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2024 Malaysia Accordion Festival, Kuala Lumpur - Malaysiaby Harley Jones |
Pictures above: 01. & 02. Posters 03. China-Malaysia Cultural Tourism Project Signing Ceremony attended by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Malaysia. 04. Promotion in Malaysia, celebrating the signing. Hundreds of accordionists are meeting from 13 - 17 May, 2024 in Kuala Lumpur for the annual Hohner Accordion Cup (held most years in China), a Seniors Accordion Festival and a series of musical activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. Festival organizers are Ding Peng (Deputy Secretary General of Accordion Society of Chinese Musicians Association Accordion) and Huang Da. Picture right. A full report of these events are planned next month. |
Accordion Music Prize 2024 Features Two Concerts - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
The Accordion Music Prize will take place from May 10th to 12th, 2024 and is the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e.V. (DHV) youth competition for accordionists up to 27 years old in categories from solo, ensemble to orchestral. As part of the event in Ettlingen, Germany, two main concerts will take place: • May 10th at 8pm - Hohner-Konservatorium Trossingen - Quartet of the Musica in Fiore. The quartet of the Hohner Conservatory Trossingen “Musica in Fiore” under the musical direction of Andreas Nebl is characterized by its reinterpretation of the string quartets by Dvorak and Mendelssohn. True to the original sheet music - new in instrumentation. Instead of two violins, viola and cello, four accordions sound. Original music, jazz, pop and modern music are part of the quartet's colorful program. A milestone was the premiere of Stefan Hippe's “Czech Nature Sketches” in Prague. Group members are: Michael Ziegler (1st), Juliana Kraus (2nd), Nils Aebersold (3rd) and Karla Gvozden-Rizvic (bass). • May 11th at 8pm - On Saturday, May 11th, 8 p.m., both state orchestras (pictures below) of the Deutschen Harmonika-Verband (DHV), Baden-Württemberg State Association, will be on stage for the first time. The Accordion State Youth Orchestra (ALJO) Baden-Württemberg and the State Senior Accordion Orchestra (LSAO) Baden-Württemberg present themselves in the Schlossgartenhalle. The approximately 25 ALJO players have won numerous prizes in national and international competitions. The ensemble is in great demand at home and abroad and has already performed on all five continents. Tickets for the concert are available at the Ettlingen Tourist Information Office (Erwin-Vetter-Platz 2, 76275 Ettlingen), at Reservix and through the DHV as well as at the box office. People who celebrate their 18th birthday in 2023 or 2024 can also receive free tickets through the culture pass. For further information email: staufenberger@dhv-ev.de |
2024 Bari Accordion Festival – Italyby AWW |
The 2024 Bari Accordion Festival will be held at the Church of San Domenico in Bari, Italy on October 26th and 27th, 2024 organised by the AFI Italian Accordion Association, with the patronage and contribution of the Municipality of Bari - Department of Culture. The Competition aims to “encourage the comparison between young talents who, coming from the most diverse countries in the world, guarantee our territory an extraordinary cultural growth; contribute to the growth of the culture of the Classical Concert Accordion; promote the desire for dialogue, creativity and affirmation in the fascinating world of music; and make our territory known with its artistic and gastronomic peculiarities.” The international jury, the composition of which is the responsibility of the organizing committee, is composed of Conservatory Professors, Concert Players and Musicians of repute. President of jury is Mika Väyrynen (Finland). The Competition will be divided into two main sections: • Classical Accordion Soloists Section • Chamber Music Section with Accordion Entry deadline: September 31st, 2024. Download competition rules and entry form here: 2024Bari.pdf |
2024 Accordion Summer Course – Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
The third edition of the Van Amsterdam Accordion Summer Course will once again be taking place in the former monastery Beukenhof, in Biezenmortel, Netherlands from July 22nd to 26th, 2024. This week-long course is intended for enthusiastic accordionists from the age of 14 and up, and is intended for young pupils, conservatory students and graduates, as well as adult students. Course guest teacher from Serbia (currently based in Estonia), is Momir Novakovic. He is a frequent soloist and well-known chamber musician, teacher of the accordion at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and artistic director and co-founder of the Accordionfest Estonia festival. In addition to host and teacher Vincent van Amsterdam, Jef De Haes (Belgium) will also be joining the teaching staff. As a soloist, teacher at the LUCA School of Arts Campus Lemmens, and organizer, he inspires others to discover the richness of the accordion. Participants will receive private lessons every day from Vincent van Amsterdam, Momir Novakovic and/or Jef De Haes, according to each participant’s playing level and needs. In addition to private lessons, all participants will also receive group lessons. All participants are encouraged to attend the private lessons of others. For further details email: accordionweek@gmail.com |
