Daily Reports: Friday 15 May | Saturday 16 May

Introduction from DHV 1st Vice-President Georg Hettmann

From May 14th to 17th, 2026, the Hotel Estrel Berlin became the center of the nationwide accordion scene. For the first time, the German National Youth Accordion Festival of the German Harmonica Association and the Berlin Accordion Festival joined forces there for a major event.

In addition to diverse concerts by renowned ensembles and students from the HOHNER Conservatory, the festival offered numerous workshops and exhibition spaces for exchange, networking, and new musical inspiration. Young accordionists from all over Germany took advantage of the event to celebrate the “Instrument of the Year” together and experience the diversity of accordion music. Download 40 page color program

Veranstalter: (Organiser)
– Landesmusikrat Berlin e. V. (Berlin State Music Council)
– Kooperationspartner: (Cooperation partners)
– Deutscher Harmonika Verband e. V.
– Deutscher Harmonika Verband Landesverband Berlin e. V. (Berlin State Chapter)
– Hohner Konservatorium Trossingen GmbH
– Deutscher Akkordeonlehrerverband e. V. (German Accordion Teachers Association)
Förderer: (Sponsor)
– Berlin – Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt (Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion)
– Lotto Stiftung Berlin (Lotto Foundation Berlin)
Orgnizational Team:
– Rita Sosedow – Project Lead – Berlin Music Council
– Johnny Eric Mundelius – President DHV Berlin
– Björn Kasan – Vice President DHV Berlin
– Phillip Höning – Lead Accordion Youth DHV 

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Schedule:

Friday May 15:
10:00 – 18:00 hrs Concert slots for participating orchestras/ensembles (45 mins each)
10:00 – 18:00 hrs Workshops with Matthias Matzke (accordion – 90 mins each)
20:00 hrs Festival Highlight Concert: Hohner Conservatory Trossingen and Marcos-Coll Trio

Saturday May 16:
10:00 – 18:00 hrs Concert slots for participating orchestras/ensembles (45 mins each)
10:00 – 18:00 hrs Workshops with Axel Meier (drums, percussion – 90 mins each)
20:00 hrs Festival Highlight Concert: ArtAccA – Project-Orchestra and Accordion ROCKester Berlin

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10:00 Opening Speeches and Performances

Speeches for the opening were by Hella Dunger-Löper Präsidentin des Landesmusikrats Berlin e.V. , DHV 1st Vice-President Georg Hettmann and Johnny Eric Mundelius Landesvorsitzender, DHV Berlin. See pictures above.

The orchestra for the Opening was a mixture of participants from accordion orchestras of the Berlin region. Conductor is Philipp Höning – Chairman of the DHV Accordion Youth. Also performing solo was Prof. Claudia Buder from Music High School “Franz Liszt” in Weimar and Matthias Matzke who was making workshops:
11:00 Playing confidently from memory and freely
13:00 Play Fast and Brilliantly
15:00 Enhance Your Performance & Bellows Shake

Other workshops were Alex Meier, drummer and multi-percussionist.

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11:00 AccordiOona-Orchestra Berlin, Program Page 21

The AccordiOona-Orchestra offers a delightful preview of its upcoming film music concert on June 27th. Under the direction of Philipp Höning, familiar melodies from the world of film will be reinterpreted on the accordion. The repertoire ranges from soulful ballads to rousing soundtracks, blending historical and modern works.

The orchestra’s performance is fueled by the enthusiasm and dedication of its young musicians and promises a diverse concert experience that will leave you wanting more. Has the program piqued your interest? Then join us for the AccordiOona Orchestra’s concert on June 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Berlin State Music Academy!

AccordiOona-Orchestra Program:
Oblivion, Astor Piazzolla (arr. Hans-Günther Kölz)
Psycho Suite, Bernard Herrmann
The Legend of King Arthur, Ian Watson
Pirates of the Caribbean, Klaus Badelt (arr. Ronny Fugmann)

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12:00 Landesjugend-Akkordeonorchester Bayern, Program Page 32

Bavarian State Youth Accordion Orchestra sees itself as a support program of the Bavarian State Association within the German Accordion Association for young orchestral players from its member clubs who would like to gain insight into current accordion literature and its interpretation in collaboration with renowned conductors.

A new rehearsal cycle is announced each year. The conductors also change annually. 2026 conductor is Gerhard KoschelIn. In its 35 years of existence, the Bavarian State Youth Accordion Orchestra can look back on many concerts and tours. Destinations of concert tours have included Australia, Russia, Brazil, China, and many countries in neighboring European countries.

Landesjugend-Akkordeonorchester Program:
Olympic Fanfare and Theme, John Williams
Ballad, Fritz Dobler
Harry Potter Symphonic Suite, John Williams
The Kingdoms, sets 1, 2, 4, Ian Watson
Sandstorm, Ville Virtanten, Jaako Sakari (Arr. Arne Lorenz)

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13:00 Akkordeon-Ensemble der Schostakowitsch-Musikschule Program Page 22

The accordion ensemble has a long tradition at the Shostakovich Music School and currently consists of ten musicians aged 17 and up. The dedicated ensemble members meet weekly for intensive rehearsals, working on pieces from the Baroque period to the present day.

The ensemble performs at least twice a year, giving highly acclaimed concerts.

Musical collaborations with soloists of various instruments, such as oboe, trumpet, harmonica, and bagpipes, and with other ensembles round out the accordion ensemble’s musical profile.

