Drs.Norman and Sharon Seaton initiated a detailed project last year at this time called “The Plan: 52 Challenge!” Having read the challenge each week, I can say that it successfully gives valuable information that was helpful in maintaining and promoting playing the accordion and sharing music during the COVID-19 pandemic. This information is always useful and relevant. I suggest taking the time to read and implement the challenges. How did Sharon and Norman provide motivation to all of us? Here is the initial premise of the “52 Challenge”:

1.The NAA is offering to our members and guests what we have named the “52 Challenge.” Once a week for the next 52 weeks, we will create a project for you to initiate or complete that involves the accordion or some aspect of music. You will receive an email each Friday that reveals and explains the activity. Some activities will be quite easy to perform while others will consist of a more extended commitment of time and effort.

2. Our mission is to encourage our members to continue pursuing their love of the accordion! This is not a time for a break in accordion activity. It is true that most public accordion engagements have been on hold for the last year because of the need for players to remain distanced from each other and from audiences. We have missed playing and have missed each other!

The final challenge: NAA Weekly Challenge #52 of 52: Complete the Feedback Survey. There are only three questions. Survey link

History: During the last 51 weeks, Sharon Seaton sent weekly Challenges, also known as e-Letters, to keep USA and Canada-based accordionists motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week’s Challenge is the last Challenge for this NAA commitment to the accordion population. Of course, we have also used the Challenges to keep accordionists posted on the latest developments of the annual NAA Convention.

Problem Area: On the downside of the Challenges was the lack of information related to the number of accordionists who have received and appreciated these Challenges. Reason? Many of the vendors (such as Apple) and browser (URL) organizations have changed their computers thus preventing our e-mail service (Send-in-Blue) from reporting how many accordionists have opened and read the message. In other words, we really do not know who is reading the Challenges.

2022 Convention Update Information: The Public Concert has just been published on the NAA web site: Public Concert Link  

Notice that the breakfast and lunch playing time slots have not been assigned at this time. Those time slots will be assigned to registered conventioneers by next weekend. Have you completed the registration form yet? If not, do it now!

You can read many of the NAA Weekly Challenges in previous publications of the www.accordionusa.com news. Check the Past News Index to easily reach the links to past issues. Did you know that there is a search engine on the left side column of the news which says “Search on Site”. You can easily access information on any topics that were included in the news.

2022 Convention Form with request to perform at the convention!
Hilton Hotel Registration Form

Congratulations to Norman and Sharon for providing motivation, education and commitment to the promotion of the accordion!

For further information: natlaccordion@sbcglobal.net