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DVD of "Bridge Across the Pacific Concert" Now Available ! 

DVD of Bridge Across the Pacific Concert in Tokyo is fainally available. The concert was held as a finale of a series of tour concerts at coastal area of Iwate Prefecture in Japan by Boys & Girls Choir of New York Harlem Alumni Ensenble from November 22 to November 25, 2013.
Madoka Mayuzumi, an acclaimed "haiku" poet, was invited as a special guest who discussed Japanese mentality seen in haiku poem read by Iwate 3.11 victims which may be overlapped with "BUSHIDO" spirit as introduced by Dr.Inazo Nitobe.
The tour was originally planed by Rikako Asanuma, a pianist for Japan Choral Harmony, and materialized by the support of 9.11 Circle Wind Concert Fund.
Please call Mike Shirota at 201-264-5825 if you want a copy of the DVD, A donation of $20 or more would be highly appreciated.

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We Dit It Again ! 

Yes, we did it again !
The concert was fabulous !
You guys were fantastic !
Thank you so much !

The photos during the concert can been seen at:
www.japanuschorus.org

Also, I am pleased to inform you that the donation collected during the concert for "Bridge Across The Pacific Project" is $933.50.
Thank you very much for your generous contribution and support.

Join us to support "Bridge Across The Pacific" Project 

A Series of Performances by The Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble at Homeless Shelters in Tsunami-Stricken Iwate Prefecture, Planned for Nov.21 - Nov.25, 2012


[Objective]

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Japanese scientist, statesman, educator and author Inazo Nitobe by bringing the comfort and inspiration of performances by the Harlem Alumni Ensemble to the many residents of Iwate Prefecture who are still living in homeless shelters as a result of the 3.11.2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Donantions will be used to cover the Alumni Ensemble's airfare, ground transportation and accoomodations.

[Background]

Dr. Inazo Nitobe was born in Iwate in 1862. His classic work, "Bushido: The Soul of Japan" (1900), is among the most influential books by a Japanese author. Written to clearly explain Japanese culture and samurai ethics to western readers, "Bushido" was embraced by Theodore Roosevelt (who bought 60 copies for family and friends) and has been read by countless diplomats and government leaders, including presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama prior to visits to Japan. A self-described "bridge across the Pacific," Nitobe dedicated his life to the development of US-Japan understanding and goodwill.

Circle Wind pianist Rikako Asanuma, also born in Iwate Prefecture, had performed widely as a soloist and chamber musician in Japan and the US, including performances with the Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem from 2000 to 2005. After the 3.11 tragedy, Ms. Asanuma contacted members of the Alumni Ensemble and held successful benefit concerts for Iwate. More recently, inspired by the call by Mayor Futoshi Toba of Rikuzen-Takada (Iwate) for "mental support" for survivors, Ms. Asanuma called on the Alumni Ensemble once again, and they are willing to fly to Japan to perform at homeless shelters throughout the coastal area of Iwate.
Circle Wind is proud to champion this effort under the Circle Wind Memorial Concert umbrella, and seeks your support. (Ask for "Prospectus for Bridge Across the Pacific Project", if you need more information)

[Tentative Schedule]

The Alumni Ensember would leave New York on Nov. 21, arrive in Japan on Nov.22, and over a 4-day period would perform at shelters or schools in Rikuzen-Takada, Ofunato, Kamaishi , Miyako and Omoto before returning to New York on Nov. 26th.

[Donations]

Please send your check to:
9.11 Circle Wind Memorial Concert (NPO)
6 Aster Ct., Paramus, NJ 07652
(Make payable to 9.11 Circle Wind Memorial Concert)

[Inquiries]

Mike Shirota
Concert Director
Circle Wind Concert
mike.s@mushroomwisdom.com
973-470-0010 (day)
201-264-5825 (cell)
http://kazenowa911.blog6.fc2.com
www.japanuschorus.org

Harlem Alumni Ensemble Featured with Dr. Nitobe of BUSHIDO 

The Fifth Annual Circle Wind Concert, commemorating the 9.11 tragedy and last year's 3.11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan, will be held on Monday, September 10th, 2012 at Kaufman Center Merkin Concert Hall at 129 West 67th Street, New York City. The concert begins at 6.30pm. Doors open at 6.00pm. Tickets are $10.00

The concert will feature performances by The Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble. This choir is comprised of a unique team of veteran members of the acclaimed Boys (Girls) Choir of Harlem which had been thrilling audiences around the world for 40 years. The world-renowned choir who was even called "A Twin Choir with Vienna Boys' Choir" performed at the White House, the United nations and the Vatican. In 2001, Seiji Ozawa, the world-famous conductor, invited them to Japan for a concert tour. The choir ended its activity in 2007 with the death of its founder. But some of the alumni have revived the activity and continued their legacy of vocal and artistic performances that earned worldwide acclaim.

