Texas Folklife 9th Annual Big Squeeze accordion contest for up-and-coming Texas musicians, 21 years of age or younger. . The contest recruits players in all genres of the Lone Star State’s accordion-based music, including German, Czech, and Polish polka; Creole, Cajun, and zydeco; and conjunto, norteño, and Tejano.

In order to better nurture the young talent throughout the state, Texas Folklife restructured the popular contest last year to include three Grand Prize Winners. The contest takes to the road this spring in order to meet young accordion players in their communities and see them perform in talent showcases. Three Final Grand Prize Winners will be devoted to the three main accordion genres—polka, zydeco, and conjunto. The polka genre will include German, Czech, and Polish traditions. Zydeco will include Creole and Cajun musical traditions. And conjunto will include norteño and Tejano. The showcases will be free, open to the public, and feature performances by local musicians.
- See more at: http://texasfolklife.org/bigsqueeze2015#sthash.Kr2UI8bM.dpuf