"A Concert of Hope"
Saturday, April 17, 2004, 8:00 pm
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA
The Accordion Pops Orchestra
Daniel Desiderio, Conductor
Featuring Special Guests:
Classical Accordionist Carmen Carrozza
Tenor Rudolfo Veneziano
Piano Soloist Erin Dougherty
The K Trio
And an original composition by Stephen Senderoff,
who is living with ALS
Tickets: $45 and $55, available from
www.kimmelcenter.org/events/ (215-893-1999)
For additional information, contact info@alshopefoundation.org
This concert is supported by the generosity of Ramona and Frank Gwynn
The ALS Hope Foundation is a public charity operating as described in Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Donations are tax deductible. Check with your company to see if matching gifts are available.
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Graphics by Daniel Cavanaugh - WebPage Layout by Lenny Feldmann
Daniel J. Desiderio, Conductor
About The Conductor
Daniel J. Desiderio is one of the county’s foremost accordion artists.
Well know in the accordion field for his compositions and arrangements, Mr.
Desiderio has recorded on the Ampco and Cormark labels. He has concertized
throughout Europe, appearing at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Copenhagen’s
Radio House, Munich’s Congress Hall as well as New York’s Carnegie Hall, Town
Hall and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.
During his four year military service, he was featured soloist with the
Air Force Band and Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC. A former member of
the Board of Directors of the American Accordionist’s Association and one of
the founders and member of the Pennsylvania Accordion Teacher’s Association,
Mr. Desiderio began his formal musical training at the age of 9 with the late
Pietro Deiro, Sr. He also studied arranging and composition with Dr. William
Hoppich. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, he began his concert
career at age 17.
Mr. Desiderio presently preforms studio work in New York City as well as
concerts and private affairs in the Philadelphia area and New Jersey seashore
areas. He teaches accordion, piano and organ at his studio in Media,
Pennsylvania.
The Accordion Pops Orchestra was organized in 1970 by the Accordion Teachers
Association of New Jersey and performed at various community functions
throughout the state. At that time Dr. Jacob Neupauer of Philadelphia was the
conductor and the orchestra remained very active over the next ten years.
In 1980 the orchestra members took a leave of absence and the membership
was reorganized in 1984 under the direction of the late Eugene Ettore of
Livingston, New Jersey. In 1985, Daniel Desiderio of Philadelphia was invited
to act as a guest conductor of the orchestra and a few years later the A.T.A
of New Jersey appointed him as conductor in residence. The name of the
orchestra was formally changed to the Accordion Pops Orchestra and its
membership expanded to include performers from Connecticut, Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, as well as the original New Jersey members.
The only professional accordion orchesrta of its kind on the East Coast,
the Pops Orchestra’s entire instrumentation is that of accordions, with the
exception of percussion instruments. Utilizing scores from a full symphonic
orchestra, the orchestra is divided into four parts: woodwinds, strings,
brass and bass. The resulting sound is unique. Many of the pieces of music
performed need to be transcribed to accommodate the range of the accordion.
While some symphonic pieces have accordion transcriptions available, most of
the music the orchestra performs needs to be condensed and modified into the
range of the accordion. The orchestra has drawn on the talents of the
conductor and its members for this arduous task.
The thirty-five member orchestra performs a repertoire of Light
Classical, Broadway, Big Band and popular music. They have entertained
audiences at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, Cape May and Ocean City,
New Jersey, numerous County Fairs, the Rose Tree Festival in Media,
Pennsylvania as well as the Italian Festival in Wilmington, Delaware. Most of
the members are professional performers and accordion teachers.
The versatility of the accordion makes it capable of producing any type of
music. Contemporary groups such as Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen have
featured the accordion and it has become an important addition to the
increasingly popular sounds of Cajun and Reggae music.
The accordion is a self-contained instrument with rhythmic, harmonic,
melodic and acoustic qualities. It’s portability makes it an ideal instrument
for entertainment.
Additionally, the Accordion Pops Orchestra features soloists, duos and
ensembles from the group as well as guest artists including vocalists and
instrumentalists. The orchestra is available for concert performances
throughout the year.
For Information And Reservations Call:
Rosemarie Cavanaugh (732)257-8198
Questions? email Rosemary
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