This is a report on the joint training session held in November 2019.

November 23, 2019.

It's getting pretty cold in Fukushima in November. The temperature seems to be 3 to 4 degrees Celsius lower than in Tokyo.
With the trees lining the road completely dressed for winter, the group members headed from Fukushima Station to Minpo Hall.

Now, let us introduce the new members who joined us at this joint training session!

The viola section is played by Irobe-kun (from Sendai City).

I look forward to working with you in the future.

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In the morning of this day, we performed an ensemble of the Ninth Symphony.

We've been practicing the Ninth Symphony since before summer, and listening to it now at this time of year makes me feel like the end of the year is finally here.

During the practice that day, Mr. Yanagisawa commented, "Practice at home using a metronome to understand the parts where it is easy for you to run (your tempo tends to be forward) and the parts where you tend to lag behind."

And after the morning practice,

I accidentally missed taking a photo, but Mr. Hideyuki Araki, a director of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra General Incorporated Association, director of Fukushima Minpo Newspaper Co., Ltd. and representative of the Koriyama Head Office, came to watch the practice and said a few words of greeting before the lunch break.

This time, we were also covered by people from NHK Kumamoto, and the members were interviewed during the break.

He seemed a little embarrassed with the cameras and microphones pointed at him.

In the afternoon, the practice plans were changed and instead of performing the Ninth Symphony, the group performed a piece to be performed at the Kumamoto Castle Hall Opening Commemoration Performance next month.

Professor Yanagisawa also commented, "We have very limited number of practice sessions for the Kumamoto performance, so today's practice will be crucial."

I can't tell you the exact track list yet,

In addition to the works composed by Director Sakamoto, he also worked on a classical piece (a first for TYO), and seemed to be struggling a bit.

From here on out, let's work hard to finish up our practice in the remaining month of December in preparation for the performance...

Information about the Kumamoto performance is here. ↓↓

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Kumamoto Castle Hall Opening Commemorative Performance

Presented by Ryuichi Sakamoto

"Reconnect -Connecting Kumamoto and Tohoku-"

[Event Summary]
Date and time: Wednesday, December 25, 2019 (Reiwa 1) Doors open at 5:45 p.m., performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Venue: Kumamoto Castle Hall, Main Hall Performer: Ryuichi Sakamoto
Tohoku Youth Orchestra Kumamoto Youth Symphony Orchestra Mari Fujiwara (cello)
Mari Adachi (Viola)
Sayuri Yoshinaga
Toshio Yanagisawa (Conductor) *Titles omitted

・Price: 5,500 yen (tax included)
・Ticket sales
Available at Lawson Ticket/Ticket Pia/ePlus *Tickets for ages 3 and up required *Up to 4 tickets per application

・Ticket inquiries Kyodo Nishi Nippon TEL: 0570-09-2424 (Weekdays 11:00-17:00)

★For more details, please see here: https://www.kumamoto-jo-hall.jp/news/20191107.html

The first half of the performance will feature a piano solo by director and CEO Ryuichi Sakamoto, a trio performance by Director Ryuichi Sakamoto, Mari Fujiwara (cello) and Mari Adachi (viola), and a reading of a poem wishing for peace by actress Sayuri Yoshinaga.

In the second half, the Tohoku Youth Orchestra and the Kumamoto Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform together in prayer for recovery.

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During the Kumamoto performance, members who are not taking part in the performance practice on their own.

These are Akama, Fukuzumi and Kaizu during their break.

With the aim of more actively sharing information about TYO's activities, mainly on social media, the "TYO Tadpole Club," or "Otama Club" for short, was formed mainly by junior high school members, and as a member of this group, he is working hard on preparations such as filming videos.

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We also received some sweets from the mother of flute player Keika Ishikawa. Thank you very much!

Then in the evening, alumna Hattori-san came over from Hokkaido to support us.
We also received some sweets as a gift.

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After the practice was over, Mr. Okada from the office gave an explanation based on the "Bookmark" for the Kumamoto performance. The trip will be 3 nights and 4 days from 12/23 to 12/26!

After the explanation was over, everyone dispersed.

…But,

The four members of the string quartet continued practicing into the night in preparation for their mini concert at Takashimaya in Futako Tamagawa on Wednesday, December 18th.

Thank you so much for your hard work!

Here is the concert details. ↓↓

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Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C. 50th Anniversary Opening Commemoration "Love and Trees" Mini Concert & Talk Discussion

Date and time: December 18th (Wednesday) 14:00~

Venue: Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C. Main Building 1F Grand Patio

https://www.tamagawa-sc.com/feature/2019christmas/

In addition to a mini concert by the Tohoku Youth Orchestra String Quartet,
A talk session will be held between More Trees CEO Ryuichi Sakamoto and Secretary General Shinichi Mizutani.

If you live nearby, please come and visit us!

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The next joint practice session in December will feature a workshop by Director Sakamoto and composer Dai Fujikura. I think it will be a very valuable experience for all the members!

I hope to be able to provide further information on the situation in this report.