NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN ACCORDION CHAMPIONSHIPS

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1 NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN ACCORDION CHAMPIONSHIPS ORGANISER CLYDE JOHNSTON 26 CARMOND DRIVE LARNE CO.ANTRIM BT40 2DB TEL. (028) PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE The Twenty Second NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN ACCORDION CHAMPIONSHIPS held in the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Carrickfergus on Saturday 23 February 2019 was another huge success with reaction from spectators and competitors alike being very favourable towards the festival which ran like clockwork in a very relaxed and friendly spirit. Organised by Clyde Johnston it is the largest accordion festival in Northern Ireland and attracted over 200 entries. The Championships are recognised by the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom as a qualifier for the UK Championships, held later in the year in Liverpool and Clyde was delighted to again welcome competitors from the Chilton School of Music in Co.Cavan, Trudy Maguire's Accordion School and Gerry Kelly s Accordion School from Co Meath as well as the Keith Dickson Accordion School from Scotland coming across for their third visit. They certainly enriched the Championships. There were also other entries from Co.Meath, Co.Dublin, England and Glasgow in addition to the local competitors. In addition there were trade stands on display by Sean O'Neill, Alan Shute, Tom Cruickshank, Rob Howard, Glitterbug Bagz and Scotland Accordions which added great interest and atmosphere to the Festival. The Championships got off to a great start with the Friday Night Concert held in the Glendun Suite with an array of talented accordionists delighting the large audience with some sparkling playing. Helen Rich from Greater Manchester opened the show followed by local lad Nigel Black and his wife Elaine,on the penny whistle, from Ballymena. There was then a duet by Nigel Pasby and Helen Newton from Berkshire followed by renowned accordion teacher Jean Hanger from Harlow in Essex. After the break Jovan Rynjak from Oxford got things going again followed by Moneyrea man Gary Arnold on a Shand Morino. Sean O'Neill and Anne-Marie Devine from Strabane then took to the stage followed by Scotsman Tom Cruickshank. The irrepressible Alan Shute from Glasgow was next and was joined by Helen Rich and Jovan Rynjak in a delightful trio. Barry Smith from Birmingham accompanied by Mark Johnston on drums brought the evening of wonderful playing to an end. It was a great night of high quality playing with many music genres being performed. At the competition on the Saturday the adjudicators, Audrey Gillian, Noelle McCarthy and Sarah McEvoy were greatly impressed not only by the high standard of playing but also with the smooth and efficient manner in which the Championships were run. Outstanding solo performers were Co. Meath youngsters Molly McKenna and Michael Leavey. Molly was awarded 96 marks in her Higher Intermediate Solo Section and so impressed the adjudicators that she was awarded the prize for Best Overall Performance of the Day and Michael was awarded third Best Overall Performance of the Day for his performance in the Championship Solo 15 & Under and the Intermediate Test Piece Sections. Molly is a student of the Gerry Kelly Accordion School whilst Michael is taught by Gerry's son Evin. Veteran accordionist Alan Shute from Glasgow also had a splendid day winning all his classes; Senior Scottish Traditional, Senior Frosini Solo and the Senior Sir Jimmy Shand Solo Sections. He also teamed up with Helen Rich to win the Senior Irish Traditional Duet. Helen went on to attain Gold in the Mozart Section and along with Susanna Brooking from Cambridge was awarded second place in the Accordion and Another Instrument section.

