On May 30, we successfully completed our performance at the Hibiya Music Festival. Thank you so much to everyone who came to see us. This time, we had the opportunity to perform with a diverse ensemble featuring strings, brass, and woodwinds.

When I met Mr. Seiji Kameda, the Executive Committee Chairman of the Hibiya Music Festival, at our regular concert in March, I had the opportunity to hear firsthand about his passionate vision for the festival: to create a borderless space where everyone can freely enjoy music. Deeply inspired by his words, I joined this year's festival with a renewed determination to do my best as one of the musicians helping to share the power of music with others.

As this performance took place before the kickoff of our 12th term, we did not have a great deal of time to rehearse together as a full ensemble. Nevertheless, each member made the most of the limited time available, practicing with focus and dedication while refining our sound together in preparation for the performance. 

There were times when the limited rehearsal schedule made us feel anxious about the performance. However, when we shared a video of our rehearsals on social media with the caption, “We’re getting more and more excited for the Hibiya Music Festival,” we received an unexpected and heartwarming response: Mr. Kameda himself commented, “I’m looking forward to it too!”

His message gave us a tremendous boost of encouragement. We found ourselves thinking, “If Mr. Kameda is looking forward to it as well, then let’s share that excitement and give it our very best until the very end!” That comment became a major source of motivation as we prepared for the performance.

Carrying that sense of excitement and determination, we gathered in Tokyo for our final rehearsal on the day before the festival. Then, to our great surprise, Mr. Kameda himself came to cheer us on in person.

After the encouraging exchange we had shared on social media, it was incredibly inspiring to see him standing before us. He offered us warm words of encouragement as well as valuable musical advice, which helped all of us focus even more deeply on the task ahead. At the same time, it lifted our spirits and brought our motivation for the next day’s performance to its highest level.

We arrived at the venue early on the day of the festival, which gave us the chance to explore some of the booths together. One booth we visited was hosted by SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation).

To our delight, there was a photo opportunity available there, and all of us had a wonderful time taking commemorative pictures alongside SMBC’s adorable mascot character. It was a fun and memorable experience that added to the excitement of the day.

What made the experience even more special was that the photos could be printed on the spot. Not only that, but we were also free to decorate and doodle on the printed pictures ourselves. It was wonderful to be able to turn our memories of the festival into a tangible keepsake right then and there.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to SMBC for providing such a fun and memorable activity. Thanks to this thoughtful initiative, we were able to take home a unique memento of a truly special day.

With our spirits lifted, the moment we had been preparing for finally arrived.

The act performing right before us was ORANGE RANGE, which naturally made us a little nervous. Thoughts such as, “Can we really hold the audience’s attention after such a major artist?” and “Will people stay to listen to our performance?” lingered in our minds until just before we went on stage. However, as we made our way to the stage, we were greeted by a large crowd waiting for us. In that instant, our anxiety was replaced by excitement, gratitude, and renewed energy.

The program opened with a beautifully coordinated performance by our alumni members. They performed “RYDEEN” and “Tong Poo,” two iconic pieces by Yellow Magic Orchestra. When people think of the Tohoku Youth Orchestra, they naturally think of our founder and music director, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Beginning with these two beloved YMO classics felt like the perfect way to showcase the orchestra’s identity and set the tone for the rest of the performance.

Next came a vibrant brass quintet performance of the Kiki’s Delivery Service Medley, followed by a warm and charming woodwind quintet program featuring familiar and beloved themes from family animation.

Our string ensemble then took the stage to perform “energy flow,” with its beautiful melody composed by Mr. Sakamoto, and the energetic “Galaxy Express 999.” During “Galaxy Express 999,” the audience naturally began clapping along, creating a wonderful sense of unity throughout the venue. Surrounded by that warmth and enthusiasm, we were able to enjoy every moment of the performance from the bottom of our hearts.

For the finale, all members gathered on stage to perform “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” together as a full ensemble. When the final notes faded and we turned to wave to the audience, we were met with a sea of warm applause and radiant smiles. At that moment, a profound sense of relief and happiness filled our hearts. Seeing those expressions, we knew that our music had reached the audience and brought them joy—and there could have been no greater reward than that.

Despite our limited rehearsal time, each and every one of us poured our hearts into the performance, and through music we were able to connect with the audience in a meaningful way. It was truly a fulfilling and rewarding day.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and encouraged us, as well as to Mr. Kameda, the Executive Committee Chairman, and all the staff and organizers of the Hibiya Music Festival for giving us such a wonderful opportunity. Thank you very much for making this unforgettable experience possible.