Monday, December 3, 2024
On Saturday, November 30th at 2pm, the "Sunflower Chorus Memorial Concert Part 10" was held in the Kitaryū Town Community Center Large Hall.
As an audience of approximately 100 people gathered, a wonderful harmony reverberated throughout the venue, creating a great wave of emotion.
For the 10th anniversary concert, we welcomed special guest "Yuichi Iwasaki & Iwasaki Juku Ukulele Club", who delivered a wonderful, soothing performance with their fun and bright tones.
- 1 Himawari Chorus Memorial Concert Part 10
- 2 Sunflower Chorus - Women's Choir
- 3 Part 1: ~A Year in the Himawari Chorus~
- 4 Part 2: ~With the Iwasaki Juku Ukulele Club~
- 5 Part 3: ~With gratitude from the Himawari Chorus~
- 6 Bouquet presentation: Professor Tetsuyoshi Yamamoto & Tomoyo Kano
- 7 Greetings from Deputy Leader Kazuko Teragaki
- 8 Encore: Country Road Ukulele Club & Himawari Chorus and Joint Choir
- 9 Seeing everyone off
- 10 Youtube Video
- 11 More Photos
- 12 Related Articles
Himawari Chorus Memorial Concert Part 10
Sunflower Chorus - Women's Choir
The Sunflower Chorus (led by Mitsuko Fujii) is a female choir with 22 members from inside and outside Kitaryū town.
The choir was formed in 1989 (Heisei 1), and this year marks its 35th anniversary. The regular concerts, which began in 2011 (Heisei 23), will be held for the 10th time this year.
The concert was named the "Memorial Concert" with the intention of never forgetting the importance of life that was lost in the Great East Japan Earthquake (Tohoku Pacific Ocean Earthquake) that occurred in 2011 and engraving it in our hearts.
Conductor and tenor: Tetsuyoshi Yamamoto
A resident of Chishibetsu, he graduated from Hokkaido University of Education Sapporo. He is the head priest of Jorakuji Temple in Chishibetsu and also works as a lecturer for educational institutions and lifelong learning organizations in Hokkaido. He has been in charge of directing the Himawari Chorus since 2006.
Piano: Tomoyo Kano
A resident of Fukagawa City, she graduated from the Hokkaido University of Education Sapporo Campus, Department of Music and Arts. In addition to performing mainly in Fukagawa City, she also serves as the wedding organist at St. Margaret Church in Irumu-no-Oka, Fukagawa City, and Bloomington Hill Church in Asahikawa City. Since 2014, she has been active as a pianist for the Himawari Chorus.
Performing with the Iwasaki Juku Ukulele Club
Yuichi Iwasaki has lived in Fukagawa since 1997. He was a classmate of Tetsuyoshi Yamamoto when they attended Fukagawa Nishi High School in Hokkaido.
Live Bar "Melting Pot" (FacebookWhile running his own company, he is also active in writing lyrics and composing music, and hosting charity concerts.
After moving to Tokyo in 1974, he studied under Pancho Kagami of Pinky & the Killers. After joining Junko Yagami's backing band, he made his debut as a singer-songwriter.
In 1981 (Showa 56), he won the Best Vocal Award at the Victor Original Song Contest, and in 2014 (Heisei 26), an album for which he provided songs won the Planning Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Around 2017, he became fascinated with the ukuleles made by Iwasaki's uncle and began playing them, and now he runs a workshop for beginners called the "Iwasaki Juku Ukulele Club."
Yuichi Iwasaki. 69 years old, born in 1955. He was born in Kenbuchi-cho and grew up in Fukagawa City, his mother's hometown.
Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro and Iwasaki were senior and junior at Fukagawa Nishi High School. When Mayor Sasaki was a student at Nihon University, he would treat Iwasaki to meals whenever he came to Tokyo. They were such good friends and caring people.
