Highlights |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Future events |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
New and Updated Sites |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |
Random video 4UWatch the video |
Highlights |
Interviews "Meet the Musician Behind the Sound" - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() |
![]() ![]() The Collaborators conducting the interviews will be Andrea Di Giacomo and Adele Pirozzolo and they aim to show the human person behind the lovely music, where they have come from and to where they are going. Read more about the Collaborators at: http://www.accordions.com/interviews/meet-musician.aspx |
AAA 85th Anniversary Festival and Competition: July 12-16, 2023 - USAby Frank Busso Jnr. |
![]() |
![]() We are sure we speak for all when we say accordionists cannot wait to get back together - in person! - to celebrate our beloved instrument. And speaking of accordions, make sure you bring yours along to play in the 2023 Festival Orchestra led by world-renowned conductor, Joan Cochran Sommers! Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) will join us for performances and workshops. Very personable and well-spoken, Grayson has won and been laureate at over a dozen international accordion competitions around the world in classical, entertainment, and digital categories. He is currently the instrumental music teacher for accordion at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Another special guest will be accordion legend Joey Miskulin (USA). Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018 for his extraordinary accomplishments with the piano accordion, and a recent recipient of the AAA's Lifetime Achievement Award, Joey continues to delight listeners with his "flying fingers" and ability to engage audiences. Looking for even more entertainment? Look no further than Mario Tacca, past AAA champion and AAA Artist in Residence, who will perform as a soloist at Friday night's gala concert, and with famed vocalist Mary Mancini at our Thursday night dinner. Several accordion orchestras are already slated to perform, including the Accordion Pops Orchestra conducted by Al Terzo, the Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra conducted by Joanna Darrow, and the Busso Festival Orchestra conducted by Frank Busso Jr. Conducting this year's Youth Orchestra will be Joanna Darrow, who has dedicated her entire life to performing, teaching, and promoting the accordion. She has performed several times with the Philadelphia Orchestra and performed all over Europe for over 30 years with her accordion teacher/husband, the late Stanley Darrow. The United States Air Force Strolling Strings, with AAA President Frank Busso Jr. on accordion, will perform at our Saturday night banquet. Also at the banquet, we will present our coveted Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime AAA Board member Frank Busso Sr. Frank has been an educator, performer, conductor, and all-around ambassador of the accordion for decades. After two years of virtual competition, we are excited to return to live competitions for students of all ages and abilities! Solos, duets, ensembles, and bands. Download the full list of categories, competition rules, and entry forms at: 2023AAARules.pdf Keep checking www.ameraccord.com for announcements of additional performers, workshop presenters, events, and registration information! |
![]() |
13th Italia Award 2023 - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
![]() ![]() The live version of the 13th Italia Award 2023 international accordion competition will take place in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Teramo, Italy, in June this year, organised by the Associazione Promozione Arte (Art Promotion Association) in collaboration with Club Voglia d'Arte. Live categories include accordion: classical, virtuoso diatonic and organetto – registration deadline is June 10th, 2023. Evening concerts will be held in Roseto degli Abruzzi featuring international artists. Online categories include accordion: classical, virtuoso, diatonic, digital as well as ensemble classes: classical, junior, jazz, tango and world) - registration deadline is May 15th, 2023. The Artistic Director is Renzo Ruggieri (picture right), President Claudio Azzaro (picture left) and Secretaries Andrea Di Giacomo, Giuseppe Di Falco and Kateryna Pylypenko. The festival is dedicated primarily to the accordion family with categories for all instruments and all musical genres. Download rules in Italian and English here: 2023ItaliaAward.pdf |
“Accordiomania 2023” International Accordion Festival – Bulgariaby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
