[Member Interview] Saki Torii (Oboe)

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Cucumber. Morioka hiyashi is famous for its hiyashi noodles, and the cucumber on top is really tasty. After the university entrance ceremony, I went to eat with everyone from my department, and I ate all of their cucumbers, so my nickname became Cucumber... (laughs). People remember me right away (laughs). I like anything except natto.

Q: Where do you live?

A: Iwate.

Q: How long have you been doing music?

A: I started playing the piano when I was four years old and am still playing it. I played the flute in junior high and high school. I play the oboe in the Tohoku Youth Orchestra (TYO), but I still don't have much experience, so I have to practice hard.

Q: Is there anything that makes you feel glad that you're doing music?

A: I once made a big mistake and thought about quitting music. But the people who listened to my performance praised me and encouraged me. I continue because performing in front of people helps me gain confidence. I think I wouldn't have been able to get that kind of experience if I hadn't been doing music.

Q: Has anything changed before and after 3/11?

A: My hometown is on the coast of Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, and there is a saying there, "Tsunami tendenko," which means you have to protect yourself. Many people were late in evacuating after the recent earthquake and fell victim to the tsunami, which made me realize once again how important it is to protect yourself.

Q: How is it joining TYO?

A: It was great. I think it's wonderful that we can perform on the same stage not only with our friends from Iwate, but also with our friends from the disaster-stricken areas of Miyagi and Fukushima.

Q: Please tell us your enthusiasm for the concert in March.

A: This year we will be performing the difficult piece Mahler's Symphony No. 1, incorporating folk songs, and also playing music by director Ryuichi Sakamoto, so I hope the audience will enjoy a performance that is a little different from last year.