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

Aratapu Library Purchased - June 2006
Dedication of the Accordion Gems Display - 3 December 2006
Aratapu Library relocated to Harding Park - January 2007
Grand Opening of New Music Wing at the Dargaville Museum - 21 October 2007 at 1:00 PM
Launching of Accordion Gems Exhibit in Display Cabinets - 29 March 2009

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 Gala Celebration Concert in the Dargaville Town Hall on December 3rd, 2006 which was held by Kevin not only to celebrate the dedication of the Accordion Gems Exhibition, but also as a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the passing away of his former teacher Mr. Ben Emmett.

As the community rallied in true Dargaville style, the Dargaville Town Hall was filled to capacity for the fundraising concert entitled "A Moment in Time".
A spectacular success, the concert featured both local artists as well as guest accordion soloists and orchestras from Auckland including New Zealand Champion Campbell Hill, Entertainment Champion Grayson Masefield, the Starlight Duo (Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones), the North Shore Accordion Orchestra and the Musicale Accordion Orchestra. The concert concluded with the Grand Finale featuring members of a combined New Zealand Accordion Orchestra accompanying Kevin on the work Gem of the Kaipara, as well as Now Is the Hour, where Kevin performed in an 1830's Flutina, joined by the Dargaville Kauri Chorus.

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, even reenacting the Tango dances that Ben and Doreen Emmett loved to do. After conducting the orchestra in the first few bars of the Tango, Mr. Emmett would put down his Baton, invite his wife from the group to join him, and then delight the audience with a Tango dance performance while the BEA Orchestra continued on. Please see the pictures to enjoy the wonderful community support of the accordion exhibition project.


First Half of Gala Concert - A Moment in Time
The capacity audience at the Dargaville Town Hall
Hip Hop Dance Group (Elevation Dance Company) (2000's)
Hip Hop Dance Group (Elevation Dance Company) (2000's)
Hip Hop Dance Group (Elevation Dance Company) (2000's)
Line Dancers (Kaipara Line Dancers) (1990's)
Above left: Phantom Of the Opera (1980's)
Above right: Lara Lee, Kath and Sam Gnalo
Kauri Coast Choir (1970's)
Kauri Coast Choir (1970's) - Abba Medley
Rock and Rollers (1960's/1950's)
Concert organizer Heidi Dreyer and friends performing Que Sera Sera

Second Half of Gala Concert - A Moment in Time
Kauri Chorus - "One Moment In Time"
Ben Emmett's Accordions (BEA) Reunion Orchestra with a picture of
Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Doreen Emmett projected on the overhead screen.
Song of India by Rimsky Korsakov & Plasir d'Amour by Padre G. Martini
La Cumparsita by Matos Rodriguez
Above left: Adrienne Wordsworth (Robinson) and Joan Brown (Emmett)
Above right: Lynette Parkinson (Fowlie) and Jacque Bland (Fischer)
Above left: Kevin Friedrich and Fiona Managh (Cocurullo)
Above right: Neryl Semu (Moorhead), Fleur Simpkin (Ritchie)
Doron Semu and Natalie Anderton dancing the Tango
with the Ben Emmett's Accordions (BEA) Reunion Orchestra
(Note: in BEA Orchestra performances, conductor Ben Emmett would put down his Baton, and invite his wife Doreen to the stage and they would dance the Tango while the orchestra played on.)
Ben Emmett's Accordions (BEA) Reunion Orchestra
Above left: Campbell Hill (New Zealand Solo Champion): Concerto - 1st Movement by Vivaldi-Bach
Above right: Grayson Masefield (Entertainment Champion): Pondichery Tango by Jérôme Richard
Musicale Accordion Orchestra
Beatles Magic arranged by Gary Daverne
New York, New York by John Kander with special lyrics by the Reekie family, sung by Lionel Reekie
Above left: Lionel Reekie presenting a copy of the special lyrics to Kevin Friedrich
Above right: The Starlight Duo - Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones
North Shore Accordion Orchestra conducted by Lionel Reekie
Tango Dancers in tribute to Ben and Doreen's love of the Tango - Stephanie and Tony Poole
North Shore Accordion Orchestra conducted by Lionel Reekie
performing:
A Media Luz by Edgardo Donato (featuring Stephanie and Tony Poole dancing the Tango)
Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé
Above: Emmett Family members presenting Kevin with an award.
pictured are Ben and Doreen's two daughters Linda (left) and Joan (with microphone)
and Joan's two children Isabella and Benjamin
The New Zealand Accordion Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne
comprising North Shore Accordion Orchestra & Friends
Gem of the Kaipara by Gary Daverne
Kevin Friedrich - Accordion/Flutina Soloist
Above left: Kevin Friedrich being congratulated by Gary Daverne
Above right: Kevin Friedrich performing on an 1835 Flutina
The New Zealand Accordion Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne
The Grand Finale - The New Zealand Accordion Orchestra and Kauri Chorus conducted by Gary Daverne
comprising the North Shore Accordion Orchestra & Friends (42 players, plus percussion)
BEA Reunion Ensemble, the Kauri Chorus and Audience
Christmas Medley and Now is the Hour
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 Masefield, 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.
Setting up and Dedication
In preparation for the dedication of the Accordion Gems display, the instruments were taken from their storage facility, while waiting for the Music Wing to be refurbished, to be readied for the public viewing in the Lighthouse Function Centre.
Joan Brown (Emmett) next to some of the instruments pertaining to her father Ben Emmett
some of the instruments pertaining to the late Ben Emmett
some of the instruments and materials from the Accordion Gems Collection
some of the instruments and materials from the Accordion Gems Collection
Dedication of the Accordion Gems Exhibition
Following the Gala Concert in the Dargaville Town Hall, guests were invited to the Lighthouse Function Centre, attached to the Dargaville Museum to join the Dedication Ceremony of the Accordion Gems Display.