![]() ![]() The international accordion competition "Accordeomania" will include 12 categories, divided into four sections: classical, chamber, virtuoso and entertaining music. The national accordion competition "Accordeomania" will be held in two age groups for soloists: classics and folklore. An international jury from Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will evaluate the participants in the competitions. Master classes will be held by international accordionists Radu Ratoi (Moldova - picture above right) and Raimondas Sviackevicius (Lithuania - picture above left). A new “Workshop Zone” will take place with recognized performers and specialists: • Raimondas Sviackevicius (Lithuania) - Head of Department and Accordion Lecturer at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre; • Radu Ratoi (Moldova) – concert performer, graduated with a Master's degree in Music, accordion at the Royal Danish Academy of Music; • Vladimir Mandic (Serbia) – accordion teacher at the Dr. Miloje Milojevic Music School - Kragujevac, Serbia; • Victor Melnik (Bulgaria) - famous for his mastery in Europe, lecturer on topics of development, device, repair and maintenance of the accordion. A final gala concert will be held by winners of the National and International Competition "Accordeomania" who will present the accordion in different genres of musical art. Competition entries close on May 15th, 2023 and must be submitted online. For further details email: festival@accordiomaniaart.com |
Grayson Masefield World Accordion Day & World Premiere with Bay of Plenty Symphonia – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
![]() The following day (May 7th, 2023 at 3.30pm) the program will be repeated at the Holy Trinity Church in Tauranga. From the orchestra website: "Our accordion soloist is central to the program. Aucklander Grayson Masefield is a multi world champion who regularly tours internationally. He will perform three pieces with the orchestra – two in the exhilarating nuevo tango style, and a new work by leading Kiwi composer Ross Harris. Ross himself is an accordionist so expect something exciting for this instrument! Thanks to a generous bequest, BOP Symphonia has been able to specially commission his Introduction and Allegro, for Grayson to perform at this concert. Tauranga and Rotorua audiences will be the first in the world to hear it!" The program includes New Zealand premieres of "New Tomorrow" by Bete Ilin (Macedonia) and "Tango Revenge" by Antonio Spaccarotella (Italy) with Grayson Masefield as soloist. Conductor is Justus Rozemond. Grayson performed the world premiere of "Tango Revenge" with orchestra in Italy in 2019. http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=20-Sep-2019&&s=15826 Grayson performed the world premiere of "New Tomorrow" in Switzerland in 2017. http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=31-Mar-2017&&s=12904 Ticket information: Bay of Plenty Symphonia Tickets, 6th May at: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/concertina/rotorua Bay of Plenty Symphonia Tickets, 7th May at: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/concertina/tauranga Tickets: Adults $20 (plus fees) / 18 yrs and under FREE (no ticket required) |
![]() |
III Moscow Open Festival & Competition for Bayan and Accordion – Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
![]() |
The A.M. Ivanov-Kramskoy Children's Music School invites you to take part in the III Moscow Open Festival & Competition for Bayan and Accordion Performers entitled “Let's Bow to Those Great Years…” in Moscow, Russia, dedicated to Victory Day! The competition will take place on May 14th, 2023 in person and remotely. Face-to-face auditions in categories "Solo performance", "Ensemble performance", and "Orchestra" will be held in the Great Hall of the State Budgetary Educational Institution of Children's Education in Moscow. Applications close on May 8th, 2023. Download competition regulations here: 2023Moscow.pdf" target="_blank">2023Moscow.pdf |
Vienna Accordion Club Favoriten Celebrates 50th Anniversary with a World Accordion Day Concert - Austriaby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
![]() |
![]() The concert will take place at the Kulturgarage VHS in Vienna, Austria on May 6th and feature the performance of Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" arranged by Thomas Bauer. The club was founded by Prof. Walter Maurer and May 6th was his birthday. He would have reached the age of 92 this year. Harley Jones, CIA Public Relations anecdote: "Prof. Walter Maurer, was Secretary General of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) from 1975 to 2006. At a CIA Summer Congress, I had suggested having a World Accordion Day. The Congress liked the idea and then discussion took place about when? Prof. Walter quickly proposed 6th May, the date in 1829, that Cyrill Demian filed a patent in Vienna for the accordion. Congress approved. With a big smile, I note that Walter forgot to tell Congress that it was also his birthday!" For concert details email: info@akkordeonclub.at |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
National Accordion Association’s 2023 Convention is Now History – USAby Sharon Seaton |
![]() |
![]() Sharon Seaton reports: Conventioneers enjoyed the return of the National Accordion Association NAA’s annual convention in 2022 and 2023 after the compulsory shutdown by the pandemic. It was good to see friends again, and folks were ready to learn, to play, and party a little bit. After a busy day of Fun Band rehearsals and workshops, a baked potato/chili bar was served, followed by the Thursday evening concert, featuring conventioneers themselves. Friday’s activities included more workshops and rehearsals, and then the highlight of the day: an evening with the Brave Combo and Alex Meixner performing “high energy music.” The music was sizzling, and the dancers filled the floor all evening. We heard so many excited comments and demands that we bring this group back next year. Saturday’s activities included an impressive luncheon concert by the Youth Band, conducted by Dick Albreski of Edmond, Oklahoma. Ten young accordionists performed as an ensemble and alternated as soloists. The day’s activities culminated with a banquet featuring live dinner music. What instrument? Accordion, of course! And then the grand finale concert! Headliner performers who also presented workshops during the three-day convention starred in the show: Gordon Kohl, Dee Langley, Lori Brooke, Eddie Monteiro, and Jim Rommel. It was a wonderful concert, whetting the appetites of those in the audience for next year’s musical experience! |
