By Sara Watanabe and Yuji Araki | Project Coordinator and Translator
On March 22, the 10th El Sistema Children’s Music Festival in Soma was successfully held. Marking its 10th anniversary, the concert, which was previously held over two days, has now been condensed into a single day. A total of 150 children studying music in Soma City gathered and performed for an audience of over 600, presenting wind ensemble, choral, and orchestral works.
The festival began with a dedication performance by Soma Children’s Orchestra and Chorus. They performed Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus, which they have cherished since the ensemble’s inception, followed by Klengel’s Hymn, specially arranged for this occasion as a string ensemble piece. In the presence of the arranger, Ms. Shino Kanamori, all the string players performed with heartfelt prayer, creating a gentle yet moving atmosphere.
Part I featured the choral stage. It opened with Shinsai, Soshite Ima (The Earthquake, and Now), introduced by a poignant narration from choir member Aya. They sang Hora ne (Look) and Watashitachi wa Hana to Nari (We Become Flowers) with deep emotion, then moved on to Shoka no Shiki (The Four Seasons of Japanese Songs), accompanied with choreography by Lucky Ikeda and Eri Saiki that visually highlighted the beauty of the traditional pieces and Japan’s four seasons.
In the latter half of Part I, the orchestra and chorus joined forces for the first time to perform the Suite for Children’s Choir and Orchestra: Ensoku (School Excursion). Before they began, Mr. Junnosuke Yamamoto—son of the composer, the late Naozumi Yamamoto—and Mr. Furuhashi, who conducted and co-edited the piece, briefly spoke about their thoughts on the work. This powerful rendition, along with the vibrant vocals of the guest ensemble Regalo Tokyo, further enlivened the hall and showcased the children’s talents to the fullest.
Part II presented a change of pace. The city’s three local junior high schools (7th through 9th grade) joined their wind orchestras together for a lively performance of pieces such as Young Man (Y.M.C.A.), energizing the audience with their enthusiastic stage presence. Conductor Kimoto then led the orchestra in a series of Toru Takemitsu compositions, themed around the ocean. In the finale, Family Tree – Movement 6: A Distant Place, accordionist Yoshiaki Sato joined in while the poem by Shuntaro Tanikawa was recited by Hinano, one of the ensemble members. This intricate yet soothing wave of sound conveyed the young girl’s blossoming vitality, leaving a deep impression on the audience.
Part III showcased the orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. In the Fourth Movement, all string and wind players from 3rd grade and up took the stage, immersing the hall in a surge of passion and excitement. Seeing the children so thoroughly absorbed in the music truly conveyed the powerful sense of the power to live they embody.
For the encore, taiko drummers, the chorus, and the audience’s rhythmic clapping all came together to present a local folk music Soma Bon Uta. This grand finale brought the hall’s excitement to its peak, concluding the nearly three-hour music festival on a jubilant note.
By Sara Watanabe and Reina Otsuru | Project Coordinator and Translator
By Sara Watanabe and Kei Hiraide | Project Coordinator and Translator
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