Welcome to Sing For Japan!

On March 11th, 2011, the Tohuku Earthquake (magnitude 9.0) struck the northern part of Japan. The massive earthquake caused a tsunami which devastated much of the northern Pacific coast of Japan. The disaster caused significant loss of life that has not been fully measured. By April 2nd, tens of thousands of people lost their homes and remain in shelters, and the latest count left 11,800 dead and 15,540 missing. 
In the aftermath of the disaster, Asako Watanabe, a Japanese-born Soprano singer, who came to seek shelter in Hong Kong, decided to organise « Sing for Japan »; a Charity Concert to raise funds for the country, with the support of a group of empathic Hong Kong residents.
The Concert will feature Asako Watanabe, Makiko Ogura, Katsuhiko Nakashima, three outstanding Japanese singers and a brilliant pianist Keisuke Tsushima, with the support of Maestro Lu Xiao Yi, from the Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra. 


100% of profits raised will go to the organisations such as Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS), Ashinaga, and Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ) for helping victims of the earthquake.
This is not to be missed!
Please spread the word and come and support Japan while listening to a unique and memorable concert.

« Sing for Japan », Charity Concert will take place in three different venues as follows:
-       Friday 15 April 2011 – 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm - 1/F Hall, South Horizons Neighbourhood Community Centre 1/F, Marina Square,  East Commercial Block, South Horizons, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong – accompanied by the Hong Kong Southern District Youth Orchestra and Maestro Lu XiaoYi.
-       Friday 15 April 2011 at 8:30 pm, French International School (FIS) - 34 Price Road, Jardine's Lookout at the Auditorium.
-       Saturday 16 April 2011 at 7:30 pm, St Anne's Catholic Church in Stanley, 1 Tung Tau Wan Road – Intimate Recital
*Entrance Fees : based on your own gratitude and generosity. Cash preferred but cheques are also accepted.


*Tickets can preferably be pre booked via this e mail address :  singforjapan2011booking@gmail.com
Please mention the concert of your choice, your name and the number of tickets required. We will send you a confirmation mail.


*Donation boxes will be displayed in each venue, and also at the Hong Kong South District residences and South Horizons Neighbourhood Community Centre for several weeks.


Program:
The artist will perform a unique program aimed to suit all tastes comprised of traditional japanese songs, opera arias and popular music such as : 
-       Sakura, Kousaku Yamada
-       Habanera - Carmen, G.Bizet 
-       La fleur que tu m'avais jetéeCarmen,  G.Bizet 
-       Time to Say Goodbye, F.Sartori
-       Fantaisie Impromptu, F.Chopin   etc…

Introduction of the Artists:
- Conductor : Lu XiaoYi



Conductor of Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra /
Conductor of Nanjing University Orchestra /
Conductor of Hongkong Southern District Orchestra

The Orchestra he conducted before:
Leipzig Academic Orchestra (Germany)/
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra (Germany)/
National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands (Holland)/
Bohemian Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech)

Mr Lu studied compose and conduct in Nanjing Art Institute. After his graduation, he became the permanent conductor of Nanjing University Orchestra. In 2004, he gave concerts with Nanjing University Orchestra in United Kindom, France, Austria, Germany and Belgium.He was praised as "the angel conductor from the orient" by Stuttgart Daily and other European press. In 2005, he gave three concerts in Taiwan. He studied in Weima -Liszt Conservatory in 2007. He won the first prize in Sint-Oedenrode Music Festival in Holland. The same year, he was invited by German government and gave three concerts in world famous Gewandhaus Concert Hall with Nanjing University Orchestra and Leipzig Academic Orchestra. In 2008, he cooperated with Bohemian Philharmonic Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands. He built a cultural bridge between Europe and China by giving great performance with these excellent orchestras. After that, Mr Lu entered the masterclass of professor Able in world famous Munich Conservatory. In 2009, He conducted Nanjing University Orchestra in the National competition. They won the first prize in the competition. He established Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra at the end of the year. He was also invited by Hongkong government to be the permanent conductor of Hongkong Southern District Orchestra in the same year. In 2010, he took Nanjing University Orchestra to Macao to give celebration concerts for ten year's anniversary of Macao returning back to China in University of Macao. 


