UBE Announces 16th UBE Classical Concert — Nurturing Children with Music

UBE Corporation (President: Masato Izumihara) announced today that it will hold the 16th UBE Classical Concert on October 8, 2023. For many years, UBE has held this concert, featuring the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, to contribute to society in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where UBE was founded. Since 2022, our focus in holding this event has been to support music education (in schools) and promote a culture of music in the local community.

As part of the new focus, UBE will invite elementary and junior high school students not only from Ube City, but also from the neighboring cities of Sanyo Onoda and Mine, to the 16th UBE Classical Concert. UBE hopes to provide more children with opportunities to experience classical music and to support their growth through music education. UBE also sees this as a contribution to SDG 4, “Quality Education.”

This year, Junichi Hirokami, a versatile and very popular conductor who has made guest appearances with orchestras all over the world, and violinist Rio Arai, who has been attracting attention as one of the most promising young violinists, were invited. Hirokami served as the conductor for the 13th UBE Classical Concert in 2020, which took place under strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including reduced seating to approximately 250 seats, one-fourth of the usual capacity. The event featured a concerto without an intermission, and two performances were held in one day. Hirokami is set to make a long-awaited return as conductor in this year’s 16th concert with a program that includes a symphony. Arai has been communicating the captivating appeal of the violin on her YouTube channel and makes numerous appearances in the media.

Since the first concert held in 2008, all proceeds from admission fees have been used to promote local music culture. This year, UBE plans once again to donate musical instruments to the brass band clubs of junior high schools in Ube City.

In addition to the main concert, in past years the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has also held additional events including a “Friendship Concert” at a hospital and music clinics for junior high school brass band clubs. These are scheduled to be held again this year.

Sponsoring this concert series is just one part of the UBE Group’s effort to help build a sustainable society. This effort is guided by the UBE Group Basic Policies for Sustainability, and each and every executive and employee seeks to do their part. The Group has identified material issues in the areas of growth, environment, society, and management (governance), and is actively working to address them.

From this viewpoint, UBE will continue to develop the UBE Classical Concert series to nurture children with music.

Reference: UBE Classical Concert

https://www.ube.co.jp/ube/en/sustainability/communication/concert/index.html

The UBE Classical Concert’s position in the UBE Group

1. One of the most important initiatives among UBE’s social contribution activities.
2. A cultural promotion project that will continue into the future.
3. A project that supports children’s music education (in schools).
4. A contribution to SDG 4, “Quality Education.”

History of UBE Classical Concert

As a social contribution activity, UBE invites the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra to Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where the company was founded, to hold a concert of classical music with a full orchestra. The concert has been held annually since 2008 at the Watanabe Memorial Hall, which was built to commemorate the achievements of UBE’s founder, Sukesaku Watanabe, and has hosted performances by world-renowned musicians. This year marks the 16th concert.

Another special feature of this original concert series is that it is planned and managed by UBE employees. Continuing safely even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert series has been carefully managed and, inspired by the motto, “Together with the People, Together with Music,” has become one of the community’s most beloved events.

Outline of the 16th UBE Classical Concert

Name	16th UBE Classical Concert Next Generation Music Culture Promotion Project Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Ube Concert
Date & Times	Sunday, October 8, 2023 Curtain rises at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1:10 p.m.)
Venue	Ube City Watanabe Memorial Hall
Performance content	Conductor Junichi Hirokami Soloist Rio Arai, violin Program Beethoven: Romance for Violin and Orchestra No. 2 Kreisler: Liebesleid, Liebesfreud, and Schön Rosmarin Massenet: Méditation from Thaïs Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Invitees	400 elementary and junior high school students from Ube City, Sanyo Onoda City, and Mine City will be invited to attend free of charge *The event will have approximately 700 seats, including those for accompanying parents and guardians.
General sales	Admission fee 5,000 yen (including tax) *All proceeds from admission fees will be used to promote local music culture. Ticket reservations and sales methods Reservations and sales via the web or by phone start at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 10 Ticket agency Ticket Service, Ube City Foundation for Culture and Art Creation (https://p-ticket.jp/ube)
Other	Libertas Co., Ltd., a special-purpose subsidiary of UBE, will offer free invitations to people with hearing disabilities to sit in seats equipped with Pioneer Corporation’s Body Sonic body sensation sound system.