Welcome to the Silicon Valley Accordion Society website!
April 6 - Aurora Mandolin and Mike Zampiceni
The Aurora Mandolin Orchestra consists of more than 30 members with professional and amateur musicians playing mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar, string bass, accordion, flute and percussion, who travel from various parts of the Greater Bay Area for a weekly rehearsal. The uniqueness of this group is its varied repertoire and creative arrangements of folk music, semi-classical Italian, Spanish, Russian songs, popular "oldies", contemporary pieces (some taken from familiar musicals), excerpts from operas, and classical orchestra compositions written specifically for mandolin. They have played innumerable public appearances and are especially proud to have played at the San Francisco Symphony's festive opening night at Davies Hall in 1984, the Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park and Santa Clara University. You can view their website here: https://auroramandolin.org/
As a special treat, Mike Zampiceni will be accompanying them on his accordion! This will be a special show as they are all such great performers! Check out Mike's impressive credentials, you won't be disappointed with his performance.
Son of Joseph Zampiceni, noted accordion composer, publisher, teacher, and performer during the Golden Age of accordions, Michael Zampiceni was weaned on accordions as a youngster growing up in San Jose. Beginning studies at 8 years old, he was already playing for area parades and other events by age 11. By age 14, he advanced to his father's orchestra, playing either the accordion or drums.
While he was in junior high school, Mike joined the school choir, and others noted his pleasant voice and singing abilities, resulting in the pursuit of voice lessons at age 16. He eventually became a vocal major in the San Jose State music department with a secondary concentration in classical organ, and in 1971 received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music.
After teaching, performing, and selling keyboard instruments for several years, Mike decided to develop his concurrent writing skills and eventually become a Silicon Valley technical writer. He nevertheless continued to perform and teach as able.
After a 30-year career, he returned to his roots, and is now fully teaching and performing in the bay area. He has also been traveling around the country more recently, appearing at festivals as a featured performer, clinician, and adjudicator for the Leavenworth Accordion Festival, Accordionists and Teachers Guild, and Las Vegas Accordion Convention, as well being a featured artist at the 2018 Cotati Accordion Festival. Mike’s repertoire is broad and diverse, including American standards, European, Latin, classical, and jazz music.
Mike's website: https://www.mikezamp.com/
We love seeing them, please join if you can!
As a special treat, Mike Zampiceni will be accompanying them on his accordion! This will be a special show as they are all such great performers! Check out Mike's impressive credentials, you won't be disappointed with his performance.
Son of Joseph Zampiceni, noted accordion composer, publisher, teacher, and performer during the Golden Age of accordions, Michael Zampiceni was weaned on accordions as a youngster growing up in San Jose. Beginning studies at 8 years old, he was already playing for area parades and other events by age 11. By age 14, he advanced to his father's orchestra, playing either the accordion or drums.
While he was in junior high school, Mike joined the school choir, and others noted his pleasant voice and singing abilities, resulting in the pursuit of voice lessons at age 16. He eventually became a vocal major in the San Jose State music department with a secondary concentration in classical organ, and in 1971 received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music.
After teaching, performing, and selling keyboard instruments for several years, Mike decided to develop his concurrent writing skills and eventually become a Silicon Valley technical writer. He nevertheless continued to perform and teach as able.
After a 30-year career, he returned to his roots, and is now fully teaching and performing in the bay area. He has also been traveling around the country more recently, appearing at festivals as a featured performer, clinician, and adjudicator for the Leavenworth Accordion Festival, Accordionists and Teachers Guild, and Las Vegas Accordion Convention, as well being a featured artist at the 2018 Cotati Accordion Festival. Mike’s repertoire is broad and diverse, including American standards, European, Latin, classical, and jazz music.
Mike's website: https://www.mikezamp.com/
We love seeing them, please join if you can!
Please join us at the church (address below) and share the festivities with us! Bring your accordion and play for us if you can. Let one of the officers know to sign you up.
As of January 2023, we will not be holding Zoom meetings anymore. Thanks so much for your support on this decision. We hope you can join in person! Thank you for your continued support!
As of January 2023, we will not be holding Zoom meetings anymore. Thanks so much for your support on this decision. We hope you can join in person! Thank you for your continued support!
Our dedicated President Colette Ogata has done a great job leading us on this adventure during COVID and back. We are very happy to have her on board. Now we are going back to in-person performances at the church. We'll either have members or a member band play before any professional performers. Bring your accordion and play for us!
Silicon Valley Accordion Society
We'll meet in-person at the church where we were meeting before the COVID pandemic.
Christ Episcopal Church of Los Altos
1040 Border Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650-948-2151
Directions click here
Silicon Valley Accordion Society meetings are held the first Sunday of each month unless noted.
In-person meetings start at 1:30 with announcements and introductions. Performances start immediately after a break and raffle. This is usually around 3:30. We have club members play before the break. Bring your accordion and let one of the board members know if you are interested in playing for us.
We invite you to visit one of our meetings and listen to wonderful performances by our guests. Our members are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about SVAS and how you can join.
We value your feedback; send us your comments and suggestions. By building an effective web site, we hope to get our message out to a larger audience of people interested in the accordion.
Happy squeezing!
Pamela Kawashima
Webmaster of SVAS
email: pamk@svasociety.org
Christ Episcopal Church of Los Altos
1040 Border Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650-948-2151
Directions click here
Silicon Valley Accordion Society meetings are held the first Sunday of each month unless noted.
In-person meetings start at 1:30 with announcements and introductions. Performances start immediately after a break and raffle. This is usually around 3:30. We have club members play before the break. Bring your accordion and let one of the board members know if you are interested in playing for us.
We invite you to visit one of our meetings and listen to wonderful performances by our guests. Our members are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about SVAS and how you can join.
We value your feedback; send us your comments and suggestions. By building an effective web site, we hope to get our message out to a larger audience of people interested in the accordion.
Happy squeezing!
Pamela Kawashima
Webmaster of SVAS
email: pamk@svasociety.org