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El Sistema Japan Komagane Children's Orchestra Concert 2025

The 4th El Sistema Japan Komagane Children's Orchestra Concert is set to take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Akaho Community Hall in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture. This exciting event, organized by the non-profit organization El Sistema Japan, will begin at 14:00, with doors opening at 13:30.

The Komagane Children's Orchestra is a unique initiative that aims to provide children in remote areas, where access to cultural arts is limited, with opportunities to experience music while also serving as an alternative space for them to grow. Through collaborative music-making, children develop essential life skills such as teamwork, patience, and self-expression.

This year's concert follows an exceptional performance in June at the Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall, where the orchestra took the stage independently. The feelings and inspirations gathered from that experience will be shared with the audience through their music. The program includes nostalgic children's songs like 'Tabishu' (旅愁) and more sophisticated pieces, such as Mozart's 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' and Piazzolla's tango 'Libertango.'

One highlight of the concert will be the performance of Engel's 'Toy Symphony' by the younger members who have just begun their journey in playing the violin, along with the percussion group composed of the children and their parents. Their hard work and dedication in tackling all movements of the symphony will be a delightful experience for the audience.

Concert Details

• - Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
• - Doors Open: 13:30
• - Concert Start: 14:00
• - Venue: Akaho Community Hall, Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture (Address: 23-3 Kamihonokuchi, Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, 399-4115)

Program:

• - 'Tabishu' by John P. Odeway
• - 'Cuckoo, Frog Song, Puppy March'
• - 'Serenade for String Orchestra' by Norman Leyden
• - 1st Movement from 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' by W.A. Mozart and others.

Admission: Free entry, seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees will require a reservation ticket which can be collected from the Komagane General Cultural Center, the Komagane City Board of Education’s Social Education Department, Akaho Community Center, Nakazawa Community Center, and Higashiina Community Center.

Please note that preschool children are welcome but should be accompanied by a guardian. We kindly ask for your consideration of other attendees during the performance.

Organizational Background

The El Sistema Japan initiative began in 2012, inspired by a music education program launched in Venezuela in 1975 to support children living in challenging conditions. In Japan, our mission is to empower children affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake by helping them regain their confidence and dignity through music. We started in Soma, Fukushima, and have since expanded our activities across multiple regions like Iwate, Nagano, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Each week, children engage in ensemble lessons where they learn cooperatively, fostering personal growth and cultural appreciation.

As we aim to create a vibrant community filled with music from around the world, we appreciate your support for the Komagane Children's Orchestra. Let’s come together to celebrate the joy of music and encourage our children as they grow into talented individuals!

For more information, please contact:

• - Komagane City Education Committee Social Education Department: 0265-83-2111
• - El Sistema Japan: 03-6811-7077 | Email: [email protected]