- The Hong King Southern District Orchestra

- Pianist: Tsushima Keisuke

Keisuke Tshusima was born in 1986.  He graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts with a Masters degree. He won the bronze prize at the Chopin International Piano Contest. He has played with a number of orchestras including the Japan Yomiuri Philharmonic Orchestra.



- Soprano Singer : Asako Watanabe
Asako Watanabe was born in Chiba, Japan. She graduated from Tokyo University of Arts. She won the grand prize at the 19th New Musician Concert of the Ichikawa Culture Foundation. She played several key roles in opera such as Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro. She is a member of the Japan Vocal Foundation.

- Mezzo Soprano Singer : Makiko Ogura
Makiko Ogura was born in Chiba, Japan. She graduated with master degree from Tokyo University of Arts where she won the Doseikai Prize. Ogura performed as the alto soloist in Beethoven Ninth Symphony of the Chiba Toso Culture Centre Concert. She is a member of Nikikai.


- Tenor Singer : Katsuhiko Nakashima
Katsuhiko Nakashima was born in Nagasaki, Japan. He graduated from Tokyo University of Arts with master degree and now is on the doctorate course of its opera department. He is a member of the Bach Collegiums Japan and performed in the 39th Hong Kong Art Festival in February 2011.


Sponsors:
Touched by the tragedy in Japan and the enthusiasm of the talented musicians, a number of sponsors decided to support the project. The main sponsors include: Estée Lauder Companies, King Fisher, and Wine Hot.

For general and press enquiries :

Charity Organisations we support

Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS)


Red Cross Society is a special corporation established under the Japanese Red Cross Law of 1952.
The society mobilizes biggest resources in this emergency phase. Though numerous challenges have occurred one after another since March 11, they do all what they can contribute for victims. 


Ashinaga


Ashinaga, named for the 1912 American novel Daddy-Long-Legs, is a nonprofit organization based in Tokyo, Japan, which for over 40 years has been providing education-focused financial and emotional support to children who have a parent/guardian with a serious disability, or who have lost one or both parents/guardians due to illness, accident, disaster, or suicide. Each year Ashinaga provides financial support to more than 6,000 students in need; total academic loans and scholarships disbursed exceed US$22 million annually.


Central Community Chest of Japan 


The Central Community Chest of Japan(CCCJ)'s National Office is located in the capital city of Tokyo.
CCCJ is managed by a voluntary Board of Directors with Juro Saito as the Chairman.
CCCJ acts as a national coordinating body for local Community Chests. Local affiliate offices are managed by individual and autonomous Board of Directors. Each of the 47 prefectural Community Chests have set up district offices in large cities and branch offices in smaller municipalities within the prefecture to act as implementing bodies for the movement. District and branch offices nationwide, implement fundraising activities, organize and train volunteers, conduct public relations, and survey the financial needs providing welfare services.



The 100% of profits raised via Sing for Japan Charity Concerts will be distributed to the three organisations above. However, if you wish, you can also contribute directly through their websites.

Program South Horizons Neighbourhood Community Centre, Friday 15 April, 6:30 pm



1.         Kosaku Yamada “Sakura, Sakura  
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Piano: Keisuke Tsushima
2.         G. Puccini  Madama Buterfly  Scuoti quella frona di cillegio Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo soprano: Makiko Ogura, Piano: Keisuke Tsushima
3.         G. Bizet Carmen “La fleur que tu m'avais jetée Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima, Piano: Keisuke Tsushima
4.         Amazing grace
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo soprano: Makiko Ogura, Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima, Piano: Keisuke Tsushima
5.         Autumn cicadas  Arranged by XiaoYi Lu Students Choir, Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra           
6.         Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana Mascagni
The Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra  
Intermission – 20min
7.         G. F. Händel  Serse “Ombra mai fu Atto Primo
Tenor Nakashima Katsuhiko, The Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra  
8.         G. Bizet  Carmen “Habanera   
Mezzo Soprano:  Makiko Ogura, The Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra
9.         O mio babbino caro 
Soprano Watanabe Asako, The Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra  
10.     F.Sartori  Time to say goodbye    Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo soprano: Makiko Ogura, Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima,
The Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra
11.     XiaoYi Lu  Star Light  
The Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra,  Hong Kong Police        




