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International Performances: - Belgium, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Germany and China Productions: - Fiddler On The Roof (American Musical Theater, New London, CT) Appearances With: - Accordion Pops Orchestra (Conducted by Maestro Daniel Desiderio, Philadelphia,
PA) |
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SOLO works include:
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2014 Concerts 2012 Concerts 2010 Concerts Thursday, February 25, 2010 - I will appear as a soloist on the Hamden
Symphony Benefit Concert for the Homeless. Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the
Augusta Lewis Troup School, 259 Edgewood Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511. 2009 Concerts 2008 Concerts 2007 Concerts June 18-21, 2007 - Las Vegas Accordion Convention, Gold Coast Hotel.
Mary will present workshops on several of the days, and appear as soloist.
Will let you know the dates as soon as I KNOW THEM! July 28, 2007 - Schimmel Workshop - Seminar in the Afternoon, Concert
at 7:00 p.m. September 7, 2007 - Montreal, Canada - The Year of the Women Accordionists! Guest Artist Appearance - I'm getting the venue info September 16, 2007 - WMAS Guest Artist, Virginia October 21, 2007 - 3:00 p.m. - Southern Connecticut State University,
Charles Garner Recital Hall. Benefit Concert for the CT Academy of Arts
& Sciences November 4, 2007 - 3:00 p.m. (Sunday) - Mary performs with the Daytona
Beach String Quartet at St. James Episcopal
Church in Ormond Beach, Florida. Music will include Gary Daverne's "Concert
Waltz", Klaus Paier's "Tango for Five" and Frank Mucedola's
"The Fox and The Hound". 2006 Concerts 2005 Concerts October 13, 2005 - Soloist with the Moravian Symphony in Olomouc, Czech Republic November 20, 2005 - Soloist with the Auckland Symphony, New Zealand November 27, 2005 - Soloist with the Auckland Symphony, New Zealand |
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Mary Tokarski Performs in CT Accordionist Mary Tokarski appeared in "A Night on the Left Bank" on Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 8.00 PM at the Powerhouse in Waveny Park, South Avenue, New Canaan, CT. The show featured Megan Owen, Soprano, Richard Danley, Musical Director/Piano, Avrom Berel, Director and Mary Tokarski, Accordion. Mary began her music career at 7 with Michael Fernino of Ansonia, Connecticut, and performed and competed at local, state and national events throughout early adulthood . . . amassing over 185 trophies and awards, including two US Championship Titles, a 3rd place in the 1973 Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) Coupe Mondiale, and a 2nd place in that year's Coupe Mondiale Pop Category. Tickets are $25, which includes a Champagne Reception. For information, please contact: 203-966-7371. |
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CONNECTICUT MUSICIAN to Perform in New Zealand - November 2005
Just returning from a trip to the Czech Republic, Mary performed two concerts with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra at the Olomouc City Concert Hall in Olomouc, Czech Republic. During her visit in Olomouc, Mary also recorded a composition by Gary Daverne entitled "A Musical Party" with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra. Mary's early-life musical training with Michael Fernino of Ansonia, Connecticut, developed into a lifelong love and study of music. When her sister Julie began lessons, Mary was offered the opportunity to begin as well, however decided against it. After Julie would repeatedly come home with an ice cream cone for a good lesson, Mary reconsidered her position on musical study and decided to begin the accordion as well. Performances were numerous, and competitions were a regular part of growing up. By the time she reached early adulthood, Mary stacked up over 175 trophies and awards for State, Regional and National competitions. Mary went on to represent the United States in the Coupe Mondiale (World Accordion Championship) sponsored by the Confederation Internationale Des Accordeonistes in Belgium (1971) and in France (1973). Today, Mary spends much time performing with her brother and sister in The "K" Trio (Mary Kasprzyk Tokarski, Julie Kasprzyk Cardona and Walter Kasprzyk) which perform around the world. Gary Daverne was born in Takapuna, Auckland New Zealand. He has held
the position of Musical Director/Conductor of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra
