This is a report from the third day (3/29) of the pre-concert training camp, held the day before the Morioka performance.
This is a report from the third day (3/29) of the pre-concert training camp, held the day before the Morioka performance.
(The reason behind the mysterious pose in the top image will be explained later!)
Today, former student Mikiko Hattori also came over from Hokkaido to join us.
In addition to Mr. Hattori, we have asked many alumni to help out as staff for this concert.
The members seem happy to be reunited with their old seniors.
Well, there was a lot more to the day than just the full performance.
During the lunch break, the Kage-Ana Team practices. Different members will be in charge of the Morioka and Tokyo performances.
(↑This is the person in charge of the Morioka performance)
(↑This is the person in charge of the Tokyo performance)
Before the performance, I give instructions to the audience, but I haven't memorized the script yet, so I'm practicing while cheating on my smartphone... (^^;)
During the afternoon practice, Yoshinaga Sayuri, who will be the guest for the Tokyo performance on the 31st, joined us for the rehearsal.
The staff and members in the audience listened intently to Yoshinaga's quiet and warm reading voice.
After the afternoon practice, there was a lecture on "6 shoulder and neck training" by chiropractor Nakano Sensei. Nakano Sensei is very popular in New York, but he took the time to come all the way to Morioka in spite of his busy schedule.
When asked, "Who has severe shoulder stiffness?" the majority of the members raised their hands.
Maybe it's because they play instruments... Where on earth has the youthfulness of "Youth" gone...?
So, this time, I was taught training that focuses on the neck and shoulders. This is the reason for the pose in the thumbnail image at the beginning.
Some members will also be used as test subjects on stage...
We also practice stretching using rubber bands.
We were feeling tired after three days of practice, so this stretching time was a great way to refresh ourselves. Thank you, Nakano Sensei!
After dinner, there was a lobby concert ensemble performance, consisting of two woodwind trios and two woodwind quintets, that had not been able to perform the previous day.
We will feature music from a wide range of genres, from classic Mozart to French Ibert and Japanese film soundtracks.
Next, "TYO Fanfare (Prelude) 2019," composed by perc. Hidezumi Tono, was announced.
It is said that the motifs of "Brave 2" and "Kugui no Sora" are hidden in this song. This song will be played as a fanfare for the performance!
The entire orchestra then performed "Mekurimeguru," a piece composed by Cb. Yamazaki Hirohiro.
This song is performed without any instruments, using the sound of everyone turning pages of sheet music.
I thought it was an unusual and interesting piece of music, in which the sound of paper rubbing together starts slowly and then gradually gets faster.
Up until this point, the training camp had been going smoothly, but some trouble arose...
The air in the hall was dry, causing cellist Rina Suzuki's instrument to crack.
Fortunately, we were able to borrow instruments from members' families.
Drying out is a real danger when it comes to wooden instruments...
Other members also complained of problems with their instruments, including bent cello bridges, broken violin strings, and cracks in the oboe and clarinet.
Meanwhile, thanks to the consideration of Mr. Oshiki, President of Yamaha Music Japan, who is also the chairman of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra General Incorporated Association, and with the cooperation of local music store Ito Musical Instruments, we were able to arrange for violin strings.
Thank you so much, President Oshiki...!
We somehow managed to overcome the troubles... Finally, we practiced Bra2.
A scene from a meeting after practice. March 29th, the third day of the camp, was the birthday of Sana Ito, violinist. She turned 19 years old. All the members of the orchestra congratulated her, saying "Congratulations!"
...And so, the three-day rehearsal is over! The Morioka performance is finally upon us.
We will report back on the Morioka performance in a separate report!