The accordion has an interesting history in many countries of the world. There have been many conflicting writings on the history of the accordion, and many parts of history are still debated today. Please check out the history of the accordion in your country at our History pages. If you believe you have something to add to our information please email: tatiana@accordions.com We have another CD of Italian tunes by popular New Zealand entertainer Silvio de Pra, which we will give away to a contributor of history information.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• New Zealand and South Pacific Accordion Championships
• International Reykjavik Accordion Festival 2000 - Iceland
• Accordion Symphony Conductor to Lead Massed Band - USA
• ATG Festival Attracts Attendees from New Zealand to the Ukraine! - USA
• New Fisorchestra Liberina in Pontelatone - Italy
• Musica Lamoura 2000 - France
• Accordeon Melancolique Live on Radio - Netherlands
• University Concert - Colombia
• Goat Hall's Cabaret Opera - USA
• PanAccordion 2000 - Composing Competition - Finland
• Russian Orchestra Performs in France
• Jewish Music in Germany
• John Jeski Performs on Radio Show - USA
• Oltrepiù Culture 2000 - Italy
• "Day Of The Accordion" - USA
• Llanidloes Festival 2000 - Wales
• All-France Accordion Contest - France
• 24th Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival - USA
• Finnish National Opera Concert - Finland
• Hannover 2000 - Germany
• New Sites
• Information Required
• Antique Accordion Information

Contributed by Christine Adams

The 2000 New Zealand and South Pacific Accordion Championships and festival, held in Auckland from June 2nd to 4th included contestants from Australia, China, Reunion Island and New Zealand, who participated with great success. The International Orchestra Championship, which included four orchestras performing an exciting program of music, was won by the Xinjiang Normal University Accordion Orchestra (China).

Results:

• South Pacific Solo Championship: 1st Han Wenjiang (China)
• South Pacific Solo 12 years & under Championship: 1st Kristina Panzic (New Zealand)
• South Pacific Solo 15 years & under Championship: 1st Alex Selman (New Zealand)
• New Zealand Solo Championship: 1st Adam Thorpe

The festival finished with a Farewell Dinner in Auckland with entertainment provided by Maurice and Lian Jones and Steve and Tracey Collins. Special awards were presented as follows:

• Samantha Rutherford Award: Mylie Thwaites
• Cecil Smith Trophy: Fang Yuan
• Cocurullo Family Trophy: Robin & Suzanne Hill
• Doreen and Ben Emmett Memorial Rosebowl: Xinjiang Normal University Ensemble
• Emmett Family Classical Ensemble Trophy: Take Six
• Ben Emmett Accordion Orchestra Commendation Trophy: Reunion Island
• Concertina Orchestra (conducted by Pierre Varo)

Contributed by Jonatan Karlsson

The International Reykjavik Accordion Festival 2000, held from July 14th to 16th in Reykjavik aims to present the accordion and accordion music to the public and to provide an opportunity for accordion enthusiasts to meet their colleagues. Festival events include a variety of concerts, a Grand Ball and a special accordion program in the Arbaer Museum in Reykjavik. An opening concert will be held in the Reykjavik Church with entertainment by the Bornholms Music School Children's Accordion Orchestra (Denmark) directed by Gregor Siegler.

The main event will be a concert followed by a dance at "Broadway" (Reykjavik´s largest dance hall). Special guests include The Faroe Islands Accordion Club, Berg og Jakobsen´s Danse Orkestur and Gena Churchill (USA).

Guest accordionists include Gena Churchill (USA), Iben Kellerman (Denmark), Gregor Siegler (Denmark), Accordeon Melancolique (Netherlands) and Icelandic musicians Karl Jonatansson, Hjördis Geirs and band, Gardar Olgeirsson, The Storm, Jona Einarsdottir, Matthias Kormaksson, Asa, Ingunn and Hekla Eiriksdottir, Sveinn Runar Björnsson and Margret Arnardottir. For further information email: ga@islandia.is

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President American Accordionists' Association

Gary Daverne, well known New Zealand symphony conductor and composer of numerous accordion works, will lead the massed accordion band at the American Accordionists' Association Millennium Festival Banquet Dinner on July 15th at the Wyndham City Center Hotel in Washington, DC. In addition, the US Army Band, featuring accordionist Manuel Bobenreith, will perform at the same event.

The Millennium Festival Concert on July 14th will feature accordionist Angelo DiPippo, as well as other accordion greats Carmelo Pino, Tony Dannon and Joe Cerrito, the "K" Trio and the Staten Island Accordion Ensemble conducted by Frank Busso. The travelling World of Accordions Museum, which is affiliated with the AAA, will display a fascinating array of instruments tracing accordion history.

Interesting workshops will be presented by Dr Helmi Harrington (the many facets of accordion history), Lynda Griffith (forces and energies related to accordion playing), Jane Christison (earning a living with the accordion), Tony Dannon (the nuances of jazz), Gary Daverne (following the conductor), Harley Jones (the world of the accordion in cyberspace) and others. Accordions, music and related items will be on display during the festival.

