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Highlights |
Rundt om Harmonikaen Camp - Denmark
3rd Houtkerque Accordion Festival - France
2023 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Association Championships and Festival Daily Reports - New Zealand
Summer International Seminar - Croatia
2023 Accordion Summer Course – Netherlands
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Activities of the Carinthian Accordion Club KAV - Austria
Successful AATA Competitions and Festival – Australia
Successful DHV 2023 Congress – Germany
Video: Morander Brothers Perform “The Trooper” - Finland
Pantonale Friedens (Peace) Festival in Berlin – Germany
Video: Shanoli Sen Performing “Where are You?” - India
Future events |
Bachtopus Performs at “River Arts Tour” – USA
French Music & Dance Week at Halsway Manor, England - UK
Spiers & Boden 2023 Midsummer Tour – England
Five Accordionists Perform at "Accordion-O-Rama" - USA
Ville Hiltula Performs Three Concerts in Toyko – Japan
Gregorio Uribe Performs at 50th Anniversary Season of Carnegie Hall Citywide – USA
Gemini Duo Performs at Royal Danish Academy of Music – Denmark
Bruno Maurice Entertains at Gâcogne Festival - France
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Highlights |
2023 Coupe Mondiale Online Entry System Now Open - Finland / B&Hby Harley Jones |
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  Video: Information about the 2023 Coupe Mondiale, the halls and the hotel prices. CIA Secretary General Kimmo Mattila announces that the 2023 Coupe Mondiale online entry system is now open for entries to the 76th Coupe Mondiale from the 2023 General Competition Rules page: 2023CM-Rules CIA President Mirco Patarini invites the nearly 50 CIA members to register delegates to the 150th International Congress of Delegates which meets twice in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. President Patarini also invites competitors from all nations to please lodge their entries well before the closing date to assist the organisers for what will certainly be a great Coupe Mondiale. The 76th Coupe Mondiale will be held from 5-9 October 2023 in Bijeljina, B&H hosted by the by the CIA member Association of Artists (Bijeljina), contact Slaviša Peric. 2023 CIA Honorary Vice President Slaviša Peric welcomes everyone to Bijeljina and the excellent facilities and halls for competitions and concerts. The festival will feature competitions as follows: • 76th Coupe Mondiale • Masters Coupe Mondiale • Junior Coupe Mondiale • International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Junior International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Chamber Music - Classical • Chamber Music - World Music Entry closing date is 15 July 2023 and all entry information is online at: Coupe Mondiale Online entries at: 2023CM-Rules |
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Rundt om Harmonikaen Camp - Denmarkby Christine Johnstone |
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| Bookings are now open for the Rundt om Harmonikaen Camp (Accordion Camp), which will be held at the Mariehaven music venue in Ansager, West Jutland, Denmark from July 27th to 29th, 2023, directed by Kristian Rusbjerg. Attendees are expected from Denmark, Norway and Sweden this year, who will enjoy a variety of folk music, French musette, lively jazz and classical accordion “in a program that awakens all the senses of both performers and audience”. For details email: mail@musikgalleriet.dk Poster below includes a list of performers. |
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3rd Houtkerque Accordion Festival - Franceby AWW |
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| The 3rd Houtkerque Accordion Festival will be held at the Gérard Vandaele Room in Houtkerque, France on July 16th, 2023 organised by the Houtkerque Festival Committee. Four artists, Yves Leynaert, Rudi Beauprez, Sylviane Mercier and Seppe Vande Walle, will share the stage to give a four hour show from 3pm to 7pm. See poster for details. |
2023 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Association Championships and Festival Daily Reports - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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 The New Zealand Accordion Association will hold their annual South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival on Saturday 3rd June at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom, Auckland.FREE ENTRY - The NZAA has achieved a grant that allows us to offer free entry to all. Free Program download: 2023NZAAProgram.pdf On Sunday 4th June, a Finale Concert will be held at 3:00 pm at St Georges Church, 2 The Terrace, Takapuna, Auckland. Entry: Adult $15, Concession $10, Child $5, payable at the door. Finale Concert Performers: Kevin Friedrich and organist Michael Bell performing Ian Watsons (UK) new work, "Dargaville Impressions" (pictures below). The Massed Orchestra and NSAO will perform works with organ. Other performers include Grayson Masefield, the Australian Ensemble and the 2023 competition prize winners. Sunday Farewell Dinner, 7:00pm Aubergine Restaurant, 129 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. Further information at NZAA or email the Competitions Secretary Renee Jeffries: nzaacompsec@gmail.com Daily Reports: Videos and pictures of competitors, concerts and the results will be placed online over the weekend at: 2023SouthPac |