Sing for Japan Charity Concert at South Horizons Neighbourhood Community Centre is organized by Southern District Arts & Culture Association, Hong Kong Southern District Orchestra, South Horizons Estate Owners' Committee, South Horizons Women's Association and Sing for Japan Committee. Co-organized by South Horizons Management Limited. Special acknowledgement to Caritas Community Centre - Aberdeen

If you wish to make donation by check, please make it payable to:
Hong Kong Red Cross, with a note “Japan Earthquake 2011” on the back.
Thank you!            

Program French International School, Friday 15 April, 8:30 pm

 Piano: Keisuke Tsushima

1.         Kosaku Yamada “Sakura, Sakura  
Soprano: Asako Watanabe
2.         L.Delibes Lakumè “Les lianes en fleurs”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura
3.         G.Bizet Carmen “La fleur que tu m'avais jetée Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima
4.         G.Bizet Carmen “Habanera”
Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura 
5.         Akira Nakata “Hana”
6.         F.Chopin “Fantaisie Impromptu”
Piano: Keisuke Tsushima
7.         W.A.Mozart Cosi fan tutte “Un'aura amorosa”
Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima
8.         G.Puccini Madame Butterfly “Un bel dì vedremo”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe
9.         G.Puccini Madame Butterfly “Scuoti quella frona di cillegio”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura
Intermission – 30min
10.     P.Mascagni “Ave Maria”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe
11.     R.Lovland “You raise me up”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura
12.     J.Massnet Manon “En femant les yeux” Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima

13.     G.Rosshini La Cenerentola “Nacqui all'affanno”
Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura
14.     Ryuichi Sakamoto “The Last Emperor”
Piano: Keisuke Tsushima
15.     H.Nakamura “Sukiyaki”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo: Soprano Makiko Ogura, Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima
16.     F.Sartori  “Time to say goodbye”    Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura, Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima



Sing for Japan Charity Concert at French International School is organized by French International School and Sing for Japan Committee. If you wish to make donation by check, please make it payable to: French International School, with a note “Sing for Japan” on the back.           

Program Saint Anne's Catholic Church, Saturday 16 April, 7:30pm

 Piano: Keisuke Tsushima


1.         Kosaku Yamada  “Sakura, Sakura”
Soprano :Asako Watanabe 
2.         G.F. Händel Serse “Ombra mai fu” Atto Primo
Tenor: Nakashima Katsuhiko
3.         G.Caccini “Ave maria”
Mezzo S
oprano: Makiko Ogura
4.         F. Tosti “Preghiera” Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima
5.         J.S.Bach “Toccata A moll BWV912” Piano: Keisuke Tshushima
6.         W.A. Mozart “Ave verm corps”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo soprano: Makiko Ogura, Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima
Intermission – 15 min
1.         C.Gounod “Ave Maria”
Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura
2.         G.Verdi Requiem “Ingelisco”
Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima
3.         G.Faure Requiem “Pie Jesu”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe
4.         P.Mascagni “Ave Maria”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe
5.         R.Lovland “You raise me up”
Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura
6.         “Amazing grace” Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura, Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima
7.         F.Sartori  “Time to say goodbye”    Soprano: Asako Watanabe, Mezzo Soprano: Makiko Ogura, Tenor: Katsuhiko Nakashima

Special Thanks to Saint Anne’s Catholic Church who allowed us to use the house of god for the concert.