PICA 3 now online

On your left you will see a menu item called "ICA Membership". Click on that and it will take you to a page that lists all the membership costs and will help you either join or pay your renewal subs, either by Paypal (with useful links so you don't have to type much) or by cheque or (our favourite) standing order. As for the benefits, well, just look around this site!

The ICA AGM on Saturday October 13th has now been and gone. Click here for a PDF file describing what you misssed if you didn't go. The minutes are here.

The most significant change for this website is that there has been a change of webmaster. Jonathan Taylor, the previouse incumbent, has stepped down due to other commitments. A well deserved vote of thanks to him was passed at the AGM. The current shape of the site is largely due to Jonathan, so nice one, mate.

The new webmaster is me, Chris Timson. Hallo. Hope you enjoy the site and find it useful.

New Tunes pages

Don't squeeze alone -- join the Association -- and get PICA!

The International Concertina Association was founded over 50 years ago and works to promote the music and playing of the various forms of concertina.

Membership is worldwide, and growing, and musical interests cover a wide range from classical, through jazz, folk, religious, and Cajun! All ages and playing ability levels are represented, and anyone who enjoys hearing about the activities of other players, learning about gatherings of fellow enthusiasts, sources of music (recorded or written), courses, and much, much more will benefit from membership.

The ICA has an extensive library, available to members, and a lively quarterly newsletter, "Concertina World" acts as the mouthpiece for the members. Contributions are welcomed (the editor would love to hear from you).

Various concertina-related events have been sponsored by the ICA, including Concertinas at Witney, Kilve Weekend, the Swaledale Squeeze, and the gathering in the nostalgic setting of the Mexborough Concertina Band Club. Individual young players are also sponsored, via bursary awards towards tuition at Concertinas at Witney and the Durham Folkworks Summer School, and a grant to the Hope Valley Squeezebox Project aimed at encouraging the future generation of concertina players to take part in a structured learning activity.

We have an Internet mailing list exclusively for members of the ICA and, of course, this web site. Most of the mainland UK is within 2-3 hours drive of a regular meeting for players -- the ICA can help you find one near your home! Several key folk festivals offer concertina workshops. So why not join us now and find out more about concertina events?

Please send any errors or omissions to webmaster@concertina.org.