2 Following the visit of Brandon McPhee to the Championships last year and the interest generated by his stage show 'The Jimmy Shand Story' it was decided to build on this by running Sir Jimmy Shand solo sections this year. It got off to a very good start with 5 entries over 3 sections. Finishing second to Alan in the Senior Section was Anne-Marie Devine with Scottish lassie Ellie Arnold taking third spot. Adrian Lemon from Comber in Co Down won the 12 & Under whilst Gary Arnold was awarded Gold in the Shand Morino Class. India Smith from Scotland had a memorable day as well picking up 3 first prizes in the 17 & Under Musette and Frosini Sections and the 16 & Under Tango with other multiple prize winners being Louise Boomer from Islandmagee who won the Senior Polka & Higher Intermediate Late Starters and teamed up with her teacher Clyde Johnston to win the Intermediate Duet, Al Travers, (Dublin) winning three prizes in the Polka, Irish & Scottish Late Starters Sections and Sonja Allen from Larne in the Late Starters Elementary Solo & Accordion + Another Instrument when she played her Tyrolean Harp. Double prize winners at the Championships were Ciara Masterson from Co Meath in the Senior Recital and Senior Musette; Cassie Honan, Co Meath, in the Championship Solo 13 & Under and the Intermediate Own Choice Sections; Anne-Marie Devine from Strabane in the Senior Irish Traditional & Jazz Solo Sections and Christy Glynn, from Dublin, in the Late Starters Musette & Tango Solo Sections. Other competitors from the Republic of Ireland who won their solo sections were, Madison Doherty, Junior Recital; Diarmuid O'Malley, 11 & Under Championship Solo; Teagan Denning, 7 & Under Championship Solo; Aedin Davis, Elementary Solo Test Piece; Heather MacKinnon, Elementary Solo Own Choice; Annie O'Neill, Higher Preparatory Solo Test Piece; Michael Daly, Late Starters Higher Preparatory Solo Own Choice; Annika Ward, Higher Preparatory Solo Own Choice; Maria Dardis, Preliminary Solo Test Piece; Emma O'Brien, Preliminary Solo Own Choice; Ruadhan Tansley, Introductory Solo Own Choice; Alicia Carney, 15 & Under Musette Solo and Sarah & Ellen McMenemin,Co Donegal, who won their respective Irish Traditional Solo Sections as well as teaming up to take third place in the Irish Traditional Duet Section. In the Duet Sections Kyle Anderson & Darroch Wood from the Scottish Borders won the Intermediate Test Piece Duet with Darroch going on to won the Frosini & Scottish 15 & Under Solo Sections whilst Kyle won his 14 & Under Tango Solo class. Evelyn Moore from Templepatrick teamed up with her teacher Clyde Johnston to win the Higher Intermediate and Sacred Duets. They were also awarded Gold in the Mozart Class with Evelyn going on to won her Senior Sacred Solo Section. Lily Simpson & Kirsten Fergusson from Scotland won the Preparatory Duet class. Other Scottish competitors from Scotland who won their solo sections were, Daisy Arnold in the High Preparatory Solo Own Choice; Euan Wilson, in the Preparatory Solo Test Piece and Brian Smith in the Senior Tango Solo. In the Graded Group Sections East Antrim Accordion Ensemble won the Intermediate Test & Own Choice Sections with Scottish group Wallace Hall Primary Group winning the Preparatory Test Piece and Accora Group 2 from Co Cavan winning the Preliminary. Wallace Hall Academy Group were victorious in the Scottish Traditional Section as were the youngsters from Donegal The Doneyloopers in the Irish Traditional group section. The East Antrim Sacred Ensemble won the Sacred and Sacred March Group sections The Entertainment Section had three entries this year and created great interest with all three 'acts' being awarded Gold. First on was Harfenliesl alias Sonja Allen who appeared in national Tyrolean costume and played tyrolean tunes on both her accordion and the Tyrolean Harp, this was followed by the Eazy Skweezers who regaled the audience with a wonderful Carpenters Medley and The Gael and finally Barry Smith from Birmingham & Mark Johnston (on percussion) from Larne rounded off the Section with Barry marching on to the swirl of the bagpipes before finishing with The Dambusters on his accordion. Once again the Orchestral Sections drew the largest audience of the day and they were not disappointed with the musical treat that was served. In the graded Orchestra Sections Royal Meath Accordion Orchestras won the Intermediate and Preparatory Sections as well as first place in the Orchestral Percussion class. The Elementary Section was won by the Accora Junior Orchestra with the Accora Primary Orchestra winning the Preliminary Orchestra Section and getting third place in the Orchestral Percussion class. Making a welcome return to the Festival was the K&S Accordion Orchestra from Co. Meath who attained second place in the Intermediate class.