Summer International Seminar - Croatiaby Christine Johnstone |
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| The 2023 International Accordion School event will take place in Pula, Croatia from July 17th to 22nd, 2023 organised by Okud Istra. Tutors include Frederic Deschamps (France), Miran Voupotic (Croatia), Angelo Pignatelli (Italy) and Marko Sevartic (Germany). See poster for details. |
2023 Accordion Summer Course – Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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| Applications are now open for the 2023 Accordion Summer Course held at Beukenhof in Biezenmortel, North Brabant, Netherlands, from July 17th to 21st, 2023 and organised by accordionist Vincent van Amsterdam. The event will feature guest teacher Bjarke Mogenson, Associate Professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Music along with tutors (and organisers), Vincent van Amsterdam and Jef de Haes (Belgium). The course is aimed at accordionists aged 14 and over, who will receive private and group lessons each day, get the opportunity to discuss music and the accordion with like-minded people and discover new music. See poster for details. |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
‘Dargaville Impressions’ makes Impression on Dargaville - New Zealandby Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador |
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 Picture above from left to right: Michael Bell (organ), Lionel Reekie, Kevin Friedrich, Linda Emmett Litt and Joan Emmett Brown.The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Dargaville, New Zealand was filled to capacity on 28th May 2023 for the much anticipated concert featuring organist Michael Bell from Auckland and New Zealand born accordionist Kevin Friedrich who resides in New York. The concert celebrated the recent refurbishment of the historic George Croft organ commissioned by the founding family of the town, the Dargaville family. The upgraded organ contains many modern features, but still allows the use of the original organ pipes from 1925, as was demonstrated during the concert. Picture left: Michael Bell and Kevin Friedrich beside the 1925 Croft organ. The concert featured solos by each artist as well as items bringing the accordion and organ together including the World Premiere of the beautiful new work ‘Dargaville Impressions’ by well-known English composer Ian Watson, a moving tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926 - 2022) and the premiere of renowned New Zealand composer Gary Daverne’s organ and accordion adaptation of his work ‘Song of the Far North’. The audience were treated to other works by Mozart, Schubert, Boyce, Brahms, John Williams, Bach, Hine, Zolotaryov, Venglevski, Macky, Daverne, Piazzolla, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Handel, Lithgow and Sousa. Michael and Kevin were assisted by local musicians Joan Emmett Brown and Linda Emmett Litt as well as Lionel Reekie and the North Shore Accordion Orchestra from Auckland and a guest appearance by composer and conductor Gary Daverne, who delighted the audience by accepting an invitation to guest conduct the North Shore Accordion Orchestra on one of his arrangements (See picture below). All proceeds from the concert go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the organ. |
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Activities of the Carinthian Accordion Club KAV - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
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 The Carinthian Accordion Association (KAV) was founded in October 2002 to promote the accordion in Carinthia with all its facets and especially to support accordion students. The diverse activities of the KAV include not only summer accordion camps, seminars and workshops, competitions and festivals, but also projects by the Carinthian Accordion Orchestra KAO (picture above), to whose concerts international accordion soloists are often invited. Picture left: Maciej Frackiewicz together with Roman Pechmann (Professor at the Privat University in Klagenfurt). After a concert in Ferlach and a successful participation in the "Day of the Harmonica" of the Austrian Harmonica Association HVÖ (grade "Excellent" in the accordion orchestra main level), the KAO and the Kiddys performed in a joint concert with Polish soloist and accordion teacher Maciej Frackiewicz in the music school of Villach. KAO and Kiddys provided good entertainment with a varied program. Maciej impressed with his mature interpretations of J.S. Bach's "Goldberg Variations", M. Bronner's "Insomnia" and P. Tabakiernik's "WAM-iations. MOZART”, where well-known works by Mozart for organ and flute clocks are quoted. |
Successful AATA Competitions and Festival – Australiaby Lionel Reekie |
