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Text includes excerpts from the The History of the Accordion by Wallace Liggett
Pictures from Jenny Cocurullo - CIA Honored Friend of the Accordion - 2004
All documents held in the CIA Archive Center, Ikaalinen, Finland
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"Could we in New Zealand, host the Coupe Mondiale? Would it not be a great event both for New Zealand and the accordion?" These were questions posed to a group of New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) committee members by prominent Auckland lawyer, Gerald Ryan, who was a keen supporter of the accordion movement, with several of his children learning the instrument. Although not immediately acted upon, this idea was a seed sown to soon germinate in the minds of NZAA committee members. With added encouragement from Harley Jones and his father Allan, both of whom had considerable contact with overseas accordion organisations, it became first a feasibility study and finally developed into a definite project.
The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) has a General Assembly of Delegates that meets twice a year. The New Zealand offer to host the Coupe Mondiale in Auckland was presented to this organisation in March 1979, and provisionally accepted. It was obvious that competitors, especially those from Eastern Europe, would have to travel further than they were accustomed, to take part in a Coupe Mondiale held in New Zealand. Even on the few occasions the Coupe Mondiale had been held in America, it had posed financial problems for European competitors. Travel cost was a major obstacle to a bid to host the event in New Zealand.
This acceptance was confirmed when at the "Summer Congress" of 1979 in Cannes, France, Harley Jones and David Lilico presented a promotional film of New Zealand, and gave assurance of an air fare subsidy of $1000 per competitor, with a similar amount offered to several executives of the CIA. This was actually increased to $1500 at the time of the Coupe Mondiale and a smaller subsidy of $600 was provided for all delegates attending.
In addition, all these people had meals and accommodation provided at the Hotel Intercontinental (now the Hyatt Kingsgate). Free admission and transport to all official and social events of the competition was also provided for delegates and competitors.
From the time of acceptance, planning and organising the details of the actual event, occupied many hours of exhausting work for the members of the NZAA planning committee consisting of Chairman Allan Jones, with members, Brian Wallis, John Statham, Fay Schaw, Bernard Ritchie, and Harley Jones. Various subcommittees would meet, often with material spread all over the lounge floor of the Jones' home and regular meetings were squeezed into lunch breaks at a Chinese Cafe in Auckland City. All these were in addition to regular full committee meetings.
Apart from the actual operation of the Coupe Mondiale, the air fare subsidies and accommodation, together with ancillary expenses required considerable finance. Fund raising then became an important activity for many accordionists and accordion organisations throughout New Zealand. A considerable sum was raised by John Statham through sponsors who supported his successful attempt at the world accordion playing endurance record (see biographical section for detailed account).
Other major contributors included the North Shore Accordion Orchestra, the Accordionaires Accordion Orchestra and the Frank Vilich Accordion Orchestra. The Hamilton Accordion Association and the Con Brio Accordion Orchestra also raised money to contribute as did Wellington, Canterbury, Northland, Hutt Valley, Wanganui, Waiuku, Manawatu and Otahuhu. A team of helpers associated with the North Shore Accordion Orchestra under Mrs. Ziebe contributed a substantial amount by catering for the NZ Championships in 1980. Titano Accordions (NZ) Ltd., together with many individuals gave donations to help finance, this the most ambitious accordion project ever undertaken in New Zealand.
The 1980 Coupe Mondiale was also the first International music contest ever held in New Zealand. An attractive souvenir programme was produced in which were details of the competitions and information about competitors, adjudicators, delegates and guest artists.
While touring North America the previous year, the North Shore Accordion Orchestra invited many people to attend the New Zealand event. A non competitive festival was planned to run in conjunction with the Coupe Mondiale to encourage overseas artists to journey to New Zealand as tourists and to perform at concerts.
Before the big event could be staged, the committee of the NZAA decided on the Hotel Intercontinental as accommodation for competitors, their chaperones and other delegates and visitors. The NZAA President with a number of his committee also stayed here. Rooms were hired for all social functions and transport arranged to and from the Auckland Town Hall, the venue for all main events. Performances by local orchestras were arranged at shopping centres and Aotea Square, to advertise the competition and this with many media releases ensured that the public of Auckland were aware that something special was happening in their city.
