Songs of Hope

We are going to have sencond benefit concert for Japan Earthquake Relief on Thursday, September 22, 2011. It will be held at Daniels Recital Hall at Noon. For more information and to see our new website, please visit www.songsofhope.info.

Photo gallery of “Songs of Hope” ,
A benefit concert for Japan earthquake relief
May 1 2011
Photos by Yoshiyasu Fujii

It was a beautiful spring day in Seattle.

Gorgeous Daniels Recital Hall was our venue.

We had great charity goods sale and
slient auction happening in the hall way.

Koto demonstration

We had donation stations for American Red Cross, Peace Winds America and Japan Relief fund by Nikkei Concerns.
People were very generous in contributing to our Japan relief efforts.

Concert started with piano duet for silence by Forrest Kinney
Piano: Akiko and Forrest Kinney

Opening speech

Silk Strings with flute:
1) Taka「鷹」(Falcon)
by Tadao Sawai (1937-1997)　　　
Koto: Sachiko Honda, Shiho Kurauchi

2) Haru no Umi「春の海」(Sea of Spring )
by Michio Miyagi (1894-1956)
Koto: Sachiko Honda
Flute: Esther Sugai

Soprano and piano:
「松島音頭」(Matsushima Ondo) by Kosaku Yada
「さくら横丁」(Cherry Blossoms Lane) by Sadao Bekku
「あわて床屋」(Hasty Barber) by Kosaku Yamada Arr. by Tomoko Iwakawa
“Although I Come To You” by Kevin Helppie and Forrest Kinney
「小さな空」(Small Sky from Songs for mixed chorus) by Toru Takemitsu Arr. byBern Herbolsheimer　　　
Soprano: Fumi Tagata
Piano: Akiko Kinney

Piano duet: “Sakura Fantasy” by Akiko Kinney
Piano: Akiko and Forrest Kinney

Jules Massenet Meditation from Thais
Violin: Marié Rossano
Piano: Tania Rivers-Moore

Brahms Horn Trio, Op. 40 in Eb, 1st movement
Violin: Karen Bonnevie
French horn:Susan Carroll
Piano: Margaret Brink

Jiro Censhu 「残花余情」
Flute: Zart Dombourian-Eby
Harp: Naomi Kato

Popper Requiem, Op. 66
Cello: Brian Mix, Don Larson, Erika Fiebig
Piano: Lisa Maria d’Aquila

Samuel Barber Adagio for Strings
Violin: Marié Rossano, Gloria Ferry-Brennan, Felicity James, Amelia Sie,
Annelise Hastings
Viola: Koyo Kim, Romaric Pokorny
Cello: Ariana Nelson, Karissa Zadinsky, Tim Pizzichemi
Bass: Myron Pak

Teenage sensation!!

Sing Along: “Home, Sweet Home” 「埴生の宿」
all musicians and audience

Our speakers

Jeffrey Hattori, CEO of Nikkei Concerns talked about their plan to help older victims in Japan.

Mari Poorman, from Peace Winds America talked about their relief efforts in Japan.

Keisuke Suzuki from Sendai, thanked the audience for helping earthquake and tsunami victims and talked about damages in his hometown.

Thank you everyone!
It was such a precious occasion to share the beautiful music with you and pray for Japan together.
We are so grateful to have friends like you.

The concert was a big success.
We raised over $230,000.
More than 700 people were in attendance!
Your generous contribution will bring hope to earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.

“Arigatou” from bottom of our heart.

みなさま本当にどうもありがとうございました。
日本のためになにかしたい！という音楽家のみなさん、
ボランティアのみなさん、寄付をしてくださった企業のみなさん、
７００人以上にもおよぶ聴衆のみなさん、
みなさまのおかげで２万３０００ドルを超える寄付が集まりました。

American Red Cross, Peace Winds America, Japan Relief Fund by Nikkei　Concerns を通じ
東日本大震災被災地の、また被災した方々の暮らしの復興のために使っていただけることをうれしく思います。

日本には希望があります。
日本のことを思ってくれている仲間が世界中にいます。
日本の復興をみなでシアトルより祈っております。

２０１１年　Songs of Hope 実行委員

May 1, 2011
“Songs of Hope” was a great success!

We would like to thank you the greatest musicians who contributed so much time and love for the concert.
We were blessed to have many generous sponsors .
We also had amazing volunteers who worked so hard all day at the concert.
We had great audience who truly enjoyed and supported our Japan Relief efforts.
And the weather was perfect!

