You can hear the sound of music from inside a suburban hotel ballroom at the 78th annual Accordion Festival in Lisle.<\/b>
\nCHICAGO (CBS) \u2014 The accordion. Did you know people still play it?
And not just the beer barrel polka.
You can hear the sound of music from inside a suburban hotel ballroom at the 78th annual Accordion Festival in Lisle.
84-year-old Joan Sommers is the conductor. She leads dozens of musicians pushing, pulling and pressing their instruments who make up the orchestra.
They\u2019re busy rehearsing for Saturday night, when they\u2019re the stars of the festival. No messing when Ms. Sommers is up front, with baton in hand.
\u201cI do take it seriously,\u201d said Sommers. \u201cIf you want people to grow, you have to ask them to improve. They can\u2019t improve if they play at the same level. You have to challenge them and make them better.\u201d
Down the hall, workshops, competitions and informal playing take place.
Nick Ballarini grew up in Chicago, and now the accordion is his career.
\u201cPicture a bunch of harmonicas inside. These keys open the valves,\u201d said Ballarini.
\u201cIf you press the button, it doesn\u2019t work unless you pull it,\u201d said Troxell.
Back in the big ballroom, Sommers continues her coaching and conducting with the precision of a drill sergeant.
She has no doubts about Saturday\u2019s concert.
To catch the musicians in action, concerts are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30. Check out the Accordion Festival website for more information on the event.<\/p>\n

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