since its foundation in 1975. Today the Auckland Symphony Orchestra has developed an excellent following and reputation, for its high quality performances of popular classics, film and show music, performing 7 or 8 Free Sunday Afternoon Family Concerts annually at Auckland's Aotea Centre, and Takapuna's Bruce Mason Centre, to capacity and often turn-away family audiences in excess of 2000 people. The main philosophy of the orchestra is that music should be fun and enjoyed by players and audiences alike - hence the regular, free family concerts that are offered in Auckland and 'out-of-town' areas where a live performance by a Symphony Orchestra is a rare event. For more information, please contact Mary at 203-484-5095 or by e-mail:
mary.tokarski@comcast.net |
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In addition to this concert, Mary will also give a special performance on Sunday, October 9th, at a Children's concert also at the Olomouc City Concert Hall with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra. This concert will feature "The Fox and The Hound" by American composer Frank Mucedola of Auburn, New York. Mary's early-life musical training with Michael Fernino of Ansonia, Connecticut, developed into a lifelong love and study of music. When her sister Julie began lessons, Mary was offered the opportunity to begin as well, however decided against it. After Julie would repeatedly come home with an ice cream cone for a good lesson, Mary reconsidered her position on musical study and decided to begin the accordion as well. Performances were numerous, and competitions were a regular part of growing up. By the time she reached early adulthood, Mary stacked up over 185 trophies and awards for State, Regional and National competitions. Mary went on to represent the United States in the Coupe Mondiale (World Accordion Championship) sponsored by the Confederation Internationale Des Accordeonistes in Belgium (1971) and in France (1973). Today, Mary spends much time performing with her brother and sister in The "K" Trio (Mary Kasprzyk Tokarski, Julie Kasprzyk Cardona and Walter Kasprzyk) which perform around the world. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1945 and is amongst the foremost and oldest symphonic orchestras in the Czech Republic. It is based in the historic Moravian city of Olomouc. This ancient university town is an important canter of education and culture of the whole of central Moravia. After the creation of the independent Czech Republic Olomouc became the canter of the administrative unit of the District of Olomouc. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra has been lead by some important personalities of the Czech music culture and it has been conducted by artists of international renown such as Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Vaclav Neumann, Libor Pesek, Vladimir Valek and others. Famous soloists have performed with the orchestra, for example S. Richter, I. Oistrach, G. Kremer, S. Ishikawa, P. Fournier, J. Suk, V. Hudeeek, E. Indjic, J. Carreras, A. Baltsa, J. Cura. During its existence the orchestra has performed an outstandingly broad and varied repertoire which, apart from Czech music, includes compositions of the classics of 19th and 20th century European orchestral music. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra intensively promotes contemporary Czech and international music which is shown in the hundreds of premiered works of contemporary composers. In recent years the orchestra has specialized in recording contemporary international music, such as a CD of works by New Zealand composer Gary Daverne. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra has performed with great success in most European countries and has taken part in important international music festivals in the Czech Republic and abroad, for example The Prague Spring Festival, Smetana's Litomysl, the Summer Music Festival in Reims, France or the Thurn und Taxis Fest-spiele in Regensburg, Germany. The orchestra has performed on important European stages such as Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Saal der Munchner Philharmonie, Vereinsaal Wein, Saal Pleyel Paris, Tonhalle Zurich or Palaois de Musica in the Spanish cities of Barcelone and Valencia. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra actively participates in the organizing of the artistic and cultural life in Olomouc. It is also the organizer of the international music festival of Dvorak's Olomouc, the International Organ Music Festival and the International Festival of Contemporary Music. For more information, please contact Mary at 203-484-5095 or by e-mail:
mary.tokarski@comcast.net |
