About

About SAFRA

Welcome to the South African Free Reed Association! This association is a public non-profit organisation that is dedicated to the development of the accordion, bandoneon, diatonic accordion and other free reed instruments. 

Our Goals:

  • The promotion of the accordion, bandoneon, diatonic accordion and other free reed instruments at teaching institutions and on local and international level.
  • The creation of a platform through which qualified musicians could interact and collaborate on a cultural and technical level.
  • The development through the progress of the musicians, improvement of the level of performance and the perfection of teaching methods
  • The development of the art of music in word and deed in every way possible and especially through the promotion of the accordion and other free reed instruments.

Please contact us if you have any further questions. To register then register here

Message from the President

Welcome and thank you for visiting our website. 

We are excited to announce the launch of the South African Free Reed Association (SAFRA), the home of the accordion, bandoneon, concertina, diatonic accordions, and other free reed instruments. Our extremely talented executive committee and representatives of SAFRA are working hard to ensure the success of this newly founded association.

We invite all of you as musicians, teachers, and all of you that are interested in accordions, bandoneons, diatonic accordions and other free reed instruments. Be a part of this amazing journey we are undertaking and become a member at no cost.

Explore our website. See news, competitions, upcoming events, our associates, and teachers in your area.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
SAFRA

Executive and Founding Members

Executive and Founding Members

Loren Ehlers - Vice President

Born the 23rd October 2003, Loren discovered music at the age of 6 learning to play the violin. When he was 8 he was first introduced to the accordion when his Italian grandmother brought home a small, bright pink Horner from Italy. Loren began taking lessons with Sergio Zampolli that same year and continues with Sergio as his teacher to this day.

Loren’s passion and admiration for the instrument continue to grow as the versatility of the instrument has no limit in sight. The accordion can play anything from simple folk tunes to grand classical works and exploring this variety is one of Loren’s greatest pleasures.

Under Sergio’s teachings, Loren has participated in various accordion competitions placing 7th in the 18 & Under V/J/WM category of the Trophèe Mondial Del’Accordèon International Open Trophy in 2020, achieving a Bronze Award in the Junior Variety category of the BCA International Anniversary  Festival in 2021 and achieving a Gold Medal and placing 3rd in the Student Junior Virtuoso  Accordion Category of the 12 °Italia Award world accordion contest in 2021. Loren aims to promote the growth of the accordion community and will continue his musical education while promoting this wonderful instrument.

Sergio Zampolli - CMA Delegate South Africa

Started playing the accordion at the age of nine in Italy and carried on in SA when my family immigrated in 1955. It was just a hobby nothing else but that.

Entered various National competitions with then The South African Accordion Association where I reached top awards in the classical category.

When I left the competitive world of competition I joined a band where I played for many years commercial music, still as a hobby.

I eventually joined the Airline Industry where I made a career for 25 years subsequently the manufacturing world in the mining/electro-electronic market as Sales Marketing Manager.

Accordion is still a serious hobby for me, now I am busy teaching via our school of music new generation of accordion players and help them to achieve their dreams as musicians or just enjoy playing this versatile instrument the Accordion.

Membership

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