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Highlights |
Helmi Harrington Honoured with "Citizen of the Year" Award – USAby Jane Christison, Secretary, A World of Accordions Museum |
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![]() ![]() Picture left: Helmi Harrington with instruments from the museum collection. Picture right: Jane Christison, Secretary of the AWAM and Helmi Harrington, museum Founder, Curator, and President of the Board of AWAM. On May 30th, 2024, Helmi Harrington, PhD, founder and curator of A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) was named the Citizen of the Year by the City of Superior, Wisconsin, USA. Helmi was given a key to the city by Mayor Jim Paine. This award has only been given out a few times, and all of us at A World of Accordions are so proud of her and all her hard work over the years building the incredible accordion family of instruments collections housed at A World of Accordions Museum. At the upcoming ATG Festival, July 23-27, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri, there will be a viewing of the documentary, “A World of Accordions . . . a Harrington Legacy,” featuring Helmi Strahl Harrington, Ph.D., Curator, A World of Accordions Museum. The documentary was sponsored by the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG). In the State of the City Address given by Mayor Jim Paine, he recognized Dr. Helmi Harrington, the founder and curator of the Harrington Arts Center: “She is a teacher, a musician, a historian, an artist, and a storyteller. She attracts visitors and admirers from around the world. She already has a building named for her,” said Paine. “Thanks to her, Superior, Wisconsin is nationally and globally recognized as a center of art, music, learning, and timeless beauty. She is, quite possibly, our greatest storyteller and now counts among her lifetime honors the title: Citizen of the Year.” |
1st Akademia Inspiracji (Academy of Inspiration) Courses and Concerts – Polandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Accordionist Wieslaw Ochwat (Poland - picture right) will run the accordion classes at the event, whch will include solo instrument lectures and group lectures and concerts. The aim of the Academy of Inspiration is: • raising the level of playing musical instruments among young people through contact with a wide range of outstanding soloists and teachers from Poland and abroad, • enriching and developing practical skills in the field of individual and team play, • enabling the presentation of talented young people's skills to a wide audience during concerts organized in the Malopolska Region. The deadline for accepting applications is June 30th, 2024. For further information email: fundacjalifeandart@gmail.com |
Cambridge Folk Festival – UKby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() “The festival is a treasure trove of opportunity to transform your weekend into so much more” and features a variety of concerts, workshops, instrument making, storytelling, song writing and music making. Accordion performers include: Talisk - Scottish trio which includes concertina player Mohsen Amini (picture above left), Capercaille (picture below) features accordionist Donald Shaw, Rum Ragged (picture above right), Genticorum (Nicholas Williams accordion), Eabhal (Megan MacDonald on accordion), Frog on a Bike (Tom Sennett on melodeon), and the Harp & a Monkey trio (Martin Purdy on accordion). For further information email: tickets@cambridge.gov.uk |
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2024 Australian International Accordion Championships & Festival Celebrates 30th Anniversary – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() In addition to the competition, the event will feature a Masterclass with Anthony Schulz and a a Gala Concert with performances by Julie Accordion (picture right), JAGA Band (picture below) and the “Funkordion” Accordion Ensemble. Download event program here: 2024AATA-Program.pdf |
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2024 South Pacific and New Zealand Accordion Association Championships & Festival Daily Reports - New Zealandby Harley Jones |
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The New Zealand Accordion Association held their annual South Pacific Accordion Championships and Festival on Saturday 1st June at the superb Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom, Auckland. Daily Reports: Videos and pictures of competitors, concerts and the results are online at: 2024SouthPac |
National Accordion Awareness Month - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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June is “National Accordion Awareness Month”. The event was established in 1989 to highlight the accordion’s musical versatility and promote a greater understanding of our instrument. This celebration has a specific purpose — to educate people about the beauty of accordion music and acknowledge its contribution to culture around the world. |