"My uncle, who was a teacher in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture, made classical guitars and started making ukuleles 15 years ago. During that time, we kept in contact and he encouraged me to play the ukulele.
When I was in elementary school, the ukulele was popular and my mother used to play it. It was the era of the Hawaiian singer Setuo Ohashi, who sang songs such as "Tangoku no Yoru" and "Shiawase wa Koko ni."
I've been playing the guitar since elementary school as if it were my life's work. I started playing the ukulele about 10 years ago, and began my activities to spread the joy of the ukulele to many people. I started teaching guitar and ukulele about 7-8 years ago.
Having spent a long career in music, I have made it my life's work to share my experiences with local people.
We currently have about 10 members. We hold lessons about twice a month, such as singing and playing folk songs, and solo ukulele. We mainly teach beginners. "I want to convey the joy of live performance and increase the number of people playing the ukulele," says Iwasaki Yuichi with a kind smile.
Ms. Ikuko Sugimoto, who served as MC (Master of Ceremony)
A smiling welcome at the reception
Audience.
Part 1: ~A Year in the Himawari Chorus~
- From "Song to You" for female chorus and piano:
Lyrics by Hiroshi Kurihara, Composition by Fumito Oto, Arrangement by Naomasa Takahashi
- MC Ikuko Sugimoto:
"Hello everyone! Thank you very much for coming to our memorial concert today, despite the bad weather.This time, in addition to our songs, there will also be ukulele accompaniment, so I think you will enjoy it even more than usual.
The conductor is Mr. Tetsuki Yamamoto. For some little information, his favorite food is curry rice, and his favorite composer is Beethoven.
And the pianist is Tomoyo Kano. Her favorite food is chocolate, and her favorite piano piece is Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major.
The acoustics areFukagawa Concert Forum" It is no exaggeration to say that without these two people, our concert would not be possible. Thank you for your support today."
- cherry blossom
- Star Dream
- A song for you
- The chorus backdrop features a graceful image of "Sakura" projected on the stage screen.
- MC:The next songs are "Sekirei" and "Hosenka" by Miyuki Nakajima, which are also popular as choral songs. We will sing these two songs in succession.
- WagtailLyrics and composition: Miyuki Nakajima
- PhysicianLyrics and composition: Miyuki Nakajima
- The stage screen, "A Grassland Scene Dyed by the Setting Sun," evokes melancholy.
Part 2: ~With the Iwasaki Juku Ukulele Club~
- MC:The second part will be performed by the Iwasaki Juku Ukulele Club, the representative Yuichi Iwasaki, Mr. Yamamoto, and the Himawari Chorus. We encourage the audience to join in by moving their bodies and singing along.
Yuichi Iwasaki
"We are the Iwasaki Juku Ukulele Club, from Fukagawa. We are 7th and 8th graders, and recently 3rd graders have been joining us. We started practicing the ukulele in order to spread the word about the instrument.
The only ukulele that everyone knows is Shinji Maki's "Aa Yannatchatta". My mother played the ukulele when I was little (1950s and 60s). Do you know the ukulele by Setuo Ohashi? You probably don't.
"Today, in addition to Hawaiian songs, I will play two other songs, "Autumn Leaves" and "You Are My Sunshine. I would like everyone to hear that the ukulele can also handle jazz standards, chansons, American pop, and more," says Iwasaki.
- Dead leaves(Stage screen: Autumn leaf image)
- You Are My Sunshine(Stage Screen: Heart Cloud Art Collection)
Mr. Tetsuyoshi Yamamoto appeared and had a lively conversation with Mr. Yuichi Iwasaki.
- Tetsuyoshi Yamamoto:
"I met Iwasaki-san for the first time in decades at a Fukagawa Nishi High School reunion, and we talked about doing something together, which is how this collaboration came about.I teach chorus and he teaches ukulele. We hit it off because we both wanted to create a world that was familiar to the citizens and townspeople.
