AUSTIN, TX — Texas Folklife has officially opened applications for the 20th Anniversary of The Big Squeeze Accordion Contest, one of the nation’s premier competitions for youth and young adult accordionists.
“We are excited to welcome you to one of the most important youth and young adult accordion competitions in the country,” said Sunny Sauceda, Director of Musical Heritage at Texas Folklife. “A program dedicated to honoring tradition, spotlighting talent, and cultivating the next generation of Texas accordion stars.”
Since its launch in 2006, The Big Squeeze has provided a statewide stage for young musicians to showcase their skills across a wide variety of genres, including Zydeco, Cajun, Polka, Conjunto, Tejano, and Classical. For 20 years, the contest has helped jumpstart the careers of many talented artists who have gone on to record albums, tour nationally, teach, and advocate for their musical traditions.
As the program marks this milestone in 2026, Texas Folklife is introducing new enhancements designed to strengthen its impact. These include a restructured application process, updated performance expectations, and the creation of the Texas Folklife Accordion Music Advisory Council, a group of respected tradition bearers and genre experts who will help guide the future of The Big Squeeze.
“We thank you for joining us in this historic moment, and we look forward to witnessing your talent, energy, and dedication throughout this year’s journey,” added Sauceda.
Applications for the 2026 Big Squeeze Accordion Contest are now open. Full details and submission guidelines are available at TexasFolklife.org.
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