A new competition category "Coupe Mondial Piano Accordion Division" will be held in addition to the general accordion contest. The winner will be sent to Europe to participate in the World Championship, which offers an international concert tour as first prize.

The Endless Performance Ballroom promises a large variety of accordionists, the AAA massed band will play at the Capitol building, followed by a sightseeing tour of Washington, plus a Cabaret Night, the annual Press and Squeeze Party and other exciting events will take place. For further information see the American Accordionists' Association site.

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The ATG Entertainment Competition (offering $1750.00 in prize money) has attracted entrants from as far away as New Zealand to the Ukraine. This competition will be part of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations held from July 20th to 23rd at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton, Chicago.

The ATG invites accordionists to take advantage of a rare opportunity to play in the Millennium Festival Orchestra, which will perform six works, two each conducted by Maestro Anthony Galla-Rini, UMKC Professor Joan Cochran Sommers and Jazz Legend Frank Marocco.

The festival also features guest soloists Frederic Baldo and Vitali Dmitriev, the UMKC Accordion Orchestra will present the world premiere of "Out of Crooked Timber..." by Dr Paul Rudy for the UMKC Accordion Orchestra and accordion soloist. For the festival schedule visit the ATG website.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On June 25th the New Fisorchestra Liberina (NFL) will play at the final concert of the 25th annual "Mozzarella Festival" in Pontelatone (near Caserta), the hometown of this well-known orchestra. The festival will begin on June 24th, organized by the local tourism board in collaboration with the city council. Its aim is to promote the extraordinary scenery of this still pristine region and advertise the local produces. The unique mix created by the local wines and the music of the NFL will enable festival goers to enjoy a day of dancing and partying.

An accordion workshop is to be held at the "Musica Lamoura 2000" music and dance event in Lamoura from July 5th to 15th with tutor Sébastien Droy (Professor at the Marly Le Roi Conservatoir Municipal de Musique). For further information email Guillaume Damerval: guillaume.damerfal@wanadool.fr

Netherlands group "Accordeon Melancolique" (accordionist Jean-Pierre Guiran) will perform live on the National Dutch radio station "Ikon" in Amsterdam on June 25th from 1pm to 2.30pm. For further details email: J.P.Guiran@wxs.nl

On May 16th Colombian accordionist Lácides Romero gave a concert at the Universidad Nacional Pedagógica de Santafe de Bogota, playing pieces by John Blow, Haydn, Beaumont and his own compositions. Romero's arrangement of "Variaciones al Carnaval of Venecia" (Variations of the Carnival of Venice), which was inspired by Colombian folklore, was well received by the audience. The concert was held in conjunction with the Third Art Festival El Nogal.

Contributed by Valarie Morris

Accordionist Sharon Walters will perform with vocalists Harriet March Page, Miriam Lewis and Tisha C. Page at the "Goat Hall Cabaret Opera" held on June 17th and 18th in San Francisco.

Their program will include "Amsterdam & Paris with a Side of Eggs" (Valarie Morris) and "Queen Clara: Fields of Glory, Rivers of Blood" (Mary Watkins). For further details email: valarie@skyblueproductions.com

Contributed by Kimmo Mattila

PanAccordion 2000 is an International competition for composing chamber music for accordion. Cash prizes totaling 28000 FIM are to be won, sponsored by the Finnish Accordion Institute, the Finnish Accordion Association and Finnair who will donate three return trips to Oulu.

The purpose of the competition is to create new chamber music literature for the accordion and is open to all composers regardless of nationality and age. Works must be composed for 2-5 instruments (at least one being the accordion) and be 4 to 10 minutes in length.

Works must be sent to: PanAccordion 2000, Oulu City Hall, P. O. Box 1, FIN-90015 Oulun Kaupunki, Finland no later than July 14th 2000. The Jury will examine participating works by July 28th. Jury members include Professor Mikko Heiniö (President), Harri Wessman and Timo Kinnunen. Announcement of the winners will take place during a celebration dinner organized by The National Culture and Heritage Days in Oulu on August 12th. For further information email: timo.kinnunen@mail.suomi.net

Contributed by Michael Bleuel

The Accordion Orchestra LAD (Minsk, Belarus) will perform two concerts at the "Festival International de Musique Universitaire" (FIMU) in Belfort on June 10th and 12th. Their program will include pieces from Porgy and Bess (Gershwin), Hochzeitmarsch (Mendelssohn) and Silva (Kalman). For further information email: bleuelm@serwis.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On June 1st Claudio Jacomucci performed with the Joel Rubin Jewish Music Ensemble in Salzgitter (Germany) at the Klezmer-Festival 2000. The next project of the Ensemble is to record a new CD for Schott-Wergo, which will be released in Spring. The Jewish Journal wrote the following about Claudio's performance: "Claudio Jacomucci, heaven for the ears!".

