CAA Blog

The Connecticut Accordion Association's orchestra performed "Set The Stage and Jazz It Up" on October 28 to a LARGE, appreciative crowd at the Pequot Library in Southport, CT.  This encore event came about due to the efforts of Sandy Zera, who has been a dedicated volunteer at the library for years. The concert hall was decorated with posters featuring the history of the CAA as well as the accordion in general....a pictorial masterpiece! 

The orchestra, led by Peter Peluso, played jazz favorites and pieces from musical theater.  It featured CAA orchestra members Charles Fanghella and Brenda Hui as vocalists.  Riley Linkavicks, a vocal student of Peter Peluso's, also sang several numbers.  The audience recieved a dazzling performance of Rhapsody In Blue, featuring Maryjane Peluso on piano, backed by the CAA Orchestra.

All in all, this event was a huge success.  The concert was videotaped by dedicated CAA member Joseph Klettner.and pictures were taken at this event by Photographer/Artist Jordyn Holman.To watch the concert, go to our Videos page.

Click here to enjoy all the pictures from our concert!

Join the Connecticut Accordion Association Orchestra at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, CT on Saturday, December 2 from 2-4:00pm as we ring in, or shall I say, SQUEEZE in the Holiday Season!

Click on Our Events for details.

Set The Stage And Jazz It Up at the Pequot Library!

Join us at the Pequot Library on October 28 from 2-4:00 pm when the Connecticut Accordion Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Peter Peluso,will perform a variety of pieces from musical theater and classic jazz. Added to the repertoire will be Mary Jane Peluso on piano in a superb rendition of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.  Vocalists from within the orchestra will perform. Special guest vocalists will also grace the stage.

See the full flier with details here: https://www.ctaccordion.com/our-events

A great big THANK YOU to all of you who came to the Mattatuck on June 10 to hear the CAA orchestra in concert. Once again, it was a huge success thanks to the efforts of all of the orchestra members and our wonderful conductor, Peter Peluso.

The orchestra is poised to perform next at the Pequot Library in Southport on Saturday, October 28 at 2:00.  Details to come!

Did you know that any CAA member who plays accordion and reads music is eligible to play in the orchestra?  No experience playing in a large group? Come see what it's all about by watching a rehearsal in progress.  Our orchestra's rehearsal schedule will be posted on this website under ORCHESTRA.  If you are interested in coming to a rehearsal to watch, send Marilyn O'Neil an email at Marilyn@CTAccordion.com.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday, June 10 at 2:00 at the Mattatuck Museumin Waterbury! Click "Our Events" on the website for instructions as to how to pereregister. 

Unfortunately, we will not be participating in Make Music Day as planned on June 21, so be sure and remove it from your calendar if you planned on coming.

And don't forget to visit the American Accordionists' Association's website at ameraccord.com to get information on this year's Festival, which is taking place from July 12-16 in Conshohocken, PA.  

Welcome back to the CAA and watch for a new, updated website come to life soon, compliments of my wonderful, talented son, Tom! I've been saying right along, "it's so nice to have a GEEK around the house!"  Wasn't there a song that went like that?  LOLOLOLOL!

So, a lot has been happening behind the scenes with the Connecticut Accordion Association!  After too long of a break since Christmas, and thanks to a devoted sponsor, the Mattatuck Museum, our orchestra will be running at breakneck speed over the next several months beginning in June. Our next concert will take place on the concert stage at the Mattatuck Museum on June 10 at 2:00.  Details can be found by clicking Our Events here on the NEW website!

We plan to take part in Make Music Day Waterbury on June 21, again at the Mattatuck.  Weather permitting, we'll be outside for all of Waterbury to see and hear. If it rains, we'll be inside the beautiful museum.

We're taking the accordion to the kids at Waklee School in Wolcott on May 26!  Back by popular demand, we're performing for the student body for the second time.  Kids LOVE our instrument and we love to bring it back to youngsters....where it belongs.

A program introducing the accordion to children will take place this summer at the Mattatuck.  Details to come.

On October 28, our CAA Orchestra will perform in concert at the Pequot Library in Fairfield, CT.  We performed there last year to a packed house.  They want us back!!

Check back here regularly for updates!

The CAA Orchestra is performing at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury on December 10 from 2-4pm as part of a full day of family oriented programming.  This concert will feature a holiday theme.  Come to the museum for the day or just for the concert.  Check out the flier with details here under "Next Event." Also at the Mattatuck that day will be an exhibit of accordions compliments of Paul Ramunni and the New England Accordion Museum and Connection! Hope to ring in the holidays with all of you!

The Connecticut Accordion Association is hitting the road!  On October 8 at 2:00pm we're off to the Pequot Library, located at 720 Pequot Ave. in Southport, CT 06890 to perform under the direction of our esteemed Conductor, Peter Peluso.  Come hear us play at 2:00!  We'll be performing a wonderful selection of tunes that include Light Classics, Broadway, Jazz and Movie Themes. We really can do it all, folks!  The cost is $10.00 per person.  Age 12 and under can come FREE of charge.  Registration is encouraged, but you can also pay at the door.  

To preregister, visit the Pequot's website here: https://www.pequotlibrary.org/event/not-just-polkas-the-accordion-can-do-it-all/

Our concert last Sunday at the Mattatuck was a huge success! We had nearly 100 attendees and the crowd was enthusiastic and appreciative. Under the direction of Peter Peluso, our program consisted of Italian favorites, show tunes, soft rock and jazz and patriotic numbers. We had 4 vocalists ( 2 of them CAA orchestra members!!) and a fine young soloist to compliment our program.  But I'll stop writing about it.  Click  video section and watch the concert in full!!!

Many thanks to our loyal followers and to the newbies who came to see us in person.  A special thank you to our Conductor, Peter Peluso, who brings years of experience in musical theatre, choral conducting and vocal instruction.

The Connecticut Accordion Association's Orchestra will perform in concert on a beautiful outdoor rooftop veranda at the newly renovated Mattatuck Museum on June 12 from 2:00 to 4:00!  The Mattatuck is located across from the Waterbury Green.  If the weather doesn't allow us to perform outdoors, we will be performing indoors at the Mattatuck's  Performing Arts Center. If held indoors, covid related requirements will be followed.

It's been a long time since we've gathered and we're all very excited about this wonderful opportunity.  The Mattatuck has been so gracious in sponsoring this concert!!

"The Accordion Lives On!! The Mattatuck Celebrates Waterbury's Musical History"