World Accordion Day in Superior, Wisconsin, USA

by Kevin Friedrich

A World of Accordions in Superior, Wisconsin hosted a very successful World Accordion Day and Dr. Willard A. Palmer Festival from May 2-4th, 2025 in the magnificent Harrington Arts Center located at A World of Accordions Museum.

The festival included concert performances as well as informative lectures on a variety of topics by guests including: Steve Solkela, Brett Jones, Dee Langley, Abigail Lund, Dwight Deeth, Shelby Setnikar, Dan Turpening, William Popp, Stas Venglevski & Noriko Kijiya (marimba), Mike Middleton & the Middletones, a free Sunday Morning non-denominational Polka Service, local author Anthony Bukoski and accordionist Kris Kopec, the ACM Band, The Masked Accordions, The Three Rivers Ensemble and Festival Orchestra conducted by Dee Langley and more!

The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) held their first World Accordion Day on 6th May 2009, marking the 180th birthday of the accordion - 6 May 1829, the date the accordion patent was filed. On May 6, 1829, Cyrill Demian (1772–1849) an organ and piano maker of Armenian origin, accompanied by his two sons Karl and Guido, filed a patent in Vienna, Austria for the accordion. The patent was approved a short time later on May 23rd.

World Accordion Day is a unique global opportunity to promote public awareness of the accordion, an instrument without boundaries, one that spans all cultures and musical genres.

Dr. Willard “Bill” Palmer (1917-1996) collaborated with Bill Hughes in producing a series of accordion method books (Palmer & Hughes) which have had worldwide impact. Sales ran into the millions making it the cornerstone of the Alfred Publishing Co.

During his period as a professional accordionist, Willard A. Palmer sought to perfect his yet-evolving instrument and contributed significantly to the development of the stradella-free bass "convertor" accordion. He designed the "Palmer Emperor Convertor", and collaborated with Titano Accordions to achieve the realization of his creative ideas.

Willard W. Palmer eventually became one of the most important editors of keyboard music in the United States. He became Alfred Publishing Company's Senior Editor in 1964, researching the original manuscripts of the great masters of keyboard literature, with special emphasis on the study of performance practices in the Baroque, Classic and Romantic eras. He achieved recognition as the leading authority on Baroque ornamentation and lectured on the subject at various colleges, universities and music festivals throughout the country.

The next event hosted by A World of Accordions will feature Alejandro Brittes (accordion), André Ely (seven-stringed guitar), and Carlos de Césaro (contrabass).  Argentine accordionist and composer Alejandro Brittes and his ensemble, based in Brazil, will showcase the South American musical genre, Chamamé. The lecture/deomonstation will be held at 4:00 PM and the Concert at 5:00 PM on Sunday, June 1st, 2025.  Tickets are $25.00 and available at the door.Please visit www.worldofaccordions.org for more information.

From top to bottom:

• World Accordion Day Orchestra, directed by Dee Langley at A World of Accordions Museum

• Stas Vengleski and Nuniko Kijiya  performing at A World of Accordions Museum for World Accordion Day

• Mike Middleton and the Middletones

• Kris Kopec, Helmi Harrington, Anthony Bukowski