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 Greetings
to everyone and thank
you for visiting the ATG website.
What a winter we have had here in the Midwest. It is one which I cannot
help but wish to be over and gone. In the meantime it is a good time to
attend musical events and catch up on the reading as well as practicing
a bit and trying to learn something new. It is interesting how research
is continually reminding all of us that we must try new tasks and solve
new problems as a means of challenging our brains and our bodies to be
at their best; it becomes increasingly necessary as we age…and just
who is not aging!
This brings me to my personal invitation to you to attend the June 12-15
ATG Festival in Nashville, TN at the Hotel Preston. One of the reasons
is because I know you will not only have a good time meeting your long-time
accordion friends, but you will also have the chance to make new ones
as well. You will also have the great opportunity to listen to much wonderful
accordion music, both solo and group performers, hear new ideas especially
for accordion players, and participate in performance groups such as the
ATG Festival Orchestra and the opening workshop scheduled for Thursday
evening entitled Reinforcing Elements of Music Through Movement and Dance.
This will have some live accordion, banjo and guitar music with polkas,
jigs, and reels and also some honest-to-gosh Nashville Bluegrass "Pickin'
and Grinnin'" music and dancing.
Immediately before that energy-packed session, you are invited to the
ATG Open Meeting for All Members and after the workshop, plan to stay
for the first of the social hours for everyone to mingle and have a fun
time together.
All of us need to be inspired by the marvelous playing of other accordionists;
I promise you will not only be inspired, but motivated, challenged, and
energized many times during the festival. There will be numerous interesting
workshops where all of us will learn something new to go home and try.
There will also be music of all levels and types plus a huge variety of
CDs to purchase. If you want to have your performance abilities assessed,
and have some private tips given to you regarding your playing, you will
have those opportunities, too, by entering the Evaluation Categories.
No pressures in those, just a chance to have a one-on-one evaluation of
your playing. For those of you who are teaching, encourage your students
to participate in the competitions which include all levels and ages,
with categories of interest to all. Win or lose, students benefit greatly
from these competitions, as do their teachers and parents! You must tell
them, however, about these benefits and about the Festival. My past experience
has shown a growth in student enrollment, too, and never a loss! Festivals
are truly a "win-win" situation in all regards.
The Nashville June 12-15, 2008 ATG Festival will be an outstanding musical
experience for all accordionists. Put the dates on your calendar now and
be sure to read all details about the Festival both in the ATG Bulletin
as well as on this ATG website which will be updated regularly.
As all of you are aware, the ATG co-sponsored the August 2007 Coupe Mondiale
held in Alexandria, VA. The Confédération Internationale
des Accordéonistes has recently sent a letter to the ATG expressing
its thanks for our organization's efforts in helping make this the largest
accordion event in USA history. Specifically mentioned was ATG Member
of the Board of Directors, Faithe Deffner, 2007 CIA Honorary Vice-President
and Coupe Mondiale organizer, for her outstanding efforts in organizing
this milestone event. Congratulations to Faithe, once again, for her Herculean
efforts and year-long preparations on behalf of all accordionists, the
CIA members, AAA and ATG. (The ATG presented its Hall of Fame Award to
Faithe Deffner at the Gala Banquet held during the Coupe Mondiale as a
measure of this appreciation for her work.)
The ATG invites you, whatever your personal interest in the accordion,
to become a member of the organization. It is only through the participation
and support of many people that such events as the 2007 Coupe Mondiale
may be sponsored. It is also only with your support that our yearly summer
Festival may be held. You do not need to be a teacher or a professional
player to join the ATG. The ATG hopes to serve you by providing accordion
activities for students, teachers and both professional and amateur players.
Please contact me personally at any time for any particular ATG information
you may need.
My sincere best regards to all; I look forward to seeing you in Nashville,
if not before.
Most Sincerely,
Joan Cochran Sommers, President
The Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International
E-mail: Sommersj@umkc.edu
Telephone: (913) 722-5625
2312 West 71 Terrace
Prairie Village, KS 66208-3322, USA
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