In Kurashiki, various music events are held throughout the year, and many music-related community organizations are also active.
The Kurashiki Orchestra, which has been cherished for many years, continues to perform high-quality classical music in Kurashiki. The Kurashiki Orchestra holds the "Kurashiki Orchestra Concert" at the Kurashiki Music Festival, which takes place every spring.
The catchphrase for the 2026 concert is "A Musical Story Connecting Hearts."
What kind of stage will they present with a combination of classical and musical performances?
We will introduce the highlights of the Kurashiki Orchestra concert, which announces the arrival of spring, and the pieces that will be performed.
What is the "Kurashiki Orchestra Concert"?
The Kurashiki Orchestra Concert will be held on March 15, 2026 (Sunday) at the Kurashiki Civic Hall as part of the 40th Kurashiki Music Festival.
The Kurashiki Orchestra, which performs, is a community orchestra established in 1974.
With the motto "Delivering high-quality performances with beautiful tones and good ensemble", they bring high-quality classical music to the citizens. About 90 members practice daily in preparation for the spring Kurashiki Music Festival and the regular concert held in summer.
The highlight of the 2026 Kurashiki Orchestra Concert is the collaboration of classical and musical performances.
Soprano singer Hisako Hanaoka, who has been active with the Shiki Theatre Company, and the Kurashiki Children's Choir, which received great acclaim in past collaborations, will be invited as guests to deliver performances that draw the audience into the world of each piece.
Tickets can be reserved online at the Ars Kurashiki Ticket Center.
Additionally, elementary and middle school students residing or studying in Kurashiki City can watch the concert for free, up to the first 500 applicants. Interested individuals should apply through the application form.
I spoke with Yayoi Nishijima, the public relations officer of the Kurashiki Orchestra, about the Kurashiki Orchestra Concert.
Interview with the Person in Charge
Please tell us about the program content.
Nishijima (no honorifics)
In the first part, we will present two pieces performed solely by the orchestra.
The pieces include familiar classical masterpieces that you may have heard at least once, such as those used in SoftBank commercials. We will deliver a powerful performance unique to the orchestra that you can feel the sound pressure from.
The second part will be a collaboration stage with Hisako Hanaoka, a former member of the Shiki Theatre Company, and the Kurashiki Children's Choir, which received great acclaim in the previous concert (2025). We will perform a medley of famous Disney songs such as "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "Mickey Mouse March," as well as well-known songs from the musical Les Misérables.
It's fun to hear familiar songs performed live by an orchestra. Could you share some reasons for your song selections?
Nishijima
The "Symphonic Dances" from West Side Story in the first part is an energetic piece that fuses jazz and Latin rhythms with classical music. Although the performance is very challenging, it has been a piece that the conductor has wanted to try, and we have decided to take on this challenge.
With many percussion instruments like timbales, guiros, and maracas, we hope you can feel the various tones.
The pieces performed in the second part were selected to be enjoyable for everyone from small children to the elderly. They are all songs that allow you to enjoy the world of the story.
The "People's Song" from Les Misérables is a powerful piece that represents the courage of the oppressed citizens of that time as they move forward. We chose it with the intention of encouraging everyone who listens to it.
Please tell us the highlights of the concert.
Nishijima
The first part is "Romeo and Juliet: A Clash of Old and New."
Both Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story are representative tragic love stories of their respective eras, but even within the same tragic love theme, I believe there are differences in the atmosphere and feelings of the pieces. Please enjoy comparing the two pieces.
The highlight of the second part is the one-day-only arrangement that can only be heard at the Kurashiki Music Festival. Conductor Masatoshi Sato has arranged it specifically for this occasion. Together with the precious singing voice of former Shiki Theatre Company member Hanaoka, we will deliver a powerful performance that feels as if you are in a real theater.
What was the background for the collaboration with the musical?
Nishijima
To talk about the history of the Kurashiki Music Festival, it started in 1967 when Tamashima City and Kojima City merged with Kurashiki City, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the new city's establishment. Originally, performances were conducted by a professional orchestra called the Celebration Orchestra, but it was later taken over by the Kurashiki Orchestra, which has been participating every year.
As a community orchestra, we have created many stages with various community musicals and ballet companies. In particular, performances featuring children provide great confidence to the participating children and will remain as invaluable experiences in their hearts.
In 2026, to commemorate the 40th Kurashiki Music Festival, we decided to collaborate with the Kurashiki Children's Choir to deliver a splendid and moving stage.
What kind of audience would you like to listen to this concert?
Nishijima
We will perform pieces that you may have heard at least once in television or music classes, so I believe even those who are not familiar with classical music can enjoy it. I hope many people of all ages will come.
Please give a message to the readers.
Nishijima
Since this is the 40th anniversary of the Kurashiki Music Festival, we are working together as a team to create a concert that can be enjoyed not only by ear but also by eye, and that allows you to feel the vibrations of the sound, engaging all five senses.
We will present famous songs that you are likely familiar with in a special arrangement for one day only, so I would be delighted if you could listen to them.
With the professional soprano singer Hanaoka, the clear voices of the children's choir, and our orchestra's powerful performance, I believe it will be a visually impressive stage. Please feel free to come!
Conclusion
The author has previously listened to a performance by the Kurashiki Orchestra.
Even as someone who rarely listens to classical music, I found the sound of each instrument pleasantly resonating. I remember being surprised, thinking, "I can hear such professional performances so close!"
At the Kurashiki Orchestra concert, I would like to pay attention to how famous movies and plays are expressed through the orchestra. With the addition of live singing to the powerful performance, it seems likely to give me goosebumps.
Since the program is enjoyable for all ages, please consider bringing your children along to the venue.
Data on the 40th Kurashiki Music Festival Kurashiki Orchestra Concert
| Name | 40th Kurashiki Music Festival Kurashiki Orchestra Concert |
|---|---|
| Date | March 15, 2026 (Sunday) 3:00 PM start (2:00 PM doors open) |
| Location | 17-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | General: 1,500 yen University students and younger: 500 yen Elementary and middle school students residing in Kurashiki City can watch for free up to the first 500 applicants. *Application required |
| Website | Kurashiki Orchestra Website |