Program:

  • 4:30 PM - Reception
  • Viewing of Instruments and Champagne Reception
  • Welcome and Speech by Kevin Friedrich
  • Greetings and Congratulatory Messages
  • Ribbon Cutting by Kevin Friedrich, Fiona Cocurullo (Managh), Joan Emmett (Brown) & Heather Jones (Masefield)
  • Afternoon Tea Ceremony
  • Music by the Starlight Duo Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones, Ben Emmett's Accordions Reunion Group
  • Open Jam Session
Guests viewing some of the Accordion Gems display
Above left: Speech by Margaret Tier
Above right: Speech by Amber Masefield on behalf of the CIA
Above: Emmett Family members presenting making a presentation to the Dargaville Museum
pictured are Ben and Doreen's two daughters Linda (left) and Joan (with microphone)
and Joan's two children Benjamin and Isabella and Margaret Tier
Above left: Anne Marie Panzic on behalf of the New Zealand Accordion Association
Above right: Speech by Heather Masefield
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Fiona Cocurullo (Managh), Heather Jones (Masefield) and Joan Emmett (Brown)
the daughters of the three Honorees of the display Jenny Cocurullo, Allan Jones and Ben Emmett
Above left: The Starlight Duo (Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones
Above right: The Starlight Duo joined by Kevin Friedrich performing on a Frosini styled chromatic accordion
Members of the Ben Emmett Accordions Reunion Orchestra performing on vintage instruments
Members of the Ben Emmett Accordions Reunion Orchestra
pictured with with vintage instruments from the Accordion Gems collection
Above left: Kevin Friedrich with Keith Davidson (former member of the BEA Accordions)
and Gary Burnett, the original manager of the Lighthouse Function Center
Above right: Fiona Cocurullo (Managh) with Kevin's sister Kathy Macdonald and mother Val Friedrich
Fiona Cocurullo (Managh), Ron Halliday, Merv Hilliam (Museum Committee members) and Kevin Friedrich
at the conclusion of the Reception and Dedication Ceremony
School Shows and Visits

As part of the Dedication celebration, the Museum conducted an Open House for one week, where all the schools from the area could visit the collection and not only learn the history of the accordion, but also have some hands on experience.

Students from the Tangowahine Primary School
Students from the Tangowahine Primary School with Joan Emmett (Brown) and Kevin Friedrich
Students from the Tangowahine Primary School with Joan Emmett (Brown) and Kevin Friedrich
Above left: William Ryder from the Dargaville Primary School Special Needs Program
Above right: Joan Emmett (Brown) and Kevin Friedrich
Above: Kevin Friedrich with Adam Taylor from the Dargaville Primary School Special Needs Program
Above: Kevin Friedrich performing during his visit to students at the Dargaville Primary School
Above left: Natalia Pocklington and Kevin Friedrich
Above right: Kaylah Stephens and Cathy Stephens
Students at the Dargaville Primary School trying their hand at the accordion
Xmas Parade

To cap off the week-long celebration, the Dargaville Museum took part in the annual Dargaville Xmas Parade with a musical offering, highlighting the new Accordion Gems exhibition.

Kevin Friedrich performing during the Dargaville Xmas Parade
Coming Home

As part of the celebration of the opening of the Accordion Gems display, the plaques honoring the memory of Ben and Doreen Emmett were transferred from an Auckland Cemetery where Doreen had been living close to at the time of her passing, back to their home town of Dargaville, and are now part of the Mt. Wesley Cemetery, located just over the hill not only from the Dargaville Museum, but also their original homestead at 18 Park Road, where they operated their Music Studio from.

Joan Brown (Emmett) pictured after the relocation of the plaques in memory of her parents
Benjamin Richard Hornsby Emmett and Doreen Walford
Note: This was Doreen's name when she remarried some years after the passing of Ben Emmett in 1976

Contact for the Accordion Gems Exhibition: Kevin Friedrich
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