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Events really got under way on Wednesday, 27 August with registrations followed by a Civic Reception at the Auckland Town Hall hosted by the Mayor Sir Dove Meyer Robinson.
On returning to the Hotel Intercontinental the 64th General Assembly of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes was convened. Following this the Coupe Mondiale competitors drew for their playing order.
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Marie Jones (Secretary - New Zealand Accordion Association), Allan Jones (Coupe Mondiale visionary),
Mrs Eva Majer, Sir Dove-Myer Robinson (Auckland Mayor)
Brian Wallis (President - New Zealand Accordion Association),
Dr. Karl Majer (President - Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), Gerald Ryan (Protocolist)
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Official welcome by Sir Dove-Myer Robinson (Auckland Mayor)
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Back row standing: Gail SJUDBERG (Canada), Dan MASTROIANNI (USA),
Catherine JACKETT (Australia), Werner GLUTSCH (West Germany),
Kevin FRIEDRICH (New Zealand), Alain MUSICHINI (France), Krystof OLCZEK (Poland),
Annette LOFFLER (Denmark), Peter SOAVE (USA)
Middle Row standing: Nerida FARMER (Australia), Christianne BONNAY (France),
sitting front:
Neil ROWAN (United Kingdom),
Alfred MELICHAR (Austria),
Marcel RIETHMANN (New Zealand)
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The delegates in 1980 were
- Australia
Antoine Andrios
Else Brandman
Albert Beaton
- Austria
Dr Herbert Scheibenreif
- Denmark
Jeanette Dyremose
Lars Dyremose
- New Zealand
Harley Jones
Fay Schaw
Judith Lincoln
Wallace Liggett
- Poland
Lech Puchnowski
- USA
Joan Sommers (USA-ATG)
Faithe Deffner (USA-AAA)
Maddalena Belfiore (USA-AAA)
- West Germany
Emil Boettcher
Wolfgang Eschenbacher
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The "Grand Opening Concert" that evening must be one of the most proud and exciting moments in New Zealand accordion history. Gerald Ryan (Protocolist) ensured that the formal aspects were in order, and John Statham, now recovered from his marathon accordion ordeal, compered the concert. A ceremonial Maori challenge and welcome to the New Zealand Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Robert Muldoon, and to the President of the CIA Dr. Karl Majer, preceded the playing of the New Zealand National Anthem by the North Shore Accordion Orchestra and over sixty members of the Rangimarae (Maori) Cultural Group.
Although familiar to many New Zealanders, the following description of a ceremonial Maori welcome will assist overseas readers to picture the scene. It commences with a female voice crying out with a descending pitch at the end of each phrase. The woman performing this may accompany the visitors and the hosts may have a similar singer performing for them. The visitors are then "challenged" by an athletic Maori Warrior displaying facial grimaces and brandishing a spear or other weapon. The visitors place a gift on the ground and then retreat a short distance while the challenging "Warrior" picks up the gift and then returns to the hosts. With the acceptance of the gift the visitors are accepted and may come forward. Speeches are made by both parties concluding with the custom of touching noses, known as "Hongi".
On this occasion, the speeches that followed included the Official Opening of the Coupe Mondiale and Festival by the New Zealand Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Robert Muldoon, a welcome by the President of the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA), Brian Wallis and an address by the President of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes, Dr. Karl Majer. Several items preceded the introduction of the Coupe Mondiale competitors and the Springfield Accordion Orchestra's performance concluded the first half of the programme. Art van Damme (jazz accordion) and Johnny Smith (guitar), backed by Andy Brown (bass) and Frank Gibson Junior (percussion) completed the second half of a memorable concert which was attended by a crowd of almost two thousand. Visitors and hosts then returned to the Hotel where Frank Vilich and Maurice Jones entertained them at the "Mix and Mingle" party.
