Texas Folklife Hosts Statewide Big Squeeze Youth Accordion Concert takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Info from Texas Folklife Website: Live Concert to Feature Texas’ Top Young Accordion Talent and Performances by Cedryl Ballou and Conjunto Cats

The 13th annual Big Squeeze Youth Accordion Contest, featuring talented young accordion players from across Texas, will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 1-5 PM inside the Bullock Texas State History Museum. The showcase will feature ten youth musicians battling it out in the traditional Texas accordion music genres: polka; Cajun and zydeco; and Conjunto.

Four winners (including two age categories for conjunto) will be crowned as 2019 Big Squeeze winners at the event. The concert will also feature live music from Cedryl Ballou & the Zydeco Trendsetters and Conjunto Cats. The Big Squeeze is free and open to the public.

The Big Squeeze is a culmination of ten competitions held throughout Texas that began in February and stretched from Ennis to Edinburg. Communities across the state came together to celebrate one of Texas’ most cherished musical traditions while young musicians showed off their accordion skills for a chance to play on the Austin stage.

2019 Big Squeeze highlights included a Cajun accordion workshop and the competition’s upcoming inaugural conjunto semi-finals, which was created to support the state’s growing number of conjunto musicians.

The lively concert and competition will take place inside the Bullock Museum on the Grand Rotunda. Four 2019 Big Squeeze Grand Prize Winners will be selected from traditional Texas accordion music genres: (1) polka (includes German, Czech, and Polish traditions); (1) Cajun and zydeco (includes zydeco, Creole and Cajun musical traditions); (1) conjunto ages 17 and under;  and (1) conjunto ages 18-21 (The conjunto category includes conjunto, Norteño and Tejano.)

Each of the Grand Prize Winners will receive a prize package valued at more than $4,000, including a Hohner accordion, cash prize, performance opportunities with Texas Folklife, publicity, professional development and other professional opportunities. Additionally, the Grand Prize Winners will perform onstage with legendary Texas musicians at Texas Folklife’s Accordion Kings & Queens Concert, held at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre on June 1.  

The Big Squeeze is presented by Texas Folklife as part of its mission to preserve and present Texas’ diverse cultural heritage. Since 2007, Texas Folklife has promoted Texas accordion music genres through the Big Squeeze program. More than 300 young, talented players from dozens of Texas communities have participated in the program, which supports these vital community-based accordion music traditions. The 2019 Big Squeeze is produced by Program Director Sarah Rucker, who has been involved with the program since its inception and returns this year.

“The young accordion players who have participated in the Big Squeeze this year have been remarkable and we can’t wait to see them perform on the Austin stage,” says Rucker. “The amount of promising talent is very encouraging and we’re grateful to provide a program that helps shine a spotlight on the next generation of Texas musicians.”

The 2019 Big Squeeze Finals
Saturday, May 11 / 1-5 p.m.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701

SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTENT

* Big Squeeze Finals Facebook Event
* Texas Folklife Facebook
* Texas Folklife Instagram
* Suggested hashtags: #bigsqueeze2019 #txfolklife #accordionist #texasmusic #bigsqueeze #accordion

About Texas Folklife:
Texas Folklife (TXF) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and preserving the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State. TXF is designated by the National Endowment for the Arts as the official folk and traditional arts organization for the state.

Since 1984, the TXF has honored traditions passed down within communities, explored the importance of traditional arts in contemporary society and celebrated the state’s vibrant heritage by providing arts experiences enjoyable and accessible for all generations. For more information, visit www.texasfolklife.org.

Photo of Melenie Gonzalez, 2018 Conjunto Champion, 17 and Under Category; Photo by Robert Garriott) 

MEDIA CONTACT
Krissi Reeves / High Kick PR / Krissi@highkickpr.com / 512-659-1385

PROGRAMMING CONTACT
Sarah Rucker / bigsqueeze@texasfolklife.org / 512-773-1161