Saturday started with a number of workshops for the attendees. Gorka Hermosa (Spain) was first speaking about his musical influences and personal history with the accordion, including his teaching, performing and compositions.

Professor Ted Piechocinski discussed how copyright laws can affect performers with venue hire, arrangements and complications.

Dallas Vietty introduced and ran the TeachTalk workshop, continuing the supportive community discussion on the various aspects of teaching practices, including possible revenue streams and unique ways to engage and inspire students.

A concert by TromboKordion Duo followed the workshops, with Elena Fainshtein (accordion) and Dr. Lucas Kasper (bass trombone). The duo played a varied and interesting programme including a beautiful rendition of Amore, which Gorka Hermosa had arranged for the duo. They also performed a fantastic Variations of Barnacle Bill the Sailor, which had the audience in stitches.

Michael Zampiceni provided entertainment during the Lunch Buffet, where everyone was happy to mingle. Incoming ATG President Kenn Baert then informed about the busy afternoon ahead.

The awards ceremony was started with Alison Worthington (representing the London Accordion Orchestra, UK) presenting a signed copy of Eternal by Ian Watson to Joan Cochran Sommers, which had been commissioned by the ATG for the 2024 ATG Festival Orchestra to perform, and is dedicated to Joan.

Then the awards for each category were announced, with each of the contestants being congratulated by President Mary Ann Covone and 1st Vice President Beverley Fess. Performances were given by duo Annabelle Selvaraj and Jennifer Aruldass, and soloists Elayne Doggett, Ketong Liu and Jin Chengxi.

Then it came time to present the ATG World Cup Championship. It was announced that the playing had been at such a level that the jury had requested, and the ATG Board had agreed, that the monetary prize pool should be increased to include all four competitors.
4th Elijah Clements (USA) $300
3rd Joaquín Muñoz Denoso (Chile) $500
2nd Leonid Florin Muravjov (Sweden) $3,000
1st Radu Ratoi (Republic of Moldova) $5,000

The final rehearsal of the ATG Festival Orchestra went very smoothly, with composer Gorka Hermosa (Spain) in the recital hall listening to his composition Oparoa. After a short dinner break, the orchestra was back to the stage for a sound check with the full choir.

The finale concert on Saturday at the White Recital Hall (UMKC) started with speeches from ATG President Mary Ann Covone and CIA President Mirco Patarini, introduced by Kevin Friedrich.

Then the first runner up of the ATG World Cup Competition performed. Leonid Florin Muravjoc (Sweden) entertained the crowd with Metamorphoses and Shepard Girl’s Dance and received a standing ovation.

The inaugural winner of the ATG World Cup Radu Ratoi then took to the stage, and after presenting Joan Cochran Sommers with his new CD, performed Dance Macabre and Transcendental Etudes No.10 Appassionata S.139, both to standing ovations.

As a surprise to the audience Radu then invited Leonid back to the stage for an impromptu and dynamic duet of the William Tell Overture.

With his digital accordion, Michael Bridge performed several of his own arrangements, finishing the first half of the evening with the 1812 Overture utilising the sound of real canons.

The second half of the concert was the magnificent ATG Festival Orchestra and Choir conducted by Joan Cochran Sommers. Once assembled on stage, the orchestra and choir rose to a standing ovation as the conductor made her way to the podium.
The first of the two works commissioned by the ATG for this performance, and dedicated to Joan, was Oparoa (Truly Full Life) by Gorka Hermosa who stood to the applause of the orchestra.
Second of the commissioned works presented was Eternal by Ian Watson (United Kingdom), and again the orchestra recognized the wonderful new piece.
Throughout the week, concerts had been elevated with the addition of percussion from Levi Birks, Martin Mendez and Briley Patterson, who had worked tirelessly.
As the choir came back to the stage for the finale of Let There Be Peace On Earth, thanks were given (to full applause of the orchestra) to Choir Director Robyn Hartfield for her efforts assembling the strong 44 voice festival choir.

To celebrate a fantastic festival, a Farewell Party was the final stop of the night, where Joan was celebrated by Stas Venglevski, Beverley Fess and Gail Campanella performing variations on ‘Happy Birthday’.