Report on Bringing Music to Disaster-Affected Areas in Minamisoma 2023

Music for the Disaster-Affected Areas in Minamisoma 2023 (September 23rd-24th)

Minamisoma City in Fukushima Prefecture is a local government with which Suginami Ward, where the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra is based, has an exchange agreement, and is an area with which the orchestra has concluded a mutual aid agreement in the event of a disaster. The orchestra has been visiting Minamisoma City since 2011. Following on from last year, this year they again visited the brass band club of Haramachi Daiichi Junior High School (hereafter referred to as Haraichi Junior High School).

Last year, there were concerns about a decline in club members, but this year, nearly 20 first-year students joined the club. I set foot in Minamisoma, looking forward to meeting the new members and the upperclassmen who I had interacted with last year.

This year, we held a musical instrument clinic and a joint concert by the brass band and Japan Philharmonic Orchestra at Hara Junior High School.

2023Years 9Month 23 days　Musical Instrument Clinic

In the morning, the band members split up into sections for a clinic. The children greet the band members in each section with "Thank you for joining us today!" and guide them to their lesson rooms. The band members smile when they receive message cards. The thoughtfulness of the brass band members always gives us energy.

This time, in addition to the woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn), trombone and percussion musicians visited and provided instruction.

Beforehand, the children were interviewed about any concerns they had during regular practice and what they wanted the Japan Philharmonic to teach them. The intense instruction continued for about two and a half hours for each section. As there were many new members, they were given thorough instruction on the basics as well as instruction on the pieces they were working on in their club activities.

The band members responded to the children's earnest gazes with passionate instruction.　

2023Years 9Month 23 days　Joint stage rehearsal

In the afternoon, there was a rehearsal for a joint performance by Hara Junior High School and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. The musicians took their respective parts and performed alongside the children. The highlight of this activity is being able to perform while listening to the sounds of professional musicians up close. The musicians also gave musical instruction to the entire group. It was impressive to see how they communicated with the children not only through words, but also through "sound" using their instruments.

September 24, 2023 Minamisoma City Haramachi First Junior High School Brass Band & Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Ensemble Concert

The day of the joint concert finally arrived. We started rehearsing the pieces we would be performing in the morning, and continued practicing right up until the very last minute.

When the gymnasium opened, far more people than initially expected attended, and additional seating was added for spectators.

The first part of the concert featured an ensemble performance by the Japan Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet, who performed a wide variety of music, from authentic classical pieces to film music and nostalgic Japanese songs.

The second part was a joint performance by Haraichi Junior High School and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. They performed five songs, including an encore, and the lively, energetic sound of Haraichi Junior High School and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra filled the gymnasium.

[From visitor survey]

Thank you for the wonderful performance. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to listen to live music and for giving the children this experience.

・Thank you for teaching us for over 10 years. We hope you will continue to teach us for the sake of our children.

・It was a powerful concert that gave me energy.

・To the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, please come to Minamisoma again. We had a wonderful time. Thank you!

- To the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, please continue to work for the development of this area and for the benefit of Ichijo Junior High School.

After the concert, the children and musicians enjoyed a little time to mingle. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been able to resume regular interactions since last year, and it feels like the relationship between the children and the JPO has only grown stronger. When the JPO boarded the bus to go home, the children came outside and saw them off until they were out of sight.

Speaking of the Haraichi Junior High School brass band, it is impressive to see the warm support that the local community gives to their activities. We will continue to support the activities of Haraichi Junior High School, which is a pillar of the local music culture.