I think there are rarely opportunities to hear live musical performances in daily life.
During my middle and high school years, I sometimes listened to the performances of the brass band club after school or during events, but now that I am an adult, I feel that the opportunities to hear ensemble performances have significantly decreased.
One day, I was informed that there would be a performance by the Kurashiki Orchestra at the Kurashiki Music Festival. It seems that the performers are local citizens.
Feeling a sense of closeness to a classical concert after a long time, I quickly went to cover the event.
What is the Kurashiki Orchestra Concert?
The Kurashiki Orchestra Concert is a performance that will be held on March 20, 2024 (Wednesday, public holiday) as part of the 38th Kurashiki Music Festival.
The Kurashiki Orchestra was established in 1974 as a community orchestra and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, continuing its activities rooted in the local community.
In the first half of the concert, familiar classical masterpieces will be performed, such as "Heaven and Hell," which is often used as background music for sports days, and "Samson and Delilah," which is well-known as a free piece in brass band competitions.
In the second half, there will be a musical story based on the famous book "Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window" by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The program will allow the audience to enjoy the story of "Totto-chan" through both music and narration.
The concert will take place at the Kurashiki Civic Hall, with doors opening at 2 PM and the performance starting at 3 PM.
Tickets are priced at 1,000 yen for general admission and 500 yen for university students and younger, but up to 500 elementary and middle school students from Kurashiki City can attend for free.
For more details, please check the image below.
With performances of familiar masterpieces and musical stories, the content seems approachable and enjoyable for everyone.
I interviewed Yayoi Nishijima, the public relations officer of the Kurashiki Orchestra, about the highlights of this concert.
Interview
Please tell us about the Kurashiki Orchestra.
Nishijima (no honorifics)
The Kurashiki Orchestra is a community orchestra established in 1974 with the motto of "high-quality performances with beautiful tones and good ensemble."
Focusing on the annual regular concert and this Kurashiki Music Festival performance, we will celebrate our 50th anniversary this year (2024) while continuing our community-rooted activities.
Currently, there are 91 members, including not only those who were in brass bands during their student days or studied at music universities but also those who started playing music later in life. The age range is broad, from those in their 20s to those in their 70s.
We also receive guidance from conductors who are active in professional orchestras, and we practice to deliver authentic orchestral music.
As an orchestra that has been active in the community for 50 years, we have developed deep connections with music-related individuals in Kurashiki.
We perform concerts while connecting various local ties.
How do you decide on the repertoire?
Nishijima
There is a repertoire committee within the orchestra, and we select pieces considering the trends of the times and the feelings we want to convey to everyone from the orchestra. We often choose familiar pieces that people may have heard before.
By the way, in the previous concert, we performed music from Studio Ghibli.
Over 1,400 people attended, and from the stage, it looked almost full in the audience.
At that time, we also invited elementary and middle school students for free, so many families with children attended.
I think this concert will allow families to leave with bright feelings.
What is the content of the musical story "Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window"?
Nishijima
The musical story expresses the emotions and actions of the characters through music, and along with the performance, the narrator conveys selected words with vivid narration.
The "Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window" we will perform is a semi-autobiographical essay from Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's childhood.
It has been translated into 35 languages and is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most published autobiography in the world.
Many impressive characters appear in the story, but the one that left a strong impression on me was the principal who kept telling Totto-chan, who couldn't fit in at school, "You are really a good child."
It is very unfortunate for anyone not to be recognized for who they are.
However, if there is a kind feeling at the core that properly recognizes and respects each other's differences, I believe everyone can be happy...
I think it is very meaningful for the Kurashiki Orchestra to convey such a message as an orchestra in today's unstable world.
Each member reads the book, interprets the content in their own way, and conveys the characters' emotions through music.
I would be happy if you could feel the various tones.
If you read the book before coming, I think you will enjoy it even more as the scenes of the story come to life.
Who would you recommend this to?
Nishijima
I would love for people of all generations to come.
Especially "Totto-chan" can be felt differently depending on the era and generation in which one was born and raised, so discussing impressions with family can enhance the enjoyment.
I think opportunities to hear live orchestral performances are rare, so I hope you enjoy the feel of each instrument's sound.
Please give a message to the readers.
Nishijima
This concert is enjoyable for both children and adults, so I hope families will come together.
Please feel free to visit.
Also, this year (2024) marks our 50th anniversary, so we plan to hold a grand regular concert in August. Pianist Tomoharu Ushida, who has ties to Kurashiki, will also perform at the regular concert.
Additionally, in November, we are planning a collaboration concert with Toyota, featuring a combination of dance and orchestra.
For details on the program, please check the Kurashiki Orchestra's website.
I hope you will come to this year's limited concert as well.
Conclusion
I rarely have opportunities to listen to classical music in my daily life, and through this coverage, I learned about orchestras in detail for the first time.
What particularly stood out to me was the difference between brass bands and orchestras.
While brass bands are mostly composed of wind and percussion instruments, orchestras include string instruments as well.
Orchestras adjust the number of performers according to the instruments and parts specified in the score, ensuring that the sound of each instrument is highlighted.
I thought this concert would be a perfect opportunity to experience the sounds of each instrument.
I hope you enjoy live classical music and the world of "Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window" with your family.
Data on the 38th Kurashiki Music Festival Kurashiki Orchestra Concert
| Name | 38th Kurashiki Music Festival Kurashiki Orchestra Concert |
|---|---|
| Date | March 20, 2024 (Wednesday) Opening time: 2 PM Start time: 3 PM |
| Location | 17-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture 710-0054 |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | General: 1,000 yen University students and younger: 500 yen Up to 500 elementary and middle school students from Kurashiki City can attend for free. *Application required |
| Website | Kurashiki Orchestra 38th Kurashiki Music Festival Kurashiki Orchestra Concert |
