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Highlights |
Full Accommodation and Food for Foreign Candidates 2018 Harbin Summer International Accordion Art Week - China
III Festival “Bayan, Accordion, Harmonica”, Moscow - Russia
11th Annual Kevin Friedrich and Friends Dargaville Museum Concert - New Zealand
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Sam O’Doherty (1946-2018), Tipperary – Irish Republic
Stockport Accordion Band @ North Staffs Accordion Club, Stoke – UK
Future events |
Pierre Andre & Orchestra Grand Tea Dance, Saint Sornin – France
Wayne Robertson @ North East Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UK
Gianni Mirizzi performs in ‘Scherzi del…Cechov’, Torre del Greco (NA) – Italy
Houston Zydeco Festival, Texas - USA
Craven Accordion Orchestra performs for dancing, Skipton – UK
Antonio Spaccarotella performs with Orchestra, Bacău – Romania
Duo Ranas 2018 European Tour – Switzerland, Germany, Italy
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion by Friedrich Lips
AAA Website Update - Newsletters online updated
Updated Site: South Pacific Championships New Entry Form online - New Zealand
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
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Highlights |
2018 International Competition and Festival "Accordion Plus", Rostov-on-Don - Russiaby Yuri Shishkin |
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 The largest in Russia, the IX International Festival and VIII International Contest "Accordion Plus" took place in Rostov-on-Don from 23 - 27 March, organised by the International Music Center "Harmony". More than 500 guests and participants came to this grandiose festival from all parts of Russia and from abroad and over 3,000 audience attended the concerts. For the first time in the history of South Korea, the Kim Korea Accordion Pops Orchestra arrived in Russia and successfully performed at the competition and took 1st place. Accordion Plus opened on 23 March with a solo concert by the 2017 Grand Prix "Accordion Plus" Alexey Murza (Odessa). That evening, Yuri Shishkin performed in the big hall of the Rostov-on-Don Philharmonic. In the first part, he performed transcriptions, and in the in the second part, new works were featured. Sonata No. 4 "Fusion" by Viatcheslav Semionov was performed by Yuri Shishkin and the world premiere of Sonatina "Francesca" by Semionov was performed by laureate of international competitions Petr Yarinenko. Yuri Shishkin also performed the premiere of Galina Gontarenko's suite "Behind the Scenes of the Theater". The next day the concert "Jazz-cruise" took place, in which the French virtuoso Julien Gonzales, laureates of international competitions Aleksandar Kolovsky (Macedonia), Anna Kryshtaleva, Tatiana Ovsyannikova (Rostov-on-Don) performed. The same evening featured Alexander Poeluev together with the jazz-quintet "New Centropezn" and the jazz-band of the school named after Kim Nazaretov conducted by A. Matchnev. On 25 March, the concert "Revived Pages" took place. This was a concert of music for children performed by young musicians. In the concert, the Chinese accordionist Van Baoshang performed with great success. The festival ended on 26 March with a major concert featuring Kim Korea Accordion Pops Orchestra, V. Murza (Odessa), Victor Romanko (Ekaterinburg), A. Chromov (Samara), trio "Charm" (S-Petersburg) and from Moscow "Vivat, Accordion!" (Valentina Bobysheva). Grand Prix "Accordion Plus 2018" was the duet from Moscow "Fusion" of I. Savina and N. Ukrainsky. International Music Center "Harmony" expresses thanks to all the sponsors and friends for their help in organising the very successful 2018 "Accordion Plus". Full results: 2018PlusResults.pdf |
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Full Accommodation and Food for Foreign Candidates 2018 Harbin Summer International Accordion Art Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
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  Updated Chinese language rules, updated entry form in Chinese and English and poster download at: 2018HarbinEntries closing: 30th June 2018 The Harbin 2018 Art Director is Prof. Wang Hongyu (picture left), Dean of the Music College of Harbin Normal University invites all foreign candidates and informs them, that the Harbin Organising Committee offers full accommodation and food during the competition for foreign candidates. Prof. Wang Hongyu and the Harbin Organising Committee ran the very successful Harbin 2010, Harbin 2012, Harbin 2014, Harbin 2016 Summer International Accordion Art Week and Competitions which attracted over 500 entrants with many competitors from outside China. |
III Festival “Bayan, Accordion, Harmonica”, Moscow - Russiaby Harley Jones |
