Kurashiki has many community orchestras, and you often see them performing on stage at events in the city. I feel that community orchestras, which deliver high-quality live performances, enrich our daily lives.
Among the many orchestras, the Kurashiki Orchestra is a historic community orchestra that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. It has been providing live performances of classical music, which are rarely heard, for many years.
In the fall of 2024, to commemorate its 50th anniversary, the " Toyota Community Concert in Kurashiki " will be held in collaboration with the Toyota Group.
We will introduce the "Toyota Community Concert in Kurashiki," where you can enjoy live classical music and professional dancers.
About the Kurashiki Orchestra "Toyota Community Concert in Kurashiki"
The "Toyota Community Concert in Kurashiki" is a classical concert to be held on November 3, 2024 (Sunday) at Kurashiki Civic Hall.
The Kurashiki Orchestra is a community orchestra established in 1974 in the city. With the motto of "high-quality performances with beautiful tones and good ensemble", it has continued its musical activities in the region, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Every year, the Kurashiki Orchestra mainly participates in an annual regular concert and the Kurashiki Music Festival. However, this year (2024), which is a milestone, the Toyota Community Concert will be held to commemorate the 50th anniversary.
The Toyota Community Concert is organized in collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota dealerships across the country, along with local orchestras. It is a concert where renowned conductors and music directors collaborate with amateur orchestras nationwide.
With the aim of "contributing to the community through music", we support amateur orchestras active in the region.
The theme of this concert presented by the Kurashiki Orchestra is "Dancing with Classical Music".
It is a luxurious concert where you can enjoy not only live performances but also the dancing of the dancers. The internationally active Omae Koichi (大前光市) and dancers selected from auditions in Okayama Prefecture will collaborate. The content is likely to keep your eyes glued to the stage.
The venue will be Kurashiki Civic Hall. Since all seats are reserved, early purchase is recommended. For purchasing methods and concert details, please check the Kurashiki Orchestra's website.
The Toyota Community Concert, enjoyable for both the eyes and ears. We interviewed Nishijima Yayoi (西島弥生) from the Kurashiki Orchestra about the details.
Interview with the Kurashiki Orchestra
What led to the planning of this concert?
Nishijima (no honorifics)
The Kurashiki Orchestra has reached its 50th anniversary with the support of the local community.
As we continued our activities, we had a desire to take a new step, and after considering whether there were any new challenges we could undertake, we decided to take on the challenge of the Toyota Community Concert.
The Toyota Community Concert is typically planned and applied for by amateur orchestras.
However, this time, as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary, we applied for the project proposed by Music Director Saegusa Shigeaki (三枝成彰) to "dance with renowned professional dancers to Beethoven's Symphony No. 7", and it was accepted, making this concert a valuable opportunity.
Additionally, Toyota is considering projects that connect music with the SDGs, so we hope to connect with many people through the power of music that transcends borders and language barriers.
Collaboration with professionals will surely enhance your practice.
Nishijima
Yes, we are all looking forward to the practice sessions with the professionals guiding us.
When we practiced with conductor Shinozaki, he guided us in a way that was supportive, allowing us to learn professional techniques while having fun. It has been a truly educational experience, and we are very grateful for it.
For 50 years, we have been weaving music with the theme of "high-quality performances with beautiful tones and good ensemble", so we want to continue to contribute to the community through music while always maintaining a spirit of improvement.
Please tell us about the pieces you will perform.
Nishijima
We will perform three pieces that you may have heard at least once.
The first piece, "L'Arlésienne," is a composition created as incidental music for Daudet's play "L'Arlésienne," set in Arles in the Provence region of southern France. It quotes French folk songs and is a picturesque music that vividly evokes the beautiful landscapes of Provence and the lives of ordinary people at that time.
The second piece, "Boléro," was commissioned by the composer Ravel from a ballet dancer from Russia. It is a very unusual piece with a structure where the same rhythm and melody are repeated throughout.
The flute, clarinet, bassoon, and other instruments each play, and in the end, they overlap to create a grand sound. It is a performance that allows you to enjoy the timbre of each instrument.
The dancers who will perform during "Boléro" are local individuals selected through auditions, ranging from children to adults. They have been practicing since April, and it promises to be a visually impressive stage.
The final piece, "Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92," is a masterpiece created by composer Beethoven after he suffered from hearing loss.
The dancer Omae Koichi, who will perform in this piece, is someone who has overcome adversity after losing his left leg in a traffic accident and is active as a prosthetic dancer. He has also appeared in the closing ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in 2016 and is receiving significant attention.
I believe that the indomitable spirit of Beethoven's music and Mr. Omae's passion for dance will resonate on stage.
Please tell us the highlights of this concert.
Nishijima
This concert, featuring dance and a full orchestra, is not only enjoyable to listen to but also to watch, stimulating various senses with the breath of the dance and the vibrations of the orchestra. Since it is not just a performance, I believe everyone will be able to enjoy it without getting bored.
Additionally, during the concert, there will be a talk corner with Music Director Saegusa and Conductor Shinozaki, so please look forward to that as well.
Who would you recommend this concert to?
Nishijima
I would like people of all generations to come.
Since it is a concert that can be enjoyed with both eyes and ears, I believe everyone can enjoy classical music while fully engaging all their senses.
I would also like to recommend it to elementary school children. I would be very happy if this concert sparked their interest in dance or made them think, "I want to try playing in an orchestra!"
Additionally, this concert is also conscious of the SDGs, so in conjunction with the "Orange and Purple Ribbon Campaign Month" taking place in November, we plan to set up exhibitions related to child abuse prevention and domestic violence. With the cooperation of Toyota, we will also conduct exhibitions on traffic safety, so I hope this will be an opportunity for everyone to take an interest in social issues.
Please give a message to the readers.
Nishijima
I believe this is a new type of concert that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, so please come!
Conclusion
The author has previously attended a regular concert of the Kurashiki Orchestra.
Since I rarely have the opportunity to listen to classical music, I was continuously overwhelmed by the powerful tones and grand performances. I was very satisfied to hear high-quality classical music that did not feel like an amateur orchestra at all.
This time, since it can also be enjoyed visually, I think it will be a concert that creates new charm. Personally, I am very curious about what kind of physical expression will be born from classical music.
The Kurashiki Orchestra is always taking on new challenges for the sake of the community. Please make sure to attend the concert to see their efforts.
Data on the Toyota Community Concert in Kurashiki
| Name | Toyota Community Concert in Kurashiki |
|---|---|
| Date | November 3, 2024 (Sunday) Doors open at 1:30 PM Concert starts at 2:30 PM Expected end time is 4:30 PM |
| Location | 17-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Reserved S seats: 3,000 yen General: 2,000 yen Students (university students and below): 1,000 yen * Preschool children are not allowed * Tickets purchased on the day will be an additional 500 yen |
| Website | Kurashiki Orchestra |