3 The Sacred Orchestra section was won by East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra who were also awarded gold for their Showband Entertainment programme as well as winning the Senior March and Club Band Sections and taking second prize in the Orchestral Percussion. In the Marching Band Sections Brunswick Accordion Band from Co Down won both the Senior Marching Band Test and Own Choice Sections as well as the Marching Band Drum Corps section and so impressed the adjudicators that they were awarded second Best Overall Performance of the Day. Pride of the Birches Accordion Band from Co Armagh won the Intermediate Marching Band Test Piece and Own Choice Sections as well as being placed second in the Sacred March and Marching Band Drum Corps Sections. Lily of the Valley Accordion Band from Co Down won the Sacred March section and the Intermediate Orchestral March Section as well as taking second prize in the Intermediate Marching Band Test & Own Choice Sections and third prize Marching Band Drum Corps section. The days music making was brought to a conclusion with the Grand Finale in the Causeway Suite when the three marching bands, Brunswick, Lily of the Valley and Pride of the Birches together with East Antrim Seniors formed a Massed Accordion Band with over 60 accordions and put on a great display of rousing marches to the delight of the appreciative audience. It was a splendid way to round off a day of fantastic music making. Following the success of the short concert which preceded the prize giving last year it was agreed to extend it this year and a packed audience was served up a musical feast by some of the very talented youngsters who had performed earlier in the day. First up was 19 year old Ciara Masterson from Co Meath who was placed 4th in her category at the Trophee Mondial in 2016, then there was 14 year old Michael Leavy also Co Meath, who played a duet with & his teacher Evin Kelly. Michael was recently selected, as one of ten, from 40,000 Royal Irish Academy exam candidates, to perform at the National Art Gallery in Dublin. Quite an honour. Michael was followed by a rousing foot tapping performance from The Doneyloopers. Next it was 16 year old India Smith from Scotland who had recently represented the UK at the Trophee Mondial in Canada and attained 2nd place in her category followed by 14 year old Molly McKenna from Co Meath who was placed first in her section at the Trophee Mondial. This was all rounded off by Adjudicator Noelle McCarthy who had the audience spellbound by her delightful programme. The prizes for the days competition were then presented by Noelle and this was followed by a Ceilidh Dance to the music of the Keith Dixon Scottish Ceilidh Group who soon had the audience taking the floor to his foot tapping music. All in all it was a fabulous day s competition and music-making with plans already afoot for next year s competition which shall be on Saturday 22 nd February Special thanks are due to the management and staff of the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Carrickfergus for providing the excellent facilities and their professionalism and helpfulness throughout the day which contributed greatly to the smooth running of the festival; the Souvenir Programme Advertisers for sponsoring the Championships and to the Stage Managers;Ruth Campbell, Barbara Acheson, Evelyn Moore &Valerie Foster; Competitions co-ordinator Mark Johnston; Ballot Organisers Tanya Steele & Karen Weiner as well as Ian Campbell, Bill McCartney & Gary Brennan who manned the Information Desk and photographer Andrew Montgomery of Churchfield Photography. CLYDE JOHNSTON Organiser 25 February 2019

