The Japan National Orchestra commences outreach activities in Nara Prefecture

On February 28, 2022, the Japan National Orchestra (“JNO”) entered into a “Partnership Agreement for the Promotion of Cultural Activities” with the Nara Prefectural Government. Based on this partnership agreement, on June 1, JNO initiated outreach activities through a “Nara Prefecture Future Performers Development Project” *1 aimed at providing high-quality opportunities to elementary, junior high and high school students and others for the appreciation of classical music, hands-on experiences and instruction.

On June 1 and, 2, eight JNO resident soloists were joined by oboist Christoph Hartmann of the Berlin Philharmonic, clarinetist Robert Borsos of the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra and trumpet player and principal guest of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Ottaviano Cristofoli as they paid visits to three high schools, Nara Women’s University Secondary School, Todaijigakuen Junior & Senior High School and Tezukayama Junior & Senior High School to provide direct instruction on individual musical instruments and facilitate exchange through ensembles.
On June 6, JNO Representative Director and President Kyohei Sorita paid a visit to Nara Prefectural Takamado Senior High School to give individual lessons in a public format to two specially-selected piano majors in the Department of Music. He imparted advice interspersed with his own playing not only on technical aspects but also on the importance of performing while conjuring up images of scenes of the musical pieces. Mr. Sorita concludes his two-hour stay at the school by personally performing two pieces: Chopin Largo in E-flat major and Chopin: Polonaise No.6 in A-flat major, Op. 53. The participating students and teachers marveled at Mr. Sorita’s playing, offering numerous grateful comments such as “I was surprised at just how different his playing sounded,” “I intend to practice more so I can sound like that too,” “Being able to learn from him directly was like a dream come true” and “It was truly quality time with the happy looks of our students on display.”

Going forward, JNO will continue to make repeated visits to schools and other institutions in Nara in order to further promote cultural arts in the prefecture. Please continue to support the orchestra and look forward to what it has in store.

*1: Nara Prefecture Future Performers Development Project （https://www.pref.nara.jp/item/267450.htm#itemid267450）

School information

(1)
Date of visit: Wed Jun 1
Name of school: Nara Women’s University Secondary School (1-60-1 Higashikidera-cho, Nara-shi, 630-8305)
Visitees: Members of the Chamber Music Club (76 in total)
Participating soloists: Eiko Yagi on flute, Yuka Asahara on oboe and Yudai Shoji on horn
Oboist Christoph Hartmann of the Berlin Philharmonic Clarinetist and Robert Borsos of the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra

(2)
Date of visit: Thu Jun 2
Name of school: Todaijigakuen Junior & Senior High School (1375 Misasagi-cho, Nara-shi, 631-0803)
Visitees: Members of the Instrument Club (25 in total)
Participating soloists: Souki Kirihara on violin
Trumpet player and principal guest of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Ottaviano Cristofoli

(3)
Date of visit: Thu Jun 2
Name of school: Tezukayama Junior & Senior High School (3-1-3 Gakuen-minami, Nara-shi, 631-0034)
Visitees: Members of the Strings Club (85 in total)
Participating soloists: Kaoru Oe on violin, Kenshi Nagata on viola, Yuya Mizuno on cello and Ken Otsuki on contrabass

(4)
Date of visit: Mon Jun 6
Name of school: Nara Prefectural Takamado Senior High School (633 Byakugoji-cho, Nara-shi, 630-8302)
Visitees: Members of the Department of Music (75 in total)
Participating soloists: Kyohei Sorita, Representative Director and President of JNO Circumstances leading to visits: In January 2022, students majoring in piano sent Mr. Sorita a direct message over Instagram imploring him to visit their school, to which Mr. Sorita replied, “I’ll definitely make it happen one these days.” And happen it did.
Nara Women’s University Secondary School

Nara Women’s University Secondary School

Nara Women’s University Secondary School

Todaijigakuen Junior & Senior High School

Todaijigakuen Junior & Senior High School

Nara Prefectural Takamado Senior High School

Nara Prefectural Takamado Senior High School