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Run sheet for official speeches on Opening Ceremony with New Zealand Prime Minister
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Rangimarae leading in Right Honerable Sir. Robert Muldoon (Prime Minister of New Zealand),
Dr. Karl Majer (President - Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA)
Brian Wallis (President of the New Zealand Accordion Association) and official party
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Rangimarae leading in Right Honerable Sir. Robert Muldoon (Prime Minister of New Zealand),
Dr. Karl Majer (President - Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA)
Brian Wallis (President of the New Zealand Accordion Association) and official party
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Rangimarae greeting Gerald Ryan and official party (right of Rangimarae is Harley Jones, Brian Wallis
and Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Muldoon and Dr. Karl Majer
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Opening Address by the Right Honorable Sir Robert Muldoon - New Zealand Prime Minister
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Sam Falcetti (USA) presenting a gift to Right Honorable Sir Robert Muldoon - New Zealand Prime Minister
seated: Dr. Karl Majer, Mrs Eva Majer, Ray McNicholl and Agi Ryan
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Welcome from Brian Wallis (President - New Zealand Accordion Association)
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Welcome from Dr. Karl Albrecht Majer - (President - Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA)
seated in front row to right of Dr. Majer: Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Muldoon (Prime Minister),
Eva Majer, Ray McNicholl and Agi Ryan
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Welcome from Dr. Karl Albrecht Majer - (President - Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA)
left of Dr. Majer: Members of the North Shore Accordion Orchestra
right of Dr. Majer: Gerald Ryan, Harley Jones, Brian Wallis and Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Muldoon
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Heather Jones (now Heather Masefield) leading official party to their seats
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The Ranimarae Maori Cultural Group (with the North Shore Accordion Orchestra in the background)
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The Farewell Concert held in the Auckland Town Hall that Saturday evening attracted a capacity house of over two thousand. Items from the North Shore Accordion Orchestra and the Springfield Accordion Orchestra were followed by a performance from Art Van Damme and Johnny Smith.
Even this excellent program could not allay the growing tension as the audience waited for the results of the Coupe Mondiale, which were scheduled to be announced during the second half of the evening. At last, the Minister of Health George Gair, took the stage to announce the placegetters. Then George Gair and Dr Karl Majer (CIA President) presented the trophies. Third place was awarded to Alain Musichini of France. In second place was Christian Bonnay also from France. After having previously achieved many high placings, Werner Glutsch of West Germany was declared the 1980 Coupe Mondiale winner. Following a speech by Dr. Karl Majer, these three placegetters performed and the audience enjoyed some of the finest accordion playing to be heard in the world.
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Prizegiving Ceremony - Auckland Town Hall
Left to right: Werner GLUTSCH (West Germany), Alain MUSICHINI (France),
Christianne BONNAY (France), Peter SOAVE (USA), Annette LOFFLER (Denmark),
Dan MASTROIANNI (USA), Gail SJUDBERG (Canada), Krystof OLCZEK (Poland),
Kevin FRIEDRICH (New Zealand), Alfred MELICHAR (Austria), Marcel RIETHMANN (New Zealand),
Nerida FARMER (Australia),
Catherine JACKETT (Australia), Neil ROWAN (United Kingdom)
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Above left: 9th Place Winner - Kevin Friedrich (New Zealand) receiving his diploma from Dr. Karl Majer (CIA President)
and MP (Minister of Parliment) The Honourable George Gair, (CMG. QSO)
Above right: Alain Musichini (France) receiving his 2nd Place Award
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2nd prize winner Alain Musichini (left of Alain is Neil Rowan (UK) and Werner Glutsch (Germany) and right of Alain is CIA General Secretary - Walter Maurer, CIA Propaganda Officer - Lech Puchnowski and NZAA President - Brian Wallis
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Werner Glutsch (Germany)receiving his Coupe Mondiale 1st Prize from
MP (Minister of Parliment) The Honourable George Gair, (CMG. QSO)
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Werner Glutsch (Germany) - Coupe Mondiale World Champion 1980
left of Werner Neil Rowan (UK), Walter Mauer (CIA General Secretary), Harley Jones (CIA Vice President), Lech Puchnowski (CIA Propaganda Officer) and to Werner's right:
MP (Minister of Parliment) The Honourable George Gair, (CMG. QSO)
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CIA Officials, Delegates, Contestants and Guests on the stage
at the Auckland Town Hall, Auckland - New Zealand |
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