Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra

Orchestral Music Appreciation Classes

Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra(HSO) is a professional orchestra based in HIROSHIMA, International City of Peace and Culture. Music produced by the professional orchestra, consisting of a total 50 members, will resonate with sensitive children. We give 20 to 30 performances at music classes annually under the sponsorship of schools and boards of education in order to provide children with a valuable opportunity to listen to live orchestral music.

•Classes can be offered at the gymnasium of a school.
•If a school requests that a class be offered at a hall or other venue, the facility rental fee, incidental equipment fee, and other necessary fees should be borne by the school.
•If we perform a special musical number at the request of a school, the necessary fees should be borne separately by the school.

Fees

Appreciation fee: Elementary school students: 700 yen/person * No. of participants;
Junior high school students: 800 yen/person * No. of participants;
High school students: 900 yen/person * No. of participants;
Guardians: 900 yen/person * No. of participants
* When these fees are applied, the minimum numbers of participants should be 400 people and 200 people in Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima City, respectively. Although the necessary minimum numbers of participants had been 600 people and 400 people in Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima City respectively, until 2015, it was revised in 2016 so that schools with fewer students can enjoy our classes.
Musical instrument transportation fee: The fee varies depending on the area where a class is offered (e.g.: Hiroshima City: 50,000 yen; Kure City: 70,000 yen; Fukuyama City: 100,000 yen).
Example of the fees:) Elementary school with 400 students in Fukuyama City: Appreciation fee (700 yen * 400 persons) * Musical instrument transportation fee (100,000 yen) = 380,000 yen in total (tax included) * Including a performance fee and travel fees for all members
For more information, please see our leaflets for orchestral music appreciation classes.: For schools in Hiroshima City, click here (City version).; For schools in cities other than Hiroshima City, click here (Prefecture version).

Examples of Programs

Example 1): Bizet: Prelude to Act 1 of “Carmen”
Beethoven: The Turkish March

Introduction of musical instruments
J. Strauss II: Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka
Grieg: “Morning” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from “Peer Gynt”

Hands-on conducting corner
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No.1
Example 2): Mozart: Overture to “The Marriage of Figaro”
Beethoven: 1st movement from Symphony No. 5 “Fate”

Introduction of musical instruments
Bartók: From the Romanian Folk Dances
Anderson: Sandpaper Ballet

Hands-on conducting corner
Bizet: “Farandole” from “L’Arlésienne”

Brief excerpts from the impressions of students

I was very moved by today’s performance, which will make a lasting impression on me. Since I knew “Carmen” and “Eine kleine Nachtmusik,” I automatically kept rhythm to the pieces. I enjoyed their performance very much, feeling as if melodies from each instrument were coming to me. This has become a cherished memory for me. (6th-grade elementary school student)

The sounds and rhythms of various instruments were carried to the core of my body through the floor of the gymnasium. Their performance had much more impact than when I listened to orchestral music at a hall before. (5th-grade elementary school student)
Today, I listened to orchestral music for the first time. I was deeply moved by sounds that could be produced only by an orchestra. Since there were many songs that I knew, I enjoyed them very much. At first, I had the impression that orchestral music could be enjoyed only by adults. Contrary to my impression, however, I realized that children could also enjoy it. I would like to listen to an orchestra at a concert venue next time. (6th-grade elementary school student)

I had not known that orchestral music was performed by various instruments. Today, I learned a lot about orchestral music by listening to various songs and music pieces and being taught the names of musical instruments. Orchestral members performed many songs, all of which were very impressive. I realized that good music could be created through collaboration between all members. (3rd-grade elementary school student)

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