Annual International Accordion Championship returns to Northern Ireland

The 27^th annual Northern Ireland International Accordion Championships returns on Saturday, the 7^{th of} March at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick. 

Interest in accordion music continues to grow each year, with membership in marching accordion bands increasing. Clyde Johnston, the events organiser and former Secretary of the Northern Ireland Accordion Band League, said, “We have almost 170 entries, mainly solos. There is usually a huge buzz at the championship as we are all in the one area of the venue, there could be up to 300 people there.” 

James Mc Mullan from County Armagh Massed Accordion Band agrees that “They are becoming a lot more popular among young people with parents passing down the tradition to their children.” And says how accordion bands are “Able to bring so many different people from all walks of life, young and old together, and it is something for them to bond over, you can make connections that you wouldn’t have if you weren’t in the band.” 

In the past, the event started as a qualifier for the UK championships which no longer exists however according to Johnson the championship is now “A competition in its own right, by having it open to the world it has more attracted entries, the event includes entries from  Scotland, England, Wales, Portugal, and  Germany  with the bulk of entries coming from the island of Ireland.”

The event is recommended for all ages, where there will be “Three halls going at the same time. The event is made up mainly of soloists and will also include duets, small ensembles, groups, marching bands, and drum majors”. Johnston adds, “We also have polka sessions, tango, jazz, traditional Irish and Scottish sections- basically any section you want!” 

The annual accordion championship kicks off on Friday, the 6th of March, with a concert showcasing 8 pieces, with the full competition beginning on Saturday at 9:30 AM, with a judicator assigned to each area, including world-renowned classical accordionist and Professor of Accordion Djordje Gajic.

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