Greetings, AAA members and festival attendees! It has been far too long since we have gathered together live, and I can’t think of a better way to get reacquainted than here at the 2023 AAA festival as we celebrate 85 years!

We’ll kick things off right away on Wednesday with exhibits, competitions, a workshop, and socializing during our Meet & Greet Reception.

Thursday will start off with two workshops and more competitions before we step out of the hotel to celebrate Accordion Day at the King of Prussia Mall (160 North Gulph Road in King of Prussia, PA). And when we return to the hotel in the afternoon, we’ll have our first AAA Festival Orchestra rehearsal, soon followed by Pasta Night, with entertainment provided by AAA champion Mario Tacca, acclaimed vocalist Mary Mancini, and the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra.

After doing some carbo-loading on Thursday night, get ready for a full Friday, thanks to more time in the Exhibit Room, a pair of morning workshops, and our Luncheon concert with entertainment provided by world champion Grayson Masefield, AAA Coupe Mondiale representative Nathan Chapeton, and the Westmont Accordion Club. Then follow all of that up with two more afternoon workshops, competitions, the second AAA Festival Orchestra rehearsal, and our Gala Concert featuring Grammy winner Joey Miskulin, world champion Grayson Masefield, AAA champion Mario Tacca, and the Accordion Pops Orchestra.

On Saturday, we’ll start early with a workshop, competitions, another visit to the Exhibit Room, our awards concert, and the final AAA Festival Orchestra rehearsal. Then it’s time to dress up for the Gala Banquet and enjoy the 2023 AAA Festival Orchestra conducted by world-class conductor Joan Cochran Sommers, The United States Air Force Strolling Strings, and the AAA Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to Frank Busso Sr.

During Sunday morning’s breakfast and open meeting, we’ll have a chance to recap the festival and gather your ideas for future AAA events and initiatives.

Finally, I invite you to become an AAA member for the first time or to renew your membership here at the festival. Your membership will help you stay up to date on accordion events and helps to fund AAA events and projects.

I look forward to connecting with you during the festival!

Very best musical wishes,

Frank Busso, Jr.
President
American Accordionists’ Association

P.S. - Be sure to join us in Salon E each night for our After Hours Club! Bring your accordion if you’d like, or just come by to enjoy some camaraderie and good music.

Click each picture to see full size Only the professional accordionists are named.

Registration desk opens Evaluations A happy group of evaluation participants. Advertising posters. Exhibit Room was set up. Dee Langley beside her poster picture. Joanna Darrow beside her poster picture. Frank Busso Snr beside his poster picture. Dee Langley begins her workshop. Dee Langley with workshop participants Reception began with music by Frank Busso Sr. and "Papa Joe" Clemente. Registration desk, Amber Masefield with some younger helpers from the Busso family. Images from the Exhibit Room. More pictures of displays by Music Magic, Liberty Bellow and Ernest Deffner in tomorrows pictures. 85 years of AAA history was displayed in the Exhibit Room. Entertainment moved to outside the Exhibit Room Liberty Bellows talks to Peter Di Giovanni Robert McMahan chats to Raymond Haines. Anne and Joey Miskulin, Joan Sommers and Heather Masefield. "Papa Joe"entertaining at the reception. Joan Sommers and Frank Busso Jr. Frank Busso Sr, David Vincaro and Carmela Busso. Bob and Anne McMahan, Dee Langley and Joan Sommers. Heather Masefield, Christina Busso and Anthony Schulz (Australia). "Papa Joe" enjoying the reception with attendees.