About Us

Graham Laurie is an accomplished Accordionist, Teacher, Composer and Ambassador for this marvellous instrument that we all love and share.

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Graham started teaching music in 1978 and turned professional in 1980. He is well known for his excellent Orchestras, Soloists, Duettists and Ensemble Players. He has been Musical Director and Conductor of Preparatory, Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras, which have been UK Championship winners since 1986.

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He was a Consultant to the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA); this involved developing an accordion syllabus to identify music that met the requirements of the different academic levels for use in the National Curriculum for Scottish Schools.

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Graham is well known throughout the UK, being an adjudicator at many NAO Area Festivals and the National Championships since 2000. He has also adjudicated at many International Festivals, including;

• the International Accordion Show.  (Pontalier, France)

• Coupe Jeunesse. (Bratislava, Slovakia)

• 5th Roland V Accordion Festival Final. (Rome, Italy)

• Norway Accordion Championships.

• CAM Trofeo (Pineto,Italy)

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Since 2004 he has regularly represented the National Accordion Organisation as a Jury member at the;

• The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes “Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships”.

• The Confédération Mondiale De L’Accordéon

• “Trophée Mondial De l’Accordéon World Accordion Championships”.

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As a holder of the British College of Accordionists, Teaching and Performing Diploma’s, he holds the position of Vice Principal of the examination body and regularly examines at its centres throughout the UK and Malta.

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Graham was the NAO Merit Award recipient in 2010 for his services to the Accordion in the U.K. and to the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom.

In 2012, he was awarded the highest award from the NAO and given the position of “Honorary Vice President“

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• Vice Principal of the British College of Accordionists.

• Examiner for the British College of Accordionists & LSM.

• Honorary Vice President of the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom. 

• Past Chairman of the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom (2008).

• Member of the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom Executive Committee for 30+ years.

• Chairman of the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom Music Committee for 15+ years.

• Member of the Performing Rights Society (PRS)

• Member of the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS)

• Member of the Advisory Council for Scotland’s National Music and Festivals Trust.

• Honorary Member of C.V.A. Italy (2011).

Susan has been playing the accordion since joining the Graham Laurie Music Education Centre at the age of 5. Susan began competing in solo and duet competitions from the age of 7 and has won in the National Accordion Organisation UK Championships and West of Scotland championships numerous times. Through this and being a member of the Graham Laurie Accordion Orchestra, North Ayrshire Traditional and Fiddle Groups, she grew to love playing in groups.

 

Susan went on tour with the school to Belgium, Paris and the Netherlands, entertaining others as a soloist. When she left school Susan was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – Scottish Music summer school, and then went on to study HNC and HND in music in Ayrshire College.

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While at school Susan was employed by the North Ayrshire Gaelic Development Office to teach a group of beginner accordion players. While doing this she discovered her passion for teaching others and helping people to learn the accordion, although sadly this group ended when the funding was removed.

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Susan is now in her fourth year of the BA Commercial Music (Honours) degree at University of the West of Scotland. One of the tasks last year was to create a project, Susan founded Accordions in Ayrshire and taught workshops to help increase people's knowledge around accordions and learn within the local area, with lessons catered to each individuals needs.