Thank you!
Thank you!!
Thank you!!!

We collected donations for American Red Cross, Japan Relief Fund by Nikkei Concerns and Peace Winds America.
People of Seattle are so generous.

We raised over $20,000 !

To express our “Thank you” to you all,
we will post our opening speech here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Our life changed forever on March 11th.
We could not believe what was happening
in our beloved country of Japan.
We were heart broken.
We felt useless being so far away from home.
We felt helpless and at a loss for what to do.
But you, the people of Seattle responded quickly
by starting a Japan Relief effort.

Little kids organized bake sales
and other fundraising events happened all around town.
You did whatever you could to help support Japan.
You gave us courage and hope.

The organizers of today’s concert,
Akiko- pianist, Lisa-pianist, and Fumi-soprano singer,
got together to do what they are good at, create great music,
to help with the Japan relief efforts.
But they also wanted to thank the Seattle community
which has been compassionate and generous in helping people of Japan.
We are so happy to have you as our friends. Thank you.

Please join us in enjoying the music,
created by fine musicians from the greater Seattle area.
Songs of Hope.

３月１１日以来
外国に暮らす私たち日本人は、変わり果てた愛する日本の姿に
心をうちのめされてきました。
何もできない自分がもどかしく悔しく
やり場のない思いをもって暮らしてきたのではないでしょうか。

みなさん、今日は希望の歌を一緒にききましょう。
日本にはすばらしい仲間がいます。
シアトルのみなさんが、世界中が、
日本のことを心配し支援活動をしてくれています。

日本には希望があります。
今日は日本の復興のため、そして日本のことを思ってくれる仲間に
「ありがとう」の気持ちをこめて
美しい音楽を通じてひとつになりたいと思います。

シアトルで活躍するプロの音楽家たちが、
日本の被災者のみなさんのことを思い、
復興を祈り、美しい音楽を奏でてくれます。
みなさまと一緒に日本を思い
心静かなひと時をすごしたいと思っています。

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was a wondeful day.

みなさま、本当にありがとうございました！
大人気だったお寿司をご提供くださった Dozo Cafe のみなさん、
おいしいパンをご提供くださった Sea Bell Bakery のみなさん、
ご自分で手間ひまかけおいしいお菓子・和菓子を作ってくださったみなさん、
ベークセールだけでも　１４００ドル以上の売り上げがありました。
当日長時間働いてくださったボランティアのみなさん、
みなさんなくして、あのような素敵なコンサートは実現できませんでした。
本当にどうもありがとうございました。

そのほかにもたくさんの スポンサーのみなさん
ボランティアのみなさんのお世話になりました。

日本の復興のためにみなさんと一緒にがんばれたことをうれしく思います。
本当にありがとう！

We shared this poem wtitten by Kenji Miyazawa at the concert.
He was a poet from the region where the earthquake hit.
His simple confession through this short poem expresses the folk soul of the Touhoku(Northeast)region of Japan.

“Not losing to the rain”
not losing to the rain
not losing to the wind
not losing to the snow nor to summer’s heat
with a strong body (as above)
unfettered by desire
never losing temper
cultivating a quiet joy
every day four bowls of brown rice
miso and some vegetables to eat
in everything
count yourself last and put others before you
watching and listening, and understanding
and never forgetting
in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
being in a little thatched hut
if there is a sick child to the east
going and nursing over them
if there is a tired mother to the west
going and shouldering her sheaf of rice
if there is someone near death to the south
going and saying there’s no need to be afraid
if there is a quarrel or a suit to the north
telling them to leave off with such waste
when there’s drought, shedding tears of sympathy
when the summer’s cold, wandering upset
called a blockhead by everyone
without being praised
without being blamed
such a person
I want to become

「雨ニモマケズ」
雨ニモマケズ
風ニモマケズ
雪ニモ夏ノ暑サニモマケヌ
丈夫ナカラダヲモチ
慾ハナク
決シテ瞋ラズ
イツモシヅカニワラッテイル
一日ニ玄米四合ト
味噌ト少シノ野菜ヲタベ
アラユルコトヲ
ジブンヲカンジョウニ入レズニ
ヨクミキキシワカリ
ソシテワスレズ
野原ノ松ノ林ノ蔭ノ
小サナ萱ブキノ小屋ニイテ
東ニ病気ノ子供アレバ
行ッテ看病シテヤリ
西ニツカレタ母アレバ
行ッテソノ稲ノ束ヲ負ヒ
南ニ死ニソウナ人アレバ
行ッテコワガラナクテモイイトイイ
北ニケンカヤソショウガアレバ
ツマラナイカラヤメロトイイ
ヒデリノトキハナミダヲナガシ
サムサノナツハオロオロアルキ
ミンナニデクノボウトヨバレ
ホメラレモセズ
クニモサレズ
ソウイウモノニ
ワタシハナリタイ