I started playing music in the summer of my third year of high school. He was playing the latest electric organ beautifully in the dining room of the old civic hall. I was very impressed by the way he played by moving his feet and hands separately.
His playing inspired me to start my path in music. I've taken many detours, including failures and years of studying abroad, but I've come to where I am today.
This time, we thought about performing "Manatsu no Kajitsu" together. Then, we talked about how Showa era songs are great, so we decided to add two more songs."
- Yuichi Iwasaki:
"Please relax and listen to two songs that fathers from the Showa era knew: 'Glass Johnny' and 'Feeling.'"
- Glass Johnny(Stage screen: record player)
- Feeling(Stage screen: record player)
- Midsummer Fruit(Stage screen: Beach image)
Sunflower Chorus Admission
- MC:I would like to perform together with the ukulele club and the Himawari Chorus. We will sing "Ue o Muite Arukou" and "Bara ga Saita."
- Look Up and Walk:Ukulele Club & Himawari Chorus (Stage screen: Starry sky image)
- The roses bloomed:The audience got excited as they sang along while looking at the lyrics that were distributed beforehand (Stage screen: Image of a red rose)
Bouquet presentation: Yuichi Iwasaki
- MC:It was our first time performing together with other ukulele players and it was a lot of fun.
I practiced a few times, and today I was in top form (laughs).
I learn a lot from Mr. Iwasaki's wonderful conversation (laughs).
A bouquet was presented to Iwasaki Juku representative Yuichi Iwasaki by Ayumi Fukase, vice-director of the Himawari Chorus. Thank you very much for today!
Part 3: ~With gratitude from the Himawari Chorus~
- Suzhou Nocturne (opera by Suzhou Nocturne)Lyrics by Yaso Saijo, composed by Ryoichi Hattori, arranged by Koichi Yamamuro
(Stage screen: Waterfront cityscape image) - cherry blossom: Lyrics by Hakuhi Miki, music by Takako Okuma
(Stage screen: Sakura images and videos)
- MC:Next, we will send you a song by Professor Yamamoto. It is a Mexican song called "Intima" which translates to "Beloved" in Japanese and will be sung in Spanish.
- Professor Yamamoto:This song is from Mexico. I will be singing it in Spanish because 90% of Mexicans speak Spanish. The translated lyrics will be displayed on the screen, so I hope you will listen to the song while looking at them.
- IntimacyTata Nacho Lyrics and composition: Tenor solo by Tetsuyoshi Yamamoto
(Stage screen: Image of rose with Japanese translation)
- MC:The concert is nearing its end. The next two songs have very powerful messages.
