S&T Online Accordion Competition 2022
This year we held our first online accordion competition and had an amazing turnout. Over 30 accordionists from around the world came together to participate and compete for the various prize packs provided from our sponsors; Hohner Accordions, Liberty Bellows Accordion Shop, AccordionLove.com, Chardon Polka Band, Erwan Mellec, Alex Meixner and the Cotati Accordion Festival.
On behalf of myself and the judges, we want to congratulate the winners and participants for being involved in this event and making it so special. We had a wonderful time going through all the submissions and seeing all the talented accordionists display their work. It was very difficult selecting winners from all the great submissions we received but we would like to take a moment to say how proud of yourselves you all should be. This event was an effort to promote the accordion, support musicians and create lasting relationships and friendships for years to come.
When creating this competition, we attempted to cater to a different demographic of accordion players. Those that would find the song selection requirements a challenge and a chance to learn something new to add to their repertoire (Billboard Hot 100 songs from the last 5 years).
We didn't want this event to be "traditional" like all the others. By adding the "Accordion Music Video" category to the competition (something that has never been done before), we offered the underdog accordionists a chance to compete using their creativity instead of their accordion skills, something I personally would love to see other competitions adopt.
​
Moving forward we would love to continue this competition next year making this an annual event. With the help of new sponsors and donors who want to invest in growing our accordion community we can encourage more accordionists to take part in this unique event.
​
A huge thank you goes out to all the accordionists, judges, audience judges and those that tuned in to watch this event unfold. This was an extremely special thing to watch take shape and I appreciate each and every one of you for showing up and being involved.
​
Denny Kremblas
​
​
​
​
​
Best Accordion Performance: Smilin Jack
Best Accordion Music Video: Jack Lattimer
Honorable Mention (2nd Place Performance): Jesse Shiroma
Honorable Mention (2nd Music Video): Kate Ronkainen
Honorable Mention (3rd Place Music Video): Sergei & Maria Teleshev
3rd Place Performance: Eric Zawalich
Audience Favorite Award: Abigail Pauley
Rookie of the Squeeze: Luka Ostojic
Winner of the Hohner Bravo 48 Accordion Raffle: Anthony Talarico
OFFICIAL RULES:
Eligibility:
The Squeeze & Thanks Online Accordion Competition 2022 is open to those who agree to the following terms. Must be at least 16 years old at of the date of entry or have parents permission. The competition is open worldwide. Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors, their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate in the Competition. The Competition is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited. No purchase is necessary to enter.
Agreement to Rules:
By participating, you agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and you represent and warrant that you meet the eligibility requirements set forth herein. In addition, you agree to accept the decisions of Squeeze & Thanks, Sponsors and Judges as final and binding as it relates to the content. The Competition is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.
Competition Period:
Entries will be accepted online starting on October 1st, 2022 and ending November 30th, 2020. All online entries must be received by November 30th, 2022 11:59:59PM EST.
​
How to Enter:
The Competition & Free Accordion Giveaway must be entered by completing the following steps listed above under FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO ENTER. The entry must fulfill all Competition requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win. Entries that are not complete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Squeeze & Thanks. You may enter each category only once and submit both entries within the same submission. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If you use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of Squeeze & Thanks.
​
Categories & Prizes:
​
- One Grand Prize Winner for Best Accordion Music Video including a GoPro Max 360 Camera, $300 Liberty Bellows Gift Card, Trophy, One Month Membership to AccordionLove.com, AccordionLove.com Prize Pack, Chardon Polka Band Prize Pack, Alex Meixner Band Prize Pack and One 1-hr Lesson with Alex, Two 1-hr Lessons with Erwan Mellec, Learn the Accordion Kit by Squeeze & Thanks and T-Shirt of choice.
​
- One Grand Prize Winner for Best Accordion Performance including a $300 Liberty Bellows Gift Card, Trophy, One Month Membership to AccordionLove.com, AccordionLove.com Prize Pack, Chardon Polka Band Prize Pack, Alex Meixner Band Prize Pack and One 1-hr Lesson with Alex, Two 1-hr Lessons with Erwan Mellec, Learn the Accordion Kit by Squeeze & Thanks and T-Shirt of choice.