Whitchurch Folk Festival – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
The Whitchurch Folk Festival will be held in Whitchurch, North Hampshire, England on May 11th, 2024. The event is a community-led celebration of traditional dance and music, featuring concerts with world-class folk artists, ceilidhs, interactive workshops, a children's festival, sessions, a free of charge Fringe Festival, local food & drink & much more! Accordion performers include James Delarre & Saul Rose (picture left), Coracle (Paul Hutchinson on accordion - picture below) and Good Habits. For details email: info@whitchurchfolk.com |
What Are You Doing For May 6th World Accordion Day? - Internationalby Harley Jones |
What are you doing for World Accordion Day (WAD) to promote the accordion in your country? World Accordion Day (WAD) is on May 6th, which is the day the accordion was patented in 1829. 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. |
World Accordion Day: Accordion Society of Australia Concert - Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
The Accordion Society of Australia (ASA) will hold their concert to celebrate World Accordion Day at the Open Studio in High St, Northcote, Victoria, Australia on May 4th, 2024, from 12 midday to 3pm. The concert will include performances by the Prahran Accordion Band, ASAVO and students as well as this year's featured accordionist, Dave Evans (Melbourne). Entry is free and there will be a chalk board event if you want to bring your accordion along and play. See World Accordion Day reports at: 2024WADreport |
2024 Golden Accordion Bled Competition: World Accordion Day - Sloveniaby Christine Johnstone |
The 2024 Golden Diatonic Accordion Bled Competition will be held in conjunction with World Accordion Day (WAD) at the Bled Festival Hall in Bled, Slovenia on May 4th, 2024 from 10am. This year’s event will be held live and online. Spectators will be able to follow the competition via video links, and vote for the audience award via SMS messages. The competition is also a pre-selection for the 10th National Diatonic Competition which will be held in November 2024 organized by the ZDHS. Download competition information and application form: 2024Bled.pdf See World Accordion Day reports at: 2024WADreport |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
One-month Extension of AAA Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition Deadline Date - USAby Dr. Robert Young McMahan Chair of AAA Composers Commissioning Committee |
The deadline for submission of entries for the AAA 2024 Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition has been extended from the original date of April 12 to May 12, one month later. Entries are welcome from all countries. Winners will be notified by email on or about July 01, 2024. As announced before, If you plan to enter, go to https://www.ameraccord.com/bennett.php for the entry form and information guidelines. |
Accordionist Aaron Collis Receives Canadian Folk Music Award - Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionist Aaron Collis was thrilled to receive the “Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year” award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada from April 3rd to 7th, 2024. Aaron is a member of the four piece band “Rum Ragged”, who are currently touring Canada. See picture below for concert details. |
Future events |
Henry Girls CD Release and Tour - Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
The Henry Girls (picture top) have just released their new album “A Time To Grow” on the CPL Music label. The album features their own original music with two co-writes - Ríoghnach Connolly (Not Your Fight) and Ry Cavanaugh (Leaving Dublin). It was recorded by Tommy McLaughlin at Attica Studio in Termon, Co.Donegal. The trio are currently touring Ireland with shows featuring songs from their new album. See picture right for tour date information. |
Accordion Orchestras Entertain at Spring Concert - Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
The Accordeonvereniging Con Zelo (Accordion Association Con Zelo) will hold their Spring Concert at the Berkhouter Church in Berkhout, North Holland, Netherlands on April 20th, 2024 at 8pm. Performers feature the A and B orchestras conducted by Christa Groeneveld. The Women's Ensemble Davanti from Aalsmeer will also perform. The B-orchestra will perform André Waignein's Concert Suite and the A-orchestra will play Cabo Verde's 'Insel im Wind' by Markus Götz. For details email: info@conzelo.nl |
Romano Viazzani Ensemble Open their Spring Concert Season – Englandby Christine Johnstone |