![]() |
Eric Bouvelle Successful Advanced Training Masterclass – Italyby Antonio Spaccarotella |
![]() |
![]() “The conservatory accordion department is one of the few universities where you can choose two different study courses on the accordion…with studies in classical and traditional accordion…and numerous cultural exchange activities”. |
Future events |
Vince Abbracciante Concerts in Belgium, Portugal, Asia and Italy.by AWW |
![]() |
Vince Abbracciante is currently on a tour of Belgium, Portugal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Albania, finishing with concerts in Italy on April 28th and 30th. The tour will include performances at Jazz festivals in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Albania as well as a masterclass at the National Conservatory of Kyrgyzstan. See poster above for details. |
Duo Marie-Andrée Joerger & Vincent Dubois Concert – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
The Duo Marie-Andrée Joerger (accordion) & Vincent Dubois (organist, titular of the great organs of Notre Dame de Paris) will perform a concert in the Saint-Gervais church, Jonzac, France on April 15th, 2023. The concert is entitled "Prélude au printemps" (Prelude to Spring). |
“Dirty Bellows” Performs at Punk Rock Fiesta - Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
“Dirty Bellows” (pictured below) will perform at the 6th Punk Rock Fiesta, held at the Fox Cabaret in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on April 15th, 2023. Attendees are encouraged to get dressed up in costumes for the event such as: your favourite team from the region or representing your local peña, band shirts with a beloved band from South America or Spain, mask wearing, or perhaps wearing one of the costumes of festivals such as La Tomatina, La Batalla del Vino, Día de los Muertos, or maybe even Batalla de Ratas. |
![]() |
“The McNordiques” Entertain in Minneapolis - USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
“The McNordiques” will entertain at the Ginkgo Coffeehouse in St. Paul, Minneapolis, USA on April 15th, 2023 at 8pm. The trio, which features Dan Newton (accordion), Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) and Tom Klein (Irish pipes and cittern) play a variety of Scandinavian, Celtic and French music. For details phone: 651 645 2647 |
“Black Pencil” Performs Church Concert - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
The “Black Pencil” ensemble will perform a concert at Kloosterkerk (Monastery Church) in Den Haag, Netherlands on April 19th, 2023 at 12.45pm. Marko Kassl (accordion), Jorge Isaac (recorder), Matthijs Koene (pan flute) and Esra Pehlivanli (viola), will perform a program of music by Bach, Dowland, van Bingen, Pergolesi, Caioni and Morley, as well as Hungarian and Romanian folk dances. |
Joaquín Muñoz Donoso Album Launch Concert – Chileby AWW |
![]() ![]() The concert will be held in the Music Department at La Serena University in Chile on April 21st, 2023 at 6pm. A second launch concert will be held at Plectrum in Santiago, Chile on June 10th, 2023. |
London Accordion Orchestra Performs Special World Premiere, England – UKby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
The London Accordion Orchestra will provide a joint “Daylight Music Concert” with the Guildhall Saxophone Ensemble at St. Catherine's Church in Hatcham, London, England on April 22nd, 2023 at 12 noon. The two groups will first perform separately and then join forces for the finale which will include the world premiere of “Sgt. Major Flaw” for accordion orchestra and 14 Saxophones, written by Christian Forshaw Music. Their program will also include music by Weill, Bernstein, Piazzolla, Moondog and Watson. See poster for details. |
Akkordeon Orchester Ennepetal e.V. 50th Anniversary Concert and Exhibition - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
The Akkordeon Orchester Ennepetal e.V. will celebrate the 50th anniversary partnership between the cities of Ennepetal and Vilvoorde, Flemish Region, Belgium with a concert and exhibition this month in Germany. The event will include a matinée concert by the accordion orchestra, in which members of the Vilvoorder Mandolin Orchestra Divertimando will also participate. This will be held at the Haus Ennepetal in Ennepetal on April 23rd, 2023 at 11am. Ennepetal Mayor, Imke Heymann cordially invites all citizens to a small snack and drinks to celebrate the opening of the exhibition of the city partnership Vilvoorde/Ennepetal in the foyer of the Haus Ennepetal at 1.30pm. For details email: ao-ennepetal@gmx.de |
![]() |
Online: GR8 IDEAS Workshop – USAby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
The next online GR8 IDEAS virtual workshop will be held on April 23rd, 2023 at 3pm EST. “This is more than a technical workshop on how to configure drum parameters for the standard bass and chord, treble and free bass implementations. It also covers sound selection, finger techniques, and the creation of useful drum lines.” |