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 Picture above: AATA competition winners.The Australian Accordion Teachers Association (AATA) held its annual championship at the Five Dock RSL Club in Five Dock, Sydney, NSW, on May 28th, 2023. This years’ event marked the return of face to face competition following the pandemic, so for many of the younger contestants, it was their first opportunity to compete in a major contest. Each year this competition places special importance on giving young accordionists valuable competition experience. The youngest contestants were only 6 years of age, but there were a total of 21 different categories providing a variety of musical genres for all ages, from classical to ethnic, jazz to entertainment music and even duet classes. The Jury featured some of Australia’s most respected accordionists and their positive encouragement towards all of the participants created a really supportive atmosphere. The AATA joined forces with the Accordion Society of Australia (ASA) in a combined gala concert (see picture left) showcasing the tremendous versatility of our instrument with wonderful solo and ensemble performances to a large and very supportive audience. International performers and competitors are warmly invited to attend next year’s 2024 Australian International Accordion Championships and any enquiries can be forwarded to AATA president, Tatjana Marx at: tats64@gmail.com |
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Successful DHV 2023 Congress – Germanyby AWW |
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 The DHV Congress 2023 "Shaping the Future Together" took place in Schmitten im Taunus, Germany in April 2023. Current issues and challenges regarding the future of amateur music were discussed. The event was aimed at members of all club and association levels in the German Harmonica Association and the Hessian Harmonica Association. In various phases of work, participants developed important solutions and approaches to secure the future of accordion and harmonica orchestras as well as amateur music as a whole. In addition, outstanding examples from the association's work were presented and practical knowledge was imparted in seminars. A multitude of competing leisure activities, an increase in bureaucratic hurdles, a decreasing interest in making music and involvement in society, a decreasing attachment to the place of residence as well as a shortage of teachers and conductors - these are some of the current challenges in the amateur music scene mentioned by the congress participants. The aim of the DHV Congress 2023 was therefore to develop solutions together with experts from different fields and to formulate wishes and needs for the association in order to strengthen the amateur music landscape as important places of social coexistence and musical education, especially in rural areas. "Recruiting and retaining members", "volunteer work" and "attracting teachers and conductors to amateur music" – these were among the central topics on which exchanges took place in various formats. Based on reports from the field on Friday evening, Saturday was all about the congress title "Shaping the future together". With the help of the "Future Workshop" method, which enables larger groups to condense complex interrelationships in different phases of work, solutions to the above-mentioned topics were developed in a total of eight working groups. Numerous approaches to overcoming the challenges were developed by the participants. For example, the basic idea for a platform for the placement of musicians, teachers and conductors with orchestras was developed. In addition, the need for templates and handouts for the central topics of amateur music was strengthened. In addition, the need for tailor-made training and qualification formats was mentioned. The results will now be discussed promptly by the DHV and led into further work. On Sunday morning, the participants received concrete advice on how to organize their club life in one-hour impulse seminars. Lecturers included Dominik Eichhorn, head of the "Cooperation and Education" department at the Federal Association for Cultural Child and Youth Education, and Jutta Mettig, an expert in organizational consulting and development. After the past difficult years, in which the effects of the Corona pandemic have severely restricted cultural life in particular, it was a motivating and enriching experience for all participants to meet with association members at all levels in one place and discuss key issues. In this way, the DHV Congress 2023 was able to make an important contribution to securing amateur music and club structures and provide impetus for the future. The knowledge gained will help the association members in their voluntary work, but will also be made available to the entire amateur music and club scene in order to provide assistance in dealing with the challenges. |
Video: Morander Brothers Perform “The Trooper” - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
