As the days gradually become warmer, March becomes a more enjoyable time for outings.
To herald the arrival of spring, the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a Spring Concert.
It’s not just the children who will take the stage.
Local university students and alumni from the orchestra will also join in, playing classical music together with the community. For the children who have been practicing with the support of those around them, the Spring Concert is truly a culmination of their efforts. They will surely be able to enjoy a lively performance.
We spoke about the content of "The 18th Spring Concert" and the thoughts behind the activities.
What is the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra "The 18th Spring Concert"?
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra presents "The 18th Spring Concert", which will be held on March 29, 2026 (Sunday) at the Fujika Hall of Kurashiki Sakuyo University.
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra is a junior orchestra for children formed in 1984. With the motto of "human development through orchestral activities," it values not only technical improvement but also the cultivation of children's social skills and cooperation.
Due to the impact of declining birth rates and an aging population, in recent years, not only the children but also alumni, students from the music department of Kurashiki Sakuyo University and Sakuyo Junior College, and members of Ensemble Hayashima have come together as a community to create music. Furthermore, many professional performers who have emerged from the orchestra receive direct guidance from professionals active both domestically and internationally.
Additionally, in the "Basic Course" for beginners, careful instruction is provided according to the children's levels. There will also be a stage exclusively for course students at the concert.
"The 18th Spring Concert" is a culmination of the growth of the children.
The pieces to be performed are as follows. You may recognize some of these pieces.
- Verdi / "Aida" - Triumphal March
- Mozart / "The Magic Flute" - Overture
- Bizet / "L'Arlésienne" - Suites No. 1 and No. 2
Admission is free, but an admission ticket is required. Please apply for the admission ticket from the application form.
The Spring Concert, where you can feel the arrival of spring. We spoke with the music director, Ejima Mikio, oboe instructor, Kozuki Masako, orchestra alumna, Miyake Yumi, and the course instructors about their thoughts and highlights of the project.
Interview with the person in charge
Thoughts behind "The 18th Spring Concert"
Please tell us about the background of the Spring Concert.
Ejima
Originally, the summer regular concert was the venue for announcements, but after seeing the members practice hard, I wanted to increase the opportunities for performance, which led to the start of the Spring Concert.
At that time, it coincided with the signing of the Music Culture Education Exchange Agreement with Kurashiki Sakuyo University, so we were able to borrow the music hall on campus (the Fujika Hall, which is the venue for this event).
In this era of declining birth rates and an aging population, I hope to continue activities that nurture children through music together with the community.
How were the pieces to be performed decided?
Instructor
The pieces to be performed this time are all familiar famous pieces that you may have heard at least once on TV or in commercials.
The first piece performed by the course students is Verdi's Triumphal March. We chose pieces that the students could enjoy playing as they grow. According to the instructor in charge, they seem to be having fun practicing every day. The course students are also improving rapidly as they prepare for the concert, so I hope you will come and listen.
The orchestra will perform Mozart's "The Magic Flute Overture" and Bizet's "L'Arlésienne," which were selected at the request of the members.
"L'Arlésienne" was a piece performed by the course students at the 2025 regular concert, and it seems that the members who heard it thought, "We want to play that too." The suite consists of many pieces, but this time we will perform Suites No. 1 and No. 2 consecutively.
There are also unique highlights, such as the inclusion of the saxophone (commonly known as "sax"), which often appears in wind ensembles, so please pay attention to that.
Who do you want to reach with this performance?
Ejima
I would like many people, regardless of age, to listen, starting with the families and friends of the members. In particular, I think it will be an opportunity for the friends of the members to say, "I want to do that too!" so I hope they will come to see their peers.
Growth of children felt closely by the instructors
What is the atmosphere like during regular practice?
Kozuki
The atmosphere is friendly and cheerful, and the children enjoy their practice. Of course, before the performance, we provide structured guidance, but there is absolutely no strictness. We aim to create an environment where the children can play freely and comfortably.
The age range of the members is also broad, and during breaks, you often see older children taking care of the younger ones or having fun chatting.
In addition to these daily practices, we recently held a lobby concert at Kurashiki International Hotel. We performed in small groups, and the experience of interacting with the local community through music seems to have boosted the members' confidence, and their awareness has increased even more.
What kind of concert was the lobby concert?
Miyake
This was our first attempt to let people know about our orchestra, which has been active for many years in the artistic city of Kurashiki, while also allowing the children to re-recognize the power of music.
In the ensemble lobby concert, with the support of instructors, the children, who are members, performed in a main ensemble, and during regular practices, they actively exchanged opinions and prepared for the concert.
On the day of the concert, nearly 50 people stopped by, creating a truly wonderful space where both the audience and the members, as well as the hotel staff, were all smiling happily. I believe it was a concert where we could support the children who were working hard to perform within the community.
It was a moment that embodied our orchestra's important value of "supporting and nurturing children as a community."
With less than a month until the performance, how is the enthusiasm of the members after the lobby concert?
Kozuki
Having successfully completed a performance in a small group has boosted their confidence, and I feel they are now even more motivated.
As the performance approaches, many local residents and music university students are gathering to participate in the practice, and it seems that the members are moved by the process of the sound scale becoming larger.
We will do our best to deliver a powerful performance at the concert.
Watching the children's activities through music and nurturing them in the community
Finally, please tell us about the highlights of both the course students and the orchestra.
Instructor
I believe you will be moved by the sight of the adorable course students working hard. Please come and see them feeling music with their small bodies and performing lively.
The orchestra performs as a team that brings together people of all ages and genders. It is a stage created by the entire community, featuring current music students from Kurashiki Sakuyo University, members of Ensemble Hayashima, and alumni of our organization. Please enjoy the powerful ensemble that you can only hear here.
Please leave a message for the readers.
Ejima
We invite you to come and listen to the performances played by the children who are working hard.
Instructor
The Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra hopes to continue increasing its members and activities. We look forward to welcoming new friends as we prepare for the Spring Concert.
Kozuki
The potential of the children just before the performance is truly amazing, and I am constantly surprised by their growth. I hope you can come and experience the power that the children possess.
Miyake
I believe we can support the children's activities in various ways. Not only by playing together, but also by attending opportunities where the children shine is an important step in supporting the community.
We will deliver a stage that allows you to feel the power of music that moves the heart, creating a single harmony through the cooperation of many people, and connects to the next driving force.
Conclusion
Through the interview, I realized once again that the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra is not just a performance group, but an important place where the community comes together to nurture children.
Even if the current members grow up and have fewer opportunities to perform in the future, I believe that a life knowing the power of music will be all the more enriching.
Please come to the venue to experience the lively music played by the children and to support their hard work.
Additionally, the Spring Auditions for new members will be held on April 26 (Sunday). You can also check out the usual practice sessions on Instagram and Facebook, so if you're interested, please take a look.
Data for the Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra "The 18th Spring Concert"
| Name | Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra "The 18th Spring Concert" |
|---|---|
| Date | March 29, 2026 (Sunday) Doors open at 1:00 PM Concert starts at 2:00 PM |
| Location | 3515 Nagao, Tamashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Kurashiki Junior Philharmonic Orchestra Website |
