It is once again my pleasure to present to you my annual President's Report. To provide a comprehensive summary of the last year's activities in these few pages is impossible given the huge number of activities that so many of our members have been involved in or associated with. Added to this has been the necessary significant increase in planning and preparation for the Coupe Mondiale in August, involving many people and behind the scenes activity.

Our newsletters have detailed the many outstanding individual performances and successes for which you are all to be congratulated, so this report is intended to summarise the past year's highlights. I will also provide a summary of Coupe Mondiale planning to date later in this report.

On Sunday 21 September 2008, the Accordion Examination Board of NZ hosted the 28th Allan William Jones Memorial Scholarship event in the Dove Memorial Theatre at Kristin School on Auckland's North Shore. Scholarship recipients were Mira Bi (Grades 3 and 4), Abigail Wills and Steven Zhao (Grades 5 and 6), and Travel Awards were presented to Campbell Hill and Grayson Masefield. Stephanie Panzic was awarded the Douglas Mews Rosebowl for excellence in achieving the highest examination mark.

Three additional special awards were also presented: the CIA Honored Friend of the Accordion to Silvio De Pra, acknowledging his important contribution to the Accordion in NZ over many years; a special award to Marie Jones, honouring her many years as Secretary of the NZAA from 1971 to 2008; and the AEBNZ Merit Award presented to Kevin Friedrich for his major contribution to the advancement of the Accordion movement in NZ.

The 2009 NZ National and South Pacific International Accordion Championships and Festival were held over Queen's Birthday Weekend at the Raye Freedman Performing Arts Centre. As was to be expected, the overall number of competitors was down, largely as a result of overseas entrants especially those from Australia, preferring to wait to visit New Zealand in August for the Coupe Mondiale event. Despite this, it was pleasing that we received the same number of NZ entries this year as in 2008, with four competing in the top class SP252 the Piano Accordion Championship, and four also in the International Open Solo Class. The standard achieved by these competitors was very impressive and they will, I'm sure, represent NZ during the forthcoming Coupe Mondiale with a very real chance of success.

• Regretfully, Marco Miletic, the winner of the 2008 Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion competition who was to be our special guest artist, was unable to gain entry into NZ due to Visa and passport difficulties encountered with the NZ Immigration Service. This was very embarrassing to us and we are making strong representations through a local Member of Parliament to ensure this is not going to happen again. As a result of this, we were forced to cancel the Friday night concert at which Marco was scheduled to perform. However, the Sunday afternoon concert showcasing selected 2009 Class winners, "Notable Soundz" and the North Shore and Musicale Orchestras was a great success. The Sunday evening Farewell Dinner was well attended and enjoyed by all. Trophies were presented to South Pacific Champion Jessica Chen and to runner-up George Xu. Special awards were also presented to this year's recipients:
• Cecil Smith trophy - Bor Kuan Gong
• Cocurullo Family trophy - Shane Adams
• Doreen and Ben Emmett Memorial Rosebowl - George Xu
• Emmett Family Classical Ensemble trophy - Notable Soundz
• Ben Emmett Accordion Orchestra Commendation trophy - North Shore Accordion Orchestra
• Samantha Rutherford Memorial trophy - Edward Giffney

The "Coupe Mondiale Performers Development Programme" initiated by the NZAA and run by Marcel Riethmann to support and encourage students intending to compete internationally, has provided these students with regular performance opportunities during the past 2-3 years, with a panel of teachers and guest evaluators providing valuable feedback on their peformances.

A Qualification Panel was subsequently convened by the NZAA to select and support potential candidates for the Coupe Mondiale in August this year. Its purpose is to ensure that New Zealand will be represented by players prepared to a suitable standard and to develop programmes suited to the classes they wish to compete in, a process that most other countries follow as well. Our congratulations to the following NZAA endorsed Coupe Mondiale entrants as they continue their preparations: Jessica Chen, Eddie Giffney, Grayson Masefield, Stephanie Panzic, George Xu and Notable Soundz.

Sadly, the NZAA lost one of its long-standing members when John Petrie, a player in the North Shore Musicale Accordion Orchestra for more than 25 years, passed away suddenly on 8 July last year. Our condolences also to Marcel Riethmann and family on the death of his father, and the Panzic family following the death of Leo's mother peacefully at home.

Coupe Mondiale -

Firstly, I am grateful to the following NZAA Committee members and helpers who have committed themselves to the success of this year's Coupe Mondiale in August, by accepting specific responsibilities in preparation and organisation for the event.

