New Zealand

Did you know? The aim of the New Zealand Accordion Association Incorporated (NZAA) is to promote the accordion in New Zealand. Amongst the many accordion organisations in New Zealand, the NZAA has made significant contributions for the accordion on a nationwide scale. Formed in 1971 as an Incorporated Society, the NZAA's early significant milestones were to help establish the Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand Inc. (AEBNZ) in 1972 and to apply for registration of the NZAA Teachers Diploma with the Institute of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand (IRMTNZ) in 1974.
 
During the 1980's and 1990's the NZAA was represented overseas by the Air New Zealand Accordion Orchestra, who completed nine International Goodwill Concert Tours to Australia, China, Europe, USA and Canada.
 
To advance the repertoire of accordion music and to encourage music composition, the NZAA has commissioned several works, including Suite Aotea by Douglas Mews (1980 Coupe Mondiale Test Piece); A Musical Party by Gary Daverne (NZAA 30th Anniversary commemoration, dedicated to NZAA Life Member Silvio de Pra); and most recently, Auckland March by Gary Daverne, which was premiered by the CIA 2009 World Accordion Orchestra III as part of the Coupe Mondiale Finale Gala Concert.
 
The NZAA has held NZAA National Accordion Championships & Festival each year since formation, traditionally in the first weekend of June (Queen's Birthday Weekend). Later inclusion of the South Pacific Accordion Championships expanded the format of this annual event, and drew entrants to New Zealand from around the Pacific-rim region.

Videos from New Zealand offered in Celebration of World Accordion Day

Video from New Zealander Grayson Masefield from the last day of the Lausanne Bach Festival, Switzerland on the 27th November 2013. Performing is the HEMU (University of Music Lausanne) String Quintet from Sion with soloist Grayson Masefield. HEMU accordion tutor is Prof. Stéphane Chapuis.

Video of Grayson Masefield performing at the 11th World Music Festival 2013 in Innsbruck organised by the CIA Germany member Deutscher Harmonika Verband e.V. This was only a few days after the 2013 World Accordion Day. Grayson Masefield's performance was part of a concert of Frederic Deschamps Students at this event.

Select Performances from the NZAA National Festival

Video above is Patrick Liu, winner of the 18 years and under entertainment category.

Video of Edward Giffney, 2013 South Pacific Solo Championship winner, performing his own arrangement of 'Invitation to the Dance' by Weber

Auckland Accordion Symphonietta conducted by Lionel Reekie performing Overture to the Barber of Seville by Rossini

Auckland Accordion Symphonietta conducted by Lionel Reekie performing Abba Medley arranged by Gary Daverne.

www.accordion.co.nz

 
What:  World Accordion Day
When: 6th May
Why: a unified global effort to celebrate and promote the Accordion
Where: World Wide!
Contact: Harley Jones - CIA Public Relations Officer e-mail: harleyaccordion@yahoo.com