Picture left: Kevin Friedrich smiles as he receives a standing ovation.

For the 4th time, the concert “Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends” was held in Dargaville, New Zealand at the Lighthouse Function Center. For a full report of the concert, with photos and background information: Dargaville2011

This picturesque Center overlooking the town and river, was sold out with quite a few people being turned away. Dargaville was Kevin Friedrich’s home town before he moved to the USA at 18 years of age, to go to UMKC University studying accordion to gain his degree majoring in accordion.

Kevin has remained living in the USA since then excepting studying in Europe for a period and has been a long time member of the AAA and ATG Boards and internationally, has just recently retired as CIA President.

Kevin Friedrich returns to New Zealand annually to make this fundraising concert for the Dargaville museum where there is a permanent historical accordion display titled ‘Accordion Gems – A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time’. This display was initiated and developed by Kevin over recent years.

Local performers were part of the program which included the first performance on the brand new piano at the Center. Proceeds from last years and this years concerts had purchased the beautiful new piano, which is something that the entire community can enjoy.

The second half of the concert was devoted to accordion, opening with Ben Emmett’s Accordions (BEA) Reunion Ensemble in honor of Ben and Doreen Emmett’s role as founding members of the New Zealand Accordion Association, which is celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year.

The concert continued with Kevin performing a very popular solo program of novelty pieces, entertainment works, a few classical selections plus a medley featuring Kevin with dancers, pianist Nolene Osbaldiston and flautist Pippa Howes. The concert closed with three duos by Kevin with internationally popular accordionist Lionel Reekie.

After the concert was an Open Jam Session and Sing-A-Long and two other accordionists, well known in the USA, Harley and Maurice Jones joined others to make an enjoyable jam session.

For a full report of the concert, with photos and background information: Dargaville2011