| Video: Morander Brothers (Viljami Morander and Herman Morander) from Finland perform the Iron Maiden accordion cover of “The Trooper”. Arranged by the Morander Brothers. |
Pantonale Friedens (Peace) Festival in Berlin – Germanyby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
 Video: 2023 Pantonale Peace Festival finale concert in Berlin, GermanyThe 2023 Pantonale Peace Festival was held in Berlin, Germany from May 14th to 20th, 2023. The event, which celebrates the versatility and sound of the accordion, concluded with an open-air concert at the Brandenburg Gate on May 20th. This concert included a performance by Gorka Hermosa, of his latest work “Peace Dream” which was dedicated to the festival. Accompanied by the New Chamber Orchestra Potsdam ensemble, Hermosa performed the work with accordionists Anna Kolovska (Russia) and Dmytro Zharikov (Ukraine). |
Video: Shanoli Sen Performing “Where are You?” - Indiaby Christine Johnstone |
| Video: Shanoli Sen (India) performing one of her favourite pieces “Where are You?” composed by Pandit V Balsara. |
Future events |
June is National Accordion Awareness Month - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Celebrate National Accordion Awareness Day this June to give the accordion its well deserved appreciation. This celebration has a specific purpose — to educate people about the accordion and acknowledge its contribution to music. The accordion entered into popular music in the 19th century, with many accordionists including five players: Pietro Frosini, brothers Count Guido Deiro and Pietro Deiro, Slovenian brothers Vilko Ovsenik and Slavko Avsenik, and Charles Magnante, becoming major influences during this period. Did you know that the accordion is the official instrument of San Francisco (USA) since 1990? Accordionist Tom Torriglia is responsible for making June “National Accordion Awareness Month,” and campaigned to make the accordion San Francisco’s official instrument. How to celebrate National Accordion Awareness Month? Consider attending a live or Zoom concert or festival, purchase an accordion album on streaming platforms, watch an accordion event on social media, treat yourself to an accordion and lessons, visit the New England Accordion Museum in Connecticut, A World of Accordions Museum in Wisconsin or other accordion museums in your area, read the AWW accordion news publications each week/month to learn about what is happening with accordionists around the world, join an accordion organization/club such as ATG or AAA or one of many groups around the country where you will meet interesting people who share a common love for the accordion. |
Bachtopus Performs at “River Arts Tour” – USAby Christine Johnstone |
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 Bachtopus will perform at the 2023 “River Arts Tour”, held in Dobbs Ferry, New York, USA on June 3rd, 2023.The event will include over 350 musicians performing throughout the Rivertown villages of Yonkers, Hastings on Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Irvington, Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow. The Bachtopus quartet, which includes accordionists Robert Duncan, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka and Jeanne Velonis will entertain with contemporary, classical and folk-influenced music at the Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church at 3pm. |
French Music & Dance Week at Halsway Manor, England - UKby Christine Johnstone |
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| A French Music & Dance Week will be held at Halsway Manor National Centre for Folk Arts in Crowcombe, Somerset, England, UK, from June 5th to 9th, 2023. Tutor Emmanuel Pariselle will work with DG melodeon players, exploring the use of chords and rhythms in accompanying traditional French dance tunes and songs. The evenings “present opportunities to relax, play and dance informally together, and we’ll have a public Bal on the Thursday evening, with music from Emmanuel and others”. |
Spiers & Boden 2023 Midsummer Tour – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
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| Video: Spiers & Boden tour details followed by the duo performing their version of the Devil's Interval - traditional song The Midsummer Carol. Spiers & Boden (John Spiers & Jon Boden) will begin their 2023 Midsummer Tour this month on June 7th, 2023 with a concert at The Crescent in York, England. See poster above for tour dates and venues. |
Five Accordionists Perform at "Accordion-O-Rama" - USAby Christine Johnstone |
 Five accordionists will perform at an Accordion-O-Rama held to celebrate National Accordion Awareness Month on June 8th, 2023 at The Belvedere at Crooners in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.The five accordionists are Dan "Daddy Squeeze" Newton, Patrick Harison, Dan Chouinard, Elizabeth Rowan and Calvaliegh Rasmussen, who will all perform a “round-robin squeeze-in”. |
Ville Hiltula Performs Three Concerts in Toyko – Japanby Christine Johnstone |