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 The festival “Bayan, Accordion, Harmonica” takes place in Khimki, Moscow, 20-22 April 2018. The first festival was held in 2013. This year the festival is held thanks to Grants from the President of the Russian Federation for the development of civil society provided by the Presidential Grants Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Moscow Region and “Moscow Governorate College of Arts”. The Artistic Director and founder of the contest-festival is Alexander Selivanov (picture right), Associate Professor at Gnesin music school in Moscow, winner of international competitions and acting Chairman of the Music Committee of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA). Every festival has a highly professional jury consisting of world-famous musicians and eminent teachers. This year outstanding musicians and teachers from Italy, Croatia, Belarus and from within Russia, from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Belgorod, Samara, Surgut and Saratov have been invited. Some Jury names are: Mirco Patarini, Sergey Voitenko, Vladislav Pligovka, Eduard Akhanov, Vladimir Orlov, Marjan Krajna and other stars of accordion. 2018 Rules and Regulations in Russian: 2018BAG.pdf Traditionally, there will be a selection of young performers who will represent Russia at the 2018 Coupe Mondiale in September in Lithuania. In addition to recognition and diplomas, the winners will also receive money prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places and Grand Prix. Structure of the festival includes not only competitions, but also an extensive system of master classes for contestants in order to improve their skills, develop musical horizons and awareness in self-presentation as a representative of the Russian performing school, professional upgrade training courses for teachers of musical schools with the issuance of certificates, concerts of the stars of the accordion art plus an exhibition of instruments by Russian and foreign accordion makers. For further information, please email: konkursbag@gmail.com Picture below, 2016 contestants |
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11th Annual Kevin Friedrich and Friends Dargaville Museum Concert - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 Picture above: Kevin Friedrich, below Christchurch Accordion Orchestra.The Lighthouse Function Center in Dargaville, New Zealand was filled to capacity for the 11th Annual Afternoon of Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends, a variety Show featuring accordionists and entertainers from throughout New Zealand. The show called 'A Touch of Kiwi' featured a variety of music, including quite a few items of New Zealand interest. The Christchurch Accordion Orchestra under the direction of David Thorne opened the show performing a selection of items including classical and film music as well as the popular 'Invercargill March' by renowned composer Alex Lithgow, a piece he wrote in celebration of New Zealand's southern most city. Other entertainers included Chris Davidson (vocalist), The Rivertown Singers and Take 6 (vocal ensembles), Frank Lunberg and Colin Rapana (trumpets), Heather Mitchell-Gladstone, QSM (vocals and accordion), Purotu, Xena, Maiadean and Atawhai Martin (cellos and violins), Alexandra Reekie (vocals and piano), Roslyn Gilmour and Dennise Brownlie as the popular New Zealand duo the Topp Twins, Maurice Jones (piano) Lionel Reekie (accordion and vocals) and Alanah Jones (vocalist), The Dargaville Primary School Kapa Haka Group under the direction of Shelley Friedrich, Alison Worthington and Harley Jones (accordion duo) and Ken Cashin who prepared a multimedia presentation showcasing years of iconic New Zealanders and Kiwi-ana. The concert host Kevin Friedrich performed a variety of accordion works including the seldom heard Whangarei March, an original Suite of four pieces called Rehutai which he wrote for the unique Kauri diatonic accordion, the premiere of the accordion and piano work Song of the Far North by renowned New Zealand composer Gary Daverne and the magnificent work Cinderella by Alexey Arkhipovskiy, (arr. A. Poeluev) which he performed with 11 year old Alina Reekie dancing the story of Cinderella. A community fundraiser for the Dargaville Museum, the home of Kevin's permanent exhibition 'Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time', the 12th Annual concert will be held on March 31st, 2019. Picture below, audience and Kevin Friedrich with the unique Kauri Accordion Picture report at: 2018Dargaville |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
CIA Merit Award for Oswaldinho Do Acordeon - Brazilby Harley Jones |
