chairman and Festival Coordinator.Linda Soley Reed, Festival Coordinator; Ray Oreggio, Treasurer, Don Gerundo Comptroller, Rachel Quirbach, Secretary; Frank Busso, Public Relations/ Hotel Liaison;
Frank Busso, Jr. Festival Coordinator, Exhibits; Joan GraumanAAA Archivist, Media and Workshop Chair; Marilyn O’Neill, Youth Involvement Program Coordinator; Mitchell Guido, Youth Program Jazz Ensemble Coordinator.
Be sure to make plans for next years AAA Festival! Further details in future publications.
