ATG Mission
As an international musical organization, the mission of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild (ATG) International, is to promote, sustain, and create visibility/viability for the accordion in its many forms through stellar teaching paradigms, competitive and non-competitive performance opportunities (both solo and ensemble accordion and/or integration with other instruments); resulting in the development of students, performers, and composers with consistently high levels of artistry, able to compete with any other instrument in any venue on any level in the large universe of music.
In this quest, support and camaraderie with the
Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) world accordion association, as well as global manufacturers and publishers is essential.
Our goal is not only to achieve these successes with currently active accordionists and artists, but to nurture, develop, and grow subsequent generations of aspiring accordionists to continue these successes into the future on this great instrument.
The ATG has sponsored the Accordion Conference Week at the famous National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, and has worked with the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) which is part of the National Association of Education. In addition, the ATG has sponsored several International Competitions for Accordion Soloists as well as composition competitions. The ATG has also commissioned numerous compositions for the accordion by such composers as Alan Hovhaness, Ole Schmidt, Torbjorn Lundquist, Francis Pyle, and Ernst Krenek.
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The annual festival is held in a different location each year and students, teachers and enthusiasts travel from all parts of the United States and abroad to attend this event. The emphasis is on excellence with competitions for all ages including adult hobby. Categories include solo, original compositions, polkas, duets, pop duets and combos, ensembles, orchestras, and show bands. Other events include a banquet for all participants, workshops, displays, a grand concert and other special activities providing the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with fellow accordionists from around the world.
All ATG members are encouraged to share ideas and new concepts and support fellow members' efforts. The accordion has made much progress in the field of music education since the inception of the ATG and all of these accomplishments directly benefit each member of the organization.
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The ATG is proud of the prestige and respect it has gained in the accordion world and the field of music education. This accomplishment has been achieved through years of building an organization that strives to maintain an ethical and progressive standard of excellence.
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ATG History
The Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) was established in 1940 by a group of 29 founding members (including ATG President Emeritus, the late Anthony Galla-Rini) with the purpose of furthering the progress of the accordion by improving teaching standards, music, and all phases of music education.
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The ATG is strictly a nonprofit, noncommercial, educational organization and is governed by the teacher members and accordion professionals.
The ATG has presented many important seminars, lectures and concerts in conjunction with its annual competition and festival and has brought the accordion to the attention of many top musicians and music educators across the country. The ATG has also been instrumental in promoting the acceptance of free bass accordion into several important universities and colleges where students may work toward a degree with accordion as their major instrument.
The ATG members elect officers every two years and the Board of Directors also serve a two-year term. Fifty percent of the Board is selected by membership vote and the remaining fifty percent is selected by the President. A quarterly Bulletin is published and sent to all members. Additional Bulletins may be published when deemed necessary by the organization.
In 1951 Anthony Galla-Rini successfully petitioned the ATG as a member the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) during the General Assembly in Paris, France. Since then, the ATG has sent many participants to the CIA Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships including three who won this prestigious competition: Donald Hulme in 1961, John Torcello in 1972, and Peter Soave in 1984.