Fundraising Concert For Japan Announced

23rd March 2011

The Highland Council has announced details of a special concert which will take place on Easter Monday in Eden Court Theatre in Inverness to raise funds for relief work in Japan.

Organised in partnership with Eden Court Theatre, the Inverness Business Community and the Highland capital's four Rotary Clubs; the April 25th concert will feature one of Japan's favourite orchestral ensembles Tatsuya Yamauchi and Japan New Romantics.

Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded on March 11. The magnitude-9.0 quake spawned a deadly tsunami that slammed into the nation's east coast, leaving a huge swath of devastation in its wake. Tatsuya Yamauchi is one of the most famous violinists performing in Asia today and he will be accompanied on the night by the Japan New Romantics Band which consists of Kaori Kozakai (piano), Junya Ookouchi (shakuhachi) and Kento Ijiri (chero). Yamauchi's concert repertoire ranges from world, pop and classical music to his own original compositions which are inspired by Japanese history and rural scenery and the belief they should be preserved for future generations. When he is not performing concerts he is also much in demand for his work composing music for Japanese television and films.

Especially for their fundraising show in Inverness, Yamauchi has announced that his band are going to play popular and classical music favourites from around the world. The concert will feature favourites such as "Auld Lang Syne", "Amazing Grace", "Danny Boy", "I dreamed a dream" (from Les Miserable)", "Imagine (Beatles) ", "Libertango (Piazzolla)" and "Csardas (Monti)"; together with Japanese traditional songs and songs inspired by Japan.

The concert by Yamauchi was originally organised last November by the Japanese Consul General in Edinburgh Masataka Tarahara as a thank you for the assistance that he had been given by Provost of Inverness Jimmy Gray in organising a reception hosted by the Japanese Consul for local business community leaders in the Town House which is planned for April 26th. Consular officials were working with Council staff preparing to launch the concert when the devastating events of March 11 unfolded and Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded and the country's east coast was devastated by a deadly tsunami which left a huge trail of destruction in its wake.

While the Japanese Consul staff focused on the tragic events taking place at home, the idea of staging a fundraising concert for Japan emerged and it was decided that while waiting for contact to be re-established with the Japanese officials in Edinburgh, the Highland Council's Inverness Festivals Working Group would examine the possibility of staging such a show.

Provost of Inverness Jimmy Gray said: "As the scale of the disaster emerged, our thoughts and prayers were with our Japanese friends and we wrote to them expressing our deepest sympathy. We told them to take as much time as they needed and not to worry about the concert or the reception. We said we would accommodate whatever they needed to have happen and we asked them to pass on our best wishes to the band.

"On Friday we were delighted to hear from the Japanese Consul that not only were the band unhurt, they were very much looking forward to travelling to Inverness and that Mr Tarahara would very much like to proceed with the official reception.

"I am pleased to announce that arrangements have been made for the concert to be sponsored by the City of Inverness Common Good Fund and Eden Court Theatre, as part of the Inverness Festivals Programme, and that every penny made on the night will go to Rotary International's Shelterbox campaign which will provided much needed temporary accommodation in Japan."

Speaking on behalf of the four Rotary Clubs from the City of Inverness, Mike Phimister, President of Inverness Culloden Rotary Club said: "We are clearly delighted that all proceeds from this concert will go towards purchasing Shelterboxes to support those who have been made homeless by the recent devastation in Japan.

"Shelterbox offers temporary accommodation for up to ten people. The box includes a tent, sleeping bags, stove, cooking utensils and tools. It even includes colouring books, pens and games for the younger members of the family who will often be affected in different ways having been made homeless.

"We are pleased to facilitate the collection from the Concert in Inverness and will move quickly to pass on the funds to make sure the all-important boxes are dispatched as quickly as possible and would thank those responsible for selecting our organisation as the one to support the needs in Japan."

Colin Marr Director of Eden Court Theatre said: "We are really looking forward to hosting and supporting this fundraising concert for Japan and having the opportunity of welcoming Tatsuya Yamauchi and Japan New Romantics to the Highlands.

"Tickets for the concert are now on sale at our Box Office and will cost £10 with a concession price of £8 available for Friends of Eden Court. "