Japan Section Special Award "Spreading Harmony" Yuuki Fujinawa (13, male, Japan) |
Last year, I took part in three musical groups. One was a musical group called "Perkins," which was formed by two junior high-school students and three high-school students. The name of our band came from the Perkins Brailer, which we had become very familiar with and which we agreed sounded easy on the ear. We had a discussion to decide what instrument each of us would be best suited to play. The next step was choosing songs. After talking for a long time and considering a list of songs we liked, we eventually agreed on which songs we should play. Then we started to practice. We began by getting used to playing each of our instruments, and then started to memorize our respective parts for each song. It was difficult at first. When the others played off-key, I tried to show them the right key on my keyboard. After many days, we began to play in the same key. We were having fun playing together. The big day came for us at the end of August, at the Fureai Festival in a shopping center. We played in front of a big audience. I was so happy and having so much fun that I played with a big smile. After the performance was done, there was loud applause and I felt a huge welling of pride in my chest. It was a day I'll never forget. I was so happy that the sounds made by all five of us merged together as one and reached the audience, and that we received such generous applause. My second musical group played a song called "Tabidachi no hini" at a graduation ceremony. A girl played metallophone, while I played piano and sang. I like music, but I don't usually sing. When it turned out that I had to play the piano and sing at the same time, I wasn't sure I could do it well. But the first time I tried, I actually found it easy-or, at least, not too bad. Once I'd built up some confidence, I started to sing in a louder voice, so I enjoyed playing on the stage. After the ceremony, some of the teachers and graduates told us that we had played well and that they'd enjoyed our show. One of them said, "It was really good; you warmed the cockles of our hearts." When I heard that, I was so glad that we could offer something to the graduates who were leaving to face their new lives. My third experience was at the same time, as a member of a brass band. There were only three people in the brass band club, and, owing to our busy schedules, it was rare that all three of us could meet at the same time. I spent most of my time at this weekly club playing various instruments. It was good when I got to perform at the graduation ceremony the songs we'd been practicing in our club. We played "Hotaru no hikari"(Auld Lang Syne), with me on the marimba and the other two playing saxophone and trumpet. Next, I played piano on "Sekaini hitotsu dakeno hana." We didn't have much time to practice together, but we got there in the end. Despite being different ages and from different departments, we all share a love of music. It was good that we could all finally get together at the end of the year. I usually play piano by myself, but it was really fun being part of a group and debating what songs to play, what instruments to use, what part of the song each of us should play. And practicing and seeing everyone get better was fun, too. Based on my experiences, I must say music is a good thing. When our music reached the hearts of the people in the audience, the energy came back to us as applause. This was the biggest satisfaction for me. I always smiled when I heard the applause. I hope I can keep doing such activities. I want to play a variety of songs in a variety of places. I think I'll be able to have good experiences though music. |
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