FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends,

The May-June Newsletter has been mailed to all members together with information for advertising in the 75th Anniversary Journal, event packages and artists currently scheduled to perform. Remember, this is YOUR newsletter. I encourage you to submit articles of interest, photographs and upcoming events to share with fellow-accordionists. Please send material to Kevin Friedrich at goaccordion@yahoo.com with NEWSLETTER in the subject line. July newsletter material is requested by June 15th.

The activities for the 75th Anniversary Festival are moving along nicely. The list of performing artists is continually growing and we have a wonderful, diversified array of talent planned for your enjoyment. Performers include everyone from classical artists to jazz giants to entertainment to the avant garde – all the very best in their genre.

The vendor exhibits are filling up with all kinds of new instruments, music and accessories. A list of vendors will be available shortly – opening ceremonies are Wednesday, August 14 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sutton Place Suite at the New Yorker Hotel.

Workshops highlighting the lives of the founding fathers of the AAA will be presented by former students and colleagues. Daily presentations will be made in the exhibit room featuring the display of the AAA Archives. Back by popular demand will be the Finale workshop – Part I for beginners; Part II for the more advanced. Don't miss the presentation by the New England Accordion Museum complete with unique "stories" and histories of the instruments on display.

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
The music for the Festival Orchestra is ready for distribution. Selections include: Pietro's Return March (Deiro), Fantasy for Accordion and Orchestra (Creston; accordion orchestra arranged by Joan Sommers, Mary Tokarski, soloist) and selections from Les Miserables (arranged by Joan Sommers). We encourage you to listen to recordings of these selections which can be found online as follows: Pietro's Return (YouTube recording by Littleton High School band); Creston (YouTube recordings of solo performances) and the music from Les Miserables (full soundtrack is available on YouTube). There will be a vocalist as well for the Les Miserables performance.

Orchestra participants are requested to email ameraccord1938@gmail.com with ORCH in the subject line and include your full name, contact information, performance level and type of instrument (i.e., acoustic, midi, other electronic). If you have performed in previous Festival Orchestras, indicate the part(s) you played (i.e., 1st, 2nd, EZ, bass, midi), If you are performing in the World Orchestra at the Coupe Mondiale in Victoria, BC, please advise so that we can supply you with the same orchestra part for Les Miserables.

ATTIRE: Black and white for the performance – ladies black skirt or pants with white blouses; gentleman – black slacks and white shirt. Jacket and tie not essential for the performance but banquet guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for an evening event including jacket and tie for gentleman.

I encourage you to make your hotel reservations. A tentative schedule is included in the May-June Newsletter and also attached. Make your plans to visit New York and enjoy the wonderful activities the city has to offer.

Linda Soley Reed, President
American Accordionists' Association