​
- Three Honorable Mentions will receive $100 Liberty Bellows Gift Cards, Trophy, One Month Memberships to AccordionLove.com, One Learning Poster of choice by Squeeze & Thanks.
​
- Audience Favorite Award will receive $100 Liberty Bellows Gift Cards, Trophy, One Month Memberships to AccordionLove.com, One Learning Poster of choice by Squeeze & Thanks.
​
- One Free Hohner Bravo 48 Bass Accordion will be given away in a random drawing to one lucky contestant.
​
The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors. No cash or other prize substitution permitted except at Sponsor’s discretion. The prize is non transferable. Any and all prize related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the winner. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by winners is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors to use winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation.
Judging:
​
Judging will take place after we receive all submission with a series of points awarded by our panel of judges, Squeeze & Thanks, Liberty Bellows, AccordionLove.com, Chardon Polka Band, Alex Meixner and Erwan Mellec.
​
- Best Accordion Music Video will be judged based on Creativity, Cinematography & Editing.
- Best Accordion Performance will be judged based on Performance, Execution & Emotion.
- Three Honorable Mentions will be selected by accumulative points awarded by judges.
- Audience Favorite Award will be selected by accumulative points awarded by online voters after submissions are in.
The Audience Favorite Award category will be up for one week of voting here on this page from December 16th to December 22nd. This is an opportunity for you to invite friends and family to cast their votes and support this competition.
​
Winner selection and notification: Winner announcement video will be posted on both the Squeeze & Thanks YouTube Channel and Instagram during the month of December, 2022. Winner of Accordion Giveaway will be selected in a random drawing by the Squeeze & Thanks. Winners are responsible to respond to phone call, voice mail, text or email. Squeeze & Thanks and sponsors shall have no liability for a winner’s failure to receive notices for any reason. If the selected winner fails to claim the prize within two weeks fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and releases as required, prizes may be forfeited. The receipt by winner of the prize offered in this Competition is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal and state laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY WINNER (AT SPONSOR’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE COMPETITION AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
​
Rights Granted: By entering this content you understand that Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors, anyone acting on behalf of Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors, or its respective licensees, successors and assigns will have the right, where permitted by law, without any further notice, review or consent to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter in perpetuity and throughout the World, your entry, including, without limitation, the entry and winner’s name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image or statements about the Competition, and biographical information as news, publicity or information and for trade, advertising, public relations and promotional purposes without any further compensation.
Terms: Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors reserves the right, in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition should (in its sole discretion) a virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention, fraud or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Competition. In such case, Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors may select the recipients from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors. Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Competition or website or violates these Terms & Conditions. Squeeze & Thanks and Sponsors has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Competition to void entries for any reason, including, but not limited to; multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Competition rules; or the use of bots, macros or scripts or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the Competition may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Squeeze & Thanks reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. By entering the Competition you agree to receive email newsletters periodically from Squeeze & Thanks. You can opt-out of receiving this communication at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the newsletter.
Limitation of Liability: By entering you agree to release and hold harmless Squeeze & Thanks, Sponsors and their subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from (i) such entrant’s participation in the sweepstakes and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof, (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunctioning of any computer, cable, network, hardware or software; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions or telephone or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Competition; (v) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the Competition or the processing of entries.
Disputes: THIS COMPETITION IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF United States AND New York, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Sweepstakes, participant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Competition, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in New York having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Competition), and participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the Squeeze & Thanks website. To read the Privacy Policy, click here.
Sponsors: The Sponsors of the Sweepstakes is "Squeeze & Thanks", Hohner Accordions, Liberty Bellows, AccordionLove.com, Chardon Polka Band, Alex Meixner Band & Erwan Mellec.
​
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Google. You understand that you are providing your information to the owner of this sweepstakes and not to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Google.