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“The Third JASRAC Music Culture Award”

JASRAC Music Culture Award was established in November 2014 to shed light on individuals, organizations and works in various fields that contribute to the development of music culture, through important activities that may otherwise not be heralded or lead to impressive statistics in sales and works usage, to provide encouragement for future endeavor.

The third award was presented to the following individual and groups by Michio Asaishi, President of JASRAC, in an award ceremony held in Tokyo on November 18, 2016. The awardees were presented with plaques and additional prizes.

Kyoko Ito

Reason behind her receiving the award

As chief producer of “MUSIC FESTIVAL Argerich's Meeting Point in Beppu,” she has raised the festival into one of the leading classical music festivals in Japan, through which she has sent strong messages supporting the restoration efforts in areas affected by disasters and the wellbeing of children. She has served as a bridge between a rural Japanese city and the international music industry.

Comment from the awardee

I would like to spread the art and culture of music by promoting music from local cities to the world. Through this activity, I believe we can pass on to our children a better society for their future, by connecting people, joining hands, supporting and understanding each other in peace. I am determined to continue.

Profile of the awardee
Kyoko Ito was born in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. She is a pianist and an event producer. After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts and Frankfurt University of Music, she was active in overseas performances. In 1994, she organized a chamber music festival with Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, whom she had a close relationship with for years. After achieving success in various cities, she was asked to plan a festival from Beppu City, and as the event producer, she organized the “1st MUSIC FESTIVAL Argerich's Meeting Point in Beppu” in 1998. Since then, she has organized the festival every year, and contributed to the building of the “Shiiki presents Argerich’s Haus” with the Argerich Arts Foundation. In addition, she has produced among other projects the “CD for Restoration Support,” the “Pinocchio Concert” for the fostering of children through music, and also publishes essays.

Hirofumi Misawa

Reason behind his receiving the award

He has shown an outstanding ability to teach and train choirs, and as the resident chorus master of the New National Theatre Chorus, has raised their performance to the point that they are counted as one of the world’s leading choirs. This award is also meant to shed light on the importance of chorus masters who tend to be overshadowed by opera conductors.

Comment from the awardee

To this day, I have been conducting with the singular purpose of creating something that is good. Today, light was shed on the role of chorus masters, and I would be more than happy if my receiving this award would encourage the young people who follow. I would like to continue to work hard, so as to not disgrace this award.

Profile of the awardee
Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1955. After graduating from the Department of Vocal Music at the Kunitachi College of Music, he switched to conducting and graduated from the Department of Conducting at Berlin University of Art as a top student. He has gained success as an opera chorus master, and has served as the chorus master of the New National Theatre Chorus from 2001. Chorus masters work behind-the-scenes, such as directing practices and supporting the opera conductor by giving cues to chorus members from the back of the theater during the performance. They do not stand in the spotlight very often but they play a key role. Professional choirs and foreign orchestras have unwavering confidence in his abilities, and he has been active as the top chorus master in Japan. In 2014, he penned a book titled “Working at the Opera – Creating the Best Stage in the World."

Kesennuma Junior Jazz Orchestra “THE SWING DOLPHINS”

Reason behind its receiving the award

Based in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, they lost rehearsal spaces, musical instruments and musical scores to the tsunami in the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, after receiving domestic and international support, they resumed their activities, carrying out energetic performances in areas devastated by the disaster, as well as in the USA to express their gratitude for the donation of musical instruments. They have utilized the power of music toward the restoration of affected areas and human interaction.

Comment from the awardee (Toshio Kanno, Vice-President)

We were able to continue our activities till today with the support from not only Japan but also from foreign countries. It is encouraging that you have recognized our activities, and we want to continue for as long as the children want to. We would appreciate your continued support for the participating children.

Profile of the awardee
In 1993, musicians of Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, formed a band to covey to children how wonderful music is, to develop their cooperativeness and individuality through music activities, and foster promising young individuals who love their hometown. Band members currently range from fifth grade elementary school students to second grade high school students, and the band performs mainly jazz music but also ventures into various genres. Due to the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the band lost many musical instruments and musical scores. However, with domestic and international support, they have continued to perform in jazz festivals around the country. In 2013, they visited the USA and performed to express their gratitude for the donation of musical instruments.

Yamakiya Taiko

Reason behind its receiving the award

The group was established in Kawamata Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and through its activities rooted in the community, continues to pass on its tradition of Japanese drums and foster young people. Even after their hometown was designated as an evacuation zone due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, they have continued to practice and perform in Japan and abroad while living in evacuation shelters. Their activities express a strong will to restore the disaster-affected areas.

Comment from the awardee (Genki Endo, President)

We would like to turn this award into energy, and continue to challenge ourselves to do many things with a positive outlook even during difficult times. As a community-based organization, we will keep trying to connect our drum sounds with future generations, and our theme, which has not changed since our establishment, will continue to be the beauty of nature in our hometown.

Profile of the awardee
A Japanese drum group which is based in Kamawata Town, Fukushima Prefecture. It was formed in 2001 with the goal of being community-based, passing on the tradition of the Japanese drums, and fostering and developing young people. Members practice and perform Japanese drums in their spare time after school or after day jobs, and create works based on the theme of “the beauty of nature, and this is our hometown.” In March 2016, with some of the funds needed to cover travel expenses obtained in the form of “crowd funding” through the Internet as well as from town residents and other donations, they traveled to the state of Michigan in the USA, where they held performances and workshops, and succeeded in disseminating the attraction of Japanese drums, while showing the world their activities in support of restoration efforts.