Video: The London Tango Workshop Film by Romano Viazzani. The Romano Viazzani Ensemble will open their Spring Concert Season with a concert at St James’ Church in Sussex Gardens, London, England on April 20th, 2024. The concert venue is “a stunning church in the Gothic Revival-style of the 19th century and has a wonderful acoustic so is regularly used for concerts and recording.” The Ensemble will play a selection of music from their London Tango album, some traditional Argentine tango and one or two new arrangements. For this concert they will be joined by the wonderful soprano Luciana Di Bella. Accordionist Romano Viazzani has recently released a London Tango Workshop film based on his London tango (ballet), directed by Mike Figgis and funded by the Arts Council England. This film is a short documentary which, it is hoped will lead to further funding in order to make a nine minute fantasy tango ballet film based on The Romano Viazzani Ensemble’s recording of London Tango (Ballet). It documents the two-week studio workshop where choreography and characters were explored, the results of which were put to a small invited audience. A version with audio description for the visually-impaired is available, as is a version with Italian subtitles. |
Amandine Musichini Dance Music Performance - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
Accordionist Amandine Musichini will perform dance music at the Salle Jean Galia in Rochefort du Gard, France on April 21st, 2024 from 2.30pm. “Amandine showed a predisposition for music at an early age and began playing the accordion at the age of 6. Since then, she has had a real passion for this instrument to this day and enjoys performing bal musette.” In 2015, Amandine decided to create the Amandine Musichini Orchestra. For further concert details phone: 06 22 36 30 96 |
“Rocking Queens” Concert – Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
The “Rocking Queens” double accordion concerts will take place at the Parosh Hall in Nebikon, Lucerne, Switzerland on the following dates: • Friday April 26th, 2024 at 8.15pm • Saturday Aril 27th, 2024 at 8.15pm 12 accordionists directed by Sven Angelo Mindeci, will provide a program featuring “back to the roots” music with a variety of pieces by rock legends. |
Anthony Schulz Accordion Workshop – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
Anthony Schulz will hold an accordion workshop: Between the lines and spaces: From chords to scales and beyond at Open Studio in Northcote, Victoria, Australia on April 27th, 2024 from 10.45am to 12.15pm. This workshop will bring some clarity to where chords and scales come from and why they matter. It is suitable for accordionists from all musical backgrounds and beginner to intermediate levels of experience. Written support materials will be provided in advance of the workshop and there will be plenty of opportunities to play so please bring your accordion. Anthony Schulz’s teaching and performing career spans more than 30 years. He is a full-time lecturer in music and has recorded on numerous albums. He has also toured extensively at an international level most notably with the ARIA award winning world music ensemble Zulya and the Children of the Underground. Anthony is particularly interested in exploring the improvisational capabilities of the accordion and is committed to working with students and players to facilitate a deeper understanding of music through theory and creativity. The workshop is aimed at players who have a basic understanding of notes and scales as well as those who are more advanced and would like to learn about understanding lead sheets (a melody with chord symbols) and improvising. |
Netta Skog & Kaarle Viikate Duo “Evergreen Moods and Stories” - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
Netta Skog (accordion) & Kaarle Viikate (vocals - well-known in Finnish metal music) will perform “Evergreen Moods and Stories” concerts in May 2024. Following a concert on the MS Finlandia ferry (Eckerö Line Finnish shipping company), the duo will perform at the Utopia Club in Turku, Finland on May 9th, 2024. The concert will be repeated at the Espoon Kulttuurikeskus in Espoo, Finland on May 10th, and at the Pato Klubi club in Kouvola on May 12th. The duo want to create an atmosphere with stories and beautiful lyrics. For details email: info@nettaskog.com |
Ferran Martínez New CD “Bessons” Concert - Spainby Rob Howard |
Ferran Martínez will perform a concert featuring his new CD “Bessons” at the Auditori Pepita Sellés in Barcelona, Spain on May 11th, 2024 at 7.30pm. His program will include works by Galliano, Marocco, Piazzolla, Bach, Scarlatti, Mozart and Vivaldi. For details email: ferranacordio@gmail.com |
2024 Knutsford Accordion Day - Englandby Christine Johnstone |
The 2024 Knutsford Accordion Day will be held at The Hall at Marthall in Knutsford, Cheshire, England on Saturday the 18th May, 2024 from 10am to 5pm, organised by the North Staffs Accordion Club. The event, led by Andrew Purkiss, will feature an accordion workshop for accordionists of all playing abilities. For details email: northstaffsaccordionclub@gmail.com |
