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David Lewis, Lillian Monte, Paul Monte
2nd row left to right: Bob Paolo, Sam Falcetti, Peggy Falcetti, Frank Gaviani, Jr.,
August Arruda, Johanna Lewis, Rosita Lee Latulippe, Anthony Falcetti
Back row left to right: Joe Maciejowski, Emilian Badea, Holly Poitras,
Kimberley Hawkins, Ed Saccoccia, Roger Latulippe
Absent when photo was taken: Aldo DeRossi, Ida DeRossi, Tulio Gasperini,
Chester Losiewicz, Leonard Ludovico, Michael Meresi
PRESIDENT - DAVID LEWIS, VICE-PRESIDENT - MICHAEL FALCETTI
SECRETARY - JOHANNA LEWIS, TREASURER - PEGGY FALCETTI
The ATAM was established in 1962. The founding father is Aldo DeRossi of New Bedford, MA. who is still active within the organization. The first President was the late Frank Gaviani, Sr.
The annual New England Music Competition and Festival is sponsored by the ATAM. All events are open to the public free of charge and over 1200 contestants take part in Accordion, Drum, Guitar, Keyboard, Piano, and Voice Competition. Solo, Duet, Ensemble, and Band Categories are offered for ages 6 through 22. Non Competitive Categories include Evaluation Solos and Festival Band Divisions.
On Friday evening a "Battle of the Bands" is held in the Ballroom. Cash awards are given to the first place winners in three divisions. The Accordion, Guitar, Drum, and Piano Championships are also held Friday evening with cash awards given to the First, Second and Third Place winners.
On Saturday and Sunday a
continuous Accordion Ensemble and Band competition is held in the Ballroom.
Solo and duet competition is ongoing. A $500.00 cash Award is presented
to the first place winner in the Senior Orchestra Division. An Awards
banquet is held on Saturday evening with over 500 in attendance. A $500.00
cash Scholarship is awarded to a contestant who has been accepted as a
Music Major in college. Over $3,000 is awarded to winners throughout the
weekend.
Eligibility: Competition is open for competitors up to the age
of 22 who are students of ATAM teacher members.
Aldo
DeRossi was the person who organized and ran an accordion competition
for several years at the Brockton Fair. This was the formation of the
Accordion Teacher's Association of MA. Aldo learned to play the accordion
as a child and became so accomplished on the instrument that he wrote
sheet music including "Trickling Keys," and many other selections
that are often on the music list for accordion competitions.
He formed DeRossi music in the 1930's. Throughout the years he has have taught the accordion to thousands of students. They participated annually in the ATAM since its formation. Aldo's bands have won top awards in accordion competitions throughout the United States.
Ida was known as the "Ballroom Queen" as she was the Mistress of Ceremonies for many years for the ballroom events held at the ATAM music competition. Pictured are Ida and Aldo DeRossi of DeRossi Music in New Bedford, MA.
Born
in Westfield, Massachusetts in 1911 to Italian immigrant parents, Helene
was bilingual and bicultural from early childhood. The accordion came into
her life largely from her Uncle Pete who let her try the instrument. Eventually
Uncle Pete introduced Helene to a 17 year old accordion player named Angelo
Criscio, and it was then that Helene learned to play.Helene blossomed musically, publishing her first of many compositions, "Incanto d'Amore," at the age of 15. helene and Angelo practiced together, started to perform publicly, and were hired by entertainment bureaus in New Haven, Hartford and Springfield. They were billed as "The Venetian Duo." A publicity card from the show at that time shows the duo holding an accordion each, with a banjo and a fiddle at their feet. They performed widely and were chaperoned during each practice and performance until their marriage in 1933.
World War II interrupted their musical careers. Angelo was drafted and served overseas for almost three years. Helene took a manufacturing job for the duration of the war. In 1945, with the war over, Helene was in a position to pick up her musical career, teaching and performing solo. She had five accordion bands and they performed at Stanley Park.
Angelo Criscio died in 12989. Helene continues to teach, practice everyday and to write a despite a painful arthritic condition. Helene says, "I'm never going give it up, I'm not afraid of work. I get an idea, I work on it, I never sleep nights, I'm thinking all the time. Westfield, Massachusetts: Lifelong home of a woman of courage, humor and endurance.
Amongst the thousands of Helen's accordion pupils is a prominent one that we all know - Sam Falcetti.
