Welcome to the 70th Anniversary
AAA Competition and Festival
 
Arlington, VA (Washington DC), USA
 
 August 13-17, 2008
AAA 70th Anniversary Festival a Tremendous Success
The 70th Anniversary American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Competition and Festival held in Alexandria, VA (Washington DC) attracted participants from as far away as China and France as well as throughout the United States.

The festival began with an impressive "Press and Squeeze" Party welcoming reporters and photographers from such prestigious publications as the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. Reporters were extremely interested in talking with the young performers and spent time discussing their accordion activities as well as dreams for the future.
alexander poeluev
Above: International guest artist Alexander Poeluev (Russia) pictured at the Press and Squeeze Party, while Executive Secretary Faithe Deffner talks to the Press. Below Alexander is pictured with AAA President Linda Soley Reed and talking with the Press.
linda alexander
anthony falco
Above: Anthony Falco from Rhode Island talks to the Press, while below father and son Busso duo Frank and Frank Jnr. entertain members of the press.
frank busso
Above: Frank Busso from the Staten Island Music School entertaining with one of his students - John Moceo and also with Anthony Falco from Rhode Island. Below John Moceo talks with the Los Angeles Times and right, Cory Pesaturo and Anthony Falco entertaining on the Roland Digital instruments.
moceo
Accordionist John Moceo (Staten Island, NY) poses for a Los Angeles Times Photographer

Three International Competitions were held during the festival with results as follows:

  • AAA International Piano Accordion Competition
    1st Prize - $3,500.00: Not Awarded
    2nd Prize - $1,000.00: Nie Qian (China)
    3rd Prize - $500.00: Anthony Falco (USA)

  • AAA Vivian Vivio Stolaruk International Entertainment Competition
    1st Prize - $3,000.00: Jeremie Buirette (France)
    2nd Prize - $1,500.00: Nie Qian (China)
    3rd Prize - $500.00: Anthony Falco (USA)

  • AAA Maddalena Belfiore Entertainment Competition for Female Accordionists
    1st Prize - $1,000.00: Nie Qian (China)
    2nd Prize - $500.00: Danielle Renzi (USA)
    3rd Prize - $350.00: Sun Liqin (China)
    4th Prize - $150.00: no entrant

In addition to the competitions and workshops, the festival featured several artists including AAA Board Member and concert artist Mary Tokarski with pianist Dessie Vaughan, jazz artist Joe Cerrito as well as the AAA Board of Directors Ensemble and the AAA 70th Anniversary Festival Orchestra. International guest artist Alexander Poeluev from Russia received several standing ovations and encores for his spectacular performance.

Workshops included: Charles Magnante - His Life and Recordings by Ray Oreggia, Music of the Val Taro Musette by Dominic Karcic, A Multi-Media Presentation of Accordion and AAA Memorabilia by Joan Grauman, The Accordion in the Symphony Orchestra from Tchaikovsky to the Present by Dr. Robert Young McMahan.
A highlight of the event was a performance by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings featuring accordionist Frank Busso Jnr. The Air Force Strings is one of the most diverse and flexible units of the US Air Force Band.This wide-ranging flexibility allows the ensemble to musically respond to the requirements of almost any occasion and provide an enjoyable experience for everyone. A key element of its mission is to entertain audiences at high-level protocol events in a formation known as the Strolling Strings.
frank busso
frank busso
Appearing as the US Air Force Strolling Strings since 1954, they have had the honor of performing at the White House for every president from Eisenhower to today.

Originally from Staten Island, New York, Technical Sergeant Frank John Busso, Jnr., accordionist with The United States Air Force Strings, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. began his Air Force career in 2005.
frank busso
Frank attended Boston University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2001. He studied accordion with Frank Busso, Sr. at the Staten Island Music School in New York. Prior to joining the Air Force, Sergeant Busso was an instructor and arranger with the Boston University Athletic Bands. He was also an instructor at the Staten Island Music School, where his students earned many regional and national titles in competition.
busso family
Frank with his parents Carmela and Frank Busso Snr.
As a competitive accordionist, Sergeant Busso received numerous regional titles from the Accordion Teachers Association of New Jersey, including the organization's virtuoso championship in 1995. He also earned multiple national titles from the American Accordionists' Association in classical, popular, and ethnic competitions. Since 2001, Sergeant Busso has performed in concert as a member of The Busso Trio at numerous summer festivals hosted by the American Accordionists' Association and the Accordionists & Teachers Guild. Sergeant Busso’s military awards and decorations include the National Defense Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.
Above left: sample of picture featured in the Los Angeles Times article
Brian Aucoin and Mathew Barrette taken by Tyrone Turner for the Los Angeles Times
 
Above right: sample of image featured in the New York Times article of Anthony Falcotaken by Susana Raab for The New York Times
 

The festival attracted much press coverage from coast to coast with lengthy newspaper reports being featured in both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The USA Today and many more.