[Kumamoto Performance Report: Meeting with Kumamoto Youth]

Kumamoto performance held on December 25, 2019.

We will be reporting in several parts on the interactions with the Kumamoto Youth members and what happened on the day of the performance, which we were unable to cover in our report at the end of last year!

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First, December 23rd, the first day of my stay in Kumamoto.

After arriving in Kumamoto and touring the hall, the members met with the members of the Kumamoto Youth Symphony Orchestra, with whom they would be performing together, in the dressing room.

Both the Tohoku Youth and Kumamoto Youth teams seem a little nervous.

First, we heard a greeting from Ms. Kuniko Yamaguchi, the chairperson of Kumamoto Youth.

And representing the Kumamoto Youth members was Ishinuki-san, a viola player.

Violinist Watanabe gave a brief greeting as a representative of Tohoku Youth.

Then we split into sections and had time for self-introductions.

◇Violin

Although it was a little awkward at first, we gradually introduced ourselves to each other.

A friendly commemorative photo♪

◇Low strings

There was only one double bass player from Kumamoto Youth participating this time, so the Tohoku Youth group was bombarded with questions!

◇Brass

There are a lot of male members in the brass section!

◇Woodwinds

↑This is the oboe part!

↑The flute section was also completely engrossed in the conversation.

*NHK Kumamoto branch also covered the event.

As evening approached, the whole group disbanded.

This time, members ranging from elementary school students to high school students were scheduled to do homestays with the families of Kumamoto Youth members.

Meet your host family.

Thank you very much!

(She still seems a little nervous.)

After dropping off their luggage at the hotel, members who were university students or older headed to a social gathering with members of Kumamoto Youth and their instructors.

The event was held at a restaurant called "Oden," which Kumamoto Youth regularly visits for after-parties and other events following concerts.

Apparently this is a place where musicians from Kumamoto gather.

When we first met the Kumamoto Youth group, the members quickly became friends with each other, which was a relief for me as their leader.