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RETIRED PRIEST FINDS DIVINE JOY PLAYING THE ACCORDION
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9/18/2009 : Costa Mesa, CA---It’s a theoretical question, but Ignatius Militello takes it serious: after all, it’s his job. If Jesus walked the earth in mortal flesh today, would he play the accordion?
“Well, I’m not sure. He’d have to get the knack of opening and closing the bellows. That’s’ the hardest part. I’ve tried to teach many people who just can’t get it.” says Militello, a Catholic priest who will perform at “The Big Squeeze,” the 1st Orange County Accordion Festival slated for Sunday, October 11 at the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa, the weekend swap meet at the fairgrounds.
Fr. Militello surely isn’t the only ordained Catholic priest to play the accordion, or any musical instrument for that matter. But just to try to find another 86-year-old man of the cloth who plays as often, or joyously, as the Sun Valley resident.
He is a devoted member of the Accordionaires Club which meets monthly at Victorio’s Pizza in Burbank? where he often performs. He also plays at parties and, perhaps most important, plays for his fellow tenants at Villa Scalabrini, a Sun Valley home for retired Italian-Americans.
“I enjoy helping people both spiritually and musically,” Fr. Militello said, “and sometimes they go hand in hand. I thank God for the gift of music and I try to encourage everyone to play.”
Fr. Militello, a first generation Sicilian-American, was born in upstate New York and began playing the accordion as a boy mainly because his friend did. “He was my friend and a rival, so I thought I’d pick it up.”
He’s kept picking it up for the past 75 years, including performing at the New York City World’s Fair in 1939, through his college days at Toronto University and throughout his years in seminary school.
Fr. Militello’s ministry has led him to parishes across North America, from Monterey to Vancouver, British Columbia. But he’s always had ties to Southern California, whether ministering at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in downtown Los Angeles, or visiting his brother, a longtime resident. In 2003, he retired from the priesthood and now lives in Sun Valley.
His favorite songs are Italian folk songs, “the old, popular favorites that people always like to hear. I’m simple. I just like to entertain.”
He may underplay his accordion ability, but it’s impossible to underplay whom he studied from. He learned from a man who studied with the late Charles Magnante, considered the accordionist’s accordionist and to some the Godfather of the American accordion.
“You have everything in one, you truly are a traveling band,” Fr. Militello said, about why he enjoys playing the accordion. “You can’t bring a piano wherever you go, but an accordion is a whole orchestra in itself and it possesses that beautiful tone that people like. And the bellows, where the accordion sings, almost has a human sound. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Fr. Militello will be among more than 40 other accordionists and musicians, ranging in ages 8 to 91, showcasing a variety of music styles to demonstrate the squeeze box’s versatility and cross cultural appeal including Cajun, zydeco, folk, jazz, gypsy, French, German, tango, Russian, Tex-Mex, Latin, blues, rock and much more.
The Festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature four stages of accordion music and accordion based bands and orchestras. In addition there will be a section for specialty vendors in the Main Squeeze Stage area. Along with the Festival is the regular base of Market Place vendors, food operations and other attractions.
Though the talent is rich, the Accordion Festival will not put a squeeze on your wallet. All activities including entrance to the swap meet are included in the price of Market Place admission, which is $2 or FREE with a canned food item to help the Orange County Food Bank. Children 12 and under are free. A complete schedule for “The Big Squeeze” is available at the website www.ocmarketplace.com.
All attendees will have the opportunity to win a FREE Hohner Bravo 48 II accordion donated by Hohner USA. Free sign up to win the accordion, which is ideal for beginners, will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Big Squeeze information booth. The winner, who must be present to win, will be announced at 2:30 p.m.
In its 40th year the Orange County Market Place is held every weekend (except during the Orange County Fair) at the O.C. Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information on these events may be obtained by visiting www.ocmarketplace.com or calling 949-723-6660.
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