The Free-Reed Journal
Articles and Essays Featuring Classical Free-Reed Instruments and Performers

The Accordion in College

ACCREDITED SCHOOLS ALLOWING ACCORDION AS A MAJOR INSTRUMENT

(If you know others, please send in the information)

NEW YORK CITY --

Julliard School of Music
Henry Street Settlement Music School
Robotti Accordion Academy
Columbia University Teachers College

CHICAGO --
Chicago Musical College (Andy Rizzo, Instructor at all Chicago schools, except CSM)
De Paul University
Cosmopolitan School of Music
Midwestern Conservatory
Chicago Conservatory
Chicago School of Music
Central Conservatory of Chicago
Loyola University

BOSTON --

Frank Gaviani Piano Accordion School

TOLEDO --

Trick Brothers Accordion School

MICHIGAN --

Michigan State College, East Lansing

DETROIT --

Detroit Conservatory of Music (Lari Holzhauer)
University of Detroit (Frank Cosenza)

NEWARK --

Nunzio Accordion School

WATERBURY, CONN --

Mecca Accordion School

OKLAHOMA --

Oklahoma City College, (Louis Ronchetto)

NOTE: -- Criterion in judging whether schools should be on this list is: Is this school authorized to teach GI's under the GI Bill?

This list hasn't grown much since Oklahoma City University recognized the accordion through Ronchetto, back in 1936. The previous year, Capitol University of Columbus, Ohio, had been the first college to recognize the Accordion.

We'd like to see this list grow. If you know of any other recognized colleges which recognize the accordion either as a major or minor, write to us at 20 East Jackson, Chicago, giving details.


Comments by Henry Doktorski: This list by an anonymous compiler was reprinted in its entirety from the June 1948 issue of Accordion World (New York). I am very curious about the listing (at the top of the list) for the Julliard School. Who taught accordion there? Who studied there? How long did the program continue? Why is this fact not mentioned in subsequent Accordion World issues?

This is all news to me. I think I'll send a letter to the school asking for more details. If this is indeed true, it would make a great story in itself. However, I suspect it was simply wishful thinking on the part of Accordion World magazine.


The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. staff gratefully acknowledges volunteer Patrick Kiley, who assisted in the production of this article, as well as Stanley Darrow and his comprehensive American Accordion Musicological Society Library.

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