We resumed our joint training session for the first time in two months.

Last weekend, on February 19th (Sat) and 20th (Sun), we were able to hold a joint practice session in Fukushima City. Due to the spread of the Omicron strain of infection, we were forced to cancel the joint practice session that was scheduled for the end of last month, but with only a little over a month left until our concert in March, we placed a burden on all members, but we had them take antigen tests three times, and only those who tested negative were allowed to participate.

Here is the email we sent to members in advance.

As the infection is spreading in various places, we will be taking antigen tests for everyone as a countermeasure!!!
①2/19 Please take the test before leaving home (we will send you an antigen test kit!)
②This will be done again on February 19th when entering the practice venue.
③2/20 This will be done when entering the practice venue (for everyone except Otori guests).

So, the first photo shows the examination scene before practice began.
We set up a desk in front of the venue to ensure a thorough checking system was in place to ensure that nothing was overlooked.

The training venue for this time is the same one we have every February,
We were able to use the Surikamitei Otori Ryokan in Iizaka Onsen , which is owned by the National Mutual Aid Agricultural Cooperative Association (JA Kyosairen), one of the sponsors of the event.
While it was difficult to rent a training venue in Fukushima City, they welcomed us by providing us with meals and accommodation free of charge, as in previous years. In other words, we were able to hold the two-day event in a bubble format as a COVID-19 countermeasure. We are deeply grateful for their generosity, as in previous years.

This banquet hall of the inn was used as a practice venue for the orchestra.

It was probably a rare opportunity for the instructor, Toshio Yanagisawa, to conduct and practice in the ensemble in the large hall.

I, who am writing this report from the Tokyo office, was able to "remotely supervise" this time as my preschool-aged child had come into close contact with another person and was waiting at home. For details about the practice, please see the interview article published by Fukushima Minpo, the director's company.
https://www.minpo.jp/news/moredetail/2022021994589

What would normally be a fun and lively dinner was a "silent meal" this time, with masks on.

However, the winter scenery visible from the inn was surely soothing.

(This may be a familiar sight to the members.)

We completed the two-day practice session without any problems (no one had to drop out due to illness), and someone arranged for us to take us to the station by bus, after which we headed back from Iizaka Onsen Station to Fukushima Station.

Thanks to everyone's support, we have been able to restart preparations for the concert in March. This weekend, we will hold a two-day joint practice session at the same location and work hard to prepare for the big day.

Once again, we would like to thank Kyosai Ren for their support. They are preparing a special website for this year as well, but we would like to introduce last year's website again.
https://social.ja-kyosai.or.jp/tyo/

The regular concert next month will be the first in three years.
March 22 (Tue) Iwate Prefecture Morioka City Cultural Hall Large Hall Guest: Nonsan
Wednesday, March 23rd, Tokyo Electron Hall Miyagi, Miyagi Prefecture Guest: Sayuri Yoshinaga
March 24th (Thursday) Fukushima Prefecture Toho Minna no Bunka Center (Fukushima Prefectural Cultural Center) Large Hall Guest: Yoshinaga Sayuri
Saturday, March 26th, Suntory Hall, Main Hall, Tokyo Guests: Yoshinaga Sayuri and Tohoku Youth Orchestra This will be the first time in history that there will be four performances.

The program will be well worth listening to, including the world premiere of a new piece written by Director Ryuichi Sakamoto specifically for the Tohoku Youth Orchestra, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 performed by the "Tsunagari Choruses," which were formed in areas affected by natural disasters across the country.

For more information, please click here.
http://tohoku-youth-orchestra.org/#liveinfo

Members, let's practice. Let's meet again this weekend in good health and safety.