Dec. 25, 2019
Orchestra Supported by Sumitomo Corporation Has Cultural Exchange with Young Musicians from Myanmar
Since 1992, Sumitomo Corporation has been supporting the musical activities of the Junior Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), which is comprised of members ranging from elementary school students to university students. The support is provided as a part of our social contribution activities, and its purpose is to assist with the sound development of young people studying music.
In December 2019, Sumitomo sponsored “The Myanmar meets Japan: Young Musicians Collaborative Workshop and Concert 2019” in Yangon. People involved with the JPO and young musicians from Myanmar ranging from 11 to 18 years old had an in-depth cultural exchange.
This program was created at the suggestion of Mr. Yunosuke Yamamoto, a conductor at both the JPO and the Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra, and is being implemented with the cooperation of the Japan Foundation.
Following a three-day workshop, people involved with the JPO and young musicians from Myanmar performed a joint recital on the 14th and 15th.
When practice began, there were some places where the sound was uneven. But under Mr. Yamamoto’s patient conducting, a beautiful harmony began to swell. At the recital on the 15th at a school for Japanese abroad, approximately 150 children from Myanmar and Japan were able to enjoy an excellent performance.
Emiko Miyashiro of the Corporate Sustainability Dept. was in charge of the project. “As we have business bases in Myanmar, we hope to form a strong relationship with the society and community here,” she commented. “We hope to play a role as a reliable member of society not only through business, but also by activities aimed at making a contribution to society.”
