[Reprinted from the October 1957 Accordion World Magazine, Student's Accordion World section]

COVER STORY

Building Accordion Champs 
by Mickey Bisilia

SITUATION – The Year, 1957 – the Place – Lane Technical High School – the Time – 2 P.M. – the Event – Two Persons waiting the results of the National AAA Contest:

CONVERSATION – Who won? Jimmy Jones. Where’s he from? Chicago. See, I told you this contest was fixed. Our Bobby played much better than he did. Those judges must have tin ears, and I know that they can’t read music, because they weren’t even turning the pages while Bobby was playing. Furthermore, that Jimmy Jones cant possibly be 13 years old because 13-year olds don’t play that well. I’d surely love to see his birth certificate –  wait a minute – here comes another result: Wow, look here – our Sally won lst Place in the 14-year old division. Say, these judges are sure all right. They really know what they’re doing, after all. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to have a champion!

… this is the type of talk that goes on year after year in any type of contest. 

If the student wins, the judges are fine – if he loses, the judges are terrible. In my humble opinion, this is the attitude, which completely defeats future championships. You can’t always be a winner. Had my students, their parents, or myself, given up after a loss, there would be no Bisilia Accordion School!

I believe that one of the first steps in successful teaching is to personally screen your students for Natural Talent. I test a student’s coordination and hearing ability above everything. If they have these factors, then the next step is a well-organized and planned musical curriculum. One that exposes the student to all types of music, classical, pop, jazz, etc. I never overlook their mechanical deficiencies, which can best be corrected with some form of exercise – for which there are many, many fine books.

Three of my finest students are decidedly left-handers, who have responded tremendously to the “Art of Muscular and Finger Control” – by Frank Gaviani. However, I find that most student are bored to death with exercises, but will sit for hours working out a concerto movement or a jazz arrangement. I see nothing wrong in suiting an individual’s needs. Too many students fail because the teacher does not tailor the course to suit the student. I expose my good students to the finest classical and best jazz music that I can get my hands on. I saturate them with this material to their feeling and liking.

From there on, the Road is paved – and the student eventually becomes a fine musician first – and in most cases ends up by becoming a champion as well.

Outside musical activities and participation in contests are very important to the student. It keeps the interest of all people concerned, including teacher, at a very high pitch. So in summing up the makings of a champion, I would say that it is a four-way deal:

1st – a talented student
2nd – a competent, interested teacher
3rd – parental cooperation
4th – a fine instrument

Don’t forget, however, that the best players do not always win. If you lose, as a student or teacher, don’t despair – try again!

The slogan at our School is:

We Want to Win,
We Work to Win.
Should it not Happen,
We’ll try again.

Biography of Mickey Bisilia
Born in Canton, Ohio. 1918. Moved to Youngstown at age of 7. Started playing the accordion at 12, under the turtorship of Isabelle Irwin in Youngstown.

Having finished High School, he went to Los Angeles and was greatly influenced by Johnny Kiado and Milt Delugg. Made an intense study of classical music, never overlooking jazz. About 1937 Magnante became his idol and it was through the self-study of his recordings and writings that he made greatest progress.

Entered Air Corps in 1942 and was assigned as musical arranger of the Midland Air Force Band in Texas. Wrote both concert and swing arrangements for a group of 33 men.

After release from Army, returned to Youngstown and enrolled at Youngstown University, where he worked for his Bachelor of Music degree. About this time was hired as Dean of the Tee Ross Accordion School – a position that required the handling of some 800 - 1000 students. This experience prompted him to form his own Bisilia Accordion School in 1953.

In the last four years, 15 national championships have been won by his students.

Mickey places the accordion above everything in music, and although he believes the accordion is still in its infancy, he does believe that through the efforts of such artists as Magnante, Molinari, The Concert Trio, Art Van Damme, Leon Sash and many others, it is fast taking its place as a truly fine legitimate instrument.