The performers in Japan's first classical concert to feature a program decided by popular vote via the Internet have been formally selected. There were 13 entrants in the widely noted competition, for which about 10,000 votes were cast.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 19:00 on March 29 (Thursday), at Kioi Hall in Tokyo. Its program basically reflects the biggest vote-getters from the selections announced by the respective artists (see below). The pieces selected are all well known, through such media as the popular TV and manga series "Nodame Cantabile" and the best-selling "Best Classics 100" CD series.

"Your choice! The NEC Gala Concert"

With the support of NEC Corporation's program of sponsorships for the arts, the Japan Association of Classical Music Presenters maintains the "NEC Navigates Japan's Classical Music Artists" website, which provides information on promising music artists of Japan. They are selected by music professionals who deem them well worthy of bringing their work to the attention of world music lovers through the Internet.
"Your choice! The NEC Gala Concert" is an outgrowth of this information service. From the 150 artists listed at this site, 13 entrants and their programs were opened to voting through the Internet by music fans. The six selected artists will appear, performing the works the fans wanted most to hear. Their performances will be an extravaganza you won't want to miss!
♦NEC Navigates Japan's Classical Music Artists
  http://japansclassic.com/
♦NEC's Corporate Citizenship Activities
  http://www.nec.co.jp/community/en/

*"NEC Navigates Japan's Classical Music Artists" will be addding a page for violinist Kyoko Yoshida in the near future.

Voting results
*Period of poll     Dec. 30, 2006--Jan. 15, 2007
*Accesses to voting page     11,682 Votes cast: 8,316
*Accesses to voting results (until Jan 15)     15,858
*The link below shows the results of voting for the 13 entrants in the order of the most votes received. As previously announced, the concert will be held at Kioi Hall, on March 29, featuring the top six artists, as selected by the voters.

*The voting results for the respective artists can be seen at:
  http://www.classic.or.jp/gala07/(Japanese only)

"Your choice! The NEC Gala Concert"
Time: March 29, 2007 19:00
Place: Kioi Hall (Tokyo, Japan)
Admission:JPY 3,000 (No reserved seats. Tickets go on sale February 1, 2007.)
                Ticket Pia  pia.jp/t(Japanese only)
                e+  http://eplus.jp/(Japanese only)
Organized by:Japan Association of Classical Music Presenters
                    Supporters:Entertainment Plus Inc./ Concert Service Co., Ltd.
                    PIA CORPORATION/ PTNA/
                    Website Classic News
Presented by:NEC
For further information, contact:Japan Association of Classical Music Presenters
                                             TEL +81 3 5719 7602    E-mail: info@classic.or.jp
                                             http://www.classic.or.jp/english/