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 At the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) Winter Congress in Kokkola was approved CIA Merit Award for Oswaldinho Do Acordeon of Brazil. The official citation from Brazil includes: Born Oswaldinho De Almeida e Silva, his first diatonic accordion of only eight basses, a gift from his father, began the accordion career path of the popular accordionist known to the people of Brazil as Oswaldinho do Acordeon. The family moved to São Paulo and at age eight, Oswaldinho began to study piano, because there was virtually no accordion teachers in the city. At age 12 Oswaldinho began performing professionally with his father at Continental records and in 1976 Oswaldinho met the Italian teacher Dante D'Alonzo and started to study in earnest. Oswaldinho studied classical music for 13 years, including being a pupil of Paul Feola at the "Conservatory Santa Clara." His talent earned him a scholarship to the Conservatory Dante Milan (Italy) in 1984 and Oswaldinho do Acordeon performed at the World Championships Accordion Festival to international acclaim. From there began a professional career of many recordings with the bigger stars of MPB , festival performances and concerts in France, Switzerland, New York and the most in Brazil. His career keeps a huge memory of recordings with the bigger stars of MPB and had the opportunity to open a All Jarreau concert, France and had many participations projects such as Pixinguinha, US-TOP, Free Jazz Festival, Rock In Rio, many other festivals in France, Switzerland, New York and Brazil. (This part is not clear to me - I will ask Mirco to please translate - ) His talent was also present at MTV Acoustic Rita Lee, MTV Acoustic Cassia Eller, DVD SPC - Only For Counter, Show of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil - Network Globe, Festival of Amiens, France (2003), TIM Award 2008 (Tribute to Dominguinhos) and was winner this same award in 2005 - Best Album "Cada Um Belisca um Pouco" - Instrumental category. Oswaldinho also performed with the many orchestras such as the Jazz Symphony São Paulo, Chamber Orchestra of Curitiba, Paraná Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of St. Andrew, Experimental Repertoire Orchestra, Youth Orchestra of the State, Children and Youth Guitar Orchestra, Band Symphony of São Paulo, Santos Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Porto Alegre, Band Cubatão Symphony. Oswaldinho discography had recorded 24 albums by 2003 when he released the CD "Asa Branca Blues," which shows his versatility inside one of the great classics of Brazilian music with a full version of Blues news and timbres. Oswaldinho made many musical partnerships and also worked to record and promote the cultural music of Brazil including his latest work titled "Forró Chorado" - a brilliant retelling of the eternal "Choro" traditional rhythm of forró. Nominated for Latin Grammy in 2012 in the category "Best Album Regional Brazilian music ", this work came to consecrate the versatility and brilliant career of this icon Brazilian music which is Oswaldinho do Acordeon. In 2014 launches “O Samba do Rei do Baião” in partnership with the singer Socorro Lira, with unpublished compositions of Luiz Gonzaga. At the same year, he made a major international tour to Europre, performing in Germany, France, Italy and Belgium. In 2015 he made his another international tour going to Germany and France and later that year recorded a documentary about his life and a big concert in São Paulo broadcast on national network by TVSESC. In 2016, Oswaldinho was invited to perform at “São João do CUMBE”, in Euclides da Cunha (Bahia BR), his father’s hometown in honor of his memory. Right after, he attended the Brazil “Scandalli Day” event with Renato Borghetti, Mirco Patarini and Albino Manique. This Year, 2018, Oswaldinho celebrates his 50 years of career, releasing a new project and album that will provide a deep trip thru his own accordion legacy. |
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Sam O’Doherty (1946-2018), Tipperary – Irish Republicby Rob Howard |
 Sam O’Doherty, from Country Tipperary, a 3-row diatonic accordionist and singer, passed away on March 23rd at the age of 70. Sam was a popular entertainer who played for dancing in Ireland since the 1970s, and in the 1970s performed extensively in the USA and Canada, where he was known as “The man from the Glen”. He also worked with the singer Nick McCarthy as the duo ‘Mac & O’, performing concerts and making recordings.He was greatly respected by his contemporaries, and his wake at his local pub Nellies in Bansha, a village in County Tipperary, was very appropriately a mighty music session involving fellow accordionists Dermot Lyons, Peter Burke, and many more. He is survived by his wife Kate, sons Shane and Sammy, daughters Kay, Saine, Samantha and Aisling, sons-in-law, partners, grandchildren, brother Thomas, sister Teresa, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, nieces, relatives and friends. |
Stockport Accordion Band @ North Staffs Accordion Club, Stoke – UKby Rob Howard |
