Young musicians shine at the Styrian Harmonika State Championship in Innsbruck!

Young musicians shine at the Styrian Harmonika State Championship in Innsbruck!

In the last few days it was said in Innsbruck: "The harmonicas are going!" At the Steirische-Harmonika State Championship , which is part of the 14. World Music Festivals took place, from May 29 to June 1, 2025, over 300 talented musicians competed. This impressive event was organized by the Harmonika Association of Austria (HVÖ), which organizes competition in another city every year.

The championship attracted participants from all over Austria and offered a comprehensive program that not only included competitions but also concerts. The students of Martin Suschnig's harmonious school special: They were able to achieve remarkable placements in several age categories, which demonstrated the high musical level of the school.

results for young talents

The performance in the different categories was particularly gratifying:

• category A:
  • 1. Place (state champion): Josef Schmautzer (Maria Saal)
  • 2. Place: Hoffmann Jonas (Neuhaus)
  • 4. Place: Skubel Noah (Neuhaus)
• category B:
  • 3. Place: Kresnik Jana (Neuhaus)
• category B2:
  • 2. Place: Gaugg Elias (Reifnitz)
• category E (maximum level):
  • 2. Place: Kordesch Jan Matej (Klagenfurt)

The successes of the students not only show their great commitment, but also the excellent preparation by their teachers. This championship was a musical highlight and was a clear success for the entire team around Martin Suschnig.

A look over the borders

The World Music Festival is one of the largest events for accordion and harmonica ensembles worldwide. It was supported by the European Accordion Federation , which includes member organizations from different countries, including Finland, the Czech Republic, Germany and of course Austria. The event allows participants and spectators to gain a deep insight into the world of harmonica.

The first steps of the accordion lead back to 1829 when Cyrill Demian and his sons patented the musical instrument. Today, numerous variants are played, including the chromatic button accordion and the piano accordion, which also enjoy a high priority at the championship. This is also documented by the long tradition and continuous development of the instrument, about which the Harmonikerband Austria reports.

The Styrian Harmonika State Championship and the World Music Festival have shown once again how alive the harmonica world is in Austria. The combination of competition, cooperation and the exchange of experiences makes such events an experience for young and old. We can be excited to see what the next edition will bring!