Young accordionist wins five classes

Press, 2 May 1988, Page 9

Young accordionist wins five classes

A young solo accordionist, Kim Kershaw, won the special award for the most outstanding performance at the South Island Society of Accordionists’ thirteenth annual contest yesterday. Her rendition of a French tune, "Chariot S’Amuse,” in the 15 years and over class, was judged the best of 60 entries in the competition, at the Catholic Cathedral College hall. Kim Kershaw also won the junior virtuoso class, the accordion electronic class, and the open amateur and professional test class. The competition judges, Mrs Jan Beck, of Napier, and Mr Graeme Aldridge, said the general standard of the performances had risen considerably since last year’s event. Many of the entrants will play at the Federation of Accordionists’ concert in Wellington this

week-end. This national event was held in Christchurch last year. Among the other winning contestants in yesterday’s competition were Greg Brook, who was first in the senior entertainer and. senior virtuoso classes, and Jeanna McDrury, who won the 15 years and over test class and the open amateur and professional own choice. Ryan Smith was judged best in the 13 years and under 15 accordion solo and the 13 years and under 15 test class.

The winning soloists also teamed to win the first place in the duet sections, Ryan Smith and Kim Kershaw winning the 15 years and under 17 duet, and Ryan and Greg Brook winning the open accordion duet. The Accordettes won the entertainment, the accordion group open and the orchestra classes.