1st International Accordion Festival – Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
The 1st International Accordion Festival will be held in the Festhalle in Sempach, Sursee, Switzerland on May 19th, 2024. This Festival of "encounters" will include workshops, concerts and food stands. The Switzerland National Youth Accordion Orchestra (JAO) will welcome guests from Chile, Serbia, Austria Denmark and Switzerland. For details email: info@accordeon.ch |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
2024 Coupe Mondiale Information 2023 Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports, Video |
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Information 2024 World Accordion Day, 2023 World Accordion Day Report, 6th May each year | |
Articles Index page |
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PIF Castelfidardo 2023 2023 PIF Castelfidardo Daily Reports, Video |
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2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports 2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports | |
Interviews Index page |
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2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report 2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report | |
2023 XXXV International Festival, Moscow News and Daily Reports and videos | |
2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article | |
Accordion Reed Production Article Link | |
Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article Link |
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Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link | |
Accordion Study Produces Community Benefits Article Link | |
Playing the Accordion Benefits Your Brain News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
"Shanghai Spring" 2024 Shanghai International Accordion Arts Week - Chinaby Harley Jones |
Video 1: Opening Ceremony and Concert. 20 page color program: ShanghaiOpening.pdf Video 2: Closing Ceremony and Concert Daily Reports now completed at: 2024Shanghai This year, the "Shanghai Spring" 6th International Accordion Culture and Art Festival and 2024 Shanghai International Accordion Art Week was held from March 23 to April 5, 2024. The events featured top accordion artists from Shanghai, the Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, as well as eight countries including Italy, Russia, Canada, New Zealand, and Bosnia & Herzegovina gathered in Changning for excellent performances at 14 concerts/activities. The events fully demonstrated Changning has the image and cultural soft power of an international boutique urban area with world influence! The 2024 Shanghai Accordion Art Festival organisation leader was Crystal Wang. This superbly organized festival featured lots of interactive activities with the population and show cased the accordion so successfully. Daily Reports at: 2024Shanghai Adviser: Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) Organizers: Shanghai Musicians Association Propaganda Department of Shanghai Changning District Committee of the Communist Party of China Shanghai Changning District Culture and Tourism Bureau Shanghai Changning District Federation of Literary and Art Circles Shanghai Changning District Culture and Tourism Management Affairs Center Accordion Professional Committee of Shanghai Musicians Association Shanghai Changning Culture and Art Center Co-organiser: Shangsheng·Xinsuo |
Results: BCA 4th International Online Festival & National Graded Solo Competition – UKby Christine Johnstone |
Results of the BCA 4th International Online Festival & Competition have now been announced. Graham Laurie was President of the international Jury. Full jury list is online at: https://www.accordions.com/bca/jury.2024.htm Raymond Bodell, Principal of The British College of Accordionists says: “On behalf of the BCA Board of Administration we would like to congratulate all the contestants… with the 1st Prizewinners in the 13 Categories coming from seven different countries - Moldova, Portugal, Ukraine, France, China,Czech Republic & Khazakstan - it truly represents the International spirit of the festival and our wonderful instrument.” “Particular mention must be made of the 1st Prizewinner in Category H -15 & Under Classical - Rachael Xu (China) who received an average score from the international jury of 96.29. And Category B – Junior Classical winner - Maria Inês Vieira Ornelas (Portugal) who received an average score from the international jury of 96.25 Truly wonderful results!” Winners: Senior Classical: Rostyslav Chvorsyuk (Ukraine) Junior Classical: Maria Ines Vieira Ornelas (Portugal) Traditional/Variety Senior solo: Vadim Panteleiciuc (Moldova) Traditional/Variety Junior solo: Dabija Gheorghe (Moldova) Senior Ensemble: Daria Dohah & Rostyslav Chvorsyuk (Ukraine) Junior Ensemble: Yining Zheng /Jiani Shi (China) Download a full list of results at: https://accordions.com/bca/BCA_International_and_National_Festival_Results_2024.html |
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