Joey Macerollo made it

Dear Editor
     Forty years ago in a small modest home on Morris Street in Guelph I was treated to a melody played by eight-year old Joey Macerollo on his accordion.
     At that time his accordion was almost as big as he was. The music that he produced convinced me that a bright future in the music world could be his to enjoy.
     Friday night April 2 my prediction became a reality as Mrs. Hales and I heard one of the world's pre-eminent concert accordion players, Joseph Macerollo, a native son of Guelph perform as the guest artist with the Toronto Symphony.
     What a thrill it was to hear him perform and to return on stage to acknowledge the many ovations he received from a full compliment of people that graced the Roy Thomson Hall.
     Joseph Macerollo is not only a musician but a performer, educator, and organizer. He is on the faculty of music at the University of Toronto, and Queens University in Kingston. He was won numerous awards and has represented Canada in two World Accordion Championships. He organized the International Accordion Celebration held in Toronto last week.
     We can all be justly proud of our native son, not forgetting his father and mother, Vince and Mary, who no doubt made many sacrifices in order for Joe to reach his goal.
ALF HALES