Celebrating the Accordion: The Heart and Soul of Newfoundland Grandmothers

In the cozy kitchens of Flatrock, Newfoundland, you might find Madonna Wilkinson at the center of a circle of Newfoundlanders, her fingers snapping in time as she leads a song on her beloved accordion.

At 79 years old, Madonna has been playing the accordion since she was 15. She discovered her passion for the instrument after picking up an accordion left behind at one of her parents' lively parties. Situated 25 kilometers north of St. John’s, Flatrock is where Madonna’s musical journey began, and her tunes have since graced Sunday masses, St. Patrick's Day celebrations, and numerous community events.

"You're invited to a lot of parties and they'll say, 'Bring your accordion!'" Madonna shared, laughing. "I still love it. Music can do a lot of wonders for you. That's what I feel, anyway."

Reviving Tradition: Heidi Coombs' Mission

Historian and musician Heidi Coombs had musicians like Madonna in mind when she and two friends launched "I'se Not the B'y." This monthly performance session at a downtown St. John’s pub is dedicated to showcasing women, non-binary, and gender-diverse musicians who play traditional Newfoundland music.

"I used to notice as soon as I'd say the word 'accordion' people would say, 'My nan played the accordion!'" Coombs explained. "That, combined with my personal experience of very few women at the sessions here in town, got me thinking, if everyone has a grandmother who played accordion, why are there so few women at the sessions?"

A Musical Legacy

Both Coombs and Wilkinson hail from musical families in rural Newfoundland. Madonna recalls her father gathering the family to dance as he played the harmonica, with her mother cooking Sunday dinner in the background. At 19, she bought her own accordion with her first paycheck from a 32-year teaching career. Despite the $20 cost being a significant expense at the time, it was an investment in a lifelong passion.

Coombs remembers her grandmother playing the accordion and her father being a drummer. Her home was always filled with music, particularly Newfoundland tunes on the radio every Saturday morning. Coombs learned to play the piano, guitar, and bodhran, a traditional Irish drum.

It wasn’t until Coombs moved to New Brunswick as an adult that she truly grasped how integral Newfoundland music is to the island's culture. Upon returning home, she found the downtown music sessions intimidating due to their male dominance and high musical standards.

Bringing Women to the Forefront

Despite her talent, Wilkinson focused on her family over performing, although she did occasionally join the successful Newfoundland trad rock band Shanneyganock on stage. "That was my only bit of fame," she said. "I enjoyed being on stage, I wasn't shy or anything.… I just didn't get the opportunity."

Wilkinson raised three children and now has six grandchildren. After retiring from teaching schoolchildren, she began teaching seniors how to play the accordion. She finds joy in discovering through TikTok that many other Newfoundland women and younger generations are embracing the accordion.

Honoring the Legacy of Newfoundland's Accordion Players

Heidi Coombs is now conducting a research project on Newfoundland’s accordion-playing grandmothers. Many of these women, like Madonna Wilkinson, were celebrated players in their communities while focusing on raising their families. Minnie White, known as Newfoundland's "first lady of the accordion," is perhaps the most famous example. White recorded several albums and toured the province after raising her children, performing well into her 80s before passing away in 2001.

Newfoundland’s grandmothers, with their rich musical heritage, continue to inspire and entertain, keeping the island's traditions alive and vibrant.