“Songs of Hope”
A Benefit Concert for Japan Earthquake Relief

Date: Sunday May 1
2pm Doors open.
Bake Sale, Charity goods slae and Silent Auction start.
3 pm Concert begins.
(Concert ends around 5:30pm)

Place: Daniels Recital Hall in Downtown Seattle
811 5th Ave Seattle, WA 98104
(5th Ave & Marion St)
*2 blocks south from the Seattle Public Library

We would like to express our deep gratitude to people of Seattle who have been compassionate and generous in helping 3.11 earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.
We also would like the community to connect and continuously support the people in Japan who are deeply affected by the tragedy.

Please join us in the music, created by fine musicians from the greater Seattle area–from Seattle Symphony members to up and coming young musicians –for Japan Relief efforts.
Koto Ensemble, Japanese Folk and Art Songs, Classical Music Selection and much more.

Here is our Program !

Admission: Free
Donations(cash & checks) are gratefully accepted at the venue for the following relief organizations:
American Red Cross
Japan Relief Fund by Nikkei Concerns
Peace Winds America

Receipts will be issued for donations made by checks and will be mailed to the address on the checks later.
($100 minimum donation for issuing receipts from Peace Winds America. No minimum for American Red Cross and Japan Relief Fund.)

If you cannot attend, but would like to support our Japan relief efforts, please kindly make checks (no cash) payable to the organization of your choice (American Red Cross, Japan Relief Fund or Peace Winds America) and send them to:
Akiko Kinney
P.O.Box 1394
Bellevue, WA 98009

Parking: Street or Public Pay Parking
901 5th Ave. Sunday Parking $6, Hours: 11:00am to 7:00pm

800 5th Ave. Sunday Parking $7.50, Hours: All day

Wheel Chair Access: Call (206) 849-7330 or E-mail akikokinney@yahoo.com for more information

Other Services:

Childcare (potty-trained children only)

Silent Art Auction (cash and checks)

Bake Sale (cash only)

Charity goods sale

Lyrics for our very last song at the concert:
We would love to sing together with you all!

“Home, Sweet Home”
「埴生の宿 (hanyu no yado)」
by Sir Henry Bishop (1786 – 1855)

埴生の宿も　わが宿
玉のよそい　うらやまじ
のどかなりや　春の空
花はあるじ　鳥は友
おお　わが宿よ
たのしとも　たのもしや

Through pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which seek through the world, is ne’er met with elsewhere.
Home, home, sweet sweet home,
There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.

Violinists performing at the concert are as follows.
Thank you for your time and efforts for Japan Relief!

Karen R. Bonnevie
Karen is an alumna of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Frances Aranyi.
Karen was first violinist with the Portland Symphony from 1963-1965, and first violinist with the Seattle Symphony from 1965-2000. Karen regards her career in music to be a huge and gracious blessing, and give thanks to the many people who assisted her on the path. She turns to the Dalai Lama for guidance when she faces loss and pain that are far less severe than that faced by the Japanese people in the present.
He says:“The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in one’s life.
Through a difficult period you can learn; you can develop inner strength, determination, and courage to face problems.”
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Gloria Ferry-Brennan
Gloria is an eighth grader from Whidbey Island who studies with Simon James of the Coleman Violin Studio. In March, she was named National Winner of the Music Teachers National Association ‘s Senior Strings Competition. It is with all her heart that she reaches out to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

Annelise Hastings
Annalise is fifteen years old and has been playing the violin for ten years. She soloed with the
Seattle Symphony in 2009, and is currently studying with Simon James. Annalise is glad to have the
opportunity to help the victims of the earthquake by participating in this concert.

