Summer training camp starts next week on the 20th.

This year, I went to Namiyoke Shrine in Tsukiji, Tokyo as usual. This shrine has the catchphrase "Remove disasters and ride out the waves." I always receive prayers at the shrine just before the summer training camp to ward off bad luck, and I also visit the shrine to give thanks afterwards.

Thinking back, three years ago, we were fortunate enough to be invited to Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture for our first training camp, where we managed to avoid two typhoons, and the following year, having learned our lesson, we headed north to Sapporo for our training camp, but were hit directly by a typhoon for the first time in nine years, and last year we again headed south to Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, where about two people were slightly injured, but we did not encounter a typhoon. And this year, we will be holding a training camp in Kitashiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture. In Nagano Prefecture, where our conductor, Toshio Yanagisawa, is from, we intend to concentrate on our practice and deepen the friendship between the members without having to worry about planes or typhoons.

This year, members of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will be joining us, so we will incorporate intensive training for each section and work hard to improve our technical skills.

All members participating in the training camp should not let their guard down against evil spirits, and should arrive at the meeting place on time without forgetting their instruments.

We will update the site daily during the 3-night, 4-day camp. We ask that parents and other related parties please be patient as we wait for updates.

We appreciate your continued support for the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.