[Report from the December joint training session!]

The December joint practice session was held on Sunday, December 22nd.

In the morning there was a workshop by composer Dai Fujikura and double bass player Sato, and in the afternoon representative and director Ryuichi Sakamoto joined in the practice, with representatives from the sponsoring companies also coming to support the practice.

There were also reporters and camera crews from television and magazines in attendance, so it is no exaggeration to say that this was the practice session with the most guests of the year.

In this report, we would like to report on the December practice session, broken down by topic.

[Workshop by Dai Fujikura and Hiroshi Sato]

In the morning of this day, there was a workshop with composer Dai Fujikura ( https://www.daifujikura.com/ ) and double bass player Hirotsugu Sato.

This is a truly valuable opportunity to learn directly from world-renowned musicians.

◇ Expressing images through "sound"

Fujikura handed out sheet music for a certain song.

Old Sounds New Sounds Borrowed Sounds Blues ~For Voices~

An old sound - a sound I've known for ages

New sounds - sounds you've never made before

Borrowed sounds - sounds borrowed from someone else

Blue Sounds - Blue Sounds for You

Listen carefully to your mind and find the sounds you can express aloud.
Within a time frame of about five minutes, make four different sounds one to three times each: an old sound, a new sound, a borrowed sound, and a blue sound.
Pace yourself by listening to everyone and everything there. Take time for each sound.
Make your sounds just before, after, or together with the others. The song ends when everyone has used all four sounds one to three times.

1994

Based on these instructions, each person tries to make the sound they imagine.

Each person chooses their own pitch.

It was a strange, slightly scary sound.

◇Special techniques

I wanted to try making sounds using techniques that aren't used in classical music...

As an example, double bass player Sato demonstrated an impressive special playing technique.

It is a jazz style rhythm and involves vigorously striking the strings.

He also taught me some interesting techniques for playing the double bass.

Try playing the part of the double bass below the bridge.

Let's all try it.

Also, if you tap the string lightly with the bow screw (the screw part that tensions the string), a strange sound is produced.

It's hard to explain, but it had a metallic taste, a long aftertaste, and sounded like electromagnetic waves.

◇Presenting compositions by members!

As the ideas for sound imagery and special playing techniques began to grow, the members each tried their hand at composing in the second half of the session.

Some people started writing the music right away, some people tried out different ways to make the instruments sound, some people consulted with nearby members,

... and there are various ways to tackle this.

And some of the students presented their work in front of everyone!

◇Works for double bass part

One person places their ear to the top of a double bass placed on the floor, and multiple players freely "play" with the instrument by plucking the strings or hitting the top.

The viewer is presented with a strange sight, as if they are crawling on the ground, but this work is for a single viewer only, and can only be heard by those wearing earphones.

"I want to listen too!" said the other members, trying to be the "viewer".

Sato and Fujikura were also listening with their ears to the double bass.

◇Flute Duo Works

Two flute players play the notes using bisbillando trills (trills that involve opening and closing keys that are not normally used in fingering, producing slightly different tones for the same note).

A mysterious piece that sounds like a bird singing or a folk instrument.

Fujikura commented, "I personally like that kind of effect and use it in my songs. I think it would be interesting to increase the number of people and have everyone play the flute part."

◇Contrabass by Hashimoto

Using the special technique you just learned, use the screw part of the bow to lightly strike the string.

The way music is written also focuses on words rather than notes.

◇Pieces for horn section

Strike or shake the horn mute in any rhythm you like.

The soft tapping of the muted strings mixed with the rattling of strings create a lovely piece.

At the end of the song, one person would give the signal and everyone would finish in unison...or so they were supposed to do, but they made a slight mistake and had to try a second time.

◇Percussionist Tono-kun's work

Perc Todo began his presentation modestly, saying, "It's not written in sheet music, but I'll improvise..." but then gave a passionate performance using a snare drum.

You can hold the stick backwards in a fist in your left hand, thrust it into the surface of the drum and hit it with the other stick, or you can slide your hand from top to bottom to create an effect like a slide roll.

It ends with a crescendo and ff.

The stunning performance caused the members to spontaneously cheer with "Oh!"

◇ Tuba player Higashidate's work

This piece was created for trombone player Emi-kun.

The trombone is partially removed and Mahler's famous melody is played. When the trombone is removed, the sound becomes more muffled than when played normally.

