NTT East Group x NHKSO Music Education Program Held in Yamagata Prefecture

●NTT East Corporation (President and Representative Director: Naoki Shibuya, hereinafter "NTT East") and NTT ArtTechnology Inc. (President and Representative Director: Manabu Kunieda, hereinafter "NTT ArtTechnology") are collaborating with the NHK Symphony Orchestra (Chairman: Takuya Nemoto, hereinafter "NHKSO") to develop a music education program for junior high and high school students starting in fiscal year 2024.

●This fiscal year, the program will be offered to Tohoku Bunkyo University Yamagata Jōhoku High School (Principal: Toshimi Onuma, hereinafter "Yamagata Jōhoku High School") of the Tomizawa Gakuen educational foundation, and will include rehearsal observation, outreach lessons, and online reviews.

●The rehearsal observation will involve inviting students to the rehearsal for the "NHK Symphony Orchestra 100th Anniversary Concert"*1, which will be held on July 10, 2026 (Fri.) at Yamagata Terrsa, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Students will enjoy musical commentary by Mr. Tsutomu Iwamura along with the NHKSO's performance.

(*1) NHK Symphony Orchestra 100th Anniversary Concert

Organizer: City of Yamagata; Planning and Operation: Yamagata Terrsa Designated Manager (General Incorporated Foundation) Yamagata City Urban Development Public Corporation

https://www.nhkso.or.jp/concert/20260710.html?pdate=20260710

1. Background and Objectives

NTT East and NHKSO have been holding concerts based on the concept of "Music is Communication" since April 1985, with 180 concerts held to date. Through these activities, we believe we have contributed to the realization of an enriched society through encounters and engagement with music. Furthermore, NTT East sympathizes with the various social contribution activities carried out by NHKSO, such as holding concerts for children, the elderly, and disaster victims, and joined NHKSO as a special supporting company in April 2024 with the aim of creating further value through enhanced collaboration in the field of music.

NTT ArtTechnology aims to revitalize regions by connecting them with each other and with the world through the preservation and utilization of culture and arts using digital technology. In the field of music, we have held real-time remote concerts*2 utilizing IOWN and satellite broadcast performances*3.

Against this backdrop, NTT East and NTT ArtTechnology, with the cooperation of NHKSO, have decided to develop a music education program for junior high and high school students. In fiscal year 2024, the program was held for approximately 70 junior high school students in Fukushima Prefecture, and in fiscal year 2025, for approximately 60 high school students in Miyagi Prefecture*4*5.

By implementing a music education program that allows students in the region to experience the joy of music and improve their performance skills, we aim to create a regional circular society through music.

(*2) Held "Future Concert II," a Real-time Remote Concert Connecting Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, and Chiba Using IOWN APN Related Technologies

https://www.ntt-arttechnology.com/news/20221222release.pdf

(*3) Satellite Broadcast Performance of the 180th NTT East NHKSO Concert Held at Obuse Town Hokusai Hall on November 2

– Providing a highly immersive music appreciation experience with high-quality sound distribution and a high degree of freedom with multi-angle distribution –

https://www.ntt-arttechnology.com/news/release20230915.pdf

(*4) NHKSO and NTT East Group Collaborate to Develop Music Education Program – Providing opportunities for children in the region to experience the joy of music and growth through outreach lessons and online reviews –

https://www.ntt-east.co.jp/release/detail/20240725_01.html

(*5) "NHKSO x NTT East Group Music Education Program" Held in Miyagi Prefecture

– Providing opportunities for junior and senior high school students to experience the joy of music and growth through outreach lessons, rehearsal observation, and online reviews –

https://www.ntt-arttechnology.com/news/release20250829.pdf

2. About the Fiscal Year 2026 Music Education Program

Students from the Yamagata Jōhoku High School Brass Band will participate in the music education program. In addition to rehearsal observation to experience professional performances, outreach lessons to receive direct instruction from NHKSO members, and online reviews from NHKSO members remotely, this year's program includes a second outreach lesson and a showcase event. Conducting two outreach lessons will increase learning opportunities more than ever before, and the showcase event will provide a venue for students to experience a sense of accomplishment from their growth.