Marcel Riethmann - performance programme for NZ contestants
Lionel Reckie - organising non-competitive performers and entertainment during the event
Heather Masefield - overseas orchestras to NZ, NZ Orchestra, compositions and World Accordion Orchestra III, the Coupe schedule, correspondence
Christine Adams - World Accordion Orchestra III
Annemarie Panzic - visa requirements and invitations
Harley Jones/Carol Yan - Coupe Mondiale programme
Carol Yan/Pamela Yan - publicity posters, photos and promotional material
Sonja Palinich - publicity, public relations
Alison Worthington - North Shore City Council, Bruce Mason Centre, Spencer On Byron (accommodation)
Danielle Beston - funding applications
Amber Masefield - office set-up, results

A schedule of planning to date for the 2009 Coupe Mondiale 25-29 August is now well in hand and summarised as follows:

Spencer on Byron designated as primary accommodation for the event. Bookings accepted by competitors and public - all information on-line. Transport between the hotel and Bruce Mason Centre will be provided by a shuttle service.

• Bruce Mason Centre booked as the venue for the event -
• two concert halls (1,000 seat and 300 seat) - same complex
• function rooms
• meeting rooms
• office for CIA
• stage seating for up to 140 players for WAO III

Funding -

Obviously the financial burden of hosting a Coupe Mondiale is significant, with our budget in excess of $240,000, so outside financial assistance has been sought for the project. Strong efforts have been made to obtain funding and sponsorship from Local Government and the North Short City Council. NSCC has sponsored most of the cost of the Bruce Mason Centre and will assist with publicity advice and expertise.

Danielle Beston, in her role of funding applications specialist has approached most, if not all, recognised funding bodies with success limited by the current economic recession reducing the funds these organisations are prepared to release. However, the NZAA gratefully acknowledges the support of the following organisations -

ASB Community Trust who have approved a grant of $8,000 to fund the commissioning of Gary Daverne to compose an original work for Accordion Orchestra to be performed at the Coupe Mondiale closing concert by the WAO III and is to be titled "Auckland March".

Sargood Bequest - approved a grant of $1,000 to contribute to prize monies

Lion Foundation - who have approved a grant of $2,500 towards the cost of a shuttle service (van and trailer) between the Bruce Mason Centre and Spencer on Byron

A special acknowledgement here of all the work that Danielle Beston has done preparing extensive applications to all the funding bodies.

Other sponsors have also been attracted to provide prize monies for various categories, i.e. Roland for the new Digital Category.

Public Relations -

Sonja Palinich has been appointed to this role and a full-time PR person will assist with advice and guidance.

Programme -

Design for the high quality glossy printed programme is well underway. Advertising rates have been emailed to Accordion manufacturers/publishers.

Event Timetable -

This is now complete in its detail and available on-line

World Accordion Orchestra III -

• Joan Sommers has been appointed as WAO III Musical Director
• Christine Adams will assist her with all NZ requirements
• Gary Daverne composition "Auckland March" now completed
• Three conductors have accepted to conduct the WAO III, Gary Daverne, Fritz Dobler, Joan Sommers

Opening Concert -

• This will feature the Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne
• The Mayor of North Shore City will attend and open the event

"Promote Accordion Playing" -

A promotion for some 2,000 primary school children is planned on the Tuesday preceding the Coupe Mondiale to maximise the unique opportunity we have to expose young children to the instrument at an event of this stature.

Post Event -

On Sunday 30 August, following the Coupe Mondiale, there is a day trip planned to Dargaville. This is to include a traditional Maori welcome, a luncheon, sightseeing, mayoral reception and dinner at the Dargaville Museum Function Centre, viewing of the "Accordion Gems" exhibit and a concert including a performance by members of the WAO III.

Although planning for the event is obviously well advanced, and I'm happy that everything is on track, there are still things that you as an NZAA member can do to assist. For example, it would help so much if we had a better idea of just how many people we could expect to attend the event and which sessions they would prefer. Coupe Mondiale registration packs and individual session tickets are now available to be purchased. Please, as a matter of some urgency, could you seriously consider your preferences and either complete the registration form on-line at http://www.coupemondiale.org/2009/nz_registration.htm and we will acknowledge receipt of payment by email, or individual session tickets are available to be purchased through Ticketmaster, either on-line at www.ticketmaster.co.nz or from Ticketmaster agents including the Bruce Mason Centre.

Tickets for Concerts, Sport, Arts, Theatre, Family, Events, more. Find and buy tickets: music, sport, arts, theatre, family events at Ticketmaster.co.nz

The NZAA previously hosted the Coupe Mondiale here in 1980 when it was heralded by those attending as "the best Coupe Mondiale ever" setting the standard for other countries to achieve. Now, 29 years later, we are again privileged to host this prestigious event and are committed to "our" Coupe Mondiale receiving the highest of accolades "raising the bar" yet again.

So, as we count down the final two months to the 2009 Coupe Mondiale, I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks to all who have committed to the success of the event - my enthusiastic, hard working committee and others who have been willing and happy to offer their contribution. I'm confident we will all look back when it's over and say "it was worth it".

A big thank you to you all.

John Statham
President
NZ Accordion Association Inc.