Kevin Friedrich

The Dargaville Museum (New Zealand) presents...
'Accordion Gems' by Kevin Friedrich
...A Master Collection of Accordions through Time...

Dedication of Accordion Gems - 3 December 2006
Grand Opening of New Music Wing - 21 October 2007 at 1:00 PM

Press Release

Press Release in .pdf file

The Dargaville Museum is located at the far end of the Dargaville in Harding Park on Mt. Wesley, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Dargaville township and the beautiful Northern Wairoa River. Located by the site of an old Maori pa, Po-tu-Oterangi, the Dargaville Museum grounds offer magnificent views of Toka Toka, Maungaraho, the Tangihua Mountain Ranges and the historic Northern Wairoa River.

'Accordion Gems' by Kevin Friedrich

'Accordion Gems by Kevin Friedrich - A Master Collection of Accordions through Time' is slated to be the anchor display at the forthcoming Music Wing, the newest addition to the Dargaville Museum.

On recent visits to his hometown of Dargaville, New Zealand, New York based accordionist Kevin Friedrich has been working in collaboration with the Dargaville Museum to establish a permanent accordion display. Many museums have examples of antique accordions that pertain to a local musician in that area, however 'Accordion Gems' will be the only extensive accordion specific collection in the Southern Hemisphere. The display will help preserve the rich history of the accordion so that all can enjoy the wonderful and decorative development of this lively and beautiful instrument, one that can be found in many cultures all around the world.

This unique display will soon be presented in its entirety as the anchor exhibition of the new Music Wing scheduled to open on October 21st, 2007. The building that will house the instruments was the former Aratapu Public Library constructed in 1874. The building has been relocated to the Museum grounds and will be restored to its former glory as it is incorporated into the current Museum facilities. The instruments will be displayed in glass cases trimmed with native New Zealand Kauri wood.



The Aratapu (near Dargaville) Public Library (1874), a building of great historical value to the community, has been purchased by the Dargaville Museum. The subject of much attention in recent months as the building came up for tender when the land it was situated on was sold, the community lobbied strongly to keep this building in the area, and fortunately, the Dargaville Museum was able to offer the successful bid to purchase it. The building has since been relocated to the Museum grounds and is in the process of being restored to its original glory as it is incorporated into the current Dargaville Museum facilities. The 'Accordion Gems' exhibition will be the anchor display in this new Music Wing. After the roof was removed to allow the building to be moved safely under the power lines, the relocation took place in the middle of the night to casue the least amount of disruption, and went almost without incident. The midnight procession had to be halted enroute, to remove a Penguin that had chosen the middle of the road next to the River (which connects to the open sea) to make its home for the night. The Penguin was safely returned to the water, and the move continued.

The accordion exhibition will feature Kevin's personal accordion collection of some 60 plus instruments of various members of the accordion family with the oldest dating to approximately 1830. Including instruments made in China, the USA, Russia, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, the former Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the United Kingdom, the collection follows the evolution of the accordion to more recent times, and includes examples of instruments such as the Sheng, Flutina, Melodian, Concertina, Bandoneon, Diatonic, Button and Piano Accordions and the various hybrid variations that occurred over the years.


Some of the instruments which will make up 'Accordion Gems' to be displayed at the Dargaville Museum - Photos by Robyn Preston

While in China several years ago, Kevin visited the Sheng factory in Shanghai to observe the manufacturing of this ancient instrument which is traced back to be the earliest predecessor of the accordion. The concept of the 'free reed' traveled from ancient China to Europe, where artisans gradually adapted the reed into the bellows concept instruments, which subsequently developed into the accordion, as we know it today. During the evolution of the accordion, many variations were found, and the exhibition in Dargaville will highlight some of those oddities.

Among some of the highlights of the collection include a type of instrument made for the famous violinist Jascha Heifetz, which includes a piano keyboard of both sides of the instrument, a couple of examples of button instruments disguised to look like piano accordions for the Vaudeville stage era, during which the American audience was more accustomed to see the piano keyboard, some examples of earliest Excelsior instruments from their factory in New York City, the Tiger, which was hoped to be the accordions answer to the rising popularity of the guitar and the Rock 'n Roll era, as well as curved keyboard models and other examples of instruments found during the evolution of the instrument.

In addition to these many instruments, the collection will also include original manuscripts, publications and recordings that pertain to the development of the accordion.

In addition to his personal instruments, other significant donations have been made to Kevin's 'Accordion Gems' collection from Ernest Deffner Inc. in New York, Raymond Bodell and the Graham Romani Estate from London, United Kingdom, and Titano Accordions and Accordion House in Auckland, New Zealand. It is anticipated that the number of accordions on display will increase in size with further donations of instruments being added as time goes on.


