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

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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 throughout the prefecture, allowing children to experience live orchestral music. What's particularly appealing is that it's not just about listening to a performance, but also includes collaborative projects where everyone can "create music" together. I thought it would surely be a wonderful experience, so I asked the Kanagawa Philharmonic if I could participate.

On this day, they visited Yokosuka Municipal Tsukui Elementary School. Apparently, the orchestra members held a workshop there last December in preparation for the concert. The school was filled with an atmosphere of welcoming the Kanagawa Philharmonic, and everyone was very friendly.

The Kanagawa Philharmonic currently has about 70 members, and with more than 50 of them participating, this will be a full-fledged orchestral concert.
The members gathered in the morning and began with a thorough rehearsal. Even during lunchtime, they could be seen having detailed discussions and confirmations within their respective sections, creating a friendly atmosphere while also conveying a sense of excitement for the actual performance.

And now, finally, it's time for the children to enter!
The younger students are holding castanets and melodicas, while the older students are playing recorders. The children themselves may be feeling the excitement of "the real performance is finally here."

In Yokosuka City, they are apparently offering fifth-grade elementary school students the opportunity to experience a Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the Yokosuka Arts Theatre. However, for most of the children, this will undoubtedly be their first time experiencing a real orchestra. The unfamiliar atmosphere of the gymnasium must be a little exciting for them.
The performance begins with familiar tunes: the prelude from Bizet's "Carmen" and the "Farandole" from "L'Arlésienne."

It was incredibly powerful right from the start!
Conductor Mirai Abe is also in high spirits!
Many instruments will be playing at once, and the sheer volume is almost overwhelming.

Next, the orchestral instruments were introduced, and each instrument was played to showcase its unique sound, accompanied by familiar tunes. Some children couldn't help but hum along to the melodies, creating a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Even though they were seeing the instruments for the first time, they seemed to feel a little closer to them.

The violin was introduced by the principal solo concertmaster, Yasunao Ishida. I thought it was such a luxury to be able to hear Mr. Ishida's violin from such a close distance...but then it seemed that the children preferred the larger instruments, and the tuba was a huge hit!

And now, it's finally time to showcase the results of the workshop.
The younger students participated in L. Mozart's "Toy Symphony" using castanets and melodicas.
Meanwhile, the older students participated in Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" using recorders!

As many of you probably know, "Pomp and Circumstance" is the piece played at the end of the annual summer festival in the UK, and it's incredibly exciting. The dramatic sound of the orchestra, combined with the melodies played with such enthusiasm by the children, creates a sparkling musical experience that can only be found there. It leaves you with a strangely happy feeling.

Next up was a grand sing-along to Tsukui Elementary School's original song, "Minna Tsukui-kko" (Everyone is a Tsukui Kid). Apparently, this song was written and composed by the students of Tsukui Elementary School and then arranged for orchestra. That's amazing... to be able to hear a song created by children performed by an orchestra, and to sing along together!
Finally, the passionate energy of Sibelius's "Finlandia" enveloped the entire gymnasium. The magnificent and beautiful music is truly worthy of being described as "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!
This program is sure to inspire more children to think, "Orchestras are so cool!" The future of classical music in Kanagawa Prefecture may be bright!

After the performance, we asked the members of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra for their impressions of the day.

I'm in my fourth year now, and I'm grateful for the warm welcome I receive at every school I visit each year. It's fun to be able to directly sense how close I am to the children—whether they're a little sleepy or listening intently. (Mirai Abe / Conductor)

The parts where everyone sings together and performs together are wonderful. I think it's a great experience for many of the children to hear an orchestra for the first time and to create the atmosphere of the venue together. (Marie 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" came to an end before spring break, leaving us with many wonderful memories. I'm already looking forward to next year's concert, where we'll have the opportunity to encounter all sorts of music.