21st Annual Festival and Symposium - AAMS 2008 FESTIVAL - March 7 - 9, 2008 Dolce Valley Forge formerly - Valley Forge Hilton) 251 West DeKalb Pike Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19406 Reservation Information Competition Entry Form Festival Registration Form Festival Flyer Directions to Hotel Honorees
Mario Tacca dazzles audiences across the US and around the world with his unmatched virtuosity on the Accordion and his consistently exciting interpretations of music from the International repertoire to the classics to pop. Mario Tacca was born in Italy. Later during his childhood, he moved to the Alsace Lorraine region of France where he began his musical studies. While in France, he was the winner of many regional and national accordion competitions. He went on to become a World Champion, winning the World Cup of Italy, the Grand Prix of Paris, the US National competition and the International Accordion competition held at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
This year’s honoree is Rik Kaplan of Washington, DC. He is being recognized not for a particularly distinguished musical career, but his enthusiastic support for this organization; cheerful volunteerism; and promoting respect for the “established” participants with inspiration for the younger. Rik graduated from George Washington University, with study at Berklee & MIT. Keeping active in music (primarily for dance and theatre) he made his primary vocation in network level engineering at the Mutual Broadcasting System and, since 1979, at National Public Radio, at both their headquarters in Washington DC. Using equipment & skills from his broadcast and audio production background, Rik has provided sound reinforcement and A/V support for individuals; ensembles; and orchestra’s throughout the festivals. He reminds the AAMS that the world of Folk music and non-written accordion music has much value, which can supplement (not compete with) the more traditional conservatory-style education. He’s shared songs and techniques with a concentration on Melodeons as used in the Cajun/Creole/Zydeco music of Southwest Louisiana. Passing on this info is homage to those kind enough to teach him as well as the elders of the genres who never got to benefit personally (either financially or by Mainstream acceptance). As a gift to the symposiums, Rik has produced many Friday evening concerts presenting local; regional; national; and international artists. The goal was to entertain early arrivals; present dramatic context for the genres & techniques he promoted; as well as showcase certain artists and musicians who might not otherwise have the opportunity to perform their dance music for such an academic audience. Conference guests may recall the Tango music of Hector Del Curto; the Cajun & Zydeco of Geno Delafose; Andre Thierry; Zcrayz; Tom Tonon (with the world début of his "BluesBox" poly-reed pitchbending invention); as well as the multi-culti modern repertoire of Kraig Greff with The Crawdaddies. He has been keen on inspiring the youngest of the attendees, showing them that despite the anxiety of performance and competition, there can be a great deal of Joy in playing less structured community oriented unwritten & improvised music. He hopes to further support Joanna Arnold Darrow’s involvement in the Musikgarten program. Previous AAMS Honorees:
AAMS Festival  Location:
(formerly Valley Forge Hilton
formerly INN at Valley Forge) 251 West DeKalb Pike,
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406
Tel: 1-610-337-1200 Fax: 1-610-337-1959
THE LARGEST GUESTROOMS OF ANY HOTEL IN THE AREA, WITH TRADITIONAL STYLE FURNITURE, COMPLIMENTRY WIRELESS HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS, WEB TV WITH NINTENDO GAME SYSTEM,COFFEE MAKER, HAIRDRYERS, IRON/BOARDS AND COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLED WATER
The group rate is $96.00 single or double occupancy, plus taxes. Please make your reservations by February 6, 2008 to guarantee the rate and availability. Any reservations received after this date will be honored on a space available basis at the prevailing corporate rate.  
• Enter Competitions Click Here for Festival Registration Form
***Festival Orchestra will be working out of the North East "Squeez-in" Band Book.
AMERICAN ACCORDION
MUSICOLOGICAL SOCIETY GUIDELINES MARCH 7,8,9, 2008 2008 FESTIVAL MARCH
7,8,9, 2008 ALL CATEGORIES: Memorization is not required in this festival. It is at the adjudicator’s discretion if he
or she wishes to award additional points for memorization. Judges copies are required for all Solo, Duet
and Ensembles. EVALUATION (solo/duet/ensemble) Honoring Msg. Stanley
Kloskowski Will be done privately between the
performer, adjudicator and possibly the immediate family. All participants receiving a score of 75 or
more will receive an award. GUEST ARTIST EVALUATION (solo/duet) Sponsored by Bugari Accordion Co. Is a special evaluation-lesson session with
one of the festival’s guest artist adjudicators.