Some of the instruments which will make up 'Accordion Gems' to be displayed at the Dargaville Museum - Photos by Robyn Preston

The Accordion in Dargaville

It is very fitting that the Dargaville Museum will house this international collection, as the accordion used to be a major part of the Northland musical scene. Many people are surprised to learn that at one time, the small country town of Dargaville (population 4,000) boasted at least eight accordion orchestras/bands spread over four sizable accordion studios.

With such a strong accordion background it is exciting that the Museum has welcomed this important project with open arms, as not only does it bring prestige to the Museum to have this one of a kind display in the Southern Hemisphere, but it also pays tribute to the rich accordion and musical heritage of the area.

Interestingly, Dargaville was also was home to the Dargaville Pipe Band, the Dargaville Town Brass Band, and the Yugoslav Tamburica Orchestra and Dancers. In addition to these bands, the Dargaville High School also had a Jazz Band, Orchestra, Concert Band and several Choirs.


Some of the instruments which will make up 'Accordion Gems' to be displayed at the Dargaville Museum - Photos by Robyn Preston

Dedication of 'Accordion Gems'

At the conclusion of the concert held in Memory of Mr. Ben Emmett who passed away 30 years ago, Kevin dedicated the display as a long lasting tribute to some of those who have had an extraordinary influence on his musical career and the development of the accordion in New Zealand including the late Ben Emmett, the late Jenny Cocurullo all of Dargaville and the late Mr. Allan Jones of Auckland.


Mr. Ben Emmett	Mrs. Jenny Cocurullo	Mr. Allan Jones

Ben Emmett served as Kevin's accordion teacher in Dargaville where Kevin studied until Ben's untimely passing on December 6, 1976. From the United Kingdom, the Emmett family settled in Dargaville in the late 1950's where they operated a large accordion studio. Both Ben and his wife Doreen Emmett (with whom Kevin began his lessons) taught many people in the Dargaville area over the years. During this time, Ben continually took his students and orchestras out into the community for concerts all over the Kaipara region. Mr. Ben Emmett successfully petitioned New Zealand's acceptance into the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) of which Kevin eventually became the President.

Jenny Cocurullo served as a mentor to Kevin during his career, working to support his concert career and rise to the Presidency of the Confédération Internationale Des Accordéonistes (CIA), the world body of accordionists which is affiliated to the International Music Council and UNESCO. Mrs. Cocurullo worked to promote the accordion and the arts in general in the Kaipara region, giving recognition and support to established international concert artists who performed in Dargaville during New Zealand concert tours, as well as giving younger, up and coming artists the opportunity to gain experience and exposure, thus providing opportunities for all while giving residents of the Kaipara community outstanding cultural opportunities.

After the passing of Mr. Ben Emmett, Kevin began the weekly five-hour round trip journey to Auckland to study with the late Mr. Allan Jones, with whom he studied until he left for the United States to pursue his accordion career overseas. Recognized as one of the great supporters and developers of the accordion movement in New Zealand, Allan Jones worked extremely hard with his students encouraging superior technical ability and correct practice methods. Mr. Allan Jones was surrounded by an accordion family, with his wife Marie serving as the Secretary of the New Zealand Accordion Association, a position that she continues until this day, and three children Harley, who also taught Kevin during his trips to Auckland, Maurice a popular entertainer who took over the running of the accordion business, and Heather, a well-known teacher and director of accordion orchestras in Auckland. All have distinguished themselves on the international accordion scene.

Kevin would also like to pay tribute to his three main accordion teachers during his formal music education including Mr. Harley Jones (Fiji - formerly of New Zealand), Professor Joan C. Sommers (USA) and Professor Max Bonnay (France).


Mr. Harley Jones (New Zealand)	Professor Joan C. Sommers (USA)	Professeur Max Bonnay (France)

Harley Jones has taught many of New Zealand's top accordionists over the years and during more recent times has developed the largest accordion Internet site in the world 'Accordions Worldwide' which encompasses Accordions Worldwide, Search Accordion, the Accordion Yellow Pages, Accordion Links and more recently Music For Accordion. He currently resides on Nagigia Island, Fiji where he runs his accordion businesses.

Professor Joan C. Sommers founded the accordion program at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Music in 1961 and went on to lead the most successful University course in the history of the USA. During this time she not only taught many United States and International Champions, she also led the famed UMKC Accordion Orchestra on numerous tours around the world. Recently retired, she continues to direct the UMKC Accordion Orchestra and travels extensively giving workshops and adjudicating at international accordion festivals around the world.

