Upcoming Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Events
May 1st 2021
Mary Ann Covone, ATG President


The Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) offers the following workshops, concerts, and events for you all to enjoy.
Wednesday Workshops:
Every Wednesday at 7:PM (30 minutes) – free to members:
May 5, 2021 – Murl Allen Sanders presents:
Murl will specifically address how to accompany oneself while singing and playing the accordion. This will include: some minimal right hand chord theory, how to play left hand rhythms for different styles of music, how to integrate RH and LH in your accompaniment, how to achieve balance between your voice and your accordion, playing tips in general, register choices and microphone technique, things to avoid and other general philosophy and ideas about playing.
May 12, 2021 – Stas Venglevski presents: “Tips on Practicing Efficiently”
Stas will share some experiences he has achieved over the years on how to approach and improve your study and practice habits of new compositions you are learning. One of his students will perform one of Stas’ original compositions and will share her experience of studying with Stas.
May 19, 2021 – Madalynn Neu and Liz Finch Co-Host: “Plays Well With Others”
A discussion and overview of accordion performances with other instrumental ensembles, featuring video clips of great examples from around the world.
May 26, 2021 – Larry Goldings (www.larrygoldings.com), a Grammy-nominated pianist and composer, recording artist and songwriter presents:
Making your right hand melodies more interesting/emotional with: counter melodies, clusters, right hand chording ideas and the importance of ear training.
July 18, 2021 – Save the date for a virtual concert featuring Bridge and Wolak. Also featured on the program will be Stas Venglevski. Watch the ATG website and social media for additional information.
May 16, 2021 at 3:PM – ATG presents “Toby’s House” in concert. This was Jeff Lisenby’s trio that is being continued by Jeff Taylor, Jeff Lisenby’s dear friend. Watch the ATG website and social media for the announcement of when tickets will available on Event-Brite. This is part of our free monthly programs available to all.
On April 15, 2021 the ATG presented a 2- hour virtual class, as part of the UIC (University of Illinois -Chicago) STEM program. The STEM program is part of the University’s outreach to inner-city Chicago high school students. The program was entitled “The Science of Sound” and included a scientific explanation of sound waves presented by Peter Godart (a friend of ATG and PhD candidate at MIT) along with a demonstration of various instruments (piano, flute, cello and accordion).
ATG member, Frank Busso, (Director, Ernest Deffner, Inc.) provided 9 instruments for the students to produce their own sound as Joan Cochran Sommers (University of Missouri – Kansas City Professor Emeritus) provided a first lesson on the accordion. Those students who expressed a desire to continue to learn to play the accordion will soon begin virtual group lessons with ATG Board Members, Mary Ann Covone and Gail Campanella, as a continuing part of ATG’s outreach efforts. The instruments the students will play have been generously provided to the young students by Frank Busso.
ATG membership is currently being offered at $60 for regular membership and $25 for student memberships (high school age and younger). Visit https://www.atgaccordions.com/new-member All previous Wednesday Workshops are available to all members in the “members only” section of the ATG website.
