KORIYAMA, Fukushima Prefecture--Internationally acclaimed violinist Taro Hakase and the clear singing voices of local high school students enchanted an estimated 1,900 people, including victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The highlight of the music festival to support reconstruction from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami here on March 29 was when youngsters sang “Himawari” (Sunflower), which was created as an instrumental piece by Hakase.
Words were suggested by children in the hardest-hit prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate, and the lyrics were completed by professional songwriter Goro Matsui.
Chorus club members of Koriyama Higashi High School and Asaka High School, both in Koriyama, took part in the festival, which was held in Koriyama City Cultural Center.
“The audience and performers were united, which made us enjoy singing,” said Ayaka Kumada, 17, who heads the chorus club of Koriyama Higashi High School.
The "Music festival to support reconstruction: Bond of song project," the fourth time it has been held, was hosted by Mitsubishi Corp., Fukushima Broadcasting Co. and The Asahi Shimbun Co.
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