Festival Frequently Asked Questions:

What exactly is the ATG Festival?
The 2025 ATG Festival is a multi-day event that allows accordionists from around the world to get together for workshops, concerts, competitions, masterclasses, meals, exhibits, vendors and the opportunity to play in a large accordion orchestra (the Festival Orchestra). The ATG will bring in the best accordionists from around the world for evening concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.   Click here to see this year's guest artists.

What is the daily schedule like?
Your day will consist of attending workshops, master classes, viewing competitions, networking with other accordionists, and enjoying the occasional daytime concert. Our vendors provide the added benefit of trying out new accordions and shopping for sheet music and CDs. If you choose to be part of the Festival Orchestra, rehearsals are held daily from Thursday-Saturday. Luncheons are provided on both Thursday and Saturday, with a banquet on Friday night.  Each evening ends with a fantastic concert at Wheaton College.  Click here to check out the guest artists.
 
Where and when is the festival being held?  
The festival is being held at the Sheraton Hotel in Lisle, Illinois (Southwest of Chicago).  Evening concerts will be held at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.    The festival begins at 9:00 am on Thursday morning (July 17th, 2025), so we recommend that you arrive on Wednesday.  The festival ends with a farewell party after the Saturday night concert on July 19th.
 
I attended last year's festival.  What's different this year?
- The festival this year will be one day shorter that last year. 
- Festival actvities begin on Thursday morning with a social event and information fair on Wednesday night. 
- The festival will include 2 lunch buffets this year on Thursday and Saturday as well as the Friday night dinner. 
- If you book your hotel through the ATG website, it will include free breakfast each morning of the festival. 
- There will be new master classes this year and a new evaluation category 
- We will use a group texting service in order to be able to text all attendees any important information or changes
- There will be a Galla-Rini historical exhibit featuring some of the original handwritten Galla-Rini arrangements recently aquired by ATG through the generosity of the Donald Balestrieri estate. 
- While the concerts will be held at Wheaton College, festival orchestra rehearsal will be held in the hotel ballroom so that only one trip per day is required to Wheaton College for the eveneing concert.  

What is the cost of the festival?
If you plan to attend the entire festival, the Full Package is your best option ($450 for ATG Members).  It includes everything listed in the left hand column of the chart below  (Note: The chart is not visible on the mobile version of this page).  Youth competitors get everything for free except for meals (which can be purchased individually).  Families of youth competitors can purchase a family package for $50 which works like the youth competitor package.















Does the festival price include the hotel?
No.  You will need to book the hotel separately.  ATG has reserved a block of rooms and has also negotiated a rate that includes breakfast every morning.  Please use this link to book your hotel.

Is there a discounted rate for members?
Yes!  ATG members receive $45 off the cost of festival registration as shown in the chart above.
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What is included in the festival package price?
Nightly concerts at Wheaton College, 2 Lunch Buffets (Thursday & Saturday), Friday night gala banquet, Workshops, Master Classes, Festival Orchestra participation, Competition Viewing, Wednesay night information fair and social with cash bar, Galla-Rini historical exhibit, Festival souvenir program.  If you are staying at the hotel, free breakfast is included.
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What if I want to bring my family of non-accordionists?
There is a special discounted festival package rate of $395 for spouses/significant others.  There will also be special youth pricing.  See the pricing chart above.
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How do competitions work at the fesetival?
​Please refer to the ATG Competition Page. 

Are competition fees included in the cost of the festival?
No.  Competition fees are in addition to the festival package pricing.  Note, however, that youth competitors receive special pricing for the festival.

How do I sign up for the festival?​
You can Register for the festival at this link.
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What if I only want to go to the evening concerts?
There will be a link on the ATG website for purchase of individual concert tickets.  If you purchase a festival package the concerts are included as part of that package.  You only need to buy individual concert tickets if you did not purchase a festival package.  The evening concerts are open to the general public.  More information to come.
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How can I get from the festival hotel location to Wheaton College for the evening concerts?
If you have your own car, parking at the hotel is free, and parking at Wheaton College is free.  The ATG will also be offering transportation to festival attendees in the form of a shuttle or bus from the hotel to Wheaton College.  The bus will travel to each evening concert and will travel to Wheaton College on Saturday in time for the orchestra dress rehearsal.  You will need to purchase a bus pass during registration for $79.

Is the bus included in the pacakge?
NO.  You need to purchase a bus pass for $79 during the registration process if you plan to take the bus..

What is the festival orchestra?
Festival Orchestra Page
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How do I sign up for the festival orchestra?
You can reserve your seat for the festival orchestra at this link.  Note that you must also eventually purchase a festival registration in order to play in the orchestra.  Only festival attendees can play in the orchestra. 
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Does it cost extra to sign up for the festival orchestra?
No.  Participation in the festival orchestra is included in the price of your festival pacakge. 
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What if I only want to play in the festival orchestra, but not attend the festival?
​Festival orchestra participation is only open to festival attendees.