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Children perform with an orchestra! Kanagawa Philharmonic “Yume Concert”

子どもたちがオーケストラと共演!神奈川フィル「ゆめコンサート」

Go, see and feel the world of art
File.11 Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra “Yume Concert”
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)

The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's ``Yume Concert'' is a wonderful project that visits elementary schools in the prefecture and allows children to experience live orchestral performances. What makes it so appealing is that it's not just a matter of listening to a performance, but also a collaboration project where everyone can "make music" together. I thought it would be a wonderful sound, so I asked the Kanagawa Philharmonic to let me participate.

On this day, I visited Yokosuka City Tsukui Elementary School. Prior to the concert, orchestra members held a workshop last December. The school has an atmosphere that welcomes the Kanagawa Philharmonic and is very friendly.

The Kanagawa Philharmonic currently has about 70 members, and more than 50 of them will be participating, so it will be a full-fledged orchestral concert.
The members gather in the morning and begin by rehearsing thoroughly. Even during the lunch break, you can see detailed discussions and confirmations for each part, and while it's peaceful, you can also feel the excitement of preparing for the actual performance.

And finally, children are admitted!
Younger students play castanet or keyboard harmonica, while older students use recorders. It may be that the feeling that ``it's finally time'' is growing among the children.

In Yokosuka City, 5th grade elementary school students are given the opportunity to experience a Kanagawa Philharmonic concert at the Yokosuka Arts Theater. However, it must be the first time for most children to experience a real orchestra. The atmosphere in the gym was different than usual, and I was a little nervous.
We started with familiar songs, such as the Prelude from Bizet's ``Carmen'' and ``Farandole'' from ``Les Les Arles''.

Suddenly very powerful!
Conductor Mirai Abe was also in high spirits!
Many musical instruments sounded all at once, and the volume seemed to overwhelm me.

Next, while introducing the instruments of the orchestra, each of them chose songs that they are familiar with and performed their tones. Some children can't help but hum the melody, which is kind of fun. Even though it's my first time seeing an instrument, I feel like I've gotten a little closer to it.

The violin was introduced by Yasunao Ishida, principal soloist and concertmaster. I thought it was such a luxury to be able to hear Mr. Ishida's violin so close. Larger instruments seem to be more popular with children, and the tuba is very popular!

Finally, it was time to show off the results of the workshop.
The lower grades participated in L. Mozart's ``Toy Symphony'' on castanet and keyboard harmonica.
Meanwhile, the upper grades participated in Elgar's composition "Pomp and Circumstance" on the recorder!

As many of you may know, ``Pomp and Condition'' is a song that is played at the end of summer festivals held every year in the UK, and it gets really exciting. The dramatic sounds of the orchestra and the melodies that the children play with all their might come together to create sparkling music that can only be experienced here. I feel strangely happy

Next was a big chorus of Tsukui Elementary School's original song "Minna Tsukuikko." In fact, this song was written and composed by students at Tsukui Elementary School, and was arranged for an orchestra. It's amazing...to be able to listen to the songs the children created in an orchestra and sing along to them!
At the end, the passionate energy of Sibelius's ``Finlandia'' enveloped the entire gymnasium. The magnificent and beautiful music is worthy of being described by the word ``moving''.
For the encore, everyone sings the school song specially arranged for the orchestra. We will also give away a CD of the same song recorded by the Kanagawa Philharmonic!
After participating in this program, I'm sure more children will think, ``Orchestras are cool!'' Could the future of Kanagawa Prefecture's classical music world be bright?


After the performance, I asked the members of the Kanagawa Philharmonic what they thought of the day.

This is my fourth year at the school, and I am grateful for the warm welcome I receive at each school every year. It's fun to be so close to the children that I can feel directly that they're a little sleepy and that they're listening intently. (Mirai Abe/conductor)

The corner where everyone sings together and performs together is really nice. I think there are many children who are hearing an orchestra for the first time, and I think it's a wonderful experience to create the atmosphere of the venue together. (Marie Furuyama/oboe)

When we hold a concert in the gymnasium where physical education classes and morning assemblies are usually held, everyone looks at us like they're just outside (lol). It may be a little different from a concert hall, but what we do is the same. I'm even more moved by this experience because I can actually feel how happy everyone is. (Nobuyuki Hirao/percussion)


This year's ``Yume Concert'' ended before spring break with fun memories. I'm already looking forward to next year's wonderful concerts and encounters with all kinds of music.

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