Accordion players from around the world gather in pursuit of a record

All last week, the City of Kimberley was all in the hands of the accordion and musicians from around the world celebrated the instrument at the Kimberley International Oldtime Accordion Championships (KIOTAC). At the heart of the festival was once again the accordion competition where young beginners and seasoned veterans in their various categories were judged by a panel of accordion experts.

Every day, the Platzl was humming with song and activity as talented musicians treated the crowds to free concerts at the bandstand and throughout the community the distinctive sound of the instrument could be heard until the evening hours. Each night, visitors and locals alike also had a chance to hear some fabulous accordion music and dance the night away at the Civic Centre.

KIOTAC Chairperson Jean Irwin says despite the high gas prices, the number of visitors was fairly constant this year and the championships saw even more competitors than in the years before. Once again, she admits, she was amazed by the quality of competition. "Some of the young kids are just unbelievable," Irwin says.

KIOTAC really gives people a chance to celebrate this amazing instrument as well as their friendships, Irwin states. "It's almost like a home-coming. They only see each other once a year and they do it here," she points out. The fun of being in one another's company and playing the accordion was also the reason for organizers to stage another World record attempt this year.

The goal for the attempt last Thursday was to have about 1,000 musicians playing a medley of songs for 30 minutes. They fell short, with only 266 accordionists officially registered, but Irwin says they really did not care. "Whether it's about records or not, we're here to have a good time in Kimberley," agrees Bill Sturgeon who conducted the musicians.

"It's all very emotional," he describes his own relationship to KIOTAC, "A lot of the people who are here are friends and acquaintances." The old-time flair and the fellowship are the things that have brought him back to Kimberley every year for the last 27 years.

Sturgeon says he has seen the event grow over the years and move from its previous location at McKim Middle School to the Civic Centre. But that is not the only change he has noticed. "The standard of music in the competition has increased dramatically," he believes.

One of the more unusual faces that could be spotted at KIOTAC this year is former Canadian Idol competitor Billy Klippert. "I haven't been here since I was 14 and it was great to come back and see it hasn't really changed all that much," Klippert says. His father Jim Klippert owns a music store in Calgary and has been coming to KIOTAC with his accordions 34 of the 35 years of the festival.

This year, Billy Klippert says, he was lucky enough to have nothing scheduled during the KIOTAC week and as he had never been part of a Guiness Book of Records attempt he decided to accompany his father to Kimberley. At the end of the 30 minute performance on Thursday, Klippert admits, he had played the accordion for exactly 31 minutes. He did take a minute to practice and thinks it showed. "I think I did pretty decent."

Accordion music is not Klippert's usual style. After finishing third in the first season of Canadian Idol, the rocker who now lives in Toronto, is just on his way to releasing his third album. In March 2007, Klippert won a Canadian Music Week Indie Award for Favourite Pop Artist of the Year. Although Klippert believes his accordion play would not have been regarded kindly by Idol judge Zack Werner, he does not rule out there might be some room for the instrument on one of his future albums.