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Howard Kantorowski, well-known artist in San Diego, California, has performed and played on his accordion since April, 1961.

It was at the Robert Mitchell Accordion School of Music that Howard decided to begin his education on the accordion. In a matter of a few short years, he eventually made his way to the Western States Accordion Festivals, held annually in the southern California area, and quickly received 1st place trophies for solo in 1965, solo and duet in 1966, and solo, open solo, duet, and trio categories in 1967.

Turning professional at an early age, Howard entertained in many of San Diego’s restaurants and night clubs. He continued his musical instruction from Charles I. Bertolino at Bertolino’s Music Center, and his graduate instruction at San Diego State University with Maestro Donald Balestrieri, and world renowned musicologist, Dr. Jaroslav Mracek.

For his Master’s Thesis in music, Howard transcribed a piece for the accordion from the then composer-in-residence, Paul Creston, the Fantasy for Accordion and Orchestra, to wind ensemble.

Sections of this piece can now be heard at Howard’s website, at www.petosa.com. He received his M.A. degree in Music with an emphasis in music history, performed the piece with the San Diego State University Wind Ensemble, and graduated in 1982.

Earlier, he decided to enroll at Chapman University, where he received his M.A. degree in Special Education. He currently has been Department Chair and teacher for Special Education, in the La Mesa/Spring Valley School District, working at La Mesa Middle School, La Mesa, CA.

Upon graduating, Howard quickly reentered the field of entertainment, and began performing on a portable organ, electronic piano, and various vintage synthesizers. Eventually a brass musician convinced him into performing ethnic music from various European countries, and later, he became leader of the present band seen in the San Diego area, The Original German Band.

Howard has also transcribed on computer disks the piano and vocal scores of several well-known musicals. Each year, the Peter Pan Junior Theater has performed famous Broadway musical productions for the community of La Mesa. Howard’s contributions are twofold: he has recorded entire piano scores onto computer disk, which are then used as rehearsal tools for the students. Howard has also performed on synthesized bass in the orchestra, with the additional enhancement of electronic “sounds” and stringed instruments. Some of the musicals that were scored onto disk were “My Fair Lady,” “Oliver,” “The Music Man,” “Annie,” “Lil’ Abner,” and George Gershwin’s “Crazy For You.”

Howard has been seen performing and/or appearing with his accordion at the La Mesa Oktoberfest, San Diego Oktoberfest, The Roman Holiday Italian band, Starlight Theater San Diego, the ALSI monthly meetings in San Diego, CA., and in other groups whenever an accordion is needed. He has been an active member of the American Musicological Society since 1978, an active member of AFM Local 325 since 1969, a past/current member of ALSI (Accordion Lovers Society International), a member of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild International (ATG), a current member of The National Association of Music Education (MENC), and performs on his Petosa MIDI AM1100. Recordings are on-going at his website, at Petosa.com.