The earthquake that hit the Chuetsu region of Niigata Prefecture on October 23, 2004 brought massive devastation, the recovery for which is still very much under way. Even today, many residents forced to relocate to temporary housing continue to live in hardship.

 The Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities and the Japan Association of Classical Music Presenters have worked together over the past seven years, bringing selected performing artists to public concert halls around the country, realizing various kinds of classical music projects in communities through consultation with local leaders and holding concerts as well. It happens that the very first venue involved in this collaboration was the Koidego Cultural Hall, a public facility in the Chuetsu region. After the earthquake, a cross-section of organizations came together with the intention of supporting the disaster victims by bringing them music. The result was the creation of a long-range project, the Chuetsu Great Earthquake Recovery Memorial Concert Program, formed by the four cities and one town comprising the Chuetsu region, the Nagaoka City Foundation for Art and Culture Promotion, the Uonuma Action Committee for Freedom in Music, the Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities and the Japan Association of Classical Music Presenters. Together, these members serve as the project's joint presenter. With the cooperation of many artists, a program of 12 concerts, 24 school concerts, a concert for elementary school children and a final gala concert will be performed. Featuring 15 artists, these events will be held between May and November 2006.

 We believe music has the power to bring people together. We hope the beautiful music this project will create in many venues and schools throughout the Chuetsu region will bring warmth to the hearts of those enduring the stresses of displacement and other hardships wrought by the earthquake.

For more information, please contact the Japan Association of Classical Music Presenters (info@classic.or.jp).