Sponsors
Books (Text)
eSheet (pdf file)
eTracks sound files
Sponsors
Free Services
Books (Text)
Statistics
Sponsors
Share
Link to share - cut and paste:
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=18-Dec-2015&lang=en&s=11199
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=18-Dec-2015&lang=en&s=11199
18-Dec-2015
Dargaville Enjoys Accordion Promotions - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
 |
 The once thriving accordion town of Dargaville in the Kaipara region of New Zealand, enjoyed a weekend of accordion activities as the Holiday Season began its busy lead up to Christmas.The Dargaville Museum, home to the extensive Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time collection put together the winning float for the annual Dargaville Christmas Parade. Local accordionist and creator of the display Kevin Friedrich who was visiting his home town, joined the float (picture above) entertaining the troops, as happened back in the war days, with the Museum's float 'Xmas in the Trenches'. Also joining the Parade were local musicians (picture left) Joan Brown (accordion) and Linda Litt (percussion), daughters of Ben and Doreen Emmett, Kevin's original accordion teachers, who operated a large accordion studio in Dargaville in the 1950s-1970s. The three joined then joined forces to perform at the outdoor 'Christmas In the Gardens' celebration attracting a large audience in the popular park on the banks of the Northern Wairoa River. Dargaville was at one time a major musical center, hosting eight accordion bands spread over four accordion studios, the Dargaville Pipe Band, the Dargaville Brass Town Band, The Dargaville String Orchestra and the ongoing Tamburica Orchestra in addition to the numerous musical ensembles at the local Schools. Today, the community continues to support many activities including fundraising $20,000 in prize money for the recent 2009 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, the establishment of the new wing at the Dargaville Museum to house the accordion exhibition as well as commissioning New Zealand Composer Gary Daverne to compose the work Gem of the Kaipara in honor of long time arts and music promoter Jenny Cocurullo and supporting annual sell out accordion concerts hosted by Kevin Friedrich. |
 |