*Orchestra A
Conductor: Tsuyoshi Tabei
Concert Master: Souichi Sakuma
Concert Program:
Ravel: La Valse, a choreographic poem for orchestra
Stravinsky: Suite from the Ballet “The Firebird” (1919)

*Orchestra B
Conductor: Kazufumi Yamashita
Concert Master: Rintarou Omiya
Concert Program:
Mahler: Symphony No.5

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The Amateur Orchestra Festival, organized annually by JAO in different locations across Japan, celebrated its 52nd festival this year at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre in the nation’s capital. This year’s event was especially significant, as it had originally been planned for June 2020, to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the event was forced to be canceled. NPO-WFAO had also been preparing a large-scale “World Forum,” which also had to be called off, a difficult decision for all involved.

After four years of anticipation and preparation, the 2024 Tokyo Festival finally took place, bringing together many international participants for a grand and festive event in central Tokyo.

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The festival saw a total of 290 participants, including 10 people from Germany (BDLO), 1 person from Beijing, 2 person from Shanghai, 2 people from South Korea, 2 people from Singapore, and 2 people from Taiwan. To welcome the international participants, a “Welcome Party” was held on the evening of August 1. This gathering allowed participants to meet for the first time, toast to the upcoming performances, and build a sense of camaraderie.

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Rehearsals began on August 2, with participants divided into two orchestras, A and B. Under the guidance of skilled conductors and guest concertmasters, the musicians worked together, building a strong sense of unity as the rehearsals progressed, benefiting from thorough and focused instruction.

On the evening of August 2, sectional social gatherings were held, where participants got to know each other better within their respective sections, further strengthening their bonds. The following evening, on August 3, a grand “Official Reception” was hosted at Metropolitan Hotel. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, and the event culminated in a toast, heightening everyone’s anticipation for the upcoming performances.

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Finally, on August 4, the much-awaited concerts took place. Both orchestras delivered outstanding performances, showcasing the strong connection between the conductors, guest concertmasters, and the musicians. The audience responded with thunderous applause that continued long after the final notes were played. The festival concluded with participants congratulating each other and promising to reunite next year, marking the end of the successful three-day event in Tokyo.

Voice of a participant from South Korea
We received feedback from one of the participants from South Korea, and here are some highlights:
“The combination of emotionally powerful music, the passion of the participants, and the incredible support we received made this an unforgettable experience.”
“What stood out to me the most was the passion of the participants, especially those who traveled all the way from places like Germany. People from all over Japan and around the world, each with a deep love for music, gathered in Tokyo. Despite our differences in nationality, background, and profession, and even though we didn’t all speak the same language, music brought us together as one.”
“I’ve been thinking about what this festival truly represents. It’s about people who may never have met otherwise, coming together for a shared purpose, creating a unique synergy. In a short time, through our collective focus and effort, we were able to make something truly special with our music. As we return to our daily lives, I know that this powerful emotional experience will stay with us, driving us forward in our future musical endeavors. That’s what this festival meant to me.”