Every Sunday morning, the sounds of musical instruments ring out from the Exchange Building at Kurashiki Fureai-no-Oka Park.
From preschoolers to university students, the members focus intently on their music.
Before concerts, alumni and local residents join them, and the orchestra’s appeal lies in creating music together across generations.
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1975.
Supported by the local community, the orchestra has continued its journey with a desire to preserve a place where children can freely express themselves through music.
We spoke with the instructors, members, and alumni.
The information provided was accurate when this article was published in June 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
50 years since the idea to “start an orchestra for children”
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra began with the “Children’s Violin Class,” established at Kurashiki Community Center in 1975.
It started with the vision of its founder, Nakamura Taira: “Kurashiki City has a long history in the arts, but music culture has yet to take root sufficiently. I want to start an orchestra for children.”
In 1979, music director Ejima Mikio joined and began working to train string players. The predecessor group, the Kurashiki Junior String Ensemble, was formed in 1982.
Wind instruments were later added, and the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 1984.
The orchestra’s journey has been supported by the local community.
It was by no means an easy path, with challenges such as acquiring expensive instruments and securing rehearsal space, but the orchestra continued to move forward.
In 1999, it became the first music organization in Okayama Prefecture to obtain nonprofit corporation status. Although membership has fallen to 35 following the COVID-19 pandemic, instructors, parents, alumni, and local residents are working together to preserve “a place where children can freely express themselves through music.”
Ejima’s belief that “orchestra activities can develop children’s communication skills and provide an education that helps shape their character” also lives on in the orchestra’s activities today.
An orchestra created together by children and adults
As of June 2026, rehearsals are held every Sunday morning at the Exchange Building at Kurashiki Fureai-no-Oka Park. The main events are the Spring Concert in March and the annual concert in August.
Before concerts, students from Kurashiki Sakuyo University, alumni, and local groups such as Ensemble Hayashima join in, making rehearsals larger than usual.
The sight of children and adults standing together on stage is truly an “orchestra played by the whole community.”
In addition to the annual concert, the orchestra holds concerts at places such as Kurashiki Heisei Hospital and Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel, as well as ensemble concerts featuring smaller groups. Instructor Kozuki Masako says, “I’d like us to focus more on ensembles,” suggesting that the orchestra’s activities will continue to expand.
Events such as summer camps, Christmas parties, and Halloween celebrations are also held regularly. These gatherings are enjoyable for everyone from preschoolers to university students, and one of their appeals is that they foster connections across age groups outside of music as well.
Between rehearsals, members could be seen caring for their instruments, binding sheet music in preparation for concerts, and discussing the music together while looking at their scores.
It was striking to see them approach music seriously while still being at ease.
A beginner-friendly introductory course program
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra offers an “introductory course program.”
It is a system that allows children who are beginners to learn an instrument much like they would in a regular lesson, whether they want to learn to play an instrument or try playing in an orchestra.
Even if they do not own an instrument, they can borrow one from the orchestra, making it easy to get started. The program is open to children aged four and older, and instructors provide careful, instrument-specific guidance during rehearsals.
For string instruments, an audition determines whether a participant can move on to become an orchestra member; for wind instruments, the instructor makes the decision.
Rather than stepping straight onto the stage for a full performance, participants can progress to orchestra membership after a period as “half-orchestra members,” when they try playing just the encore together. This gives both children and their parents peace of mind, as they can gradually get used to performing on stage.
What kinds of experiences do the children gain through their activities, and what motivates the instructors and alumni who support the orchestra? We asked them.
Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra details
| Name | Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra |
|---|---|
| Address | 119-1-205 Nishinakashinden, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | For inquiries about visiting or joining, please use the contact form on the official website. |
| Website | Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra |
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