Arlington resident Viola musician performs in Setagaya

by Risa Kamio

On June 27th, in conjunction with the visit to Japan of Ms. Mahoko Eguchi, viola player of the Washington National Symphony Orchestra in the U.S., the SETCOM Tokyo team held a mini-concert for parents and children at a cafe in Setagaya City, Tokyo. On the day of the concert, people of many generations, including parents and children, came to listen to the beautiful tones played by Ms. Eguchi. We explained to the audience, the friendship between Arlington, where Ms. Eguchi lives, and Setagaya City, and the U.S.-Japan friendship efforts that were initiated by cherry blossoms and dogwood trees, as well as the viola, an instrument that allows people to interact with each other through music.

On June 30th, she visited Ikenoue Elementary School in Setagaya and gave a music lesson to 5th graders. She played various pieces of music. It was a valuable time for the children to hear the differences in the way the sound of the viola was played, and to verbalize what they felt from the music. It was a memorable experience for many of the children, who heard the sound of the viola live for the first time.

Eguchi recounts her visit:

While visiting my family in Japan and enrolling my son in Engei High School in Tokyo, I had a wonderful and unique opportunity to play the viola for families in the Setagaya area.  Ms. Kamio arranged an informal concert at an elegant and cozy cafe owned by her friend in Setagaya. The audience was a group of several families with elementary school children and some elderly women who enjoy classical music. The children sat right in front of me and were eagerly listening as I played several viola solo pieces, which was very heartwarming. After the concert, I had precious moments chatting with everyone in the audience. The children shared what they enjoyed, and the women shared their experiences as well. It is always a pleasurable experience for a performer to interact with their audience, especially if it is in a small cozy venue. 

Just a couple of days after the concert, I visited a couple of classes of the fifth graders at Ikenoue elementary school. I gave a presentation on viola and how it is different from the violin.  Then I described each piece before I played and asked students to listen carefully, as I would be asking questions on their impressions.  The students listened carefully and were full of ideas to share with me after the performance for the rest of the class. They seemed to have genuinely enjoyed hearing the live music so up close, and seemed to have learned a lot about the viola, some composers, and their compositions.  I was quite flattered that they were so open and excited to participate in the presentation. 

It was such an honor to share my music with the children and people of Setagaya.  I hope to continue the friendship in the coming years.