FAQ’s

What is the New England Music Festival?

  • The New England Music Festival is an annual musical competition sponsored by the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM) established in 1962.
  • 2012 marks the 50th year for the event, which typically features more than 3000 entries and 800 contestants from all across New England.

Who can participate?

  • Participants must be students of ATAM member teachers.

What are the competition rules?

  • The following provides an overview of competition rules. Contact an ATAM school, studio, or teacher for additional information.
  • Contestant cut off age is 22 as of April 1, 2012.
  • All music must be memorized except snare solos, all duets and groups. If you are using music for a duet, please bring your own stand.
  • Time limits apply to music chosen by the students and teachers. See your teacher for guidelines.
  • Students must submit a clean copy of music to the judges in categories that apply. See your teacher for details.

Additional Competition notes

  • Please be sure to put identification on everything you bring: instrument, case, cord, music, etc.
  • All guitars will be tuned at the competition rooms for solos and behind the Grand Ballroom for groups. Each contestant must have his or her guitar tuned before playing and re-tuned each time they play. Please allow enough time for tuning, as this is most important.

What are the costs of participating?
Entry Fees

  • $15 ATAM Family Registration Fee includes one program book and souvenir. Students who are only in Battle of the Bands or Festival Group are not required to pay registration fee.
  • $15 All regular solos & evaluation
  • $10 per member of any group including duets.
  • $30 for Championship and Entertainment Solos
  • *All entry fees are non-refundable*

Additional Fees

  • Banquet tickets; Adults are $36 and Children are $18 for a four-course dinner with entertainment. The banquet begins at 7:00 on Saturday April 14th, 2012. Tickets may be purchased through your studio/teacher.

When is the registration cutoff date?

  • Each school has its own date to allow for timely registration and preparation. Please contact your teacher for cutoff dates

Where can I find a list of ATAM music schools or studios?

  • Please visit the ATAM Teachers page

What are some of the benefits of participating in the event?

  • In addition to the benefits of participating and competing with other musicians, cash prizes, trophies and scholarships are available.
  • Cash Prizes; There are cash prizes on upper level solos on all instruments.
  • Championship Categories have; $150 1st prize, $100 2nd Prize, $75 3rd Prize, $25 4th & beyond
  • Entertainment Solos; $150 1st Prize, $100 2nd Prize, $75 3rd Prize, $25 4th & beyond
  • Battle of the Bands;
  • 1st Prize Senior $150, 2nd Prize $125 and 3rd Prize $100
  • 1st Prize Intermediate $125, 2nd Prize $100 and 3rd Prize $75
  • 1st Prize Jr $100, 2nd Prize $75 and 3rd prize $50

Scholarships

  • The ATAM offers a $500 scholarship opportunity to graduating seniors in high school who are participating in the 2012 festival and are going to major in music. See attached file for scholarship form.

Trophies and Awards Banquet

  • All Championship Solo, Entertainment Solo, and New England Cup Solo trophies are awarded at the banquet Saturday evening.
  • Friday night Battle of the Bands trophies are awarded after each category. All other Friday night and Saturday trophies are awarded at the end of events on Saturday. Sunday trophies are awarded at the end of events on Sunday.
  • Piano trophies are awarded in the Commonwealth Ballroom on the 2nd floor and all other trophies are awarded in the Grand Ballroom on the 4th floor. Duplicate trophies for groups are sold during the awards ceremony in the Grand Ballroom. This is the ONLY time duplicate trophies are available.
  • Students who are unable to attend the awards should arrange to have someone attending pick up their trophy if they win.

Where can I get more information about the festival?

  • While these frequently asked questions attempt to provide as much information as possible about the event, your best source for information is an ATAM music school or studio.

For additional information about the Festival, please contact Co-Chairpersons Peggy Falcetti or Roger Latulippe.

Peggy Falcetti
500 Springfield St
Wilbraham, MA 01095
(413) 596-6940
peggyf1944@gmail.com

Roger Latulippe
136 Lowell Rd
Hudson, NH 03051
(603) 882-8940
rositaleemusic@comcast.net

Additional and Miscellaneous Information.

  • Audio & Video taping is permitted ONLY in the Grand Ballroom! Cell phones should be turned off and beepers put on vibrate in all competition rooms. Please do not take pictures of the contestants while they are performing.
  • Professional pictures will be taken of all groups in the Grand Ballroom and of individuals outside of the Grand Ballroom. These pictures will be available for purchase on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.
  • Please be courteous during performances and the competition.
  • Do not leave the room during performances.Please use the stairways as much as possible to avoid congestion in the elevators and unnecessary delays in the competition.
  • PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO WANDER ALONE