The Voices That Never Give Up

The Fukushima Mothers Chorus Association (FMCA), a celebrated female choral group comprised of members whose homes were located near the site of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, will headline the second Japan-US Choral Festival, to be held at Carnegie Hall's Isaac Stern Hall on Saturday, October 19th.

The festival will also feature performances by Harmony Celebration Chorus (HCC), an award-winning female barbershop chorus from Ridgewood, New Jersey; Tomo (Japan Choral Harmony), a choir led by Festival founder and organizer Mike Shirota and featuring elementary school students from Japan's Ikuei Gakuin School; and The Manhattan Symphonie, led by Maestro Gregory Singer, that will perform "Memorial Processional," an original requiem composed for the victims of the Fukushima disaster.

A festival highlight will be the appearance of Madoka Mayuzumi, acclaimed haiku poet who wrote Soshite Haru (And Then, Spring) – From Fukushima to the World, a tribute that celebrates the four seasons of Fukushima. Ms. Mayuzumi will explain haiku, relate the background concerning her creation of Soshite Haru, and share several haikus written by residents of Fukushima. Soshite Haru, whose words were put to music by composer Akira Senju, will be performed by the FMCA.

Yuko Miyake, president of the FMCA, said, "We're excited by the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. This is an opportunity for us to deliver the cheerful voices of Fukushima to the people of New York and to express our gratitude for their enormous support. Our performance will embody our motto, 'Never Give Up,' from which we have drawn strength through some very difficult circumstances." Many FMCA members still reside in temporary housing.

Scott Brannon, Master Director of the HCC, said, "We are honored to perform alongside the FMCA, whose members have overcome incredible difficulties, and we look forward to delivering the power of voice together."

The event will be emceed by Kaoriko Kuge, anchor/reporter at Fujisankei Communications International (FCI), the overseas branch of the Fuji Television Network.

When:	October 19, 2013 (Sat) 7:00 p.m. (Doors open 6:30p.m.)
Where:	Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage 881 Seventh Avenue (57th Street), NY 10016
Admission:	$10 Tickets are available at the box office of Carnegie Hall or can be ordered from CarnegieCharge by phone at 212-247-7800 *We are gratefully accepting your thoughtful donation　at this concert. The part of the fund will be used to support a project for children in Fukushima. Please see Ticket / Donation for further details
MC:	Kaoriko Kuge, FCI Anchor
Inquiries: About Concert: Mike Shirota, Concert Director mike.s@mushroomwisdom.com 973-470-0010 (work)　/ 201-612-0410 (cell) About Tickets: Aya Lamont japan.choral.harmony@gmail.com 917-902-2212