Felicity James

Marie Rossano

Marié has appeared as guest soloist with over a dozen of the Pacific Northwest’s leading orchestras, including the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic, and Northwest Sinfonietta, performing concerti by such composers as Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Bruch, Korngold, and Shostakovich. She was named First Laureate of the 2010 Stradivarius International Violin Competition, and National Winner of the 2008 Music Teachers National Association Junior Strings Competition. Other notable awards include Music of Remembrance’s 2008 David Tonkonogui Memorial Award and the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival’s 2005 Festival Medal. Marié performed on Stradivari and Guarneri violins from the Fulton Collection for KCTS 9 TV’s 2009 Salon Series, and in the 2010 documentary “Violin Masters: Two”. In past summers, Marié has performed at the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, Seattle Chamber Music Society, and the Juilliard School’s Starling-DeLay Violin Symposium. During the summer of 2011, Marié performs at the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and at the Deer Valley Music Festival for her debut with the Utah Symphony.
http://marierossano.com

Amelia Sie
Amelia, age 14, in a ninth grader at Newport High School and is also homeschooled in Bellevue. Amelia is currently studying with Simon James and Jan Marc Sloman in Dallas, and also works with pianist Hiro David.

Myron is our Bass player for the concert.
Thank you for your time and efforts for Japan Relief!

Myron Pak
Myron is a junior at Bellevue High School. He plays bass in the Seattle Youth Symphony and at the Academy of Music Northwest.

“It is so difficult to see Japan going through such a tough time. They’ve lost their homes, material possessions, loved ones, and everyone needs to do anything they can to help Japan get through these dark times.”

Fumi is our soprano singer for the concert.
Thank you for your time and efforts for Japan Relief!

Fumi Tagata

Fumi is a native of Japan, where she completed her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Since coming to Washington State to extend her musical experiences and repertoire, she has appeared in various performance venues, such as operas, concerts, recitals, church services and local events. In addition to taking many opportunities to introduce Japanese art songs to the American public, she has also devotedly studied early music with Nancy Zylstra.
After giving a birth to her son in 2005, she has been enjoying her new exciting life with him. This performance opportunity, however, becomes a genuine chance to return to the musical world which is the core of her whole life.

『すべては一本の電話から始まりました。３月１１日の想像を絶する災害の報道によって、それまでの自分の世界を打ち砕かれたような気がした私が「コンサートをやろう！」そう思い切ったのはその三日後のこと。中学からの古い友人、亜季子さんに電話でこの企画を話したところ、間髪置かずに賛成してくれました。当初私たちが思い描いていた、三百人くらい収容できる場所を借り友人音楽家達と親近感のあるプログラムで、という企画は、Lisa Mariaという日本をこよなく愛するアメリカ人の登場によって大きく変えられました。同じ思いを共有する人と人とが出会い、それにより、このような大きな規模のコンサートになったのは、私たちオーガナイザーの出会いによるところだけではありません。このイベントを支えてくれるボランティア、スポンサー、そして宣伝してくださるすべての人たちが、直接的間接的に出会い結ばれていくさまを目の当たりにし、この大きな意味でのコミュニティが、またその祈りが、今後の日本の復興への確かな力となりうることを確信しています。海外に住む日本人の一人として、日本と世界の小さな小さな架け橋となることを心から願いつつ。』

“It all started with one phone call. My world as I knew it shattered forever as I heard the news of the tragedy in Japan that was of unimaginable proportions. A few days later, I decided to channel my energy into putting on a concert. I originally started organizing this concert with my childhood friend, Akiko. Then Lisa Maria, who loves Japan more than we do, and had been searching for a way of fundraising as well, joined us. The initial idea about the concert was to find a venue with about 300 seats and the program performed by our musician friends. However, the more people who were willing to help the victims in Japan got involved, the larger the scale of the concert became. We have seen the progress of people interconnecting through the planning of this concert, including volunteers, sponsors and friends who spread the word. We now know that the reborn connection between people through this hardship can bring something amazing, more than our expectations, to the world.”

Thank you Susan for your time and efforts for Japan Relief!

Susan Carroll

Susan is currently in her eleventh season as Third Horn with the Seattle Symphony. She is also a devoted volunteer for Providence Hospice of Seattle, the Noel House shelter for homeless women, and at the Catholic ministries at the King County Jail.

“It is a privilege to be part of this wonderful event, and I personally am especially glad that this concert happens to fall on one of my favorite days celebrated in the Catholic faith; Divine Mercy Sunday. This day reminds me that we have to be humble enough to receive Mercy, and generous enough to give it to others.”