Director: Natalie Bauer
Music Program:
– Palladio, Karl Jenkins
– Gotische Suite, Leon Boëllmann
– Wilde West, Spiel mir das Lied vom Tod, Ennio Morricone (Arr. N. Bauer)
– Oblivion, Astor Piazzolla (Arr. H.-G. Kölz)
– Violentango, Astor Piazzolla (Arr. N. Bauer)
– Little Story, Janusz Wojtarowicz (Arr. N. Bauer)

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14:00 Musika Akkordia Program Page 33

Spring in your ears, rhythm in your heart:

Look forward to a delightful spring concert with the Berlin Accordion Orchestra under its new conductor, Janin Janke. “Pastoral & Springtime Feelings” promises musical images full of light, lightness, and passion.

On the program: the colorful “L’Arlésienne Suite II” by Georges Bizet, excerpts from the 6th Symphony “Pastoral” by Ludwig van Beethoven, an epic suite from “The Lord of the Rings,” and the spirited “Revirado” by Astor Piazzolla – sometimes gentle and connected to nature, sometimes rhythmically vibrant.

Charming, lively, and full of springtime magic – we look forward to seeing you!

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15:00 Akkordeonorchester Datastico e. V. Program Page 31

The Akkordeonorchester Datastico e. V. from Olfen in Münsterland has been delighting audiences for years with a diverse repertoire of rock, pop, and classical music. The dedicated musicians, under the direction of Tobias Dalhof, uniquely combine modern and traditional soundscapes.

The 30 musicians are proficient on their accordions, bass, percussion, and electric piano, making them ideally suited for performances and their annual concerts.

At the Accordion Festival Berlin 2026, they will present their wide-ranging repertoire, from “Best of Herbert Grönemeyer” to “Festival” by Ian Watson and Caravans, to the audience.

Music:
– Festival!, Ian Watson
– Two Tango, Ian Watson
– Udo Jürgens Hitmix, Udo Jürgens, Oliver Spiecker, Michael Kunze,
Eckhart Hachfeld, Wolfgang Hofer (Arr. Hans-Günther Kölz)
– Caravans, Mike Batt (Arr. Hans-Günther Kölz)
– Orient-Express, Gerhard Mohr (Arr. Alexander Balz)
– A Spoonful of Sugar, Sherman and Sherman (Arr. Ian Watson)
– Viva Brasil, Manfred Schneider (Arr. Katja & Stefan Hippe)
– Best of Herbert Grönemeyer, Herbert Grönemeyer (Arr. Hans-Günther Kölz)

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16:00 Balg Band Barnim Program Page 29

Balg Band Barnim
We’re playing in the Forte Hall
Friday, May 15, 4:00 PM

The ensemble was founded in June 1998 and has been led by Kathrin and Wanja Weißig ever since. It unites musicians of various ages, all from the Barnim region. Many of the musicians have been with the band since the beginning. Most of them were or are students of the Fröhlich Music School in Panketal.

The “trademark” of the Balg Band Barnim is its broad musical spectrum, ranging from classical to pop and rock. They not only play well-known pieces but also present their own compositions.

The multi-part accordion playing and the unique sound of this instrument are always at the heart of their performances. In the spring of 2019, the orchestra participated in the state orchestra competition and received the rating “very good.” We cordially invite you to our concert, “A Little Balg Music”!

Music:
– Entree, Wanja Weißig
– Cold As Ice, Jones M. Foreigner (Arr. W. Ruß)
– Israeli Suite Nr. II, Johan J. de With
– Old Castle, Wanja Weißig
– Tango, Wanja Weißig
– Gib Achtel, Wanja Weißig
– Czàrdàs, Wanja Weißig
– Irland, Hans-Günter Kölz
– Traumtanz, Wanja Weißig
– Pictures, Hans-Günter Kölz
– Paint it black, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger (Arr. Wanja Weißig)

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17:00 Akkordeonorchester Vivatum Program Page 27

We are the Vivatum Accordion Orchestra from Southeast Berlin. Our diverse repertoire knows almost no bounds: From pop and rock to film music, classical, and popular hits, there’s something for everyone.

In addition to accordions, drums, percussion, and bass guitars contribute to our distinctive sound. For selected pieces, we are also accompanied by our singer. We would like to present this musical diversity to you at our festival performance.

And if you’d like to become part of our orchestra yourself: We rehearse every Monday from 6 to 8 pm in Berlin-Baumschulenweg and are always happy to welcome new members!

Music:
– Sinfonia per un addio, Gian Piero Reverbi & Luigi Giordano (Arr. Andre Nieblich)
– Prélude, César Franck (Arr. Uwe Tollas)
– Yo soy María, Astor Piazzolla (Arr. Uwe Tollas)
– Top Of The World, Richard Carpenter, John Bettis (Arr. Uwe Tollas)
– Pilatus: Mountain of Dragons, Steven Reineke (Arr. Ralf Schwarzien)
– Everybody Loves Somebody, Irving Taylor, Ken Lane (Arr. Uwe Tollas)
– Too Much Heaven, Bee Gees (Arr. Uwe Tollas)
– Über sieben Brücken musst du gehn, Ullrich Swillms (Arr. Uwe Tollas)
– Junge, Farin Urlaub (Arr. Uwe Tollas)
– Beds are Burning, Peter Garrett, Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie (Arr. Marvin Springer)

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Evening Concert

Eric Dann, Director/CEO of the Hohner‑Konservatorium Trossingen GmbH introduced the performers. The second half of the program was a concert by Marcos Coll und Josué Barquero.

Daily Reports: Friday 15 May | Saturday 16 May