26th Nurmes Summer Music & Summer Academy - Finlandby Christine Johnstone |
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The 26th Nurmes Summer Music & Summer Academy festival will be held in Nurmes, Finland from June 29th to July 7th, 2024. The event will feature a variety of concerts, workshops and masterclasses. Concert accordionist and composer, Veli Kujala will hold an accordion and improvisation workshop on July 2nd. Maria Kalaniemi will perform a concert entitled “Bellows' emotions and stories” at the Hannikainen Hall, Nurmes House in Nurmes on July 5th, 2024 at 7pm. The concert will feature the entire spectrum of musicianship from meditative compositions to gems of early dance music. For further information email: nurmesfestival@gmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Dr. William Schimmel 30th Anniversary 2024 Accordion Seminars - USAby AWW |
![]() July 26, 27, 28, 2024 – virtually Master classes are from 3pm to 4pm Concerts from 4pm to 5pm Topics will include: The Art of Audience Participation/The Sing - a - Long; Embracing the Maximallst Dimension (The Art of Clutter); Faking/Improvising - are they the same?; Working In the Video Dimension; The Varieties of The Mexican Hat Dance and The Hokey Pokey; Classical or Classic; Cassettes are back - giving “Ye Olde Accordion Sound” a return; The Artificial Intelligence of the Accordion before Artificial Intelligence; the Pot of Gold at the end of The Rainbow; Practicing by Real Time Continuity; The Five Minute Ear Training Course; Klezmer from a Non - Jewish perspective and more. The team will include Micki Goodman, Paul Stein, Will Holshouser, Dr. Denise Koncelik, Dr. Robert Young McMahan, Corn Mo, The Main Squeeze Orchestra, Bachtopus, Carl Riehl, Mary Spencer Knapp, Godfrey Nelson, Lorraine Nelson Wolf, Melissa Elledge, Doug Makofka, Rita Davidson Barnea, Erica Marie Mancini, Benjamin Ickes, Dan Cooper, Dr. Thomas Massucci, Gene Pritsker, Peter Flint, Mayumi Miyaoka, Robert Duncan, Jeanne Velonis, Bob Goldberg, David Stoler, David First, William Komaiko, Sari Kalin, Jack Di Bennidetto, John Foti, Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig,Brian Dewan, Lee Mc Clure, Peter Jarvis, Elliott Sharp, Hanzhi Wang, Milica Paranosic and others to follow. Dr. William Schimmel’s upcoming performances: • June 15th, 2024 at 7pm - Church of St Luke in the Field, New York. St. George Choral society, Rossini - “Petite Messe Solennelle” - originally for Vocal Quartet, Piano and Harmonium. This version will be for full chorus, Piano and Dr. William Schimmel will play the Harmonium part on the Accordion. The piece lasts two hours in duration. • June 27th, 2024 t 6pm - Greenwich House, New York. Composers’ Concordance Imitations. Dr. Schimmel will perform his own work, "Putting the FU back in Fugue” For further information email: accordionbill@gmail.com |
6th Cyprus International Accordion Festival – Cyprusby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The event featured a variety of concerts plus accordion seminars with the Greek accordionist, Thanos Stavridis (professional active accordionist / instructor at the Department of Music Studies of the University of Ioannina) who covered “Performance, stylistic approaches, improvisation during live shows” and “The Accordion in the music of the Mediterranean and the Balkans”. Guest accordionist Simone Zanchini held a jazz masterclass and concert at the festival. |
Future events |
“Vangardion” Celebrates 25th Anniversary of “Gernotshagen” Band - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
![]() ![]() “Vangardion” features Matthias Matzke (accordion), Leonie Kratz (soprano), Fabian Matzke (drums) and Fabian Horn (guitar). “Immerse yourself in nature, listen to the soothing sound of the water and enjoy the fresh air. A day full of metal and adventure awaits you in the middle of a breathtaking landscape.“ For details email: info@matthias-matzke.de |
“Grand Tabazù” June Concerts - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() Their music includes a mix of “popular music, celebrating cultural diversity with a festive and generous energy. Combining traditional polyrhythms, contemporary harmonies and improvisations, the Grand Tabazù offers an immersive, participatory and transcultural musical experience”. Group members include Lucas Spirli (accordion – picture left), Stéphane Cézard (banjo), Gérald Chevillon (bass saxophone), Rose Dehors (trombone), Sébastien Finck (percussion), Simon Girard (trombone), Antonin Leymarie (percussion), Olivier Peysson (percussion), Damien Sabatier (alto saxophone), Baptiste Sarat (trumpet) and Adrien Spirli (sousaphone). June concert schedule: 8 June 2024: Presentation Jazzèbre, Planèzes l'Agly (66) 14 June 2024: HICAM, Montoison (26) 15 June 2024: Théâtre Durance, Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban (04) 21 June 2024: La Corne des Patûres, Baule (45) 22 June 2024: Atelier Médicis, Clichy-sous-Bois (93) From 27 to 30 June 2024: Jazz à Vienne, Vienne (38) For details email: lucie@compagnieimperial.com |