This year's concert will also acknowledge the 150th anniversary of the birth of Japanese scients, educator and writer Dr. Inazo Nitobe, whose classic book, "Bushido; The Soul of Japan" (1900) is among the most influential works ever written by a Japanese author. Nitobe was born in Iwate Prefecture, among the areas most devastated by the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami. Nitobe dedicated his life to US-Japan relations, referring to himself as "A Bridge Across the Pacific." In that spirit, the Harlem Alumni Choir is endeavoring to visit homeless shelters in Iwate Prefecture and perform for people who lost their homes in the Tsunami. We, 9.11 Circle Wind Concert, is playing a key role in "The Pacific Bridge Project", and welcoming sponsors who are willing to support their journey to Japan.

Trio de Zunda (piano, violin, clarinet) will also join the concert who were three young Japanese artists inspired to form a group after visiting New York to see their parents perform at the Japan-US Chorus Charity Concert for Sendai, held at Carnegie Hall last May.

Japan Choral Harmony (JCH) will host the concert and Men's Glee Club of New York (MGCNY) will join it. A few more talented young artists will also participate, including a bariton, Mr. Takaoki Onishi, the grand prize winner of the Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition and the winner of Julliard School's Vocal Arts Honors for 2011-2012.

"This Circle Wind Concert pays tribute to the lasting memory of the 9.11 and 3.11 victims as well as inspiring example of our great ancenstors like Inazo Nitobe as we strive to lead better lives" said Mike Shirota, Circle Wind Concert Director.


Ticket : Box Office of Merkin Concert Hall 212-501-3330
Online ticket purchase : www.kaufman-center.org

Contact: Mike Shirota
973-470-0010 (office), 201-264-5825 (cell)
mike.s@mushroomwisdom.com



被災地へとどけ！　ハーレム・クワイアのハーモニー　（第5回　風の環コンサート） 

今年で5年目を迎える“9.11　風の環コンサート”は来る9月10日（月曜）６．３０PM よりWest67丁目のKaufman Center Merkin Concert Hallで開かれる。入場料は10ドル。今年も日本からご遺族をお迎えして地元NYおよび日本で活躍するアーティストが参加する。

このコンサートは昨年から9.11犠牲者と同時に3.11犠牲者に対する追悼コンサートとして企画されているが、今年はメインゲストとしてBoys and Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensembleが登場する。このクワイアはあのウィーン少年合唱団と“双子の合唱団”といわれ、1968年から40年にわたってホワイトハウス、国連、ヴァチカン宮殿をはじめ世界中で演奏活動を続け、小澤征爾も絶賛し2001年に日本に招待したBoys Choir of Harlemが母体となった合唱団である。創始者の他界と共にBoys Choir of Harlemは解散するが、その卒業生たちが新たにAlumni Ensembleを立ち上げ、現在3.11被災者のためのチャリティコンサートなどに積極的に参加している。

今年は奇しくも「武士道」を書いた新渡戸稲造博士の生誕150周年にあたるが、博士は自らを「われ太平洋の橋とならん」と呼び日米関係そして世界平和のために多大な功績を残している。上記ハーレム・クワイヤは今回の風の環コンサートに出演した後、新渡戸博士の故郷である岩手に飛び、「平成の太平洋の橋」として岩手の被災地を訪問し、歌を通してお互い理解を深めるとともに復興への励ましのメッセージを届けることになっている。

他に昨年同様、このコンサートのホスト役として合唱団「とも」(Japan Choral Harmony)やNY男声グリークラブが参加するほか、第1回ジュリアード音楽院声楽オーディションで最優秀賞を受賞したバリトン大西宇宙（タカオキ）氏、そして昨年震災後5月カーネギーホールで開かれた「みちのく震災支援日米合唱チャリティコンサート」に参加した仙台の合唱団「萩」のメンバーのジュニアたち3人で編成するトリオ・ダ・ズンダも日本から駆けつける。

なお、司会は昨年同様NPO“ハッピードール社”代表で女性起業家としてニューヨークで永年活動されている寺尾のぞみさんに務めていただく予定となっている。

問い合わせ：　白田　201-264-5825 (cell), mike.s@maitake.com

Box Office: Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th St., NYC
212-501-3330
Online Ticket : www.kaufman-center.org