Children from Fukushima to Perform with Orchestra and Ballet: 'Tohoku Dream Project: Fun Orchestra in Fukushima' to Be Held on August 11 (Tue, Holiday)

The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (Suginami City, Tokyo; Chairman: Kunio Ishizuka), a public interest incorporated foundation, will once again hold the "Tohoku Dream Project" in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, this August.

Tohoku Dream Project 2023: Fun Orchestra in Iwate ©Atsushi Yamaguchi

About the Tohoku Dream Project

Since immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Phil has been engaged in musical support activities for disaster-affected areas under the initiative "Bringing Music to Disaster Areas," conducting over 380 events to date. Since 2019, the orchestra has launched the "Tohoku Dream Project" as part of ongoing recovery support for the Tohoku region, co-staging orchestra concerts with local children's groups involved in traditional performing arts, school choirs, wind bands, and orchestras. The project has been held six times in Morioka City and four times in Fukushima Prefecture. In January 2026, a concert was held at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Ikebukuro) featuring groups from Iwate and Fukushima, sharing great感动 and the radiant smiles of children. In 2024, the Japan Phil signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Fukushima Prefecture, launching collaborations in various fields, including the Tohoku Dream Project.

[Features]

Motivated by the belief that "supporting children's smiles contributes to further recovery in Tohoku," the project invites children from across the region who are actively engaged in traditional arts, choral singing, wind bands, orchestras, and other music activities to perform together with the orchestra. As part of the "Performer Exchange Program," professional musicians from the orchestra visit each participating group in advance to hold mini-concerts, workshops, and lessons. Through direct interaction with orchestra members, children are deeply inspired. Many participants have reported that they "experienced remarkable growth through this program." Since children's musical activities within the prefecture often remain unknown, the project also aims to widely showcase these efforts.

Archived videos of previous performing groups are available.

YouTube

Honkita First Junior High School Wind Band (Namie City, Minamisoma)

Tohoku Dream Project 2025: Konahama Kaishin High School "Jangara" Team ©Atsushi Yamaguchi Pre-event exchange at school: Orchestra members try Kagura (2023) ©Atsushi Yamaguchi Pre-event exchange at school: Creating music with children (2023) ©Atsushi Yamaguchi

[Event Overview]

Tohoku Dream Project 2026: Fun Orchestra in Fukushima

August 11, 2026 (Tue, Holiday), 15:30 start (14:45 doors open)

Alpine Grand Hall, Iwaki Art and Culture Exchange Center Ar-ios

Conductor: Ryuichiro Sonoda Narration and vocals: Yoko Ehara Ballet: Stardancers Ballet Company Choreography and direction: Satoshi Suzuki

[Part 1] Welcome to the Ball! Tchaikovsky: "Polonaise" from the opera Eugene Onegin J. Strauss II: The Blue Danube

[Part 2] The World of Ballet and Orchestra Tchaikovsky: Ballet The Nutcracker (Summer Vacation Concert 2026 Edition)

[Part 3] Children's Stage Minamisoma-Iwaki Kizuna Symphonic Band (Honkita First Junior High School Wind Band, Minamisoma City / Hirakou Third Junior High School Wind Band, Iwaki City) Fukushima Choral Association Iwaki Branch Special Middle School Choir

[Part 4] Let's Sing Together "Niji" (Lyrics: Toshiko Nishizawa, Music: Hirotsuka Nakagawa) Yuuki 100%

<Ticket Prices> All seats reserved, tax included Adults: 3,000 yen, Children: 1,500 yen (ages 4 to high school students) *Children under 4 are not permitted. One ticket required per person.

<Purchase> On sale now ● Ar-ios Ticket Center 0246-22-5800 (10:00–20:00, closed Tuesdays) ● Fukushima Minpo Headquarters, Koriyama Branch, Iwaki Branch, other branch offices and sales outlets ● CN Play Guide (via copy machines at FamilyMart) / Seven Ticket (Seven Code: 115-961) / Lawson Ticket (L Code: 26811)

[Organizers] Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Fukushima Minpo [Co-organizers] Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education, Iwaki Art and Culture Exchange Center Ar-ios [Sponsor] Zenkoku Hoshou Co., Ltd. [Supporting Organizations] Reconstruction Agency, Fukushima Prefecture, Iwaki City, Iwaki City Board of Education, Minamisoma City, Minamisoma City Board of Education, Tohoku Research and Development Center for Regional Industries (General Foundation) [Cooperation] Iwaki Washington Hotel Tsubakizanso, Fukushima Television, manisonias, Suginami City

Inquiries Fukushima Minpo Business Department Phone: 024-531-4171 (10:00–17:00, excluding weekends and holidays)

Japan Philharmonic Orchestra

Record of "Bringing Music to Disaster Areas" Activities

https://japanphil.or.jp/blog/bringmusic

Past Tohoku Dream Projects

https://japanphil.or.jp/blog/tohokuyumeproject

Founded in June 1956, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra is built on three pillars: high-quality "Orchestra Concerts," "Education Programs" that broaden access to music, and "Regional Activities" that contribute to communities through music. Since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the orchestra has continuously carried out its "Bringing Music to Disaster Areas" initiative. These efforts have received high acclaim, including the 16th Gotō Shinpei Prize. Since September 2023, Kahchun Wong has served as Chief Conductor, with Ken-ichiro Kobayashi as Conductor Laureate, Alexander Lazarev as Conductor Emeritus and Artistic Advisor, and Junichi Hirokami as Friend of JPO (Artistic Advisor). Centered around this conducting team, the orchestra presents over 150 concerts annually. In 2026, the orchestra will celebrate its 70th anniversary, aiming to harness the diverse power of music for people, generations, and regions, while valuing artistry, social responsibility, warmth, and human connection. Since 1994, it has maintained a friendship agreement with Suginami City, which serves as its home base. Official Website: https://japanphil.or.jp X (Twitter): @Japanphil Instagram: @japanphil.official