Ryan Corbett Performs at Wigmore Hall, London - Englandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() Ryan is a BBC New Generation Artist and this lunchtime recital will also be broadcast live on Radio 3. His program will feature works by Bach, Scarlatti, Mendelssohn, Trojan and Zolotariov. Ryan Corbett also performed a successful Concert d'Elite at the 2023 PIF Festival in Italy. View video of this concert at: https://www.accordions.com/pifcastelfidardo/2023/16video.php |
Traditional Folk Music Concert – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The concert, which is organised by the Waiheke Musical Museum on Waiheke Island, will raise funds for cancer patient Sammy. For further information email: info@musicalmuseum.org |
“Black Pencil” Performs Four Concerts at “Day of the Composer” – Netherlandsby Christine Johnstone |
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The third edition of the “Day of the Composer” will be held in the Netherlands on June 15th, 2024. Black Pencil (picture below) will perform four concerts throughout the day which will celebrate the “colourful diversity of composing in the Netherlands”. Concert details: • June 15th, 10.15am to 11.20am: Almere Central Station. Free admission. A spectacular station concert with the new city song 'Droomstad' by city composer Renske Vrolijk. The event will be opened by Culture Councillor Kees Ahles. The city song is performed by the choir of Opera Flevoland with the accompaniment of Black Pencil. The ensemble will also play works by Alfred Momotenko and Enric Monfort. • June 15th, 11.21am to 12.01pm: Concert on the Almere-Zwolle train. Climb aboard the New Music NOW Express. Black Pencil plays a powerful version of Louis Andriessen's Workers Union during the entire Almere-Zwolle route. • June 15th, 4.30pm: Pandora Foyer, TivoliVredenburg Utrecht. With the Into Space project, Black Pencil gave various commissions to Calliope Tsoupaki and Aart Strootman, among others, in which Flevoland, Land Art and new music inspire each other. Black Pencil will perform Tsoupaki's 'Into Space' and Strootman's 'Sea Level' live for the radio broadcast from the Pandora Foyer. • June 15th, 9pm: Pandora hall, TivoliVredenburg Utrecht. Festival closing gala. Black Pencil swings with a Latin groove in Fuerza Interior by Roderik de Man and Heide Midzomer by Kate Moore, both compositions commissioned by the Performing Arts Fund NL. For further information email: info@blackpencil.org |
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Bruno Maurice Performs in "Chants de l'Estuaire" - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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Bruno Maurice will perform in the "Chants de l'estuary" tribute to Bernard Manciet (famous poet), which will be held at the Sainte Croix de Bordeaux Church in Bordeaux, France on June 15th, 2024 at 8pm. The show is inspired by the “Tryptique de la Vierge” (Tryptic of the Virgin), in the beautiful Saint Croix church that the poet, Bernard Manciet liked to regularly attend. See poster for details. |
Accordionists Entertain on Music Cruise – Canary Islandsby Diatonic News |
Accordionists will entertain on a “Music Cruise”(Musik Kreuzfahrt) to the Canary Islands from June 15th to 22nd, 2024, presented by Gran Canaria. There are only a few spaces left. See poster for performers. For details email: info@marcpircher.at |
2024 Instrumental Festival, Nagoya – Japanby Christine Johnstone |
Coba will entertain at the 7th anniversary of the 2024 Instrumental Festival in Nagoya, Japan on June 22nd, 2024 with guitarist Masahiro Itami. This year's theme is "Rainbow" and organisers plan to “deliver a vivid performance”. Other performers include Tosh Hiketa's Triplex and Aya Project. |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
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2024 Coupe Mondiale Information 2024 Online Entry now open 2023 Coupe Mondiale Daily Reports, Video |
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Information 2024 World Accordion Day Report, 6th May each year |
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Articles Index page |
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2024 Shanghai Festival Daily Reports, Video |
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PIF Castelfidardo 2023 2023 PIF Castelfidardo Daily Reports, Video |
