In Harmony
The 4th International Children's Music Festival

About the Festival:
The purpose of the International Children’s Music Festival is to bring children together who have a love of music, and to provide a unique opportunity for them to learn about other cultures, perform multi-cultural music from various regions of the United States, Japan, and other countries, and to foster national and international friendships. All children who are members of children’s choirs, youth symphony orchestra, and other music groups are eligible to participate. A main feature of the Festival is the home stay experience. Visiting musicians from other countries will be welcomed into the Japanese homes. Through the home stay program, children will be able to truly experience and share each others’ lives and cultures, so that all children participating can come to fully appreciate and understand one another.

Previous Festivals:
The 1st – in Colorado Springs, USA in 2004, was attended by Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, Kimitsu Junior Chorus, Yamagata Broadcasting Co. Bambino Bambina Chorus, Yotsukaido Children’s Chorus, Chokai Hope Wings, The Trailriders, Pikes Peak Performance Company, Colorado Springs Youth Symphony  

The 2nd – in Aichi, Japan as a part of the World Expo in 2005, was attended by Chicago Children’s Choir, Boston Children’s Chorus, San Francisco Boys Chorus, Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, Toyota City Boys & Girls Choir, Ogaki Boys & Girls Choir, Inuyama Kinder Choir, Sakuragaoka Children’s Choir, Takayama Children’s Chorale, and Tajimi Choir

The 3rd– in Chicago, USA in 2006, was attended  by Chicago Children’s Choir, Boston Children’s Chorus, Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, Hiroshima Central Children’s Choir, Tsuruoka Youth Choir, Yotsukaido Children’s Chorus.

About Tsuruoka Youth Choir (4th International Children's Music Festival host choir):

1946:     Formed for radio broadcasting by NHK Tsuruoka Broadcasting Station

1965:   With the advent of television, radio work declined, so rather than working exclusively for NHK, Tsuruoka Broadcasting started to perform independently as well. 

1979:   Welcomed a new conductor, Yasuhiro Kakizaki, who made big changes to our repertoire, enriching it with the three pillars of European, modern Japanese, and other musical pieces.  

1994:   Performed in Moscow, Russia and in Chicago, USA.

2006:   Choir’s 60th Anniversary

Many of the members continue to focus on music after graduating the choir, either at high school or through a local choir, thereby greatly contributing to the improvement and growth of their local music scene. Some have even pursued the professional soloist route after  attending specialist music colleges.

The 4th International Children’s Music Festival Executive Volunteer Committee
Yamagata Prefectural Office, City of Tsuruoka, City of Sakata, Town of Shonai, Town of Yuza、Tsuruoka Youth Choir,  NPO Starting Place.