 Stockport Accordion Band’s visit as guests at the North Staffs Accordion Club on March 20th was an enjoyable concert, though not without some problems beforehand with the unavoidable withdrawal of the ladies quartet Accordion Spice and soloist Helen Rich. The Band’s programme was extended and Rob Howard (picture right) was drafted in at very short notice to do a solo spot. The Band (using five conductors – Tony Ainscough, Adrienne Sharpe, Marj Howard, Dennis Pepler and Brennan Wilson – though not all at the same time!) played Bluebell Polka, Las Chiapanecas, Donauwellan, Myfanwy, Wien bleibt Wien, O’Carolan’s Concerto, After the Ball, Bells Across the Meadow, Simple Gifts, Amapola, Schneewalzer, Barbara Polka, Vienna City of my Dreams, Moonlight Serenade, Accordion Friends, My Way, Liberty Bell, Somewhere my Love, Policeman’s Song (by Gilbert & Sullivan, featuring humorous vocals by Ged Sweeney, dressed in police uniform), and New York, New York. The club’s Scottish Quartet did a lively set of Scottish dance music, and Rob Howard performed a medley of music from Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’. The programme went down well with the North Staffs regulars, and the evening was completed with a pie and peas supper plus an accordion sales stall. After arriving back in Stockport it transpired that the conductors’ metal stand had been left on the coach, and the following morning the club learned that the coach had already departed for a week-long tour of Ireland! This unexpected turn of events resulted in many members’ comments, such as “That sounds pretty Irish!!!!”, “Well let’s hope it has a good time and brings back some Guinness ????????”, “God, if I'd have known that I'd have gone with it”, and “Hilarious. Lucky music stand. Hope it has a good time. Jealous!”. For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
Future events |
Paris-Moscow Master Class & Concert, Castanet Tolosan - Franceby Rob Howard |
 The Paris-Moscow Duo – Domi Emorine and Roman Jbanov – hold an accordion master class from Saturday March 31st to Monday April 2nd, 9am until 6pm (9am until 3pm on the Monday), at l’école de musique de Castanet (music school), Castanet Tolosan, organised by MJC de Castanet. The duo will also perform in concert on Monday April 2nd at 6pm. Castanet-Tolosan is a commune in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France.Roman Jbanov and Domi Emorine began performing together in 1998, and have performed in France, Russia, Denmark, Italy, Poland, China, Portugal, Lithuania, Canada, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. Domi Emorine’s achievements include winning the CIA Coupe Mondiale, CMA Trophée Mondial, Concours International de Klingenthal, and the Prix de la Sacem. Roman Jbanov’s achievements include Grand Prize Beloborodov in Tula (Russia), Scholarship of the President of the Russian Republic, and the CMA Trophée Mondial. For further information email: duopm@sfr.fr |
Pierre Andre & Orchestra Grand Tea Dance, Saint Sornin – Franceby Rob Howard |
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| Accordionist Pierre Andre and his Orchestra play for a Grand Tea Dance on Easter Monday afternoon, April 2nd, 2pm, at Saint Sornin 16, France. Saint-Sornin is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France. Pierre Andre has performed all around France since the 1970s and is a prolific recording artist, with many CDs and DVDs available through his website www.pierreandre-siteofficiel.com For further information email: pierreandre-music@sfr.fr |
Wayne Robertson @ North East Accordion & Fiddle Club, Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
 On Tuesday April 3rd, 7.30pm, accordionist Wayne Robertson is the guest at the North East Accordion & Fiddle Club. The venue is The Royal British Legion, Balloch Rd, Keith, Banffshire AB55 5EN, north-east Scotland. Wayne Robertson, from Arbroath, a four times All Scotland Junior Champion, is a very versatile and experienced accordionist and also a dance band leader. For further information email: leonardbrownaccordion@gmail.com |
Gianni Mirizzi performs in ‘Scherzi del…Cechov’, Torre del Greco (NA) – Italyby Rob Howard |
 On Friday April 6th, 6pm, accordionist Gianni Mirizzi performs in a show, ‘Scherzi del…Cechov’, at Teatro Studio 4, Torre del Greco (NA).Gianni Mirizzi, initially inspired by Pino di Modugno, studied the accordion with Giancarlo Caporilli in Rome and later with Emanuele Rastelli. He has taught the accordion in schools, performed many concerts, made numerous recordings, performed internationally, and formed his own dance orchestra. In 2008 he joined the ‘Musictech Digital Accordion Orchestra’, the first digital accordion orchestra that performed in Castelfidardo (Ancona) on the occasion of the 33rd ‘International Festival of Accordion’. For further information email: teatrostudioquattro@libero.it |
Houston Zydeco Festival, Texas - USAby Rob Howard |
 The Houston Zydeco Festival on Saturday April 7th, 1pm until 10pm, is an annual one day festival showcasing Zydeco music from Texas and Louisiana, filled with amazing music, tasty food and great fun. There will be a variety of food vendors selling creole dishes, BBQ and crawfish. The festival venue is the Bayou Event Center, 9401 Knight Road, Houston, TX 77045. The bands guest list includes Lil Nate & The Zydeco Big Tymers, Brian Jack & The Zydeco Gamblers, Keyun & The Zydeco Masters, Ruben Moreno & Zydeco Re-Evolution, Lil Jabb & The Zydeco Soldiers, and the festival DJ is Jack Frost. For further information email: houstonzydecofest@gmail.com |
Craven Accordion Orchestra performs for dancing, Skipton – UKby Rob Howard |