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2024 Malaysia Festival Daily Reports |
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2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports 2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports |
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Interviews Index page |
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2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report 2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report |
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2023 XXXV International Festival, Moscow News and Daily Reports and videos |
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2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
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Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
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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 |
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Accordion Study Produces Community Benefits Article Link |
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Playing the Accordion Benefits Your Brain News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
2024 Coupe Mondiale Online Entry System Now Open - Finland / Italyby Harley Jones |
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![]() ![]() CIA President Mirco Patarini invites the nearly 50 CIA members to register delegates to the 152nd International Congress of Delegates which meets twice in Castelfidardo. President Patarini also invites competitors from all nations to please lodge their entries well before the closing date to assist the organizers for what will certainly be a great Coupe Mondiale. The 77th Coupe Mondiale will be held from 6-10 September 2024 in Castelfidardo, Italy hosted by the CIA member Italian Accordion Culture (IAC), from 6-10 September 2024. The 2024 CIA Honorary Vice President Federica Celesti welcomes everyone to Italy for a wonderful competitions and festival of music. The festival will feature competitions as follows: • 77th Coupe Mondiale • Masters Coupe Mondiale • Junior Coupe Mondiale • International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Junior International Competition for Virtuoso Entertainment Music • Chamber Music - Classical • Chamber Music - World Music Entry closing date is 01 August 2024 and all entry information is online at: Coupe Mondiale Online entries at: 2024CM-Rules Direct Link: https://entry.coupemondiale.org/ |
World Accordion Day (WAD) Gala Concert 2024, "Museum of the Macedonian Struggle" in Skopje - North Macedoniaby Anica Karakutovska |
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![]() The association organized a concert celebrating this international event and birthday celebration of the accordion. The WAD concert was held on May 20th in the "Museum of the Macedonian Struggle" in Skopje. The WAD concert was postponed because of the Easter holidays, which this year coincided with May 6th when we traditionally celebrated the birthday of the accordion. We were then happy to attract our loyal audience to the WAD concert on May 20th. Picture left: President of the MAA Prof.Zorica Karakutovska. Other concert organisers were Vice President Bete Ilin and PR Manager Anica Karakutovska. Host of the event was popular Macedonian presenter Ognen Janeski. The WAD Gala Concert in the past years become an important and prestigious cultural and artistic event in the country and also abroad, thanks to the fact that the concert is broadcast worldwide by a National TV station. The concert featured renowned artists and accordion students from the class of Prof. Zorica Karakutovska performing works by Viatcheslav Semionov, Vladimir Zubitsky, Bete Ilin, Piazzolla, Strauss etc. At the concert, in addition to the solo performances, accordion chamber ensembles performed, as well as chamber ensembles consisting of accordion and other instruments. The hall was occupied with a very enthusiastic audience which reacted truly emotionally and rewarded the musicians with well-deserved applauses. Picture below of the magnificent hall. Read the full photo report of this concert with many pictures at: 2024Macedonia |
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CNIMA Summer Accordion Workshops – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix will hold summer workshops for all ages, levels and styles in St-Sauves d'Auvergne, France as follows: • July 8th to 13th, 2024 • July 15th to 20th, 2024 • August 5th to 10th, 2024 • August 12th to 17th. 2024. Tutors are Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix who will cover holding the instrument, bellows and sound control, different touches, musicality etc. For further details email: contact@cnima.com |
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