American Accordionists Association

70th Anniversary Concert in New York

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, at 2 PM, the American Accordionists' Association presented an Accordion Extravaganza Concert in celebration of their 70th Anniversary, and to the memory of Maddalena Belfiore.

Frank Busso, Sr. served as Master of Ceremonies and the concert featured: Mario Tacca & Mary Mancini (International Vocal Artist), The Amazing Accordion Kings, Frank Toscano, Angelo DiPippo and Manny Corallo, Mary Tokarski, CIA World Champion Beverly Roberts Curnow, Dr. William Schimmel, Dr. Robert McMahan, Eddie Monteiro, Tony Dannon & Joe Cerrito and The Accordion Pops Orchestra conducted by Daniel Desiderio.

Pictured right are Charles Nunzio (the only surviving founding member of the AAA, and Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) President Kevin Friedrich.

The program for the concert included:

Rosamunde Overture by F. Schubert (arr. Petka)
Beguine di Roma by J. Biviano (arr. D. Desiderio
Cabaret Medley by John Kander (arr. Norman Leyden)
Flashing Tambourines by Virginia & Van Dee Sickler (arr. Eugene Ettore)
Accordion Pops Orchestra - conducted by Daniel J. Desiderio

Symbiosis for Accordion and Guitar by Dr. Robert Young McMahan
Dr. Robert Young McMahan (accordion) & Jim Day (Guitar)

Concerto No. 2 in A Major by Franz Liszt (arr. Carmen Carrozza)
Canto XVIII by Samuel Adler
World Premiere of this AAA Commission
Beverly Roberts Curnow

Variety Program
Joe Cerrito

Manhattan Concerto (1st Mov.) by Eugene Ettore
Mexican Carnival by Daniel J. Desiderio
Accordion Pops Orchestra with Mary Tokarski - soloist

Scherzo in Bb Minor by Maddalena Belfiore
World Premiere performed by Mary Tokarski

Intermission

Trumpeter's Lullaby by Leroy Anderson
Bugler's Holiday by Leroy Anderson
Mario Tacca (accordion) & Christopher Melito (trumpet)

The Amazing Accordion Kings Variety Program
Frank Toscano, Manny Corallo and Angelo DiPippo

Valentino Dances by Domenick Argento
A Polka Monologue - Traditional
Old York by William Schimmel
Dr. William Schimmel, Accordion

Divertimento by A. Astier
Happy Birthday AAA arr. by Mario Tacca
Mario Tacca

Broadway Medley
Sempre Libera "La Traviata" by G. Verdi
Nessun Droma "Turnadot" by G. Puccini
Mary Mancini and Mario Tacca

Let the Bright Seraphim "Samson" by G. F. Handel
Mary Mancini, Mario Tacca & Christopher Melito

At the conclusion of the concert, the AAA held a 70th Anniversary Dinner attended by many, including the only surviving founding member of the AAA, Charles Nunzio.

At the dinner, the AAA made a presentation to Faithe Deffner (pictured left), the Executive Secretary of the organization for her work as the 2007 Coupe Mondiale organizer. The award was a framed collage of memorabilia from the 60th Anniversary Coupe Mondiale. Photos in collage picture below by William Curnow