Passion Brothers Entertain – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
The Passion Brothers, Alexis and Lucas Passion will entertain at the Salle Léo Lagrange in Hergnies, France on April 26th, 2023 at 11.30am. The event, organised by the Club Léo Lagrange with the Club de la Gaîté, will include a special lunch menu. Reservations are essential. See poster for details. |
Accordion Society of Australia World Accordion Day Event – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
![]() |
![]() All accordionists and enthusiasts are invited to come along and join in the celebrations. Anthony Schulz (picture left) will entertain with his new Musette Quartet along with other accordionists who would like to play. For details email: anthonyjschulz@gmail.com |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
![]() |
Information 2023 World Accordion Day, 6th May each year |
![]() |
Release of 2023 Coupe Mondiale Rules and Regulations 2022 Coupe Mondiale, October 04 - 09, Switzerland Daily Reports from 05 October |
![]() |
PIF Castelfidardo 2022 Daily Reports |
![]() |
XXXIV International Festival, Moscow Daily Reports |
![]() |
2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
![]() |
Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
![]() |
Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link |
![]() |
Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
![]() |
2022 AAA Recent publications, USA News Link and Article |
New and Updated Sites |
Entries Closing: 2023 NZAA South Pacific Accordion Championships - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
![]() |
![]() ![]() NZAA President Sonja Palinich welcomes everyone to the event which is open to competitors and festival performers worldwide and has a variety of age group classes for soloists, duos, trios, ensembles and orchestras. The rules for the international solo categories closely follow the rules of the Coupe Mondiale. The South Pacific international concert music category has exactly the same rules as the Coupe Mondiale Masters category and the South Pacific entertainment category has exactly the same rules as the Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment category. Similarly Junior (under 18 years) South Pacific entertainment category. The South Pacific Junior solo concert category has the same rules as the first round of the Coupe Mondiale Junior category. Entries close on April 14th, 2023. Download the rules and competition prospectus at: 2023nz_prospectus.pdf For further details email NZAA Competitions Secretary Renee Jeffries at: nzaacompsec@gmail.com |
Renzo Ruggieri Arrangement Now Available, Spain Composed by Corea - Italyby Harley Jones |
![]() ![]() Renzo Ruggieri arranged Spain for his virtuoso accordion students who have performed the work in their programs with success at many international junior virtuoso and senior virtuoso categories in recent years. The video below is a live performance by Viivi Maria Saarenkyla of Finland. She has recorded this work on her CD which is available at: Viivi Maria Saarenkylä You can view a sample page of the sheet music and purchase the Spain sheet music at: rrenzo525 for only €10. Renzo Ruggieri was awarded last month, the CIA Merit Award to honor his outstanding contribution to the international accordion movement. Read the details at: http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=17-Mar-2023&&s=19866 |
What Are You Doing For May 6th World Accordion Day? - Internationalby Harley Jones |
![]() |
![]() WAD was started in 2009 by the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) and has been very successful, generating a lot of positive publicity for the accordion. A key part of this event is the WAD website. Every association, group, orchestra, performer and teacher, is asked to actively support WAD by encouraging national and local accordion activities to happen in their country on this day or the weekend either side of WAD if that should be more convenient. Everyone can register their WAD activity on the WAD website and send a report of their event after, for that website. No event is too big or too small. ALL accordion events celebrating WAD are welcome. This is a CIA promotion for the accordion in which every accordion enthusiast can participate and help bring our accordion world together as well as strongly promote the accordion. |
Updated Site: Mike Middleton - USAby Harley Jones |
![]() March 17, 2023 Irish Accordion Music 2023 ; Corks & Barrells Bar March18, 2023 National Accordion Association dinner performer April 30, 2023 San Antonio Accordion Club, 4-6 pm May 6, 2023 A World of Accordions Museum, World Accordion Day. Superior WI, USA… A MyronFloren Tribute Concert May 7, 2023 A World of Accordions Museum, Sunday Polka Service, with Mike & The Middletones & Friends June 11, 2023 Sun 4-7 pm in San Antonio, TX ... Dreams Fulfilled Through Music Concert with Mike & TheMiddletones, Magik Theatre July 9, 2023 FUMC Belton Polka Sunday Sept 21,22, 2023 Ft. Worth Oktoberfest Sept 23, 2023 Missouri City Oktoberfest, Mike & The Middletones Nov 4,5 2023 and/or Nov 11,12, 2023 WURSTFEST, New Braunfels TX, Mike & The Middletones ( Pending) Summer or Fall 2023 - Austin Accordion Club - date pending |
Help Desk, Information needed, Readers CommentsSubmit Your Question, CommentSUBMIT NOW |