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Summer Friendship Concert for International Students and Hiroshima Citizens
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The 2nd Summer Friendship Concert for International Students and Hiroshima Citizens was held in the 2nd floor hall in Hiroshima City International House, from 3pm on August 25 (Sat) last year.
The first half of the concert was a performance by the twenty members of Hiroshima Prefecture's only female high school wadaiko drum group, Bunkyo High School Attached to Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University Wadaiko Drum Club.
This club has a long history, having been established eighteen years ago, and the audience was overwhelmed by the impact of the sounds produced.
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A new experience! International students playing wadaiko drums
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In the second half of the concert was a demonstration and mini-lesson, where the international students and some volunteers from the public were taught how to play the drums.
The Turkish student who was MC played together with the performers using a small cymbal known as a chappa.
When all beat the drums together in the end, the vibrations sounded throughout the venue.
The second half started with a piano performance of a jazz medley by Song Min-Jeong, a student from Korea studying at the Graduate School of the Elizabeth University of Music.
This was followed by a rousing performance of Indonesian and Japanese songs by Udijanto Tedjosasongko, an Indonesian formerly studying at Hiroshima University.
He beautifully reflected his feelings about soon leaving Hiroshima in the lyrics, "The best of friends must part".
While his actual profession is a doctor, he surprised the audience with his professional-level singing prowess.
This was a heart-warming performance, where the singer communicated to the audience his gratitude to Hiroshima as well as his regret at leaving.
One of the audience members commented "Thank you for a fun time. This was a memorable day. I always look forward to this".
With one hundred participants including international students, non-Japanese residents and Hiroshima citizens, the music was a conduit for enjoyable interaction between those attending.
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(Hiroshima City International House)
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