October 29, 2025

Director Sakamoto's music lives inside me

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【Name and address of designated bank account】
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
1-8-6, Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
【Swift Code】
BOTKJPJT
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Tohoku Youth Orchestra
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Higashi-Ebisu Branch
【Account Number】
3080490

Hello. I'm Reiri Saito, cello player, a member of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra's third class.

My musical story begins with an old upright piano. My grandmother was a music teacher, and from a young age, I played songs and the piano. It was too innocent a pastime to be called a gifted education, but amid that swirl of sound, my soul learned the warmth of music. I may not have been blessed with talent, but music became as natural and essential to me as breathing.

Time passed, and when I was reluctantly playing the violin, a fateful encounter saved me. It was a cellist I saw in a local kids' orchestra. The sound he played was deep and soft, as if gently caressing the sadness deep within my heart. I was instantly captivated by the instrument. At almost the same time, I encountered another sound that would change my life.

This is a piece by Ryuichi Sakamoto, director of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra.

The powerful yet delicate tone instantly pierced my heart. It was something more than simply beautiful; it was something fundamental. Even as a child, I swore to myself that I would "definitely play" this sound, this director's music—and that moment was the birth of a pure and unwavering desire. From then on, I pursued Director Sakamoto's music and became an avid fan, wanting to learn everything about him.

In the early spring, just before I graduated from elementary school, a recruitment notice arrived in my possession through my family. The Tohoku Youth Orchestra was recruiting for its third class. I didn't hesitate for even a second. My chance to make my dream come true was right in front of me. From the day I pressed the apply button, my heart was filled with anticipation. And the following spring, I achieved one of my biggest dreams.

My time with the Tohoku Youth Orchestra was, from the start, a place where dreams came true. I was able to play his soul-stirring music with my own hands. There was no greater joy than this. On top of that, I ended up playing large-scale pieces I'd never played before, and the amount of practice far exceeded my imagination. Everything felt like a challenge, but each performance was fulfilling and enjoyable.

However, as my involvement with the orchestra deepened, the meaning of this place rapidly changed. As we shed sweat and tears together to create a single sound, I learned the strength of human connections. This orchestra is an ark of hope that Director Sakamoto left for the young people of Tohoku after the incredible tragedy of the earthquake, and the bonds we forged on board have become a second kind of family that transcends blood ties.

More than anything, this orchestra taught me the true nature of the disaster. While I myself was not greatly affected, the friends I met here conveyed the emotional pain, sadness, and suffering they experienced through their music, not words. It wasn't just my friends who taught me; I also heard the stories of those who came to listen to our performances and those who carry on the tradition. By coming face to face with these people's experiences, I was able to learn deeply and profoundly about the weight of what the earthquake brought to our Tohoku region, and the quiet strength of the people trying to rise again after it.

Behind the music we play, there is always someone's laughter, someone's support. I realized the depth of that connection. It was like a warm, strong "hand" reaching out to guide and support us when we were lost and about to give up. Thanks to that "hand," I was able to grow from a boy who simply played the cello into someone who questions the meaning of life in this world.

Even now, when I close my eyes, the scene of that concert hall comes back to me vividly. The director's calm expression as he stood on the podium. And the powerful, and sometimes all too delicate, tones that flowed from there. Director Sakamoto's music was the first "sound of hope" that was born for me. But after meeting my fellow members in this orchestra, that feeling transformed into "the sound of a place to return to," a constant reminder of the connections we make with others, our feelings for our hometowns, and the preciousness of life—things we tend to forget in our daily lives.

No matter what experiences I have or what music I encounter in the future, this sound, deeply engraved in my heart, will continue to serve as a compass within me.

With the melody of hope left by the director and the irreplaceable feeling of "connection" nurtured by this orchestra in our hearts, we will now work with all our hearts to deliver this sound to as many people as possible and become a moving "sound of hope." With heartfelt gratitude to this miraculous place and everyone involved.

Thank you for reading to the end. We will continue to work hard every day to bring our sound to you all. We look forward to seeing you again at a concert.

Cello Section - Suzuto Saito

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Director Sakamoto's music lives inside me