I am delighted to present to you the 2015 annual president’s report. Our newsletters, website and Facebook page have detailed to you the numerous performances and other achievements of many of our accordionists both here in New Zealand and overseas. Thank you all again for the ongoing contribution you have made in continuing to support and promote accordion activities. The following is a summary of significant events that our members have been involved in during the past year.

In July 2014, Noteable Soundz competed at the South Auckland Performing Arts competition in the instrumental section. For the contemporary class, they played the latest ensemble composition by one of their members, Dan Robinson which earned them a 1st placing. They also achieved a 1st placing in the classical category. Notable Soundz were invited to play the following month at the 50th year anniversary concert of the South Auckland Performing Arts Association and they also held their own concert later that month.

In October 2014, the Reekie family cleaned up at the annual awards night of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. These are the highest awards given to entertainers across all genres in New Zealand. Lionel Reekie was awarded the Top Male Artist award with his daughter Alexandra Reekie being awarded the Rising Star award. We congratulate them both on these impressive achievements which help to promote the accordion at such a high level.

In October/November 2014, the 67th Coupe Mondiale Championships and summer congress were held in Mozart’s town of Salzburg, Austria. The official New Zealand delegation consisted of myself, Harley Jones, Heather Masefield and Lionel Reekie. New Zealand adjudicators were Grayson Masefield, Heather Masefield and Stephanie Poole. The total entries were high this year given the location of central Europe. New Zealand did have one contestant, Alexandra Reekie. Alexandra was a contestant in the Junior Virtuoso Entertainment category for under 18 year olds. Alexandra did a fantastic job representing the NZAA and her country preforming to such an excellent standard. She placed 12th in this category. Again, a fine achievement for someone so young at only 13 years of age. The World Accordion Orchestra VIII performed at the finale concert with most of the New Zealand contingent taking part. Grayson Masefield retained his position on the CIA music committee and Harley Jones retained his position on the CIA executive committee which we congratulate them for.

In April 2015, Kevin Friedrich held his eighth annual concert in Dargaville which featured an array of local and guest talent. Kevin’s concerts are always popular events with tickets being sold out weeks earlier. This year’s concert included special tributes to honour local servicemen and women marking the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. As part of the concert, Kevin worked with composer Gary Daverne presenting an impressive multimedia presentation featuring local servicemen and women with Kevin playing Gary’s original soundtrack live. Accordionists from Auckland also travelled up to take part. There were performances by the Auckland Accordion Symphonietta, Lionel Reekie, Maurice Jones and Alanah Jones.

Both the Auckland Accordion Symphonietta and North Shore Music Makers have continued to have a busy time performing regularly in the community.

I would like to make special mention of one of our members and former accordion solo and South Pacific champion, Eddie Giffney. After completing a masters degree in piano performance at Auckland University, Eddie has been accepted into a further masters programme in piano performance at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. We congratulate him on this wonderful achievement and wish him all the best with his further studies overseas.

Our annual championships and festival were held over Queen’s birthday weekend and this year attracted overseas competitors from Australia and China. We were once again very fortunate to have some financial assistance from the Pub Charity and the Four Winds foundation which does assist us greatly to cover our venue costs. We thank both organisations for their support.

The Farewell Concert featured the South Pacific and New Zealand solo accordion championship winners, a guest performance from 3 Accordions, the guest artist Jincheng Xue from Australia, the Auckland Accordion Symphonietta and a performance by the specially formed Massed Orchestra conducted by Lionel Reekie. The weekend was concluded by a dinner at Aubergine Restaurant in Takapuna. We thank our entertainers Stephen Cope, Maurice Jones and Lionel Reekie for helping to make the evening a memorable one.

At the dinner, trophies and prize monies were presented to the following winners of the South Pacific championship classes:

• 12 years and under – Angela Chen;
• 15 years and under – Marina Jin;
• Solo Junior Virtuoso – Zhaodong Yao;
• Accordion Solo – Patrick Liu
.

• Samantha Rutherford Memorial Trophy – Owen Fan;
• Cecil Smith Trophy – Andrew Glover;
• Cocurullo Family Trophy – Antoinette Rodahl;
• Doreen and Ben Emmett Memorial Rose Bowl – Patrick Liu;
• Emmett Family Classical Ensemble Trophy – 3 Accordions;
• Ben Emmett Accordion Orchestra Commendation Trophy - Massed Orchestra 2015.

Thank you everyone for your contribution towards making this event a successful and an enjoyable experience for all.

The following week, a Kiwi contingent travelled to Sydney to compete, perform and adjudicate at the Australian Accordion Teachers’ Association’s competitions and festival. Congratulations to our New Zealand competitors, Corey Jeffries and Owen Fan. Corey achieved three 1st placings and Owen achieved a 1st placing winning the 20 years and under Junior Virtuoso Australian National Championship. A massed festival orchestra was organised for the event conducted by Lionel Reekie. The Starlight Duo of Maurice Jones and Lionel Reekie also entertained at the finale concert.

This just leaves me to thank everyone again for whatever contribution big or small you have made to the NZAA and the promotion of the accordion over the last year. It all helps. I would especially like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for all their hard work and dedication towards keeping us moving forward in a positive direction.

Sonja Palinich
President
New Zealand Accordion Association