US-Japan Cultural Exchange through Piano Ensemble Music June 21, 2010

Mon-Tue, June 21-22, 7PM to 8:30PM both days

Our festival mission is to provide a "trading post" where musicians exchange music from both countries and take it home to promote it through performances. We expect that people from both countries will increase mutual understanding and develop lasting friendships through these unforgettable experiences, playing piano ensemble music.

We have invited artists from the US and Japan, including:

Shigeo Tachibana, Shakuhachi
Shirley Muramoto, Koto
Takae Hirano, Soprano
Masayuki Toyo-oka, Piano
Seo & Kato Duo
Jack and Chris Bradshaw Ragtime Duo
Bonny Armacost and Karen Hutchinson Duo
ZOFO Duet, and more.

The 2-days program present 4 different sessions as follows:

June 21 (Mon) 7PM at Tateuchi Hall at Finn Center
American and Japanese Songs in Voice and Instruments
Piano Duo Works, including premiere

June 22 (Tue) 7PM at Tateuchi Hall at Finn Center
Koto, Shakuhachi, Soprano and Piano Ensemble: Performance & Lecture
(The lecture will introduce different types of Japanese instruments and discusses the art of blending music from the East and the West.)

Ragtime Piano Duo will feature unique 4-hand arrangements of popular rags, cakewalks, and marches.

Please join us and celebrate the 150 anniversary of the US-Japan Friendship since 1860.

This Exchange event offers young artists ensemble teams a chance to perform either American or Japanese pieces. We thereby hope to provide the next generation with an opportunity to develop international friendships and pass the baton to those who will inherit the rewards of this project created by a large community effort.

This event is supported by Arts Council Silicon Valley, Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View, Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco, Japan Foundation, Japan Society, Kanrin-Maru Project, Kiwanis Club of San Jose, Rendan.Net, Sherman Clay & Co.

Official Website: http://kpmff.org