Sumida Ward Designated Project 2026 'Musicians' Embarkation Support Concert' Call for Performers! We support young musicians ♪

Honjo Community Plaza BIG SHIP has been holding the 'Musicians' Embarkation Support Concert' since 2015, inspired by former pianist Mr. Yoshishige Tanaka (currently Music Producer at Honjo Community Plaza BIG SHIP), who wanted to "provide young musicians with experience" and "allow local residents to enjoy various types of music." BIG SHIP is located in Honjo, Sumida Ward, as a base for community activities, and is equipped with a multi-purpose hall with excellent acoustics, learning and experience rooms, and training rooms. The exterior of the building is inspired by the image of a ship's sail, and the name 'Musicians' Embarkation Support Concert' was also conceived from this. This year marks the 11th year of the 'Musicians' Embarkation Support Concert', and it now receives enthusiastic support from young musicians and words of joy from many visitors.

◆Concert Objectives

Young musicians, even if talented, often struggle to attract audiences and rarely get concert opportunities. Furthermore, self-produced performances often result in deficits. The purpose of the 'Musicians' Embarkation Support Concert' is to provide such young musicians with opportunities to perform, and to deliver various types of music to local residents, allowing them to feel the passionate music of young performers. Musicians who pass the audition will receive a small performance fee of 60,000 yen (tax included) per group to perform at the concert.



◆About the Audition

Each year, we recruit young musicians aged 18 to 40.

The audition for this concert evaluates based on performance videos, documents, etc., but the selection criteria have unique characteristics. While placing the highest importance on performance skills that move people's hearts, we also comprehensively judge based on the uniqueness of the repertoire and planning, and the musicians' passion for music and cultural promotion. This year, we will select 5 groups of musicians from the applicants.

The judges include the aforementioned Music Producer Tanaka, the director of the hall Midori Yamanaka, and as a guest judge, Mr. Masaaki Tanokura, Solo Concertmaster of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.

The total number of applications since 2015 is 624. Online applications are also possible. Please see the BIG SHIP website for details.

https://hcpbs.jp/wp/embark/

◆At the Concert

In addition to local residents, customers travel from afar to attend. Nearly 90 customers gather each time.

Before the concert begins, customers enjoy lunch together at a separate venue downstairs from the music hall. Conversations naturally flow during lunch, making it a place for community interaction.

And the lunch price is an exceptional 1,000 yen (tax included). Furthermore, it's a very affordable price that also includes listening to the concert.
After lunch, customers listen to the passionate music of young musicians. Our wish is that not only their stomachs but also their hearts are filled.

After the concert, customers who attended are asked to vote on their impression of the concert. Boxes for 1 to 5 points are set up in the venue, and voting slips are placed in them. The highest rating is the 5-point box. The average score is calculated by dividing the total points by the number of voters, and the performer who receives the highest score among the 5 groups is invited to perform in the triumphant return concert (performance fee 110,000 yen including tax) held the following year.

Through these efforts, we aim to make customers feel that they are "participating" in the concert and "supporting young musicians."

◆2025 Grand Prix Winner

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Yoshikazu Anma (Piano/Composition), A. Keito Etsuki (Bandoneon/Bass/Clarinet), Shiki Hasegawa (Piano, Melodion), Daichi Yamamoto (Violin)

Performance video:

2025 'Musicians' Embarkation Support Concert V' March 14, 2026 (Sat) Honjo Community Plaza BIG SHIP

Profile: A five-member instrumental band formed in 2023 by members enrolled in the Department of Musicology at Tokyo University of the Arts. They primarily perform Argentine Tango led by bandoneon player Takao Suzuki, and original compositions by Yoshikazu Anma and Keito Etsuki. "park-grass" was selected as the official theme song for the Tokyo University of the Arts Festival "Geisai 2023," and "Ophelia" was adopted as a web-published work for the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Festival 2024, receiving high acclaim even while still students. Selected for hibiyafestival2025 "NEXT Artist 2025." The four-member lineup of Anma, Etsuki, Yamamoto, and Hasegawa is also actively performing cover songs at events mainly in Tokyo.

◆This Year's Concert Schedule

2026/October 10 (Sat), November 7 (Sat), December 12 (Sat), 2027/February 13 (Sat), March 13 (Sat) ★Concerts scheduled to start at 13:00 each day. Lunch from 12:00~.



◆Customer Voices

"I'm so impressed that I can have lunch at a low price and listen to wonderful concerts every time!" (Female, 70s)

"I come all the way from Chiba every time. I'm not a resident of Sumida Ward, but I'm very grateful that such a project is being held in Sumida Ward." (Female, 60s)

"Honjo Community Plaza BIG SHIP is close to the local residents. It feels like I'm getting energy from the young musicians." (Male, 70s)



◆Performer Voices

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to perform. Since BIG SHIP handles audience attraction, I can concentrate on my performance." (Male, 30s)

"The staff at the hall work together to create the concert. The audience in the downtown area is warm and helps to liven up the concert during the performance." (Female, 20s)

"The sound of the YAMAHA grand piano S3X is excellent, and it even catches subtle keystrokes. The hall's acoustics are also wonderful." (Male, 20s & Female, 30s pianists)

◆Future Plans

Music Producer Tanaka spoke about the future as follows:

"I believe that such a pure initiative to support young musicians is rare nationwide. This is thanks to the understanding of Director Yamanaka, the head of BIG SHIP, and all the staff.

We expect many applications from young musicians for the 2026 'Musicians' Embarkation Support Concert'.

We do not ask for a specific music genre in the recruitment. We look forward to applications not only from jazz and classical musicians but also from folk music, traditional music, and even intense rock musicians. We consider it fortunate as a community plaza to be able to deliver various genres of music to local residents. One of my dreams is to spread this initiative from Sumida Ward to the world."

◆Honjo Community Plaza BIG SHIP SNS

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bigship.music/

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https://twitter.com/MUSICBIGSHIP

◆Honjo Community Plaza BIG SHIP Contact Information

〒130-0004 1-13-4 Honjo, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

TEL: 03-6658-4601 FAX: 03-6658-4613

https://hcpbs.jp/wp/

◆Operational Cooperation

Operational Cooperation: MAT Music School & Office