With Fujikura's guidance, we tried out various tones, such as "What happens if you do it slowly glissando? What happens if you do it at f (forte)? What happens if you do it sforzando?"

◇Cello piece by Abe

The double bass section all performed a piece by Vc Abe.

As the participants incorporated the special playing techniques learned in the first half of the workshop, the number of performers gradually increased from two to four to six.

The last two are randomly Bartok Piccadilly.

◇Viola: Works by Shoko Suzuki

Four people play different rhythms using a variety of techniques, including plucking the viola strings with hairpins, plucking with a bow, and playing pizzicato.

"It might be fun if everyone tried to play the same rhythm together!" advised Fujikura.

◇Contrabass piece by Haruka Watanabe

The last piece they presented was a piece performed by the entire orchestra.

You can play an instrument, sing, or don't play anything at all, but play sounds in order, following the image of numbers 1 to 5. You can also freely choose the timing of the sound changes.

1. The first sound I heard in my life

2. Anger

3. Sadness

4. Unique

5. From now on

Watanabe watches the change in sound and uses his finger to signal approximately which number it is.

In "1", the brass instruments use mouthpieces to make sounds that sound like a baby's cry.

In “2,” high and strong sounds resonated, and the listeners were able to sense different tones depending on the image.

[Kurushima Takehiko Cultural Award]

After the workshop,

We received a greeting from Masato Oshiki, President of Yamaha Music Japan, who also serves as the representative director of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra General Incorporated Association, informing us about the award of the Kurushima Takehiko Cultural Award, which we reported on in our recent report.

I also received a very impressive shield. Thank you very much.

[The afternoon started with a group photo session]

Representative and director Ryuichi Sakamoto also joined us and we took TYO's artist photo.

We plan to use it in various situations, such as in advertisements, printed materials, and on the web. (Please look forward to the finished photos in the future.)

[Practice with Director and Director Ryuichi Sakamoto]

In the afternoon, we practiced the songs for the Kumamoto Castle Hall opening commemorative concert, which was just three days away.

Director Sakamoto also participated in the performance on piano and conducting.

The director also watches closely when the members perform songs that are just for them.

[TYO activities introduction panel]

This is a panel introducing TYO's activities in 2019, created by JA Kyosai.

The work was exhibited at the practice venue, Fukushima Minpo's Royal Hall.

It will also be on display in the lobby of our regular concerts, so please come and see it!

We also prepared a message board for the members to write on.

Each person writes down a message of enthusiasm.

Also, before the lunch break, we received a greeting from Michio Hattori, Director General of the Fukushima Prefectural Headquarters of the National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives. Thank you very much.

[Alumni come to support us!]

On this day, former club alumni came to visit and brought gifts.

↑ Asuka Yoshida and Hazuki Chiba

↑ Akane Hatakeyama and Yuuta Tomizawa

By the way, with the appearance of the eldest son of the Tomizawa family, Yuuta, all three Tomizawa brothers are together again for the first time in a long time!

His mother was also there to watch the practice that day, so we took a commemorative photo at the Tomizawa home!

[A series of treats to soothe you during practice!]

We received many wonderful gifts from our guests today.

Digital Garage will be presenting Press Butter Sandwich, a popular Tokyo sweet.

Yamaha Music Japan's President Oshiki presented Hamamatsu's specialty, eel pie.

We also received sweets from Asahi Shimbun, T JAPAN, and Fujin Gaho, who were there to cover the event.

JA Kyosai kindly donated tapioca milk tea from Fukushima's tea specialty store, Earl Grey ( https://earlgrey-2007.com/ ).

And Director Sakamoto brought his annual gift of Christmas cake.

This strawberry shortcake is from Kashiwaya, a confectionery shop in Fukushima that is famous for its thin-skinned manju.

NexTone's Arakawa, President Oshiki, Fujikura, and Sato.

Does he have a sweet side too?

We were also presented with some fine apples grown in the orchard of trombone player Hashimoto Yukiho's family.

We all took them home as souvenirs. The members were happy until the very last moment.

[Finally, a commemorative photo with Director Sakamoto]

After practice, there was a commemorative photo session with Coach Sakamoto and the team members!

The director himself took a selfie with his smartphone!

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Well, the packed December training session has now concluded without any problems.

The members participating in the Kumamoto performance will finally head to Kumamoto the next day!