When you hear the term "Junior Orchestra," you might imagine a scene where many children are performing.
However, what the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra presents is a performance on a stage where people of all ages gather. It seems that not only the children but also local residents enjoy music together.
The regular concert held every summer by the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate its 39th edition in 2025.
Here, we introduce the content and highlights of the 39th regular concert.
About the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra "39th Regular Concert"
The "39th Regular Concert" organized by the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra is a classical concert scheduled for August 17, 2025 (Sunday).
What is the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra?
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra is a junior orchestra for children formed in 1984.
In Kurashiki, influenced by places like the Ohara Museum of Art, the culture of art has been rooted in the region for a long time. However, many citizens expressed the desire to establish a culture of music in Kurashiki, leading to the establishment of a precursor, the "Violin Class for Children," in 1975.
Subsequently, the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra was formed.
While aiming to improve their skills, it is also important to nurture the social skills of children through ensemble.
As of 2025, the number of members is about 40. Members range from elementary school students to university students, and they come from various schools, living areas, and age groups.
Initially, the number of members exceeded 100, but in recent years, it has decreased due to the declining birthrate. Therefore, recently, not only children but also students and alumni from the music department of Kurashiki Sakuyo University and Sakuyo Junior College, as well as members of Ensemble Hayashima, are creating music together with local people.
Additionally, as a preliminary step to participating in the orchestra, there is a "strong>Basic Course" where children can learn how to play instruments. The Basic Course primarily targets preschool to elementary school children, and it is appealing because even those touching an instrument for the first time can receive guidance in a safe and enjoyable manner.
The main activities currently include the summer regular concert, the spring concert in March, and volunteer concerts at hospitals. They are working hard in practice for each performance.
Overview of the "39th Regular Concert"
The 39th Regular Concert will be held at Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City.
The following three pieces will be performed:
- Bizet / L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2: Farandole (arranged version for Basic Course)
- Beethoven / Overture to the dramatic music "Egmont," Op. 84
- Beethoven / Symphony No. 3 "Eroica" in E-flat major, Op. 55
The first piece, "L'Arlésienne," will be performed by the Basic Course students. The Beethoven pieces in the second and third will be played by the orchestra members.
Tickets are priced at 1,000 yen for the general public and 500 yen for students under university level. To purchase, please apply through the reservation form.
We spoke with music director Ejima Mikio, Yamashita Saki, and the instructors about the 39th Regular Concert.
Interview with the staff
Please tell us the purpose of the regular concert.
Ejima
The regular concert has been held since the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra was established.
Our activities are supported by donations from the citizens, and we are in a situation where we receive support for instruments that are essential for our activities. We have a desire to express our gratitude to the local community.
Moreover, by holding the regular concert, it contributes to the growth of the children and serves as an opportunity for them to strengthen their bonds with each other.
The regular concert is like a mission for the junior orchestra. I consider it a very important event.
What kind of pieces will be performed this time?
Yamashita
The piece that the Basic Course students will perform at the beginning is "Farandole" from Bizet's "L'Arlésienne." It is a famous piece that everyone has probably heard at least once.
Since the orchestra was formed, the Basic Course students have been challenging classical masterpieces while adding arrangements.
Ejima
The two pieces to be performed are very famous works composed by Beethoven.
Currently, due to the declining birthrate, the number of members is decreasing, so we chose pieces that can be performed by a smaller group, which still provide a sense of challenge. Both pieces are difficult, but the children are practicing hard every day, and I feel they are growing rapidly.
Please tell us the highlights of this performance.
Ejima
I hope you will watch the children as they take on challenging pieces.
I believe that in school, opportunities to perform Beethoven's symphonies are rare. This is precisely a piece that can be challenged because they belong to this orchestra. Please pay attention to how the children can approach Beethoven.
Yamashita
I think you will gain energy from watching the young children in the Basic Course using their whole bodies to perform. Of course, they are adorable, but their overflowing energy is also conveyed, so I would be happy if you could enjoy listening to them.
Instructor
In the orchestra, each instrument has a main part to perform. One of the highlights of the orchestra is that the same theme is played by different instruments.
Since the strengths of each instrument are utilized, if you pay attention to the parts of each instrument, you will find a different way to enjoy the performance.
Who would you recommend this concert to?
Instructor
This performance will show the growth of the members, so I would like many people to listen to it. In particular, I would be happy if the parents who watch over the daily practices and the friends of the members could come.
Yamashita
If you are not familiar with classical music, you may not have many opportunities to attend concerts. However, for children, seeing peers performing on stage can be a great stimulus. I would like to recommend it to families, so please come and enjoy it together.
What are the future goals of the orchestra?
Instructor
We want to increase the number of people who enjoy playing music with us.
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra is a place for children of different schools and ages to connect through the commonality of "music". We would be happy if even a few more people wanted to experience music.
Additionally, orchestral sheet music is a universal language. The experience of "having played this piece" will surely be useful when doing music in a different environment in the future. While improving skills, we hope that participants will also learn such communication.
Yamashita
We want to continue our activities as an orchestra for a long time, so we hope many people will listen to our performances and that we can increase the number of members.
We want to energize the entire orchestra so that the children in the classes can join the orchestra and continue to be involved as alumni after retiring from the orchestra.
Finally, please give us a message
Instructor
Music knows no age or gender barriers.
Including the students in the classes, we currently have members ranging from 4 years old to university students playing together. Additionally, with the cooperation of local people, in the past, even a 70-year-old participated in a concert. We hope you can see the scene where people of all ages gather and communicate through music.
We would be happy if this concert encourages more people to say, "I want to join!".
Yamashita
Seeing is believing, so please come to this concert!
I hope that seeing the efforts of children of the same age will spark interest in more people.
Conclusion
During this interview, I was allowed to observe the practice scene.
Seeing the children produce powerful sounds from their small bodies gave me energy. Additionally, I witnessed specialized instructors providing one-on-one guidance for each instrument, and local people communicating with the members, truly creating music together with the community.
I look forward to hearing what kind of harmony will resonate on the day of the concert.
Even if you don't understand classical music, I believe the sight of children working hard will move your heart. If you're interested, please come on the day!
Also, the autumn auditions for new members will be held on September 28 (Sunday). If you're interested, please check it out.
Data for the 39th Regular Concert of the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra
| Name | Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra "39th Regular Concert" |
|---|---|
| Date | August 17, 2025 (Sunday) Doors open: 1:00 PM Concert starts: 2:00 PM |
| Location | 1-18-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | General: 1,000 yen Students (university students and below): 500 yen |
| Website | Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra |
