Yulia and Top International Accordionists Set to Wow Kaipara

Sunday 30 August 2009 is a great day for Kaipara music lovers and a unique opportunity to show off Dargaville’s attractions to 170 international visitors.

Dargaville’s own international accordionist, Kevin Friedrich, will host and compere an “International Celebration Concert” at the Dargaville Town Hall, featuring Russian born Kiwi singing sensation Yulia along with the internationally acclaimed Akkordeonorchester Hof Accordion Orchestra from Germany.

Yuila needs little introduction, having two multi platinum albums to her credit along with awards for the Best Female Vocalist and Highest Selling Album of The Year from 2005. Her pop classical crossover repertoire includes items in English, Russian, French, Maori and Italian.

For her Dargaville concert Yulia will be accompanied by musicians from the Auckland Symphony Orchestra.

Akkordeonorchester Hof is an outstanding orchestra of energetic and talented young musicians which has toured many countries and will be bringing a variety of music appealing to a wide range of tastes. The concert’s grand finale will be directed by Auckland Symphony Orchestra conductor Gary Daverne.

The German orchestra is in New Zealand for the world accordion body, Confederation Internationale des Accordionistes’ (CIA), six day Coupe Mondiale in Auckland. This is an international conference which also doubles as the “Olympics” for the world’s best accordion players. It is being held in New Zealand on this occasion to honour Kevin Friedrich’s retirement as the world body’s president after eight years at the helm.

The Akkordeonorchester Hof’s visit to Dargaville is in recognition of Kevin’s contribution to accordion music and of the town’s proud history in this field.

This connection has been further strengthened by the Dargaville community sponsoring two $5,000 awards for the Coupe Mondiale competitions to honour the memory of local accordion icons, the late Ben Emmett and Jenny Cocurullo. These will be presented by Mayor Neil Tiller and Kevin hopes the winners will be able to play their winning items at the concert.

The visit also provides an opportunity to showcase Dargaville internationally as 172 CIA members are coming and their activities here include lunch at Oturei Marae where they will be greeted by Dargaville Intermediate School’s Kapa Haka Group.

They also have a chance to visit Ripiro Beach on the Big Foot Bus and will later attend a Mayoral Reception, followed by a visit to Dargaville Museum where Kevin’s accordion collection, on display there, will be a highlight.

Kevin predicts the visit will be a great success from both angles.

“The German orchestra is an exceptional one and is bringing veteran conductor Fritz Dobler. With Yulia the concert will be a great show.

“As president, it is an honour to have the Coupe Mondiale in New Zealand and also to have so many members coming to Dargaville, which is also a tribute to this area’s great accordion and musical history” Kevin says. “The aim of moving the Coupe Mondiale around member countries is because it gives a big boost to accordion music and I am sure that will happen in New Zealand and also here in Dargaville.”

The afternoon concert at the Town Hall will start at 3.30 pm with tickets, costing $35.00 and $25.00, available from Wednesday 1 July.