It is my pleasure to present to you my first annual president’s report. Our newsletters have detailed the numerous outstanding individual performances and achievements of many of our top students and talented professional accordionists both here in New Zealand and overseas. You have all highlighted the versatility of the accordion and I thank you for the huge contribution you have all made to maintaining and improving the profile of our instrument in this country. Following is a summary of other significant activities during the past year.

On Sunday 25 September 2011, the Allan William Jones Memorial scholarship morning was held at the newly refurbished Brian Gerrard Theatre at Birkenhead College of Auckland’s North Shore. The variety programme included performances by the North Shore Music Makers and the four New Zealand competitors who were leaving the following week to compete at the Coupe Mondiale Championships and Festival in Shanghai, China being Eddie Giffney, Patrick Liu, Alexandra Reekie and Bor-Kuan Song. All competitors used the opportunity to perform their programmes before the international competition. The Accordion Examination Board awarded each competitor a well-deserved cash sum to reward them for their hard work and efforts in preparing for the competition. The Douglas Mews Rose Bowl for excellence was presented to Helen Wang.

A large contingent of New Zealanders including myself went to Shanghai for the Coupe Mondiale Championships from 1 October to 6 October. Due to the size of the contingent, a New Zealand welcome party was put on for us the night before the championships began hosted by the CIA Ambassador, Kevin Friedrich.

The New Zealanders were well represented at the championships. Myself, Carol Yan, Heather Masefield and Grayson Masefield were all delegates for New Zealand. Alison Worthington was a delegate for the United Kingdom and assisted with the results. Heather Masefield, Grayson Masefield and Stephanie Poole were members of the international jury. Harley Jones as Public Relations Manager on the CIA Executive and Grayson Masefield on the CIA Music Committee.

The four New Zealanders all competed well to a standard we can all be proud of in some fierce international competition. Grayson Masefield also performed as a guest artist in the evening concerts. What became apparent is that New Zealand is firmly cemented on the international accordion scene.

On Sunday, 25 March 2012, a contingent of accordionists left Auckland for Dargaville. This was to open the Wakefield to Masefield exhibition at the Dargaville Museum. The exhibition tells the story of the accordion in New Zealand from Wakefield’s ship in 1839 to Grayson Masefield winning the Coupe Mondiale in 2009. A concert was held beforehand at the Dargaville Museum hosted by Kevin Friedrich. The concert included a variety of performances from local artists. Kevin provided a variety of accordion entertainment. There were also performances from the NZAA Accordion Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne (which was especially formed for this concert), the Starlight Duo (Maurice Jones and Lionel Reekie) and the Reekie family. It was also an opportunity to honour Kevin in front of his home crowd with the presentation of his NZAA Lifetime Achievement Award and a birthday cake to celebrate his 50th birthday. Following the successful concert, there was an official opening of the exhibition by myself, Marie Jones and Dargaville Mayor, His Worship Neil Tiller. This exhibition runs until November 2012 and I would encourage members to make the trip to see this impressive exhibition. It was a most fitting way to cap off our 40th anniversary year.

I note the passings of Jean Cheetham of Wellington in July 2011, Toni Savage, an Auckland entertainer in January 2012 and John Dooley, the secretary of the Canterbury Accordion Association in May 2012.

On 25 April 2012, the accordion community lost one of its most charismatic entertainers, Grant “Yogi” Martin. His death came as a shock to many. He is remembered for his great contribution to the accordion in New Zealand and his unique and individual style.

Shortly afterwards, on 1 May 2012, the NZAA lost one of its most important and valued life-time members Silvio De Pra. Silvio’s contribution to the accordion in New Zealand was immense not only as an entertainer but as the Chair and examiner of the Accordion Examination Board. Silvio freely gave up his time over 40 years to the NZAA adjudicating and entertaining at the annual competitions. Silvio was farewelled at a service held on 4 May. The following evening, Jim Sutton presented a tribute to Silvio on the radio. Lionel Reekie played at a Variety Artists Club tribute for Silvio on 7 May. Silvio was involved with this entertainers’ club for many years and was held in very high regard by them.

As always, our annual competitions and festival were held on Queen’s birthday weekend. This year we had something different with a youth orchestra for players from all around New Zealand and overseas guests under the age of 18 years. This orchestra performed at the Sunday Farewell concert conducted by Christine Johnstone. It was great to see a mass of younger players assembled on stage performing together.

This was a memorable weekend and was capped off at a dinner at the Brigham Restaurant in Whenuapai where we were again treated to a great evening and wonderful accordion entertainment including the “junior” Starlight Duo of Alanah Jones and Alexandra Reekie who performed with their fathers. It was a very memorable performance enjoyed by the appreciative audience. Thank you also to the other entertainers on the night, Stephen Cope, Maurice Jones and Lionel Reekie.

At the evening, trophies were presented to the following winners of the South Pacific Championship classes:
1. 12 years and under – Alexandra Reekie;
2. 15 years and under – Helen Wang;
3. Open Accordion (18 years and under) Solo – Patrick Liu; and
4. Accordion Solo – Christal Sautaux.

• Samantha Rutherford Memorial Trophy – Dan Robinson
• Cecil Smith Trophy – Caleb Hendry
• Cocorullo Family Trophy – Tyler Battista
• Doreen and Ben Emmett Memorial Rose Bowl – Kristina Roper
• Emmett Family Classical Ensemble Trophy – North Shore Music Makers
• Ben Emmett Accordion Orchestra Commendation Trophy – East Auckland Accordion Orchestra

As you are aware, this has been my first year as NZAA president and obviously I have had some big shoes to fill with John Statham who was president for 28 years leaving the role last year with an impressive legacy. It is pleasing to see that we have such a committed group of people dedicated to guiding the Association into the future and I look forward to continue to work with you all.

Sonja Palinich
President
New Zealand Accordion Association