The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra collaborates with local junior high school students!

The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra (hereinafter referred to as Kanagawa Phil) collaborated with junior high school students in Yokohama to hold the "Yokohama Next Concert." We spoke with Toru Sakakibara, Music Director of the Kanagawa Phil, about the origins of this project.
The first event was held in September 2023, and planning for the second event is steadily progressing.
(Top image: Photo by Fumiaki Fujimoto / Provided by Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

Why would a professional orchestra collaborate with local middle school students?

I was fortunate enough to get a ticket on the day of the "Yokohama Next Concert," and I was deeply impressed by the program, which exceeded my expectations, and became interested in the unique concept.

—It's quite unusual for a professional orchestra to hold a concert with a local junior high school. Could you tell us about the background behind this project?

Since 2013, Sakakibara has been performing the "Yokohama Pops Orchestra" concert with a grant from the city of Yokohama. However, in response to changing times, the project has been revised, and with the city's approval, it has been revamped into the current project of the same scale.

—So that became the new project, "Yokohama Next Concert," right?

As a new project for this year, Sakakibara conceived of a concert in which the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and the junior high school brass bands from the 18 wards of Yokohama City would perform together, with the aim of providing an opportunity for the next generation, who will shape the future, to share the stage at a high level.

—Hodogaya Ward was the first to be included in this initiative. Why was Hodogaya Ward chosen first?

The Kanagawa Art Hall, which the Sakakibara Kanagawa Philharmonic uses as a rehearsal venue and which is also managed by the designated management company, is located in Hodogaya Ward. Because of this connection, we have been on friendly terms with Hodogaya Junior High School for some time. So we reached out to the brass band club and that's how "Yokohama Next Concert 2023 Meets Hodogaya Ward" came to be.

(Provided by Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

Give children the best experience with professionals.

—How were the pieces to be performed at the "Yokohama Next Concert" selected?

Sakakibara selected these items while keeping three key points in mind.
Firstly, the selection of pieces for Hodogaya Junior High School's brass band performance showcases the results of their daily practice. Secondly, the performance by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra alone allows the audience to appreciate the rich sound of the orchestra and its contrast with the brass band. Finally, the collaborative piece between Hodogaya Junior High School and the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra was chosen to highlight the strengths of the junior high school students while remaining easy to perform.

(Provided by Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

—So that's how it was decided! Please tell us about the school guidance and any anecdotes from the day of the concert.

As a preliminary workshop, for the first session, members of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's wind and percussion sections went to provide band instruction. For the second session, conductor Kanade Yokoyama came to give guidance so that the band could perform with confidence and enjoyment at the concert.

(Provided by Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

The students who couldn't go on stage because of Sakakibara's performance dedicated themselves to entertaining the audience with their dance. The middle school students were nervous on the day, but I think they fully demonstrated the results of all their hard work and practice.

—The students' dance was like a stage production where the performers come down into the audience; it was vibrant and fun. We enjoyed watching it too!

(Photo by Fumiaki Fujimoto / Provided by Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

During the Sakakibara rehearsal, Mr. Koji Yamada, the advisor for the brass band club, encouraged the students, and they all responded by saying, "We want the audience to enjoy it," and the performance just kept getting better and better. As the organizer, I was deeply moved.

I think it must have been very stimulating for the orchestra members as well, to attend the workshops, spend time with the children during rehearsals and performances, and witness their growth.

—I was singing the Yokohama City Anthem in my heart too. I can't wait for the next one. Has the 2024 Yokohama Next Concert been scheduled?

Sakakibara: We are still finalizing the details and cannot announce them at this time, but it will be held at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in September 2024.

—I'm looking forward to it. Thank you very much.

Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra "Yokohama Next Concert"
*Further details will be announced at a later date.
Performance date: September 2024
Performance venue: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall
Official website: Click here