4 NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN ACCORDION CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS 23 February 2019 Adjudicators:- Audrey Gillian, Noelle McCarthy & Sarah McEvoy Senior Recital Ciara Masterson 83 Junior Recital Madison Doherty 86 Championship Solo 15 & Under Michael Leavey 91 Molly McKenna 87 Laura Masterson 84 Lauren Cassidy 83 Championship Solo 13 & Under Cassie Honan 88 Orla O'Malley 86 Aedin Davis 85 Championship Solo 11 & Under Diarmuid O'Malley 87 Niamh Divilly 86 Championship Solo 7 & Under Teagan Denning 85 Aine Harney 84 Hi Intermediate Solo Own Choice Molly McKenna 96 Late Starters Hi Intermediate Solo Louise Boomer 88 Intermediate Solo Test Piece Michael Leavey 88 Cassie Honan 87 Alicia Carney 86 Intermediate Solo Own Choice Cassie Honan 95 Alicia Carney 89 Orla O'Malley 87 Laura Masterson 86 Elementary Solo Test Piece Aedin Davis 88 Elementary Solo Own Choice Heather MacKinnon 88 Aedin Davis 87 Alice Harford 86 Gearoid O'Malley 85 Shauna Durkin 83 Roisin O'Sullivan 82 Elementary Solo Late Starters Sonja Allen 82 Higher Preparatory Solo Test Piece Annie O'Neil 90 Daisy Arnold 88 Emer Collins 86 Higher Preparatory Solo Own Choice Daisy Arnold 88 Caoimhe Murphy 87 Alex Sheridan 84 Roisin Smyth 83 Hanna Finn 82 Amy Gaff 81 Micheal MacKinnon 81 Late Starters Hi Preparatory Solo Michael Daly 84 Preparatory Solo Test Piece Euan Wilson 87 Aine O'Hara 86.5 Grace McGourty 86 Hayley Allen 85.5 Harry Menzies Megan Roche 85 Lily Simpson 85 Holly Dunnion 84 Kirsten Fergusson 84 Alexandra Ghelbere 84 Preparatory Solo Own Choice Annika Ward 90 Niamh Divilly 89 Kirsten Fergusson 88 Faye Campbell 87 Megan Roche 86 Euan Wilson 85 Lily Simpson 84.8 Aine O'Hara 84.6 Harry Menzies 84.4 Hayley Allen 84 Orla Lynch 84 Holly Gunnion 84 Ellie Denning 84 Matthew Taylor 83 Grace McGourty 83 Kayla Bradley 82 Jack Darby 81 Ava Rock 81 James Fitzpatrick 81 Cara Matthews 80 Jayden Gillen 80 Dearbhla Smith 80 Preliminary Solo Test Piece Maria Dardis 87 Emma O'Brien 86 Lucy Golden 85 Isabella Field 84 Katie-Jane Cowley 83 Cian Hodgins 83 Gracie Tansley 82 Grace Fogarty 81 Preliminary Solo Own Choice Emma O'Brien 88 Lucy Callaghan 87 Lucy Golden 86 Cian Hodgins 85 Amy Morris 84 Maria Dardis 83 Jessica Ryan 83 Caitlin Callaghan 82 Grace Fogarty 82

5 Alex Bradley 81 Molly Daly 81 Introductory Solo Own Choice Ruadhán Tansley 87 Ailbhe Smith 86 Siobhan Smith 85 Ella Flanagan 84 Adam Morgan 83 Ryan Cahill 82 Saoirse Farrelly 81 Caitlin Gallagher 81 Zara Mulligan 81 Finn Sheridan 81 Aine Sullivan 81 Caoimhe Tynan 81 Kim Allen 80 Katie Rose Darby 80 Megan Gallagher 80 Pia Gonzalez 80 Hannah Haigney 80 Shona O'Brien 80 Aaron Smith 80 Senior Polka Louise Boomer 81 Late Starters Polka Solo Al Travers 84 Senior Musette Solo Ciara Masterson 83 Ellie Arnold 82 Louise Boomer 81 Juliann Bouchard 79 Musette Solo 17 & Under India Smith 85 Musette Solo 15 & Under Alicia Carney 85 Laura Masterson 84 Late Starters Musette Solo Christopher Glynn 82 Senior Scottish Traditional Solo Alan Shute 84 Brian Smith 83 Scottish Traditional Solo Years Darroch Wood 87 Kyle Anderson 86.5 Late Starters Scottish