Through these initiatives, we aim to deepen students' interest and understanding of music, solidify their learning, and provide them with an experience of musical inspiration by encountering NHKSO's performances, leading to learning that aims for further growth.

(1) Rehearsal Observation

Students will be invited to a concert rehearsal to listen to the NHKSO's performance. In addition, they will be able to view the performance scenery via multi-angle distribution and receive musical commentary using the open-ear type earphones nwm "Mimispi"*6 equipped with PSZ (Personalized Sound Zone) technology.

<Features>

1 Performance Distribution via Multi-angle Distribution System

Students can enjoy "multi-angle distribution," where they can choose their favorite angle from 8 types and watch the performance using their own tablet devices. The selectable angles are as follows:

3 angles focusing on string instruments

3 angles focusing on wind and percussion instruments

1 angle focusing on the piano

1 angle providing an overview of the entire stage

These angles allow students to experience the performance from angles and distances that are difficult to see during a regular performance, with a rich sense of presence.

2 Musical Commentary with nwm "Mimispi"

Conductor Tsutomu Iwamura, who has conducted numerous concerts and has an excellent track record as a narrator and reader in recent years, will provide the musical commentary.

By using nwm "Mimispi," which does not block the ears, we offer an appreciation experience that deepens understanding and emotion towards music by allowing students to listen to the NHKSO's performance and Mr. Tsutomu Iwamura's musical commentary simultaneously.

(*6) nwm "Mimispi" https://nwm.global/

<Implementation Overview>

Date and Time: July 10, 2026 (Fri.) 14:30–16:30

Venue: Yamagata Terrsa Hall

Commentator: Tsutomu Iwamura (Conductor)

Organizers: NTT East, NTT ArtTechnology, City of Yamagata

Cooperation in Operation: Yamagata Terrsa Designated Manager (General Incorporated Foundation) Yamagata City Urban Development Public Corporation

<Scenes from Last Year's Implementation>

Scenes from rehearsal observation

Viewing multi-angle distribution and musical commentary on learning devices Musical commentary by young conductor Mr. Yukawa Distribution screen

(2) Outreach Lesson (1st Session)

NHKSO members will visit the school to provide instruction on student performances. Part lessons divided by instrument and ensemble lessons to guide the performance of the entire club will be conducted. Part lessons aim to improve individual performance techniques, such as how to handle instruments and resonate sound, while ensemble lessons aim to create harmonious music as a team.

<Implementation Overview>

Date and Time: November 15, 2026 (Sun.)

Participants: Yamagata Jōhoku High School Brass Band Members

Instructors: NHKSO Principal Flutist Hiroaki Kanda, Principal Clarinetist Kenji Matsumoto, Trumpeter Tomoki Ando

<Scenes from Last Year's Implementation>

Scenes from outreach lesson (Tomiya High School String Ensemble)

Scenes from outreach lesson (Sendai Daiichi High School Brass Band)

(3) Online Review

NHKSO members will provide remote reviews of students' practice achievements. This will lead to students receiving feedback on their performances and deepening their learning through re-study.

<Implementation Overview>

Timing: Scheduled for Autumn 2026

Instructors: NHKSO Principal Flutist Hiroaki Kanda, Principal Clarinetist Kenji Matsumoto, Trumpeter Tomoki Ando

<Scenes from Last Year's Implementation>

Scenes from online review (Tomiya High School String Ensemble) Scenes from online review (Sendai Daiichi High School Brass Band) Scenes from online review (Sendai Daiichi High School Brass Band)

(4) Outreach Lesson (2nd Session)

Similar to the first outreach lesson, NHKSO members will visit the school to provide instruction on student performances. In addition, an event to showcase the results of this program is also planned.

<Implementation Overview>

Date and Time: February 3, 2027 (Wed.)

Instructors: NHKSO Principal Flutist Hiroaki Kanda, Principal Clarinetist Kenji Matsumoto, Trumpeter Tomoki Ando

3. Future Outlook

We will leverage the results obtained through this initiative to expand the music education program to other regions, create new musical experiences using advanced technologies, and further contribute to regional revitalization.