Site Welcome,
Message from the President copied from the homepage and continued

Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome to the American Accordionist's Association and Happy New Year. As the new year starts we have had elections for the Executive Board. I am happy and excited to have accepted the nomination and election as its new president and I am committed to make a positive impact to the organization. I know the other members of the Executive Committee are also excited about their roles and starting to think about plans for the 2025 year. This Committee consists of the following individuals:

President (Comptroller) - Don Gerundo (picture right)
First Vice President - Joan Grauman Morse
Second Vice President - Mike Silvia
Secretary - Rita Davidson Barnea
Treasurer - Ray Oreggia

I want to thank Frank Busso Jr. for handing the "presidential baton" to me and has made the transition as smooth as silk. I want to also commend him and his father Frank Busso Sr. for hosting a wonderful festival last year. Frank Sr. conducted the orchestra and the participants are still sending in their accolades to the AAA and him. Thank you Frank! Of course there were many other people that were instrumental in making the festival a success. Joanna Darrow, Bob McMahan, Beverly Curnow, Mike Silvia, Dee Langley as well as our talented artists who performed so beautifully.

As you know, the AAA has been around since 1938 which in many ways is a world away from 2025. Many things have changed since that time. The internet, the popularity of the Accordion, Styles and Genres of music, how music is distributed, streamed, popularized. It is a new world to say the least. This year one of my plans is to take a look at the organization and ask how is it adding value to the Accordion Community. Are there things that we can do to better to serve this community and how can we be more relevant in 2025. The AAA is the oldest accordion association in America and was started in 1938. Certainly many things have changed since that time. The way we listen to music, musical styles, differences in popular music, classical music, the acceptance and knowledge of the accordion…. the list goes on.

On a personal note I believe that I know many of the members of the AAA but there probably quite a few that do not know me very well. I was exposed to the accordion in kindergarten at 5 years old when I saw a girl, one of my class mates play for the class. I was instantly “Hooked”! On the accordion – not the girl. I started taking lessons with Sal Febbraio who was on the AAA board. I had to stop for personal family issues but hounded my mother to continue studying.

I finally started again and went to Tony Mecca. As a beginner he had one of his advanced students give me lessons until I was 17. Then I studied with Tony. I ended up going to Ithaca College which actually started out as a music conservatory. Mom was not too crazy about me majoring in music so I had to stay under the “Music Radar” so to speak. I spent a lot of time in the music building and was asked to join a professional music fraternity – Phi Mu Alpha. I believe I was the only non-music major in the frat at the time and certainly the only non-major accordionist.

After college I studied piano with a well-known jazz pianist – Johnny Morris and also took jazz lessons with a well-known teacher in NYC – Adolph Sandole. So I guess the lesson is “You somehow get to where you want to be regardless of the route and the obstacles in your way”!

Right now we are starting to plan on the events and activities that we want to engage in. The 2025 Festival is certainly is high on the list and must be nailed down. I recognize that our yearly festivals bring a lot of joy to many of our members as they can play in the orchestra and listen to wonderful artists perform. In addition it is a time to re-connect with many of the members.

I look forward to meeting you and hope you have a healthy and enjoyable year.

Warm regards,

Don Gerundo
AAA President