Professor Max Bonnay, former CIA World Accordion Champion is recognized as one of the leading accordion teachers and performers in the world, giving concerts and master classes around the world. He is currently the Professor of Accordion at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique et Danse (CNSMD) in Paris, one of the most recognized conservatories of music in the world.


Some of the instruments which will make up 'Accordion Gems' to be displayed at the Dargaville Museum - Photos by Robyn Preston

New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) Support

The Dargaville Museum project has received an enthusiastic endorsement from the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) of which Kevin is a Life Member. Over the years, the NZAA has undertaken many varied projects supporting the accordion in numerous ways, including organizing competitions on both a national and international level, supporting young and established artists in concert and overseas travel, seminars, commissioning of new works for accordion, and a history book of the accordion in New Zealand.

The Dargaville Museum display will compliment this broad range of activities, and after being entrusted with the NZAA Life Membership, it allows Kevin the opportunity to contribute something extremely worthwhile to the New Zealand accordion scene working on behalf of the NZAA.

Supporting 'Accordion Gems'

Anyone wishing make a donation to the 'Accordion Gems' exhibition at the Dargaville Museum is invited to contact Kevin to arrange details, shipping reimbursement or to request further information.

The museum display offers a great opportunity to house instruments and related accordion items in a beautiful facility, where they will be cared for and admired by the public. Your name will be listed as a donor as well as any information about the instrument that you would like to provide. Instruments may include any model or vintage, as they all pertain to the gradual evolution of the accordion. We invite you to consider supporting the accordion exhibition at the Dargaville Museum in any of the following ways:

'Accordion Gems' Instrument Donation
Your instrument(s) will be housed in a beautiful glass display case for the world to see with credit to the donor and/or donor's family.
'Accordion Gems' Instrument Sponsor - 'Adopt a Gem!'
Accordion Gems is searching for specific instruments to compliment this important display. We invite you to consider sponsoring the purchase of an important accordion not currently included in the collection. This will serve as a valuable and long lasting contribution to this one of a kind exhibition preserving this unique and beautiful instrument that has brought happiness to millions.
'Accordion Gems' Accordion Related Item Donation
Supporting items include manuscripts, recordings, publications and other accordion related items which help add interest and information to the instrument displays.
'Accordion Gems' Financial Supporter
Donations are always welcome to help support efforts to restore the instruments to top playing order and the securing and shipping of additional rare instruments.
'Accordion Gems' Assistant
We can always use assistance and expertise in in helping find additional instruments, repairing the current instruments and helping research the history of the current instruments on display.

'Accordion Gems' Honor Roll

Sincerest thanks to the following who have kindly donated instruments and supporting materials such as manuscripts, books and other items, to the Accordion Gems display:

Raymond Bodell and the Estate of Graham Romani - London, United Kingdom
Ernest Deffner Inc. (Director - Faithe Deffner) - Mineola, New York, USA
Titano Accordions/Accordion House (Director - Maurice Jones) - Auckland, New Zealand
Richard Neal Ray - Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Shirley Yelavich - Auckland, New Zealand
Zada Vogel - Kansas City, Kansas, USA
Ethel Pippin - Louisburg, Kansas, USA
Lars Arnevig - Asker, Norway
Dr. Karen Fremar - Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Music Education Center - Auckland, New Zealand
Estate of Charlie Durham - Auckland, New Zealand
Thomas J. Mora - New York, New York, USA
Rob Howard - Stockport, United Kingdom
Gary Daverne (Musical Director) - Auckland Symphony Orchestra - Auckland, New Zealand
Kimmo Mattila (President - Suomen Harmonikkaliitto - Finnish Accordion Association) - Ikaalinen, Finland
Jane Christison (Music With A Smile) - Overland Park, Kansas, USA
Judy Hunt and the Filosa Family - Northport, New York, USA
Julie and Juha Silfverberg - Overland Park, Kansas, USA

For all information regarding support of the 'Accordion Gems' exhibition at the Dargaville Museum, please contact:

Kevin Friedrich
P.O. Box 150393
Kew Gardens, NY 11415-0393
USA


Some of the instruments which will make up 'Accordion Gems' to be displayed at the Dargaville Museum - Photos by Robyn Preston

Dargaville on the Map

Over recent years, Dargaville has enjoyed a tremendous growth in tourism with visitors from both around New Zealand and overseas. Dargaville is included as part of the Northland round trip 'Twin Coast Discovery' as visitors travel to or from the Far North and Bay of Islands.

This frontier settlement was founded in 1872 by timber merchant, Joseph McMullen Dargaville and for many years access to this area for passengers and freight was by steamer via the Northern Wairoa River from Helensville which is situated at the southern end of the Kaipara Harbor.