「青葉の歌」は、作詞をされた方が、陽光にきらめく青葉に世界平和への想いを重ねて詩を書かれたと言われております。
そして「いのちの歌」は、私達が歌ってみたい曲ということで団員にアンケートを取ったところ、この「いのちの歌」が第一位となりました。
私達にとっても、とっても大切な曲です。この曲は、今から１６年前のＮＨＫの朝ドラ「だんだん」というドラマの中で、双子の茉奈佳奈ちゃん達が、劇中歌として歌っていました。作詞は竹内まりやさんです。「だんだん」とは、島根の方言で「ありがとう」を意味するそうです。
「青葉の歌」「いのちの歌」２曲続けてお聞きください
- 青葉の歌：小森香子 作詞・熊谷賢一 作曲
（ステージスクリーン：若葉画像） - Song of Life：Miyabi 作詞・村松崇継 作曲・横山潤子 編曲
（ステージスクリーン：ひまわりイラスト画像）
Bouquet presentation: Professor Tetsuyoshi Yamamoto & Tomoyo Kano
Greetings from Deputy Leader Kazuko Teragaki
「本日は、お忙しい中、また足元の悪い中、私達の演奏会にお越しいただきまして、誠にありがとうございました。
２０１１年（平成２３年）から始めた定期演奏会は今年で１０回目を迎えることとなりました。
２０１１年に東北の震災があり、被災された方々より生命の尊さを学び、平穏な日常の生活が送れるありがたさを感じながら、気持ちを込めて歌ったのを思い出します。
その後、毎年恒例の演奏会になったにもかかわらず、毎回メモリアルコンサートと名付けているのは、このときの気持ちを忘れず、大切に思い、一年一年を心に刻んでいこうという気持ちがあるからです。
私達の演奏を楽しみにしてくださっている方々のために、これからもこのコンサートで、持てる力を存分に発揮できるように私達は歌い続けます。今後ともひまわりコーラスを宜しくお願いいたします。
ひとつだけお知らせです。プログラムの裏面に記載されている通り、現在団員を大募集しています。毎週木曜日夜７時より、こちらの大ホールで練習をしています。１２月１月はお休みとなりますが、２月より活動予定となっています。まずは練習の様子を見にいらして、合唱のハーモニーの楽しさを経験していただければなぁと思います。団員一同心よりお待ちしています。
最後になりましたが、アンコールの声をいただきましたので、もう一曲、私達が歌い続けてきた大切な歌『カントリーロード』を、今日はゲストの皆さんと一緒に特別バージョンでお送りいたします。皆様もご一緒に歌ってください。本日は本当にありがとうございました」と寺垣和子 副団長。
アンコール曲：カントリー・ロード
ウクレレ部 ＆ ひまわりコーラスと合同合唱
美しい歌声とハーモニーが響き渡り、鳴り止まぬ拍手と「ブラボー！！！」声援で、会場は感動の嵐！
- MC:今日は皆さんにお付き合いいただきまして、誠にありがとうございました。
どうぞくれぐれもお忘れ物のございませんように、道中お気をつけておかえりください。
皆様のご健康と御多幸を心よりお祈りし、お別れをさせていただきます。本日は誠にありがとうございました。
この後、ひまわりコーラスの団員が皆様をお送りさせていただきます。どうぞ、ゆっくりとおかえりください
Seeing everyone off
結成後３５年の時を超え、尊き魂の歌声を響かせ、生命の尊さを大切に歌い続ける、素敵な女声合唱団「ひまわりコーラス」に、限りない愛と感謝と祈りをこめて。。。
Youtube Video
２０２４年１２月５日（木） 感動の「ひまわりコーラスメモリアルコンサート Part10」にて演奏された全楽曲の動画をご紹…
More Photos
Related Articles
２０２４年１２月５日（木） 北空知新聞社（深川市）が運営するインターネットサイト【北空知新聞】に、「北竜『ひまわりコーラ…
２０２４年１２月２日（月） 北海道新聞社（札幌市）が運営するインターネットサイト【北海道新聞デジタル】に、「息の合った歌…
２０２４年１０月２５日（金） ひまわりコーラス メモリアルコンサート Part 10 北竜町公民館大ホール（北海道北…
１２月１日（土）１４：００開演、「ひまわりコーラス ３０周年記念・メモリアルコンサート Part７」が北竜町公民館大ホー…
We will bring you the "now" of this vibrant and shining town with a population of 2,100 and an aging population rate of 40%. The town of Hokuryu, where families are as bright and harmonious as sunflowers...
Sunflower Village in Hokuryu-cho, Hokkaido, a superb view of Japan. A sightseeing spot in Hokkaido. Please come and see it. Rice sommelier raves about "Oborozuki...
Sunflower Village in Hokuryu-cho, Hokkaido, a superb view of Japan. A sightseeing spot in Hokkaido. Please come and see it. Rice sommelier raves about "Oborozuki...
Sunflower Village in Hokuryu-cho, Hokkaido, a superb view of Japan. A sightseeing spot in Hokkaido. Please come and see it. Rice sommelier raves about "Oborozuki...
◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi) 
EN 
JA 
ID 
VI 
ZH