"Concert for Children" Energetic Start!
The "Concert for Children" had its first performance today, inviting 6th grade elementary school students from Nagano Prefecture! Since the first year of the Festival in 1992, Director Seiji Ozawa has been passionate about his educational program. This year approximately 7,500 students from 145 schools will enjoy the performance.
The Seiji Ozawa Academy Orchestra has been through intensive rehearsals with the members of the Saito Kinen Orchestra. Young musicians were selected through auditions and will perform 6 concerts under the baton of Kensho Watanabe.
The first performance started at 11:00am today. When the powerful performance of Beethoven Symphony No.5 finished, the young audience gave a big round of applause, and we were convinced that the energy and passion of the Academy Orchestra was conveyed to the students. “It means a lot to the 6th grade students to feel the energy and passion of the young orchestra. The performance was very lively and strong," said one of the Saito Kinen Orchestra members who has been tutoring the Academy Orchestra.
The performances continue tomorrow and on the 9th. The young orchestra will give it their all!
