CAA Blog

Unfortunately, there were issues with yesterday's Creosote live stream concert.  I just received this link from Gabe Rodrigues.  It contains the concert in its entirety.

Here's the link:

https://youtu.be/oDTU29vTxpo

We're making our way through this pandemic, folks! Join us for our first online event next Sunday, July 26 at 3:00!  I'm proud to present 2 fine young award winning accordionists, Gabe Rodrigues and Jamie Maschler as they introduce us to the music of Brazil along with original pieces.  Check out the details under Next Event here on the website.

As we move forward, the CAA will be featuring other artists, either in concert or in workshops.  We have fresh young accomplished accordionists as well as "seasoned" professionals.  Check this site for details as we move forward.

Come to the Plainville Public Library on March 5 at 7:00pm!

CAA Orchestra Conductor Peter Peluso will be delivering a lecture-recital tracing the accordion from the early 1900s and throughout the golden age to the present. Pieces from ethnic, jazz, classical repertory as well as compositions written for the instrument will be performed. This program has been endorsed by the CAA.

As all of you know, we are so lucky to have a fantastic conductor for our CAA Orchestra.  Our Peter Peluso was recently featured on Nutmeg TV.  He performed on a show called Christine's Corner. Watch Peter's performance in its entirety here....

Bravo, Maestro!!! You do us proud!

Our Holiday Concert was a huge success! Thanks to all of you who came to see the CAA Orchestra live in concert! For those of you who couldn't make it, watch the video, beautifully taped by Joe Klettner.  Many thanks to Joe for his efforts!

You can access the video by going to the Videos section on the website, or click here.

Stay tuned for our next CAA Event, which will take place in March!

The Summer will soon be over.  It was filled with the sound of the accordion for all of us who attended the annual AAA festival in Valley Forge. We attended workshops, concerts, watched competitions, participated in a festival orchestra, hosted 2 groups just for young accordionists, performed at the King of Prussia Mall.....and created wonderful memories with cherished accordionists from all over the country. We watched and heard some of the best young accordionists perform, including our own Nathan Chapeton!

Our CAA concert at  Gloria Dei was a huge success! Many thanks to all of you who came out to support the CAA orchestra. And a special thank you to our Conductor, Peter Peluso.  We dedicated our concert to our beloved Bob Siarkowski, who I trust was with us in spirit....as he always will be.

But now it's time to look to our future.  The Waverly Tavern is currently unavailable to us.  So we are actively seeking other venues for our gatherings.  I will keep everyone posted as we search alternatives.  In the meantime.......I've come up with a fitting alternative:

Fall is filled with fairs in CT.  And I have been very privileged to become part of a very interesting band called Whitebeard's Bretheren Hoard.  We performed for Make Music Day in Waterbury on June 21 of this year, and we will be performing on the Main Stage at the Cheshire Fall Festival on Saturday, September 14 from 1:30-2:15.  Voila! You'll all finally get to see and hear your illustrious and rather illusive President play the accordion in a pop/rock band!  The band has a pirate theme and our Captain, Leo Lavallee is an accomplished, multi-talented musician, recording artist and composer.  Come join us at the fall festival and support the accordion, remembering the times when accordions were part of EVERY live band.  Let's bring it back where it belongs! This event will take the place of our regularly scheduled September Gathering.

Bob Siarkowski: July 18, 1936  -  May 13, 2019

In loving memory of Bob Siarkowski, a supreme ambassador of all things accordion, a man who gave his life to his music and who gave his time and talent to the Connecticut Accordion Association.

We will miss you, Bob.

The CAA is proud to announce its affiliation with the American Accordionists' Association is alive and "squeezing!"

Our next event, scheduled for April 28 at 2:00 at the Waverly Tavern in Cheshire, is a major joint effort. AAA Board Members Don Gerundo and Ray Oreggia are putting together a fantastic slideshow about the great Charles Magnante!  Live performances by AAA President Joe Ciccone, immediate AAA Past President Mary Tokarski, CAA orchestra Conductor Peter Peluso, along with fantastic young accordionists Will Comer and Nathan Chapeton will grace the program.

And best of all....members of the Magnante Family will be there to honor their Uncle.  We will extend a warm welcome to Frank Magnante and Joanne Magnante Livolsi.

Click on Next Event for the details!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL BEFORE APRIL 25 AND RSVP SO YOUR SEAT WILL BE RESERVED!!!

THERE WILL BE A DESSERT BUFFET FOLLOWING THE FORMAL PROGRAM.  IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY LUNCH, YOU MAY DO SO IN THE WAVERLY'S RESTAURANT PROPER PRIOR TO THE PROGRAM.

Hey Everyone!

With the holidays long past us now, I'm excited to announce that we have some fantastic programs planned for the next several months! Mark your calendars for March 31, April 28 and June 8!

March 31: Accordion Stories From The Heart

Mr. Paul Ramunni, founder of the privately-operated New England Accordion Connection & Museum Company in Canaan, CT, will share stories from his new book, perform several accordion songs, and answer questions from attendees. Books will be available for purchase along with the author’s autograph before and after the mini-concert.

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM,
Place: Waverly Tavern, 286 Maple Ave., Cheshire, CT
Cost: $5.00 CAA Members, General Public, $10.00, Under 16, FREE

April 28: Remembering A Legend: Charles Magnante

The Connecticut Accordion Association and the American Accordionists’ Association join to honor one of the greatest accordion artists of all time. A visual presentation along with solo performances of Charles’ Magnante’s works by seasoned accordion artists as well as young talent will grace this program. Members of the Magnante family will be honored guests. A dessert buffet will follow the formal program. RSVP Required: Call 203-272-1202 by Friday, April 26

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: Waverly Tavern, 286 Maple Ave.,Cheshire, CT 
Cost: $15.00

June 8: Home... Celebrating American Composers

The Connecticut Accordion Association Orchestra, conducted by Peter Peluso, and the Plainville Choral Society will perform songs by famous American Composers. Celebrate “our home” with this full accordion orchestra, a fantastic choral group and solo performances by some of the finest senior and new, young accordion artists in the United States.

Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Place: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 355 Camp St., Bristol, CT 06010
Cost: $10.00

Thanks to everyone who came to our gathering at the Waverly on October 21! What a thrill it was to hear Mary Tokarski and her student, Nathan Chapeton.  They had just returned from the Coupe Mondiale in Lithuania, where Nathan competed in the Junior Virtuoso category. He played his program for us.

We are so proud of you, Nathan! Hearing Mary is nothing short of breathtaking!

Check out our next event!  Our Holiday Concert, entitled "Seasonal Melodies and Other Songs" featuring the CAA Orchestra will be held at the Mattatuck Museum at 2:00 on Saturday, December 1! Many thanks to the Mattatuck for sponsoring this event. Come see the accordion at its best under the direction of Peter Peluso.