[Pre-event training camp in Morioka] This is the evening session on the first day.

At the Tohoku Youth Orchestra's training camp just before the performance, the traditional handwritten countdown on the whiteboard began.
There was a lost item underneath. What's more, it was a CD of "The Best of Tohoku Youth Orchestra 2013-2023" by Tohoku Youth Orchestra and Ryuichi Sakamoto, released today on the 20th! Members of the orchestra, please take good care of this important and glorious record.

I hope that this CD will become a staple in every household.

Abe Hidekatsu, an alumnus who is affectionately known by the nickname "Dandy", has been helping out from the very first day as the person in charge of taking care of everything.

The shoulder massage for Kojima, who is participating in the TYO pre-training camp for the first time this year, is a professional treatment performed by the therapist, who learned physical therapy during his student days.

This afternoon, we thoroughly reviewed the program for the concert, followed by the long-awaited dinner. Below are some photos taken by "Dandy" Abe-kun, who also served as the photographer.

I had rice with hamburger as the main dish.

After dinner, Captain Kaizu led a report on volunteer activities, a financial report on the crowdfunding that supports them, and future activities.

He spoke of some very encouraging concerns, asking, "What can we do as an orchestra that works together with society?" and "How can we change the way we view ourselves as a supported organization?"

And three people who attended gave reports on the volunteer concert held in Kesennuma last month.

The special lecture on disasters was given by alumnus "Dandy" Abe, who has been a huge help behind the scenes.

Abe, who now works for an electric power company as "Dandy," gave a very persuasive talk from the scene of a natural disaster.

It has been 11 years since the Tohoku Youth Orchestra was founded. Alumni and current members alike want to hold a successful concert in memory of Director Ryuichi Sakamoto, who they have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with. What can we do to keep this orchestra going? We felt that passion on the first day.

Tickets are still available for this weekend's concerts in Morioka on the 23rd (Sat), in Sendai on the 24th (Sun) (both with guest Non-san), and in Koriyama on the 30th (Sat) (with guest Yoshinaga Sayuri). It takes just over two hours to get from Tokyo to Morioka by Hayabusa. The only official memorial performance for director Sakamoto Ryuichi! The footage also includes plenty of unreleased material, such as photos from his private archives and footage of his days with members of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.

Please come and visit us.