Accordionist John Jeski recently began his 22nd year on the Saturday Polka Party on Radio WRTC 89.3 FM Hartford, CT. On June 24th the program will feature a lengthy "Accordion Special" with pop/nostalgia and polka music.

John's Sunday show, "Polka Landmark" broadcasts on live radio (WRYM 840 AM) from the Polish National Home, Hartford, CT.

On June 10th, John will perform at a free outdoor concert for the "New Britain 150th Anniversary Celebration" in Walnut Hill Park, New Britain, Connecticut. For further details email: johnjeski@home.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Stradella City Council department of Culture has organized a series of concerts as part of the "4th Mostra Mercato Oltrepiù" Palazzetto dello Sport event held from June 9th to 12th in Stradella.

Accordionist Daniele Scurati will entertain on June 9th, a presentation of Giacomo M. Bogliolo's new CD "Classical in accordion" will be held on June 11th along with a book on the history of the accordion in Stradella published by the "Mariano Dallapè" Accordion Museum. Other events include a "Barabàn" (traditional popular music from Lombardy), a jam session featuring local musicians and a performance of Contemporary jazz-rock music.

Contributed by Mickie Zekley

The "Day Of The Accordion" extravaganza (held on June 18th at The Cannery, San Francisco) will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the accordion being named the official musical instrument of San Francisco. Organized by "Lark in the Morning" the event will feature a variety of soloists and accordion based ensembles such as the Lou Soper Ensemble, Conjunto Romero, Baguette Quartette, The Squeegees and Motor Dude Zydeco. For more information phone: + 1 415 771-3112

Contributed by Paul Asher

UK group M_C_Cajun (six piece cajun & zydeco band) played at the Llanidloes Festival 2000, held in Nr. Newtown, Wales on June 3rd along with other acts providing an exciting and varied mix of sounds.

The band's CD "Hundred Up" was recently 'Album of the week' on the Folk/Roots program at 2MCE-FM in Bathurst NSW, Australia. Their next concert will be held outdoors at the Crown Inn, Heather, Nr. Coalville on June 16th. For further details email: m_c_cajun@hotmail.com

Contributed by Toru Katou

On June 3rd, Japanese accordionist Kanako Katou won the Free Bass Championship Super-Moyen class at the All-France Accordion Contest held by the Bor France Accordion Club. Her program included "Asia Flashes" (Angels) and Sonata K.V.576 (Mozart). Kanako is currently studying the accordion in France and will hold a concert in her home town of Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, in August. For further details email: hougen@oak.ocn.ne.jp

The 24th Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival will be held on June 10th and 11th in San Francisco. Events include a button box workshop by Paul Kostka and an International Dance with entertainers the "Vecernica International Folk Dance Band" (includes accordionist Algis Ratnikis) who play music from Russia, Scandinavia, Germany, the Balkans, Greece, Israel, and the USA. For further details email: director@sffolkfest.org

Bayanists Susanne Köhler (Germany) and Veli Kujala (Finland) will perform on June 10th at The Finnish National Opera in Helsinki. Their program will include works by J.S. Bach, Paganini, Holmboe, Zubitsky, Piazzolla and Veldhuis. For further information email: vkujala@siba.fi

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Cao Xiao-Qing will be only Chinese accordionist participating in Hannover 2000 later this year along with over 400 musicians who will meet to play in duos, trios and sextets. Cao Xiao-Qing will play a special composition for Klangkörper, Switzerland, where music is an integral part of the community. Within the composition is room for improvisation by dulcimer, accordion players and soloists.

http://www.accordions.com/tatiana Updated information on Accordions Worldwide Office Manager Tatiana Lanchtchikova

http://www.accordions.com/rmac Updated festival schedule and guest artists for the 4th Annual Rocky Mountain Accordion Celebration

http://www.accordions.com/atg Updated information on the ATG 60th Anniversary Celebration including schedule, guests and on-line registration

http://www.accordionsandkeyboards.com Updated information includes a new list of instruments for sale, with pictures and descriptions

http://www.accordions.com/stas Updated information on Stas Venglevski featuring his new CD "Accordion Illusions" and two new Books of Original Compositions by Stas

Antonio Barberena would like some information on composer Adamo Volpi (for a new CD he has just finished recording) such as date of birth, date of death and some biographical information including some of his principle works. Please email: byacsa@prodigy.net.mx

Ginny would like some information on a Hohner accordion patented on October 6th, 1931 pictured. Please email: cajun11@gateway.net

Karen Mclaren would like details on a Concerto-Recanati Boselli Italiai piano accordion. Please email: kazzam@tsn.cc

Tyrus Reiman wants some information on a 120 bass Lido Model 300 accordion, made in Italy. Please email: galila@sympatico.ca

Gordon Weiland would like information on a Crucianelli Knoe accordion, made in Italy with 15 pearl keys. Please email: gopa@palmain.com