By The Accordionists & Teachers Guild
World-acclaimed accordion artists will perform at the 78th Annual Accordion Festival hosted by the Accordionists & Teachers Guild on July 25-28 at the Hyatt Regency Lisle near Chicago. Altogether, more than 100 accordionists will attend the festival to celebrate the accordion.
Festival events, including concerts, competitions, workshops and exhibits, are open to the public. Single-day passes are available for $20. Evening concert tickets are $15. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Concerts will be held in the Arbor Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Lisle.
“We are delighted to share the beauty and wonder of the accordion with the public at our 78th Annual Accordion Festival. More than 100 accordion artists will perform at the festival, sharing a wide range of music, including classical, jazz, contemporary, and pop,” said Joseph Natoli, president of the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International.
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Headlining the evening concerts are world-acclaimed accordionists:
Matthias Matzke: Hailing from Germany, Matzke is an international award-winning acoustic and digital accordion artist. Joining him is soprano Leonie Kratz, also of Germany. Both are laureates of the Franz Liszt Foundation of the University of Music in Weimar, Germany. Matzke will perform both Thursday and Friday night concerts at 7:30.
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Cory Pesaturo: From the United States, Pesaturo (“C-Pez”) is a world-champion accordion artist and the only person to win the digital, acoustic and jazz categories. He also created his own skinned accordion that includes a symmetric midi lighting system attached to the keys so it lights up when he plays, as well as an electric accordion. Pesaturo will perform Friday and Saturday night concerts at 7:30.
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Petar Maric: From Serbia (Belgrade), also studied in Paris with famed instructors Frederic Deschamps and professor Franck Angelis, one of the most famous and influential composers and professors in the accordion world. Maric is currently completing his education in Slovakia (Bratislava) under eminent professor Tibor Racz. Maric has won multiple international accordion competitions with both acoustic and digital accordion instruments.
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Mike Alongi: A Chicago jazz accordion artist who has played with greats including Patti LuPone and Doc Severinsen, Alongi has also played with many symphonies, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Illinois Philharmonic Symphony. Alongi will perform on the Saturday night concert at 7:30 p.m.
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Stas Venglevski: Originally from Moldova, Russia and currently residing in Wisconsin, Venglesvski is a Bayan accordion artist, whose artistry and dazzling technical demand have helped him win many awards, including twice winning the Bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova. Venglevski will perform on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
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Donna Dee and Dennis Ray: This United States-based, husband-and-wife duo combine her award-winning accordion artistry with the sounds of his folksy banjo and guitar. The duo performed with Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians at the start of their careers. They will perform Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.
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Mixed Ensemble: Serving as maestro is the acclaimed Seattle accordionist Murl Allen Sanders, who performed with Chuck Berry, Etta James, and the Orchestra Seattle among others. This year’s Mixed Ensemble will feature high school musicians playing various instruments along with accordionists. The ensemble will perform Saturday at 2 p.m.
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The ATG Festival Accordion Orchestra: Under the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers, this year’s orchestra will feature more than 50 accordionists performing a variety of music, especially selections from West Side Story in honor of Leonard Bernstein’s 100 birthday year.
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Daytime Schedules – Open to the Public – Tickets are $20 per day:
A buffet lunch is available daily from noon – 1 p.m. with entertainment for $25.
* Thursday, July 26, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Competitions, Workshops, Concerts
* Friday, July 27, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Competitions, Workshops, Concerts
* Saturday, July 28, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Workshops, Awards Ceremony, Concerts
Concert Schedule – Open to the Public – $15 per ticket:
Thursday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.:
Peter Maric
Matthias Matzke & Leonie Kratz
Donna Dee & Dennis Ray
Friday, July 27, 7:30 p.m.:
Stas Venglevski
Cory Pesaturo
Matthias Matzke
Saturday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.:
Festival Orchestra
President’s Quartette – Featuring Joe Natoli, Amy Jo Sawyer, Kenn Baert, Murl Sanders
Mike Alongi Jazz Trio
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Comments welcome.
Posted on July 18, 2018