JPY 2,984,873 for the Disaster Affected Areas
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All the performers on stage as the audience
applause.
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On October 20th,
2011, a concert for supporting the reconstruction efforts of the areas affected
by the Great East Japan Earthquake was held at the Lyceum Theatre in Shanghai,
China. The Shanghai-based Japanese volunteer group Friend (representative:
Kaoru Shinji) played a central role in setting up the concert’s organizing
committee (chairperson: Hiroyoshi IKEDA, CEO, Shanghai MYTS Co. Ltd.) and
hosting the concert which was named “Hope”. AAR JAPAN co-hosted the concert and
Taki KATOH, AAR JAPAN’s Vice-President emceed the concert. A total of eight
musicians came together to support the cause. The 680-seat hall was virtually
full and the concert ended in great success. JPY 2,984,873 in proceeds will go
towards installing playground equipment for the children from Soma City in
Fukushima Prefecture living in temporary housing. We extend our sincere
gratitude to the audience, the performers and all those who were involved in
making this event a great success.
The following is a
report on the concert from Mariko SUGANUMA, member of the concert committee and
Board of Directors of AAR JAPAN in Shanghai.
Eight Musicians Rally Together to Give Support
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The 680-seat historic Lyceum Theatre built in
1930 was virtually full.
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The concert started
with a moment of silence. The passionate and heartfelt performance by eight
musicians that followed touched the audience. Part 1 entitled “Prayer” started
with a performance by two young Chinese viola players, Nian LIU and Li CHEN. This
was followed by Mayumi OGAWA, active both in and out of China, on the piano and
George MAXIM, concertmaster of a Canadian symphony orchestra, on the violin. Part
2 entitled “Hope” was started by Hiromi NAKAMIZO, a Japan-based jazz singer,
and Akiko KUMAKURA, a young talented Shanghai-based pianist. They were followed
by a husband and wife violin piano duet byYinlin PAN, the chief concertmaster
of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Vice-chairman of the Chinese Violin
Association, and Jingrong LEI, his pianist wife.
Shanghai Chorus Platanus
and the gospel group J. Voice sang “Miageto Goran Yoruno Hoshiwo” at the
finale. The concert came to a close with the audience joining in to sing “Furusato,”
(birthplace or hometown) a song that has a special place in the hearts all
Japanese. It was a moment when our hearts came together for the reconstruction
efforts.
An Account from a Teacher from the Disaster Affected Areas
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The assistant principal, Takashi HINO, from
Iinokawa First Primary School in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, talked
about the current situation. (On the left is Taki KATOH, Vice-President of AAR
JAPAN)
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In Part 2 of the
concert, Takashi HINO, an assistant principal from Iinokawa First Primary
School in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, was invited to talk. We felt that
bringing a first-hand account was especially important at this time when people’s
interests were beginning to wane seven months on from the earthquake. We wanted
the audience to feel more connected with the people of the disaster-struck areas.
Mr. HINO spoke about the current situation and how the children were affected. He
ended his talk by expressing his gratitude toward the people of Shanghai and
emphasizing the importance of a society with a spirit of helping each other.
Overcoming Obstacles
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The husband and wife collaboration: Yinlin PAN,
the chief concertmaster of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and his wife and
pianist, Jingrong LEI.
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This was the first
concert by a Japanese volunteer organization for supporting the reconstruction efforts
of the regions affected by the East Japan Earthquake. It was a landmark event
in that the proceeds from the concert were donated to a civilian NPO. Many
hurdles and challenges had to be overcome along the way. In China, various
limitations are imposed on holding charity events, such as restrictions on volunteer
organizations renting a hall, receiving donations and transferring money
overseas. It was when we were in a very challenging situation when the Shanghai
Youth Development Foundation stepped in and offered us assistance. They had previously
collaborated with Friend – “Friend has given the children of China support. Now
it is our turn to give a lending hand to the children of Japan.” It was this
Foundation’s support which propelled the plan to host a concert forward.
The Foundation was a public-interest
organization run by the Communist Youth League of China. With the help of the
Foundation, many hurdles were overcome – the paperwork required by Shanghai and
the money transfer to AAR JAPAN went smoothly. The official receipt for the
contributions and donations which is essential in filing tax returns was issued
swiftly thanks to their support and advice.
Ticket Sales and Enlarging the Circle of Support
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“I would like to heal the heart and bring
peace of mind to the people affected,” says George MAXIM who responded readily to
the call to participate. Mayumi OGAWA on the piano.
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Even with the
Foundation’s support, however, organizing such an event for the first time was
no easy task. In China ticket sales cannot start before the final approval of
the event by the authorities. Even after we started publicizing the event, we had
to anxiously wait for permission to start selling the tickets. It was not until
mid-September that we finally got the go ahead.
The chairman of the
Concert Organization Committee, Hiroyoshi IKEDA, led the effort to call upon organizations
for their support and cooperation. The generous support received from numerous
organizations was essential components in making this concert happen. An offer
to cover the costs for the concert came from ShanghaiRinnai Co. Ltd.. Assisting ticket sales and finding other
organizations willing to give support was enthusiastically taken on by Shanghai
MYTS Co. Ltd.. Accommodation for guests was provided by Okura Garden Hotel
Shanghai. Ticket sales were assisted by Yamato International Shanghai. The
piano was lent by YAMAHA. The flowers for the stage, the food for the members
of staff – so many things were provided by so many organizations.
The Performers and Audience Come Together
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Hiromi NAKAMIZO, a jazz singer based in
Japan, touched the audience with her performance of “Amazing Grace.”
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People came up to us
after the concert saying, “Thank you for organizing such a wonderful concert,”
“I couldn’t stop crying.” We also heard people say “I think our thoughts will
reach the areas that have been affected,” “The Chinese people will continue to
support the people of Japan” and “I now see that the people still need our
support.” The thoughts were different, but it was an evening when everyone’s hearts
were with the people in the affected areas.
Staying Connected
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The Shanghai Chorus Platanus, the members of
the gospel group J. Voice and the audience joined in a chorus of “Furusato”.
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The
concert in Shanghai is over, but the situation in the regions affected is still
very difficult. I sincerely hope that through music we were able to strengthen
the connection with the people in the disaster affected regions. I would like
to end by paying my respects for those who have passed away – may their souls
rest in peace. I also pray for those who are in the midst of the ongoing
rebuilding efforts.
Mariko
SUGANUMA, Board of Director of AAR JAPAN
After
graduating university, worked at private company and worked at Zambia Office of
AAR JAPAN from 1991 to 1993. While working in Zambia, put together a book “LOVE
LOVE AFRICA!” (Japan Educational Press) and the book was chosen as the JLA
(Japan Library Association) Selected Book. Since June 2009, became a board of
director of AAR JAPAN. Currently, lives in Shanghai supporting charity group “Friend”
which aims to help children with economic difficulties go to school and learn in
the better environment. Has two children.