(Certificates Awarded) FREE BASS (solo) Entries will be treated as
competition or evaluation., depending on the festival
chairpersons decision. Competition Awards would be 1st
,2nd , & 3rd
place trophies. As an evaluation category. (awards-see evaluation) DUET CATEGORIES Sponsored by Baffetti
Accordion Company AVAILABLE FOR PRIMARY/ ELEMENTARY/ INTERMEDIATE &
& ADVANCED. IN ALL DUET
CATEGORIES – EACH MEMBER OF THE 3 WINNING TEAMS WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY
BAND CATEGORIES
Sponsored by Weltmeister Accordion Company -
Each member of a winning ensemble receives a ribbon representing their placement.. Band entries are grouped into Evaluation, Group 1,2,3 and Combo Please call for any specifics. CASH AWARD SOLO CATEGORIES: Ethnic Categories: Sponsored by Music Magic Elementary A, B,
and C: leveling by age and advancement Intermediate, Advanced and Senior: leveling should be compared to the level of
test piece music for the cash award levels. All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
receive a trophy! CASH AWARDS to Elementary
A, B, C-------------------- $10.00
per category Intermediate--------------------------- $25.00 Advanced----------------------------- $50.00 Senior--------------------------------- $75.00 Ettore Memorial Test Category: In Honor of Eugene Ettore – sponsored by Accordion ConnectionThese categories are open to
all levels and ages. Group 1 level is
below Topsy Turvy. Group 2 is Spring Time. TEST PIECE REQUIRED – Any E. Ettore composition. AWARDS:
Group 1____________Group 2 1st $40.00 + Trophy…….$50.00 + Trophy…..$55.00+ Trophy 2nd $20.00 + Trophy…….$25.00 + Trophy…..$30.00+ Trophy 3rd $15.00 + Trophy… ....$20.00
+ Trophy…..$25.00+ Trophy Festival
Categories: sponsored byHohner Accordion Co., Bugari
Accordion Co., Petosa Accordion Co., and Dr. Louis Persic. These are
not test piece categories, however the listed compositions are a guid as to difficulty level. Preparatory Level: This category is
designed for the young student. Difficulty Level: Fast Train AWARDS 1st------------------------------------$20.00
+ award 2nd-------------------------------------------- -----$15.00 +
Trophy 3rd---------------------------
--------$10.00 + Trophy Elementary Level: This category is designed for the young
student. Difficulty Level: Velocity Waltz AWARDS 1st------------------------------------------------- $25.00
+ Trophy 2nd------------------------------------------ $20.00 + Trophy 3rd----------------------------- $15.00 + Trophy Intermediate Level: This category is designed for the teen and
inexperienced adult. Difficulty Level: Red
Hot, White Hot
AWARDS 1st----------------------- $50.00 + Trophy 2nd--------------------- $25.00 + Trophy 3rd
------------------- ----$10.00 + Trophy Advanced
Level: 1 and 2 This
category is suited to the adult student who is at least a Palmer-Hughes Book Level
6 and is NOT
virtuoso caliber. (Teens may be included
if their level is appropriate). Difficulty Level: Roman
Overture AWARDS - same as Intermediate Level Festival Champion Solo NO TEST PIECE REQUIRED Difficulty Level: This is the highest category
of the competition. Contestants must
perform a selected test piece and choice program of music. Choice music should not exceed 15 minutes in
length. Two sets of judges’ copies are
required. Each entrant will be given
20 minutes to settle on stage, give their entire presentation, and to depart
the stage. There is no need for any
communication between the contestant and the audience or the adjudicators. The Room Captain will do all announcing and
will signal the entrant to approach the stage.
There is no need to wait for signals to begin each piece. Entrant should go from piece to piece at
their own pace, while keeping in mind their total 20-minute time limit. AWARDS 1st----------------- $200.00 + Trophy 2nd ---------------- $150.00 + Trophy 3rd
----------------- $100.00 + Trophy GUIDE LINE
LEVELS: These are not test pieces, but suggestions
that the instructor should select a composition comparable to the level of
difficulty listed for the respective category.
AAMS: All entries and completed
paperwork concerning the 2007 A.A.M.S. Festival should be mailed to the above
address ONLY. Do not utilize the address in
Pitman. Thank you The A.A.M.S. is not responsible for theft or damage of personal effects, including but not limited to musical instruments, should any occur during these events. . The A.A.M.S. is not responsible for any bodily injury sustained during these events, should any occur
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