Part 1: The 87th AAA Festival was held in West Conshohocken, PA for the 3rd year in a row, from July 10-13, 2025. Everyone in attendance experienced an educational as well as entertaining days including most enjoyable accordion artists in concert, fascinating workshops, and non stop accordion camaraderie.

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Those who participated in the Festival Orchestra conducted by Mary Ann Covone truly enjoyed a wonderful experience. Festival Chairperson Joan Grauman Morse shared that the AAA was thrilled to have her be the AAA guest conductor: “Her enthusiasm, musicianship, dedication, creativity and affability caught our attention and we feel blessed that our attendees had the chance to work with Mary Ann”. The Festival Orchestra performed “America the Beautiful”, “Malaga”, “Evening Prayer”, “Oblivion”, “Take the “A” Train”.

The Beginner Adult Band was headed by Acme Accordion Studio director, Joanna Darrow. The Junior Festival Orchestra was conducted by Dee Langley.

The AAA Festival also included competition and evaluation categories of solo and duet styles. Many of the students were from the Acme Accordion School and the Busso School of Music.

To kick off the convention, on Thursday evening, July 10, 2025, the Accordion Pops Orchestra conducted by Al Terzo and the Busso Festival Orchestra conducted by Frank Busso, Jr. put everyone in the mood to hear accordion music all weekend. Inspiring and entertaining! Dallas Vietty and Mario Tacca with Mary Mancini entertained all at the Friday Luncheon concert. Dallas is a wonderful musician specializing in performing gypsy jazz as a soloist as well as in small combos.

He is active as a musician bandleader and educator. International vocalist Mary Mancini and her husband, accordionist Mario Tacca presented a variety of music in many styles and languages.

Each day was busy, fun, and entertaining! Dee Langley presented a useful very practical workshop, “The Importance of Slow”. AAA Board member Kevin Friedrich presented an important and fascinating workshop, “Countdown 200! Introducing 2 centuries of accordion family instruments” in which Kevin shared information and masterfully played each of the accordions in the display.

The accordions are from the World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin. From 2,500 accordions in the museum, Kevin chose about 16 instruments showcasing the development of the accordion through the years. Seeing and hearing such a historical array of instruments was very memorable.

Part 2 of Report