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 The Craven Accordion Orchestra performs for dancing on Saturday April 7th, 8pm until 11pm, at Skipton Town Hall, West Yorkshire. The Craven Accordion Orchestra have the pleasure of a guest musical director at this function, former army bandsman Mr Bob Nevin MA, BA (Hons), Cert.Ed., RN.Also performing will be the AW School of Dance. The format of the evening is dancing alla “come dancing” to a live orchestra with typical items such as tango, waltz, cha cha, etc. Renowned teacher, adjudicator and examiner Andrea Wortley (IDTA) with members of her AW School of Dance will also be presenting various demonstrations. Light tea is included in the ticket price of £10, tickets available from the Craven Accordion Orchestra. Founded in 1995, the Craven Accordion Orchestra (MD Harry Hinchcliffe) has competed often in NAO regional and national competitions, performs frequently in concerts, has recorded two CDs, and performed on local radio. For further information email: cravenschoolofmusic@hotmail.co.uk |
Antonio Spaccarotella performs with Orchestra, Bacău – Romaniaby Rob Howard |
 On Tuesday April 10th, 6.30pm, Italian accordionist and composer Antonio Spaccarotella performs as guest with the Orchestra Filarmonica, conducted by Valentin Doni, at the sala Ateneu, Strada Razboieni 22, Bacau 600032, Romania.Also performing as guests with the Orchestra Filarmonica are Carlo Torlontano – alphorn, and Marcello Giancarlo Dellacasa – guitar. The concert programme includes: Lidia Ciubuc – ‘Periplus’, Giovanni D’Aquila – ‘The great Horn of Helm’, Leopold Mozart – ‘Sinfonia Pastorella’, Hector Villa Lobos – ‘Concert pentru chitara’, and Antonio Spaccarotella – ‘Suria Oriental Tango’, arranged for orchestra by Renzo Ruggieri. |
Duo Ranas 2018 European Tour – Switzerland, Germany, Italyby Rob Howard |
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| The Duo Ranas, formed in 2005, are Leandro Schnaider - bandoneon and Pablo Schiaffino – piano. For many years they have been the resident musicians in the famous Café Tortoni in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and have also performed at numerous festivals and milongas in Germany, Poland, Estonia, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, Uruguay, and Argentina. During April and May the Duo Ranas are on a European Tour, as follows: April 26th – Wil, Switzerland April 27th – Bonn, Germany April 28th – Heidelberg, Germany April 29th – Munster, Germany April 30th – Berlin, Germany May 3rd – Essen, Germany May 4th – Aarau, Switzerland May 5th – Aarau, Switzerland May 6th, 7th, 8th – preparing the Martina Hug Band May 9th – Chur, Switzerland (Martina Hug Band) May 10th – Stampa, Switzerland (Martina Hug Band) May 11th – Zurich, Switzerland May 12th – Steisslingen, Germany May 13th – Lucerne, Switzerland May 14th – Venice, Italy May 15th – Bolzano, Italy May 16th – Munich, Germany May 17th – Berne, Switzerland (Martina Hug Band) May 18th – Einbeck, Germany May 19th – Schwerin, Germany May 20th – Veckenstadt, Germany |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated site: Competition Information Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration (LIAC) - USAby Harley Jones |
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 Competitions information now online: 2018 is the 25th Anniversary of the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration (LIAC) sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society. The event is held, June 21 - 24 in picturesque Leavenworth.The competitions include categories for Classical, Old Time, Diatonic instruments, Bands, Duets, as well as a range of categories for amateurs only, from children to 19-45 and 46 plus. A total of $5,525 prize money is being offered. Rules and entry information at: 2018LIAC-Rules.pdf Entry closing date: 08 June 2018 So book your calendar to visit beautiful Leavenworth, 21-24 June for a fun event with lots of excellent music of all styles. For further information, visit the website: Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration |
Updated Site: The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion by Friedrich Lipsby Harley Jones |
 Printed books are in stock. The site at kslips03 has been updated to include that printed copies are in stock and that a book review by Willoughby Ann Walshe has been added to the site. |
AAA Website Update - Newsletters online updatedby Harley Jones |
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| American Accordionists' Association - A number of site updates including AAA Commission works, 2018 competition rules and regulations, Newsletters online update, New Festival poster are all online at: www.ameraccord.com |
Updated Site: South Pacific Championships New Entry Form online - New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
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 A new entry form for the 2018 South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival is now online. Superb venue in Auckland, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd June, 2018. Full details of the 2018 rules and regulations are online at: www.accordion.co.nz |
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