Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra collaborates with local junior high school students!

The "Yokohama Next Concert" is a concert in collaboration with junior high school students in Yokohama by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra (hereafter referred to as the Kanagawa Philharmonic). We spoke to Toru Sakakibara, music director of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, about how the concert came about.
The first event will be 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 is a professional orchestra collaborating with local junior high school students?

I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Yokohama Next Concert on the day of the concert. I was impressed by the program, which exceeded my expectations, and became interested in this unique project.

--It must be quite unusual for a professional orchestra to hold a concert together with a local junior high school, so could you tell us the background to how this project came about?

Sakakibara: Since 2013, we have been holding Yokohama Pops Orchestra concerts with the support of the city of Yokohama. However, we decided to change the plan to reflect the changing times, and with the city's approval, we updated the plan to the current scale.

-That became the new project "Yokohama Next Concert."

Sakakibara: As a new project starting this year, we wanted to create an opportunity for the next generation, who will lead the future, to share the stage at a high level, so we came up with the idea of a concert featuring the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and a junior high school brass band from Yokohama's 18th ward.

--Hodogaya Ward was the first to be selected. Why was Hodogaya Ward selected first?

The Kanagawa Art Hall, which the Kanagawa Philharmonic uses as a rehearsal venue and is also the designated manager, is located in Hodogaya Ward. Due to this connection, we have had a long relationship with Hodogaya Junior High School. So we reached out to the brass band and made the Yokohama Next Concert 2023 Meets Hodogaya Ward a reality.

(Courtesy of Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

Give your kids the best experience with professionals

--How were the songs to be performed at the Yokohama Next Concert selected?

Sakakibara: I made my selection with three key points in mind.
First, the selection of songs for the Hodogaya Junior High School wind orchestra stage should reflect the results of their daily practice. Secondly, the performance by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra alone should allow the audience to feel the difference between the profound sound of the orchestra and the wind orchestra. Finally, the songs performed by the Hodogaya Junior High School and Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra should highlight the best parts of the junior high school students while allowing them to play them effortlessly.

(Courtesy of Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

--So that's how you decided! Please tell us some stories about your guidance at school and the day of the concert.

Sakakibara: For the first workshop prior to the concert, members of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's wind and percussion instruments came to provide guidance for the band. For the second workshop, conductor Kanade Yokoyama came to provide guidance so that the band could enjoy themselves with confidence during the concert.

(Courtesy of Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

The students who were unable to perform on stage during Sakakibara's performance were dedicated to the important role of entertaining the audience with their dance. Although the junior high school students were nervous on the day, I think they were able to fully demonstrate the results of their practice.

- The students' dance was like a stage production of a "going down into the audience", it was colorful and fun. I enjoyed watching it too!

(Photo: Fumiaki Fujimoto / Courtesy: Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra)

During the rehearsals , Mr. Koji Yamada, the band's advisor, encouraged the students, and they responded by saying, "I want the audience to enjoy themselves," and they got better and better. As the organizer, I felt a strong emotion in my heart.

I think it was also very inspiring for the orchestra members to attend the workshops, spend time with the children during rehearsals and performances, and see how they grew.

--I was singing the "Yokohama City Song" in my heart. I can't wait for the next one. Has the 2024 "Yokohama Next Concert" been decided yet?

Sakakibara: We are currently in the process of making arrangements and cannot announce details, 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"
*Details will be announced at a later date.
Date of performance: September 2024
Venue: Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall
Official website: here