Wednesday, January 19, 2011

KOTO Concert Cancelled for now

A US-Japan Friendship Concert was scheduled for the same day and time as our concert and we just recently found out about it.  The MC Perry choir and band will play alongside the Japanese students.  We are sure that many of our community members would like to attend this concert and we did not want to cause a conflict. 

We will try and reschedule the concert for a later date after February 15th.  We will keep you updated via e-mail. 

Mrs. Fujimoto and other players were in agreement with the decision to reschedule.

Thanks!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Upcoming Koto Concert - Sunday January 30th

The Officers' Spouses' Club has a great tradition of hosting a Japanese Music Concert each year.  It is free to the community and is a wonderful opportunity for you to experience beautiful Japanese music and culture! It is open to all base personnel, SOFA status as well as our Japanese counterparts. 
 
The main instrument, hence the name of the event, is the stringed Koto, which is the national instrument of Japan. There are Taiko drums, which is a bit redundant name....since Taiko means drum in Japanese.  ☺ There are also bamboo flute players and guitarists.  

The actual concert on Sunday, January 30th, starts at 3:00
The detailed Schedule of Events is as follows:

1:15 pm:  
Escort KOTO, FLUTE AND GUITAR players (9 players) to chapel.  

1:30-2:45 pm Koto players set up and rehearsal

2:30 pm  
Escort TAIKO DRUM players to chapel (5 players)

3:00 pm  
CONCERT STARTS (ALL HANDS)

1st Performance
Sakura 21 by Toshhito Mizno (koto, bamboo flute )

2nd Performance
Seselaginofu by Seiko Kikushige (koto and bamboo flute)

3rd Performance
Besame Mucho (bamboo flute and guitar)

INTERMISSION (10-15 Minutes)

~ 4:00 PM  
4th Performance
Kosamenoyoru by Katsuko Tchikushi (Koto solo and guitar)

5th Performance
Yumeno meikyu by Toshihiko Mizno (koto and flute)

6th Performance
Napolitana by Sato Yoshishisha (Koto and guitar)

7th Performance
Taiko Drums - Marifu Boom Boom Group
 
And finally....
A Special Time: opportunity for audience to practice koto and Taiko drums on stage!

~5 pm  
END OF CONCERT

5-5:30 pm
Help players put instruments in cars and clean up chapel

5:30 to 6:30  
RECEPTION for players and MEMBERS to thank the players for coming to MCAS. 
Capadeno Hall.

VOLUNTEERS are NEEDED

1 ESCORT @ 1:15 
AT THE MAIN GATE to PROVIDE HELP

1 ESCORT AT 2:30 
AT MAIN GATE to PROVIDE HELP

2 HELPERS AT 5 PM
TO CARRY INSTRUMENTS TO CARS IF NEEDED BY PLAYERS

RECEPTION

It is VERY important for the players to feel appreciated. 
Please consider staying after the concert to thank the players individually.

We also need members to bring salads, meat and pasta dishes OR drinks (tea or juice). 
Please drop your dish before the concert in Capadeno Hall, next to the chapel.


There will be 14 players so we need as many dishes as the number of members attending.

If you can help, 
please contact Valerie Saunders 
by e-mail at thesaunders@mac.com or 
by phone at 253.2152.