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Celebrating 5,000 Attendees: A Successful Music and Picture Book Concert Series

The AKI Concert Project, led by Kaori Akiyama, has successfully concluded a thrilling concert series titled "Picture Book × Music Concert" that ran from January to March 2026. Supported by the Children’s Dream Fund, this initiative aimed to foster an engaging environment for young children, showcasing a blend of professional brass ensemble performances and story readings by announcers. The series not only filled seats at every venue but also expanded the joy of music and reading among children and their families.

Concert Highlights

Throughout the three concerts—held at locations including the Tamagawa Seseragi Hall in Setagaya, Ibaraki’s Nova Hall, and the Parthenon Tama in Tokyo—families were welcomed to a specially designed 45-minute program that engaged their senses. With live musical demonstrations, brass quintet performances, and interactive singing sessions, the program encouraged families to enjoy music together. Large screens displayed the pages of picture books as they were read by announcers and singers, allowing the audience to experience storytelling intertwined with live music in real time.

Featured Works

• - January Concert:

- "No Touching Allowed?" by Bill Cotter (Sanctuary Publishing)
- "The Bento Box Song" by Akiko Takagi, illustrated by Yuko Kato (Sekai Bunka).

• - February and March Concerts:

- "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle (Kaiseisha).

The live music was provided by the Picola Brass ensemble, consisting of talented musicians from the Setagaya Artist Bank, combined with passionate vocal performances and engaging narration by skilled announcers. The event benefited from the expertise and efforts of producer Kaori Akiyama and her experienced team.

The Vision Behind the Initiative

Kaori Akiyama has instilled her philosophy in the series, which is aptly subtitled "Treasures on the Palm." She believes that picture books serve as a treasure chest for parent-child communication, capable of taking readers on adventures across different realms. Akiyama’s reflections on children’s interactions with books—like the sight of a child delicately turning the pages—highlight her dedication to fostering a love for reading through music. With over 15 years of music education and parenting experience, her vision continues to inspire.

Unique Literacy-Fostering Activities

The concert series featured several engaging actions designed to promote reading among young audiences:

• - Reading Challenge: Eleven children aged 2 to 5 were offered the opportunity to participate in a reading challenge, where they read picture books aloud. Videos of their readings were showcased during the concerts, encouraging the audience to immerse themselves in stories. This uplifting display of peer participation greatly enhanced the concert experience.

• - Community Book Sharing: About 30 cherished picture books were passed among families during the concerts. The children were encouraged to take home a “book of the day,” bridging the gap between the event and ongoing family reading routines.

• - Original Bookmark Distribution: To celebrate the joy of reading, original bookmark kits were created and distributed at the concerts, facilitating a hands-on activity that further emphasized the importance of book enjoyment.

A Community-Centric Approach

Since its founding in 2020, the AKI Concert Project has remained devoted to enhancing the lives of children and families in Setagaya and beyond. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, which included seating restrictions, the team has maintained a steadfast trajectory, ultimately exceeding 5,000 attendees in total during their 25 performances across various venues.

The future looks promising as AKI Concert Project continues to foster beautiful musical experiences and elevate the significance of reading for children and families.

About AKI Concert Project

• - Director: Kaori Akiyama (Euphonium Player)
• - Official Website: AKI Concert Project
• - Instagram: @aki_concert_brass

The organization welcomes opportunities for outreach concerts in kindergartens, preschools, and elementary schools, providing musical experiences tailored for young audiences. For inquiries regarding performances or participation in events, please visit their website.