Frank
Gaviani Senior (1908-1990) was born in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1913 he left
for Italy with his mother and sister to visit relatives. They were unable
to return to the US as World War I had started. It was in Italy that music
became his passion. His uncle purchased an accordion for him and he began
playing by ear. In 1923 at the age of 15 he returned to the US with his
beloved accordion. He found teachers in Boston and eventually learned music
theory and composition. He began entertaining in the Boston area and gained
recognition. In 1928 in New York, he was accepted as a student by Pietro
Deiro. After 3 lessons, Deiro offered him a job as his teacher assistant.They gave many concerts together throughout the West, Midwest, in Washington and Chicago. They were lose friends,. Pietro Frosini was also his teacher and they remained close friends.
In 1934 Frank Gaviani returned to Boston and opened a studio. Eventually he opened studios in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. His late wife Mary was his bookkeeper and kept perfect records. In 1934 he produced many compositions and arrangements for the Pagani Company in which he eventually became a partner. He had many friends in the music world, including the late Arthur Fiedler, former conductor of the Boston Pops. He has been the teacher of champions. His son Frank Jr. is an excellent musician, teacher and composer.
The Frank Gaviani Accordion Museum is located in S'Arcangelo, Romangna Italy. Gaviani has donated over 886 manuscripts to the museum. His pieces are used in accordion competitions today.
| Year | President | Year | President |
| 1962-1965 | Frank Gaviani, Sr. | 1988-1989 | Rosita Lee Latulippe |
| 1966-1967 | Aldo DeRossi | 1990-1991 | Paul Monte |
| 1968-1969 | Anthony Imbriglio, Sr. | 1991-1993 | Peggy Falcetti |
| 1970-1971 | Sam Falcetti | 1993-1995 | August Arruda |
| 1971-1973 | Sal Sava | 1995-1997 | Roger Latulippe |
| 1974-1975 | Paul Monte | 1997-1999 | Sam Falcetti |
| 1976-1977 | Rosita Lee Latulippe | 1999-2001 | Donna Michael |
| 1978-1979 | Aldo DeRossi | 2001-2003 | Rosita Lee Latulippe |
| 1980-1981 | Peggy Falcetti | 2003-2005 | David Lewis |
| 1982-1983 | Naomi Girouard | 2005-2007 | Michael Falcetti |
| 1984-1985 | Roger Latulippe | 2007-2008 | David Lewis |
| 1986-1987 | Sam Falcetti | - | - |
- Arruda Music - August
Arruda - Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
Phone: 401/253-9690
E-mail: auggiejude@msn.com
- Emilian
Badea
42 Wethersfield Rd.
Natick, MA 01760
Phone: 508/653-8441
- Cerrito Music - Joe Cerrito
- West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893
Phone: 401/821-8040
E-mail: cerritomusic@yahoo.com
- David Chaves - Providence,
Rhode Island 02909
Phone: 401/943-1762
- DeRossi Music - Aldo
DeRossi - 1210 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MA 02746
Phone: 508/993-2494
- Falcetti Music - Sam
Falcetti - 1755 Boston Rd, Springfield, MA 01129
Phone: 413/543-1002
E-mail: peggyfalcetti@falcettimusic.com
- Rosita Lee Music - Roger
& Deedee Latulippe - 136 Lowell Rd, Hudson, NH 03051
Phone: 603/882-8940
Phone: roger@rositalee.com
- Miguel School of Music
- Donna Michael - Dracut, MA
Phone: 978/453-8272
E-mail: dmichael.massed@rcn.com
- Monte School of Music
- Paul Monte - 23 Priscilla Cir. - Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
Phone: 781/237-0554
E-mail: tagalong1@comcast.net
- Paolo Music - Robert
Paolo - 60 Venice Ave. - Johnston, Rhode Island 02919
Phone: 401/944-2895
- Ed Sac Music - Ed Saccoccia
- 2059 Cranston St. - Cranston, RI 02909
Phone: 401/942-6398
For further information please contact:
ATAM Contest Co-chairperson
Roger Latulippe
136 Lowell Road
Hudson, NH 03051
USA
Phone/Fax: 603/882-8940
E-mail: Roger
Latulippe
Additional Information and Press Information, please contact
Peggy Falcetti: peggyfalcetti@falcettimusic.com