Report on the 26th Tsubetsu Japan Philharmonic Seminar

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A "Music Seminar & Concert" for amateur orchestra members was held in Tsubetsucho, Abashiri District from August 25th to 28th, and was led by members of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. This was the second year since the COVID-8 pandemic ended that the event was held.

August 25th (Friday) Tsubetsu Japan Philharmonic Seminar Day 1

The pieces performed this time are Schubert's Rosamunde Overture and Brahms' Symphony No. 4.
On the first day, the 25th, the instructors, who were staying overnight in Kitami, arrived in town on a bus provided by Tsubetsucho Town. After everyone met, they immediately began practicing in parts, splitting into four locations, including the Central Community Center, which has a hall, the Town Hall, and the Town Hall.
Today in Tsubetsucho, the temperature was over 34 degrees, just like Tokyo! We were able to quickly move everyone except the percussion instruments to an air-conditioned room.
During that time, we asked conductor Hiraishi to instruct the Tsubetsu Junior High School brass band.
After a lengthy part practice session from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm, the fun part began: the return of the barbecue party, which had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This social gathering has really helped to foster communication between the instructors and the students from the very first day. I'm looking forward to the concert on the 28th!

August 26th (Sat) Tsubetsu Japan Philharmonic Seminar Day 2

The second day was a day of ensemble fun. The students and instructors gathered on stage for the opening ceremony.
After greetings from Tsubetsu Town Mayor Harada, Executive Committee Chairman Ito, and Vice-Mayor Ito, himself a cello student, and an explanation of the schedule by Executive Committee Chairman Nagano, it was finally time for the ensemble performance. The profound sounds of Brahms' Symphony No. 4 reverberated throughout the hall. However, the heat of the day had been intense since the morning, and the stage at the Central Community Center, lacking air conditioning, felt like a steam bath! We had to change our plans and split into separate performances for strings, winds, and percussion in a larger, air-conditioned room from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, between the afternoon and dinner. (The winds were performed by flute player Abe, an alumnus of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.) I began to worry whether we would be able to complete the piece.
Normally on this morning, a wind and percussion instructor would hold a clinic for the Tsubetsu Junior High School brass band members, which was conducted by Maestro Hiraishi the day before. However, this was also cancelled due to the heat, as students were not allowed to come to school, making it a truly stressful day.
After a long practice session and dinner (the homemade curry and fresh vegetable salad made by the executive committee were delicious!), the long day came to an end with a concentrated performance in the ensemble from 19pm to 21pm, despite struggling with the poor sound of the string instruments due to the humidity.
Tomorrow is the final day of the concert!

August 27th (Sun) Tsubetsu Japan Philharmonic Seminar Final Day

The 26th Tsubetsu Japan Philharmonic Seminar is already on its final day. As expected, the heat wave continued from the morning, and the dress rehearsal scheduled after the morning ensemble performance was canceled to ensure the band was in good condition for the actual performance, except for the Tsubetsu Junior High School brass band's performance. Immediately after the junior high school dress rehearsal, the flute, clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, and percussion players who had participated with us gave some advice on stage, in place of the clinic they had been unable to hold the previous day.
　Even with all the doors to the venue wide open and large fans running, the room temperature and humidity did not drop easily, so we were forced to take a 10-minute break between the second and third movements of the symphony.

The program is as follows.
① "Turandot Selection" by the Tsubetsu Junior High School Brass Band
② Schumann: "Rosamunde" Overture
③Brahms: Symphony No. 4 (all movements)
④ (Encore) Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5

　In addition to the aforementioned performers, instructors of the double bass, oboe, and bassoon also participated on the Tsubetsu Junior High School stage. On the 25th, Maestro Hiraishi gave ensemble instruction, which resulted in a fresh performance that clearly defined the vertical lines of sound and the transition of melodies, and expressed the splendid soundscape of an opera, which was met with warm applause from the audience.
　

　During Chairman Harada's opening remarks, the stage was changed and the students and instructors crowded onto the stage. The maestro's nimble baton led to a performance of Schubert's "Rosamunde" Overture, and the audience seemed pleased with the powerful performance. The second part consisted of the first and second movements of Brahms' Symphony No. 4, followed by a break and the third and fourth movements, performed with a profound yet delicate quality. While easy-to-listen-to melodies were incorporated throughout, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the heartfelt and moving world of Brahms. The performers' (with sweat on their foreheads, no thanks) faces were brimming with a sense of accomplishment as they received thunderous applause from the audience.
Due to the heat, the ensemble time was shorter than usual, but all the participants tried to overcome this handicap by making the most of every moment, resulting in a performance with a level of concentration and quality that was incomparable to the first ensemble.
At the after-party, which was a lively event with everyone promising to meet again next year, instructors and students formed circles all over the place to praise each other, and surprise performances by the viola and clarinet sections added to the excitement.
The event was held in record-breaking heat, something you wouldn't expect to find in Hokkaido, and I imagine it must have been difficult to organize the event from the preparation stage onwards, taking measures to combat the heat. Replenishment of fluids such as barley tea and iced coffee, as well as delicious curry and udon noodles, were essential for maintaining good health in order to perform. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Executive Committee, including Executive Chairman Nagano, who, as always, warmly welcomed us with fresh local vegetables and homemade dishes.