Traditional Solo Al Travers 85 Michael Daly 81 Senior Frosini Solo Alan Shute 88 Louise Boomer 81 Frosini Solo 17 & Under India Smith 85 Frosini Solo 15 & Under Darroch Wood 84 Jazz Solo Anne-Marie Devine 87 Matt Murdoch 80 Senior Tango Solo Brian Smith 85 Anne-Marie Devine 84 Tango Solo 16 & Under India Smith 85 Tango Solo 14 & Under Kyle Anderson 88 Late Starters Tango Solo Christopher Glynn 81 Juliann Bouchard 80 Senior Irish Traditional Solo Anne-Marie Devine 88 Sheena Dickson 87 IrishTraditional Solo Years Sarah McMenemin 90 Caitlin Gallagher 85 Irish Traditional 12 & Under Ellen McMenemin 83 Late Starters Irish Traditional Al Travers 87 Sir Jimmy Shand Senior Solo Alan Shute 88 Anne-Marie Devine 87 Ellie Arnold 86 Sir Jimmy Shand Solo 12 & Under Adrian Lemon 83 Shand Morino Solo Gary Arnold Gold Sacred Solo Evelyn Moore 85 Louise Boomer 82 Juliann Bouchard 80 Mozart Evelyn Moore & Clyde Johnston Gold Helen Rich Gold Hi Intermediate Duet T/P Kyle Anderson & Darroch Wood 89 Hi Intermediate Duet O/C Evelyn Moore & Clyde Johnston 81 Intermediate Duet Louise Boomer & Clyde Johnston 87 Hi Preparatory Duet T/P Lily Simpson & Kirsten Fergusson 85 Euan Wilson & Harry Menzies 84.5 Sacred Duet Evelyn Moore & Clyde Johnston 88 Irish Traditional Duet Helen Rich & Alan Shute 88 Ellie Arnold & Daisy Arnold 86 Ellen & Sarah McMenemin 85 Accordion + Another Instrument Sonja Allen & Clyde Johnston 88 Susanna Brooking & Helen Rich 86 Intermediate Group T/P East Antrim Accordion Ensemble 86 Intermediate Group O/C East Antrim Accordion Ensemble 88 Preparatory Group Wallace Hall Primary Accordion Group 86 Preliminary Group Accora Group 2 87 Accora Group 1 86 Scottish Traditional Group Wallace Hall Academy Accordion Group 89

6 Irish Traditional Group The Doneyloopers 90 The Eazy Skweezers 89 Sacred March Group Own Choice East Antrim Sacred Ensemble 85 Sacred Group Own Choice East Antrim Sacred Ensemble 86 Entertainment Harfenliesl Gold The Eazy Skweezers Gold Barry & Mark Gold Intermediate Orchestra O/Choice Royal Meath Intermediate Orchestra 85 K&S Accordion Orchestra 84 Elementary Orchestra Own Choice Accora Junior Orchestra 90 Preparatory Orchestra Own Choice Royal Meath Preparatory Orchestra 87 Accora Prparatory Accordion Orchestra 86 Preliminary Orchestra Own Choice Accora Primary Orchestra 88 Showband Entertainment Awards East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra Gold Accordion Club Band East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra 89 Senior Orchestra March East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra 88 Intermediate Orchestra March Lily of the Valley Accordion Band 89 Sacred Orchestra East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra 87 Senior Marching Band T/P Brunswick Accordion Band 91 Senior Marching Band O/C Brunswick Accordion Band 92 Intermediate Marching Band Test Pride of the Birches Accordion Band 89 Lily of the Valley Accordion Band 88 Intermediate Marching Band O/C Pride of the BirchesAccordion Band 89 Lily of the Valley Accordion Band 88 Sacred Marching Band OC Lily of the Valley Accordion Band 89 Pride of the Birches Accordion Band 88 Marching Band Drum Corp 1 Brunswick Accordion Band 2 Pride of the Birches Accordion Band 3 Lily of the Valley Accordion Band Orchestral Percussion 1 Royal Meath 2 East Antrim Seniors 2 Accora Preliminary Best Overall Performance 1 Molly McKenna 2.Brunswick 3.Michael Leavey