Our third joint practice session was held in Fukushima City on Culture Day, a day that has long been known as a special, sunny day, when the autumn sunshine was shining down and the autumn leaves on the mountains were a delight to the eyes.

This time, we had four instructors from the Tokyo Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. The string section was cellist Koryo Masashi, the woodwind section was flute player Yoshioka Akari, the brass section was trumpet player Sugiyama Masahiko, and the percussion section was Shiota Takuro. The orchestra members look forward to receiving instruction from professionals in their fields every time.

In the morning, the students practice in their respective sections in their classrooms. The brave sounds of drums and the fierce high notes of brass instruments can be heard from all around the school building.

When I took a peek at each section during the lunch break, I noticed that there was a much more intimate atmosphere compared to the first session. I couldn't help but type out the kanji I can't write myself, and it reads "harmonious harmony." Last time, we had a joint practice in the afternoon, but at the suggestion of the instructors, today we decided to practice just the brass and percussion sections together, based on each section's practice. After all, percussion section practice alone tends to be monotonous and monotonous, so playing with other instruments seems to be important for learning the songs.

In the afternoon, the mother of one of our members, who runs a printing company in Fukushima, came to visit us and offered to provide us with a sheet music cover for our lecture in March next year, and we had a meeting to discuss the specifications. We would like to make a good item that will be a memorable item for everyone at the March concert.

The buses that go back and forth between Sendai and the practice venue in Fukushima City are also supported by the employers of the members' families. I would like to inform you again that the Tohoku Youth Orchestra is a poor orchestra, and it exists only thanks to your kindness. Last week, we launched a page to ask for support and donations for the Tohoku Youth Orchestra, and we would be very happy to receive sudden and surprising transfers to our donation account. There is a famous quote from Mizumaru Anzai, an illustrator who has helped me, that says, "It's good to be poor, but it's not good to look poor." I feel the same way about the management of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra, but I am grateful for your support and donations with the same joy as a hungry dog running towards you.

Today, we also announced the pieces we will be performing at Tokyo Opera City on March 26th. In addition to the traditional (←this is a mature expression, so please remember it, members) Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, we will also be performing The Last Emperor and Etude by Ryuichi Sakamoto, the representative and director of our orchestra. The Last Emperor is a famous piece that has won an Academy Award and a Grammy Award, and we also performed it at the music festival at our Miyakojima training camp in August.

On the other hand, ETUDE is a work by Director Sakamoto from the 1980s (included in "Music Encyclopedia"), and for three years it was the closing song at the charity live "School Music Revival Live" held by the Children's Music Revival Fund, the predecessor of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.
A live performance from 2012.

A live performance from 2013 (ETUDE plays 5-6 minutes from the end of the second half).

Ustream.tv: User SchoolMusicRevival: [2of2] School Music Revival Live 2013, School Music Revival Live 2013 second half. Music live
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/36825367

A live performance in 2014 (Yosuke Yamashita played piano in place of Director Sakamoto, who was recuperating from an illness at the time.)

School Music Revival Live 2014 Finale Etude, SchoolMusicRevival Videos saved on Ustream:School Music Revival Live 2014 Second Half Music Live…
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/50945199/highlight/535811

I'm looking forward to the orchestral arrangement of ETUDE.

Also, today, a news director from NHK came to observe the performance. I think the members will start to pay more attention to their attire from the next joint practice session onwards.

There are less than five months until the performance. All members should practice, practice and practice to master the pieces they will be performing.

I'm looking forward to the 4th joint practice session next month in December.