The children were singing liberally under the guidance of Mr. Fujio Furuhashi, Music Director of the Soma Children’s Chorus. Experienced in coaching children’s chorus groups as well as serving as a judge at musical contests, he can foresee how the Soma Children’s Chorus will be evaluated at the upcoming contest. “What we are aiming at is not a so-called gold medal. If that was what we wanted, then we could only draw on good, upper grade students to enter the contest”, says Mr. Furuhashi.

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In the Soma Children’s Chorus, the children from as young as second graders through high school seniors learn chorus together. You can often observe the older students taking care of the little ones like siblings. They guide group lessons, make sure no one is left behind and even find a way to distribute differently flavored candies in a fair and peaceful manner. “We are like one big family. In this kind of environment, there is no bullying. Our children will grow into caring and responsible adults”, Mr. Furuhashi hints at what may be considered the ‘gold medal’.

“We are not playing for competitions”, Mr. Yohei Asaoka, Music Director of the Soma Children’s Orchestra, also emphasizes. “By immersing themselves in the music created by the world’s greatest composers, the children will be able to relive the very beauty that the composers pursued in human beings. It is an invaluable experience. I just would like the children to get their hands on the great sensation arising from the experience”, Mr. Asaoka speaks enthusiastically about the goal he has set forth with the children.  

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The Soma Children’s Orchestra is, of course, trying to achieve musical excellence, but what the children are picking up along the way is equally or even more important. Haruka, a first year junior high school violinist, gained self-confidence by participating in the Soma Children’s Orchestra where children of different ages and grades gather from different schools. “I used to be very shy, but now I can talk to and make new friends of different backgrounds”, she smiles.

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Akari, another first year junior high school student with a visual impairment, seems to have found a place for herself in the Soma Children’s Orchestra. She started at a boarding school in Tokyo from the spring but comes back to Soma every weekend to practice and play with the other children. “It’s fun to play the violin in an orchestra setting”, she talks like a real music lover.       

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Whether it is the Soma Children’s Chorus or the Soma Children’s Orchestra, it is our unchanged and unchallenged policy to accept and support any child with free music education. The child may gain first-hand experience in music and be awoken by its beauty, learn the pleasure of expressing themselves through music or simply be happy with the friendships and bonds built through playing music together. Everybody has a different voice. Everybody has different dreams and aspirations. So, everybody’s prize will be a little different.

Friends of El Sistema Japan is dedicated to delivering programs that nurture life skills for children. We appreciate your continued support in all our endeavors.