The Coupe Mondiale at North Shore City (Auckland), New Zealand is truly the “Best of the Best”!

I arrived ten days early for rehearsals with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra as well as a lovely holiday with the folks at the Canterbury Accordion Association on the South Island. The CAA sponsored a concert for me on Wednesday, August 18th, at the Christchurch Girls High School Concert Hall. The audience was so attentive and appreciative, and the people were warm and friendly. The concert included Gary Daverne’s “Musical Party”, DeFalla’s “Ritual Fire Dance”, Belfiore’s “Scherzo in B Flat Minor”, Ettore’s “Spanish Holiday” . . . and much more!

Thanks to Meg Fidler, Lynette and Len Kelcher, and John and Keay Arthur for being such gracious hosts . . . and giving me a great tour of the area.

The Christchurch stay was only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak . . . it is winter here in New Zealand, so give me another sweater . . . oops, I mean “jersey”. Isn’t it amazing how language is the same AND different at the same time?

Tuesday, August 25th was opening day for the Coupe Mondiale. The day began with a reception with His Worship the Mayor of North Shore City, Andrew Williams. The reception provided warm greetings, lively conversations, great camaraderie and was aglow with local New Zealand treats, coffee, and ….

My day continued with a visit to the New Market Rotary Club, where I played a few pieces at their luncheon meeting . . . then off to the Bruce Mason Center in Takapuna, for the afternoon Congress where delegates from member countries meet to discuss the new projects, tell the accordion community of the “happenings” and plan new events and strategies to bring our beloved accordion to everyone. One major addition this year was “World Accordion Day” on May 6, 2009 (May 6th is the historic day the accordion was patented!) The members described many events and announced plans for next year that were taking form.

The opening concert was a stunning display of the accordion . . . and thanks to Gary Daverne and the Auckland Symphony Orchestra . . . soloists Betty Jo Simon, Stephanie Poole, Tracey Collins, and myself were given the opportunity to bring great accordion music with symphony to the public eye, and the 62nd Coupe Mondiale was declared officially open!

Look for more news and photos of the competition on the CIA website, Coupe Mondiale.