Brothers squeeze their way to success

May 29 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

BROTHERS Simon and Stephen Gardner who have only been playing the accordion a matter of months have just won a national competition.

A duet performance by the pair, of Dacer Close, Stirchley, won over judges at the National Accordion Organisation championships, in Scarborough.

Simon, aged ten and Stephen, 11, were first introduced to the instrument at Fairway Junior School, in Kings Norton.

Stephen liked it so much he took up lessons and his younger brother soon followed suit.

Their mum Sabina, who went along to watch her boys in the contest, said: "There are not many people in the Midlands who play the accordion. They practised twice a day before the competition and went up against other youngsters from across the country.

"It was such a big event and it was very competitive. It was wonderful to see them play and then win. Tears were rolling down my face when I heard their names announced to say they had won."

Simon and Stephen go to the Ingrid Hotel accordion group, in Selly Oak.

Their teacher Ingrid Gould said more and more people are wanting to learn to play the instrument, which has been around since the 1800s.

She added: "I'm very proud of how Stephen and Simon got on because they haven't been playing the accordion for very long."