Children perform with the orchestra! Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's "Dream Concert"

A world of art to visit, see and feel
File.11 Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra "Dream Concert"
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)

The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's "Dream Concert" is a wonderful project that visits elementary schools in the prefecture and allows children to experience live orchestral performances. What's fascinating about this project is that it's not just about listening to a performance, but also about collaborative projects where everyone "makes music" together. I thought I would surely be able to hear some wonderful sounds, so I asked the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra if I could participate.

The school they visited on this day was Tsukui Elementary School in Yokosuka City. Prior to the concert, the band members had been holding a workshop there in December of last year. The atmosphere at the school was welcoming to the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, and the atmosphere was very friendly.

The Kanagawa Philharmonic currently has about 70 members, and more than 50 of them will be participating, making this a full-scale orchestral concert.
The members gathered in the morning and started with a thorough rehearsal. Even during the lunch break, they could be seen discussing and confirming details for each part, and even though the atmosphere was relaxed, there was a sense of excitement ahead for the performance.

And finally, the children enter!
The younger students are holding castanets and melodica, while the older students are holding recorders. Perhaps the children are starting to get excited about the real thing.

Yokosuka City is apparently offering fifth graders the opportunity to experience a Kanagawa Philharmonic concert at the Yokosuka Arts Theatre. However, for most of the children, it will likely be their first time experiencing a real orchestra. The unusual atmosphere of the gymnasium left them feeling a little nervous.
The concert began with familiar pieces: the Prelude from Bizet's "Carmen" and "Farandole" from "The Woman of Arles."

Suddenly it's so powerful!
Conductor Mirai Abe was also in high spirits!
The sound of so many instruments ringing out at once is overwhelming.

Next, the children were introduced to the orchestra's instruments, each selecting a familiar tune to play. Some of them found themselves humming along, which was quite fun. Even though it was their first time seeing an instrument, they felt a little closer to it.

The violin was introduced by Yasunao Ishida, principal solo concertmaster. It was such a luxury to be able to listen to Ishida's violin up close...or so you might think. It seems that larger instruments are more popular with children, and the tuba was a big hit!

And now it's time to show off the results of the workshop.
The younger students participated in L. Mozart's "Toy Symphony" on castanets and keyboard harmonica.
Meanwhile, the older students participated in Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" on recorder!

As many of you may know, "Pomp and Circumstance" is the song played at the end of the summer festival held every year in the UK, and it's incredibly exciting. The dramatic sound of the orchestra and the melody played by the children come together to create a sparkling piece of music that can only be experienced here. It makes you feel strangely happy.

Next, everyone sang along to Tsukui Elementary School's original song, "Minna Tsukuikko." Apparently, this song was written and composed by the students of Tsukui Elementary School and then arranged for an orchestra. It's amazing...the children's song can be heard by an orchestra and sung together!
The concert ended with the passionate performance of Sibelius's "Finlandia," which filled the entire gymnasium with its magnificent and beautiful music, truly moving.
For the encore, everyone sang the school song, which had been specially arranged for orchestra. They also received a CD of the song, recorded by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, as a gift!
I'm sure that by participating in this program, more and more children will think, "Orchestras are cool!" The future of classical music in Kanagawa Prefecture may be bright!

After the performance, I asked members of the Kanagawa Philharmonic about their impressions of the day.

This is my fourth year here, and I'm grateful for the warm welcome I receive at every school every year. Because I'm so close to the children, I can directly sense when they're feeling a little sleepy or when they're listening intently, which is fun. (Abe Mirai, Conductor)

The sections where everyone sings together and performs together are wonderful. I think it's the first time for many of the children to hear an orchestra, and I think it's a wonderful experience to create the atmosphere in the venue together. (Mari Furuyama/Oboe)

When we hold a concert in the gymnasium, where we usually hold physical education classes and morning assemblies, everyone puts on a "formal face" (laughs). It may be a little different from a concert hall, but the content we perform is the same. I can feel everyone's enjoyment, and it's so moving that it's even more moving than that. (Hirao Nobuyuki/Percussion)

This year's "Yume Concert" ended before spring break, leaving us with fond memories. We are already looking forward to next year's wonderful concerts and the opportunity to encounter all kinds of music.