The 8th season kicks off!

This season's activities are about to begin.

On August 21st, the kickoff for the 8th Tohoku Youth Orchestra was held at the Fukushima City Active Senior Center "Aouze."

This is the first time we have gathered together in five months since our concert at the end of March.

As many members of the 7th term left the group to start working, we started recruiting new part-time members in June. As a result, we welcomed 26 new members, and the 8th term will start this term with 95 members.

First, to prevent the spread of infection, an antigen test will be conducted before entering the venue hall.

The members seem to have gotten used to the repeated testing that has been done since last year, but we conducted antigen tests on just under 100 people. The secretariat staff are still working hard...!

This time we were able to start without any positive cases.

The kickoff event was hosted by Secretary General Hirokazu Tanaka.
First, Tanaka introduced himself, and then gave a further introduction to the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.

Next, Technical Director Iijima-san will give a speech.

The Tohoku Youth Orchestra is an organization that exists thanks to the sponsorship and support of individuals and companies.
He said that he wanted the group to be aware of the differences between them and many other amateur groups and to approach their activities with a high level of awareness.

The main song for the concert in March next year was also announced.

This is Mahler's Symphony No. 5 .

Apparently, this was decided the day before the kickoff. We were able to announce it to everyone just in time.

The members of the orchestra were excited when the big piece was announced.

The sheet music is currently being arranged and will be distributed to all members as soon as it arrives, we were informed.

Then, the other members of the secretariat also gave a few words of greeting.

From the Fukushima office, we have Mr. Otsuka, who has been involved in the Tohoku Youth Orchestra since its inception.

Greetings were given by Okada, Miyagawa, and Kumagai, the recorder for this report, from the Tokyo office.

Miyagawa-san said, "I hurt my back, but I came all the way to Fukushima to see you all." Even in this photo, his back looks like it's hurting, but he has more love for Tohoku Youth than anyone else.

Next, Secretary General Tanaka read a message from Masato Oshigi, Representative Director of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra General Incorporated Association and President and CEO of Yamaha Music Japan.

"To all the members of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra for 2022, I am Masato Oshiki, Representative Director. I regret that I cannot be here today and see you all. I would like to send you a message in preparation for the event.

Today, we welcome new members and are very happy to start a new year for the Tohoku Youth Orchestra. The Tohoku Youth Orchestra was started in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, and this year marks its eighth term. Over the past three years, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has greatly restricted our activities, we have been able to continue the activities of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra by working together with everyone and coming up with creative solutions.

This is possible only thanks to the understanding of the members and parents, the enthusiasm of Director Sakamoto and Mr. Yanagisawa, the cooperation of the many sponsors who support our activities, and above all, the love of the secretariat staff who manages these activities. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude. With the spread of infection still not under control this year, I imagine that you are here today feeling very anxious about how our activities will develop from today onwards.

We have practiced in a variety of ways and have worked every year to give our members a sense of accomplishment, including performing online.

It would be ideal if the concert could be held without any problems in March of next year, but based on past experience, we hope to see it through to the end, whatever form it takes this year.

The Tohoku Youth Orchestra is a place where members of a wide range of ages, from third graders to graduate students, can support each other and grow. It is also a place where some members may stay longer than they would at school, and it is a place where they can form long-lasting, deep bonds through music. We are happy to see members who take a break from the orchestra for exams or other reasons return. We hope that you will participate in the Tohoku Youth Orchestra with the same affection as family, and that you will practice with your thoughts for Tohoku and your hopes for recovery.

I look forward to hearing your performances in 2022. Let's overcome the earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic and bring the music born in Tohoku to all of Japan and the world. Thank you for your continued support until the end of March.

"Masato Oshiki, Representative Director of Tohoku Youth Orchestra"

Mr. Araki, President and CEO of Minpo Printing Co., Ltd. and former director of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra, sent a heartfelt message to the orchestra members.

It was unfortunate that the Fukushima performance in March was cancelled due to the earthquake, but the performance of "Symphony No. 9" that I listened to at the Tokyo performance was so good that it brought tears to my eyes. The director is retiring from his position, but he said warm words that he will continue to support Tohoku Youth.

We received a message from our sponsor, JA Zenkyoren Fukushima General Manager Hattori.

The JA Zenkyoren has been supporting TYO's activities for many years.
On this day too, the members were given tea and rice as gifts.

This food support is especially valuable for our members who are university students living alone.

Thank you for your continued support.

Next, Mr. Sekine, Director of the Business Department of Fukushima Minpo, gave a greeting and a message of encouragement.

Then, Secretary General Tanaka read a message from Director Ryuichi Sakamoto.

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A new term for Tohoku Youth is about to begin.

We have many new members this season, but there is no hierarchical relationship in Tohoku Youth, so please feel free to enjoy practicing regardless of age or experience differences.

Ryuichi Sakamoto

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Now it's the members' turn.

First, the previous captain, Shiori Tajima, who served as captain for three years through the 5th, 6th and 7th terms, looked back on last year and shared her aspirations for this year.

"Looking back on last year, we saw that our members were a bit loose with time, so let's be more careful this season," he said.

Then, Ayaka Kikuchi, the violin section player who will become the new captain from the 8th term, gave a greeting.

Kikuchi-san has participated in Tohoku Youth since the first term, and until now, he has been a section leader, managing a large group of people. From now on, we would like him to be the flag-bearer for an even larger group of nearly 100 members!

Afterwards, each member introduced themselves.

They talked about their name, part-time job, school/grade, prefecture of origin, memories of Tohoku Youth, and their aspirations for this season.

When asked about their memories of TYO, many members mentioned talking and spending time with other members at training camps.

Summer training camps have not been held in recent years due to the effects of COVID-19, but it remains a memorable event for the members.

After everyone had introduced themselves, we took a group photo.

The Fukushima Minpo newspaper also covered the day and published an article on their web version, which also used a group photo taken at the time.
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"Creating our own music": Tohoku Youth Orchestra kicks off 8th batch, holds inauguration ceremony in Fukushima City
https://www.minpo.jp/news/detail/2022082199897/amp

After that, we split into groups for some social time.

↑This is the percussion part.

↑These are horns and trumpets.

Six new trumpet members will be joining the ensemble this season, completely changing the lineup.

During the breaks between each part, the new members from the 8th term had their individual photographs taken.

*The photographer is Secretary General Tanaka.

After lunch, we had a video viewing session of the March concert in the afternoon.

Blu-rays of the concert were also distributed to the members of the orchestra on the day.

After the viewing, technical director Iijima said

"I was deeply moved listening to this Ninth Symphony from the audience, and I think it was a very good concert. TYO is a group that improves its level every year. Next March we have to give a concert that surpasses this one. To that end, I hope everyone will continue to practice seriously," he said.

Practice will finally begin next time.

All members, let's work hard towards the performance in March next year.