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Accordionist Mary Tokarski was chosen to accompany the Mantovani Orchestra on its recent tour to mainland China. Musicians were selected from all over the United States . . . from Disney Productions, Symphony Orchestras from California, Florida, Nebraska, New York and Texas, Music Educators from all over . . . and Symphony Conductor Charles Ellis from Baltimore, Maryland. After 2 rehearsals in Orlando, we arrived in Beijing, where we performed 2 concerts at the People's Hall Congress (where all the Chinese delegates and dignitaries conduct the country's business), then we were off to Wuhan to perform on the Grand Opera stage. A quick bus trip (2 hours) to Guangzhou took us to the Zhongshan Cultural Center, followed by a quick flight to Shenzhen and a concert at the Koncert House. Our travels brought us back to Wuhan's Grand Opera for a New Year's Concert, and then off to Shanghai to spend our last 5 days in China. The Grand Stage in Shanghai was a joy to behold, and perform on. The entire building was shaped like a lotus blossom, and housed 5 separate concert halls. Even the seating sections in the concert halls were shaped like the lotus blossom . . . the acoustics were marvelous, and the audiences attentive. The orchestra's program included light classical works such as The Light Cavalry Overture, Malaguena, The Warsaw Concerto performed by Piano Soloist, Constance Gottschalk from Chicago and Italy, marvelous trumpet and trombone solos by Ken Moulton and Danny Kirkhum on Around The World and Londonderry Air, and When I Fall in Love, all in the unmistakable "Mantovani" style. The accordion was featured with exquisite solos in Embraceable You, the Swedish Rhapsody, The Trolley Song and Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. The music was marvelously executed by the all-professional group to a total of 16,000+ Chinese concert-goers! Mary was honored to be chosen as a soloist for the 2nd encore, performing Frank Mucedola's "The Fox and The Hound" to the mesmerized audiences (and orchestra members, too). The piece was a tribute to Frank, since he recommended Mary to join the orchestra for this tour! The orchestra's General Manager, Ken Moulton repeatedly remarked "Leave it to the accordionist to steal the show.", as the audience applause roared through each of the venues. The travels of the tour were hectic, harried and WITH its share of difficulties. The accordion was not allowed on the plane for the first AirChina flight . . . and when it did arrive (on a DIFFERENT flight, along with the 2 trombones and all the orchestra music!), it had a crack in the bellows snap area. A good amount of electrical tape, both inside and out held the air from leaking as much as possible, and I was able to play it for the rest of the tour. After that experience, they made sure the accordion flew ON the plane with me . . . although, I had to hand carry it on . . . without the case! A challenge, to say the least - and the phrase "Sleeping with your instrument" has a whole new meaning for me now! Unlike most of my other performing tours, there was plenty of time for us to be "tourists" . . . and we took advantage of every one of them. We got to visit The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, YuYuan Gardens, the Ming Tombs, a Jade Factory, a Cloisonné Factory, the Pedestrian Walk in Shanghai, the Bund, the Shanghai Museum, The Jade Buddha Temple, and lots more. We even experienced Chinese New Years at the end of our trip. The orchestra members made these experiences even more memorable . . . they were very personable! The concerts were wonderful, and the experience of performing with such magnificent musicians is a life-long dream come true for me. I can only hope that we'll do it again soon, and next time, I'll bring more duct tape! And, I can honestly say, I won't have the desire for Chinese food for quite some time to come. Mary Tokarski, |
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My solo CD – ”Music with Mary...with my friends!” is now ready! The CD includes new cuts with guitar, percussion, piano, string quartet, and even a symphony – along with my solos, of course. The solos span lots of genres, too - classical, accordion classics, tango, novelty, ethnic and even a world premier of Maddalena Belfiore’s early-years manuscript, “Scherzo in B Flat minor”.
My mission since re-entering the solo concert arena has been to “specialize” in compositions written by my accordion “friends” and the composers who inspired me to pursue a music career. The repertoire has been vast and very entertaining (for me and I hope for my audiences!).
June 4, 2014
On
the 20th and 27th of November, 2005, accordionist Mary Kasprzyk Tokarski
was the featured soloist in Auckland, New Zealand for a concert of works
from Prokofiev to Lord of the Rings, and original works by New Zealand
composer Gary Daverne. Performing with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra
in the Auckland Town Hall and the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna, Mary
performed the "Rhapsody for Accordion and Orchestra" by Gary
Daverne and "The Fox and The Hound" by American composer Frank
Mucedola of Auburn, New York. 
CONNECTICUT
MUSICIAN to Perform in Czech Republic - October 2005