Part 1 of Report:

Friday Pasta Night featured Frank Busso, Sr. and Frank Busso, Jr. Amazing to see the father/son duo captivate all with their Italian medleys. Ray Oreggia, Dominic Karcic played duets joined by Mary Mancini concluding with “God Bless America”. Joanna Darrow conducted the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra.

The Friday Night Gala Concert included the Trio Called Leonard (led by Dallas Vietty on accordion) followed by Peter Stan. Peter performs the music of Eastern European Music, is accordionist for Slavic Soul Party and performs at many festivals in the area. Felipe Hostins who dazzled all with his Brazilian Forro Music, has toured and recorded in Brazil as well as performing in the USA.

At the artists’ reception after the concert, Dallas Vietty, Peter Stan and Felipe Hostins improvised a fantastic set and these great friends enjoyed their reunion. It was a great pleasure to hear them and see how much they enjoyed performing together.

Saturday, July 12, was another accordionists dream come true. We all learned about the origin and history of Oktoberfest in the workshop, “Playing for Oktoberfest” presented by Dominic Karcic who performed with Ray Oreggio and world champion accordionist Beverly Roberts Curnow. Dominic generously made his arrangements available to all.

The Exhibit Room was open during the festival. Alex Chudolij of Music Magic USA and Frank Busso Jr. of Ernest Deffner Company, Titano, Pancordion, demonstrated their accordions which were on display and for sale. Joan Grauman, AAA Historian, displayed her historical posters explaining all about the AAA organization. Kevin Friedrich displayed the interesting and valuable accordions shown during his presentation.

The Saturday Luncheon Concert featured Dee Langley and Dominic Karcic. We all were treated to a delightful lunch and wonderful concert.

Dr. Robert Young McMahon, AAA Composers Commissioning Chairperson, a walking encyclopedia of accordion composers information, presented his workshop “Neoclassical Commissioned Works of the AAA.” If you are interested in his many historical Articles please visit the AAA website: https://www.ameraccord.com/aaacommissions.php The Saturday Awards concert included Entertainment AAA, the Junior Festival Orchestra and much more.

Concluding the Festival was the AAA Gala Banquet. AAA President Don Gerundo entertained at the Cocktail Reception as he does each year putting all in the mood for a fantastic Gala Banquet which featured the 2025 AAA Festival Orchestra conducted by Mary Ann Covone and the accordion and flute Duo of Mary Ann Covone and Beth Sennett. They presented a world premiere of Novelette, new work for flute and accordion duo by New Zealand composer, Gary Daverne.

After the concert was over, a group of accordionists gathered to perform for each other. Performers included: Members of the former Potomac Accordion Ensemble from WMAS. Bill Morse was special soloist on percussion in “Syncopated Clock” and “Prisoners Chorus” from the opera “Nabucco”. Duets by Peter DiGiovanni and Halina Banas, Janice Lavoie and Annette Marinelli, and solos by Joe Natoli and Robert Ford. Joe Natoli performed a special composition, “Where Kindness Lives” which he dedicated to Bill Morse and Joan Grauman Morse.

The AAA was honored with the attendance to our concert by Danelle Fournier Mayor of West Conshohocken Borough and Yaniv Aronson, Mayor of Conshohocken Borough. They extended their congratulations and invited us to return for future festivals!

The AAA Board of Directors worked tirelessly to create a perfect accordion lovers weekend! Festival Chairperson Joan Grauman Morse dedicated herself to producing a beautiful event where all enjoyed themselves. Also involved in the planning and production were Mike Silvia who worked on publicity and made sure the event was well publicized. Frank Busso, Jr. conducted his orchestras. He also created the journal, posters, and event tickets. Joanna Darrow was instrumental in the Competition and Evaluation Categories and responsible for the Registration. President Don Gerundo, 1st VP Joan Grauman Morse, and Board Member Kevin Friedrich smoothly served as MC’s for the various concerts.”

The AAA was happy to welcome ATG President Kenn Baert, ATG Treasurer Susan Baert, and 1st Vice President Mary Ann Covone who attended the festival.

Be sure to see the photos and videos of the event on Facebook, the AAA Website and the USA news, www.accordionusa.news. We hope that you will decide to attend next years festival.

Stay tuned for future publicity on AAA events.

Part 1 of Report: