Why you should become a member of the New Zealand Accordion Association

The New Zealand Accordion Association is your Accordion Association dedicated to the advancement of the accordion in New Zealand. Here are just a couple of reasons why you should join up now!

MUSIC & MUSICIANSHIP

• The NZAA hosts the New Zealand National and South Pacific International Accordion Championships and Festival, annually at Queen's Birthday Weekend.
• This annual event is a great opportunity to hear top New Zealand accordion talent, international guest artists, and orchestras. Or, take up the challenge and compete in the Championships yourself!
• Members only can enter into the Championships and Festival, and also competitors get free entry for the entire weekend.
• The NZAA encourages the development of accordion and music skills of its members through examinations, both practical and theory.
• The NZAA organises accordion seminars and workshops, often involving international tutors and performers, offering members knowledge of current world-class practices and techniques.
• In August 2009 the NZAA hosted the 62nd Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, (governed by the CIA - Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes) in Takapuna, Auckland.
• Becoming an NZAA member means that you will receive first hand information about the Coupe Mondiale, and also find out how you can be involved in this prestigious international event!
• New Zealand accordionists, all members endorsed by the NZAA, have competed in several previous Coupe Mondiales, and NZAA committee member Campbell Bettridge achieved the highest placing of a New Zealander in the 2000 Coupe Mondiale (London, UK), coming 3rd in the inaugural International Competition for Piano Accordion!
• The NZAA has also been represented at previous Coupe Mondiales by numerous adjudicators and delegates and organisers, participating in the international state-of-the-art accordion community.

COMMUNITY & FRIENDSHIP

• Meet fellow accordion enthusiasts and share your passion!
• Regular social events organised by the NZAA are the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with other accordion and music lovers.
• Newsletters, by email or post, are sent out regularly keeping members informed of the latest accordion happenings around the country.
• This new website is the perfect online community to keep up-to-date with what's happening in the accordion world around New Zealand.
• The Members Only Area of the website allows members to promote their own musical events and activities, write reviews, post comments and interact with other active members.

INTERNATIONAL

• The NZAA is the New Zealand representative member of the international accordion governing body, the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), which is a member of the United Nations International Music Council (IMC-UNESCO).
• The CIA was the first instrument specific association to be admitted into the United Nations International Music Council, in 1975.
• NZAA Life Member and previous Coupe Mondiale competitor, Kevin Friedrich, is the CIA Past President. Kevin Friedrich, is now the CIA Ambassador.
• New Zealand is also represented internationally through NZAA committee member Harley Jones, as CIA Public Relations Manager.
• The NZAA is highly active on the international accordion scene, allowing it to pass onto its local members the knowledge and contacts with the various member organisations from other countries, sharing the latest world-class accordion practices and advancements within the global network.
• The NZAA offers encouragement and support to its members aspiring to compete internationally, at the CIA Coupe Mondiale and other prestigious overseas competitions, aiding with funding grants, competition registration, and technical and performance seminars wherever possible.