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 Ville Hiltula (bandoneon) will give three concerts in Tokyo this month, beginning with a “Classic Cinema Tango” concert at the El Choclo Tango Bar in Kagoshima-ku, Tokyo on June 9th, 2023. Ville will be accompanied by Janne Tateno (violin).Their program will include tango, movie music and classic masterpieces by Bach, Kreisler, Mosalini, Morricone and J. Williams. See poster above for details. The following day (June 10th), Ville will perform with pianist Ikumi Nakayama at a concert entitled “Milonga Caminito”. This will be held at the Studio Caminito Rene y Junko in Tokyo. See poster left. On June 11th, Ville will perform the third concert, an Argentine Tango concert with the Ville Hiltula Tango Cuarteto at the Mamehico Ginza in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, which will feature works “from classical tango to Astor Piazzolla and beyond”. The quartet also includes Atsushi Yoshida (violin), Naoko Aoki (piano) and Shinji Tanaka (contrabass). See poster below. |
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Gregorio Uribe Performs at 50th Anniversary Season of Carnegie Hall Citywide – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Gregorio Uribe will perform a free concert at the 50th Anniversary Season of Carnegie Hall Citywide in Times Square, Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd and 44th Streets in Manhattan, New York City, USA on June 9th, 2023 at 5pm.“Gregorio Uribe can get any crowd dancing with an ‘intoxicating variety’ of musical ingredients”. Carnegie Hall is honored to partner with local community organizations to present free concerts that are sensational celebrations of sounds from across the country and around the globe. At a Carnegie Hall Citywide concert, you can revisit your favorite music or try something new, stay in your home borough or journey farther afield. Whatever you choose, you’ll experience everything that makes New York City so vibrant. For details phone: 929-277-2330 |
Gemini Duo Performs at Royal Danish Academy of Music – Denmarkby Christine Johnstone |
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 Video: The Gemini Duo performing at the 2022 PIF Castelfidardo prize giving concert after winning the Classic Chamber category.The Gemini Duo will perform at Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium (The Royal Danish Academy of Music) Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 11th, 2023. The concert will include DKDM’s woodwind ensemble performing Mozart's Gran Partita and the accordion duo performing Stravinsky's iconic ballet Petrushka. The Gemini Duo won 1st place in their ensemble category of the 2023 Okud Istra 46th international Accordion Competition held in Pula, Croatia recently. They were also awarded the title of best chamber music group with the highest score overall. For concert details email: dkdm@dkdm.dk |
Bruno Maurice Entertains at Gâcogne Festival - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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| Bruno Maurice will entertain at the Gâcogne Festival held at the Église de Gâcogne (Parish Church of Gâcogne) in Nièvre, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France on June 10th, 2023 organised by the Gâcogne Festival Committee. His program will include works by Bach, Piazzolla, de Falla, Semionov, Berio and Bedrossian. See poster for details. |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
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Release of 2023 Coupe Mondiale Rules and Regulations 2022 Coupe Mondiale, October 04 - 09, Switzerland Daily Reports from 05 October |
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PIF Castelfidardo 2023 Competition Information PIF Castelfidardo 2022 Daily Reports |
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XXXIV International Festival, Moscow Daily Reports |
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Information 2023 World Accordion Day, 6th May each year News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article |
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2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
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Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
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Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article Link |
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Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
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AAA information, USA 2023 AAA Festival News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble Concerts - USAby Mary Ann Covone, ATG President |
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| The (UMKC) Community Accordion Chamber Ensemble directed by Joan Cochran Sommers will perform concerts in June 2023 as follows: • June 24th at 3pm – concert at the Swan Dive Events Centre, Vivilore restaurant in Independence, Missouri. • June 25th at 2.30pm – concert at the Kansas City United Church of Christ Social Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. Admission is free. See poster for details. |
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