This once important river port thrived on the export of Kauri timber and Kauri Gum and the rich fertile soils of the surrounding countryside, enjoying a subtropical climate. Although Dargaville grew initially as a timber town, today farming has become the main industry with the dairy industry in particular bringing prosperity to the rural areas throughout the past century.

Visitors to the town of Dargaville will see a number of 19th century buildings reflecting the town's history. Boutique type shops and cafes now flourish in some of these historic buildings, linking the old with the new.


The spectacular view from the Manganui Bluff near Dargaville	Typical Sunset at Baylys Beach near Dargaville

Volcanic peak Toka Toka reflected in the Northern Wairoa River	Dargaville Bridge with Tangihua Mountain Ranges

Located just over two hours north of Auckland, Dargaville is becoming a popular destination, as visitors travel to visit the Waipoua Kauri Forests which includes the oldest and largest Kauri Tree in New Zealand, the Tane Mahuta (the 2,100 year old "God of the Forest"), the Kai Iwi Lakes, Boat Trips up and down the Kaipara Harbor and the vast spectacular landscapes and activities of the West Coast beaches.

Many visitors stop off at the Dargaville Museum to take advantage of its historical area displays as well as the incredible views and picnic areas. Located in beautiful Harding Park on Mt. Wesley, the Museum's unique vantage point offers stunning panorama vistas of the surrounding Dargaville township, the Northern Wairoa River, fertile farmlands, the Tangihua Mountain Ranges and volcanic peaks of Toka Toka and Maungaraho.

Dedication of 'Accordion Gems' - 3 December 2006

'Accordion Gems by Kevin Friedrich - A Master Collection of Accordions through Time' was officially dedicated at a ribbon cutting reception held at the Lighthouse Reception Center (adjoined to the Dargaville Museum) at the conclusion of the grand concert in the Dargaville Town Hall on December 3rd, 2006 which was held by Kevin as a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the passing away of his former teacher Mr. Ben Emmett.

The Dargaville Town Hall was filled to capacity for the fundraising concert entitled "A Moment in Time" held by New York based CIA President Kevin Friedrich in his home town of Dargaville, New Zealand to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the passing of his former accordion teacher, the late Mr. Ben Emmett.

A spectacular success, the concert featured both local artists as well as guest soloists and orchestras from Auckland including NZ Champion Campbell Hill, Entertainment Champion Grayson Masefield, the Starlight Duo (Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones), the North Shore Accordion Orchestra and Musicale Accordion Orchestra.

Eight members of the former Ben Emmett Accordion (BEA) Orchestra formed a reunion group to perform some of their favorite orchestra pieces from 30 years ago. Pictured below are the members of the BEA Reunion Group with a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Emmett projected on the overhead screen.


Ben Emmett's Accordions (BEA) Reunion Orchestra	Doron Semu and Natalie Anderton - Tango

During their many performances from more than 30 years ago, members of the orchestra would go out into the community and perform fundraising concerts for various community projects. During their concerts, the conductor of the orchestra Mr. Ben Emmett would put down his baton and invite his wife to stage from the orchestra and perform a Tango. This was reenacted by the BEA Reunion group. This concert served as a fundraiser for the Dargaville Museum's establishment of the new Music Wing.

A highlight of the concert came was the performance of "Gem of the Kaipara" composed by Gary Daverne, conductor of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by the composer featuing Kevin as soloist, the work was commissioned for accordion and Symphony orchestra in honor of the late Jenny Cocurullo, and was the second performance of this work in Dargaville.

As a grand finale to the concert, the concert hosts, the Kauri Chorus joined all the musicians including the three accordion orchestras, soloists, concert performers and the audience for a grand Proms style Sing-a-Long conducted by Gary Daverne with Kevin playing an 1835 French Flutina, one of the oldest instruments featured in the Accordion Gems collection.


Kevin Performing on vintage Flutina	Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Fiona Cocurullo, Heather Jones and Joan Emmett	Some of the instruments pictured at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

At the conclusion of the concert, musicians, guests and dignitaries traveled to the Dargaville Museum for a formal reception and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony where Kevin officially dedicated and opened his accordion exhibition entitled "Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time".

Kevin invited the three daughters of the three dedicatees, Joan Brown, daughter of Ben Emmett, Fiona Managh, daughter of Jenny Cocurullo and Heather Maseflield, daughter of Allan Jones to join him in cutting the ribbon, signifying the official dedication and opening of the exhibition and exciting journey ahead in the efforts to preserve and enjoy the rich and colorful history of the accordion.

The instruments will be available for viewing in the forthcoming Music Wing at the Dargaville Museum, which will be opened on 21 October 2007 at 1:00 PM. The opening will be followed by an afternoon of music including performances on some of the historical instruments and a jam session with local and guest muscians.