PMF 2021 Report

PMF 2021 Live Concerts

After 2 long years, the much-anticipated reopening of the Pacific Music Festival was joyously welcomed by PMF fans in Sapporo and beyond. The Opening Concert began with Bernstein’s Candide overture - a strong signal that the festival had returned. The PMF Orchestra JAPAN, with Academy members from Japan and PMF alumni, performed an all-American program led by alumnus Keitaro Harada. The performance in Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara was presented to an audience, and live-streamed to the world.

Opening speech by Katsuhiro Akimoto,
Chairman of the PMF Board of Directors

The latter half of PMF 2021, however, had to be cancelled when a small number of Covid-19 cases was detected. Preventing any further spread and protecting the audience and performers alike is our highest priority, and so this painful decision had to be made. Our efforts from that point shifted entirely to presenting content online.

Other live PMF 2021 events that were successfully presented prior to the cancellation included chamber concerts in various venues in Hokkaido, Open Masterclasses taught by PMF alumni for local university music students, and “PMF Classical Lab - Secrets of the Orchestra,” a new program designed with young people and newcomers to classical music in mind, and all events were well attended. The Classical Lab explored the inner workings of orchestral playing and conducting, with the PMF Orchestra JAPAN providing demonstrations. Led by MC Arisa Iida and conductor Keitaro Harada, this program proved to be an effective new method of communicating to the audience in a fun and memorable way.

Enjoy scenes from the festival in Sapporo with the PMF 2021 Digital Photo Book!

PMF 2021 Digital Contents

The digital aspect of PMF 2021 included the PMF Online Masterclass program, an educational program for the Academy. Fifty-eight young musicians took online lessons taught by PMF faculty in their respective locations and recorded the lesson videos. Repertoire ranged from solo pieces to orchestra excerpts and even concertos, representing various periods and styles. Some of these Academy members who could not attend PMF 2021 in Sapporo recorded performance videos, showcasing what they had learned in their online lessons. These lesson and performance videos are all available on the PMF website.

Overcoming barriers of language, location, and time, these Online Masterclasses represent PMF’s educational philosophy in action during our pandemic era.

This Autumn, a portion of the paid online content streamed in July will be made available for free!
Starting on September 30, enjoy masterful and imaginative performances by PMF faculty ensembles, and selections from the PMF 2021 Opening Concert!
All streaming content will be available for 6 months on PMF ON DEMAND

Looking ahead - PMF 2022

Preparations for PMF 2022 are now underway, and Auditions will take place this winter, all online.
There is much yet to be determined as we face the possibility of ongoing restrictions and explore the best path forward. Details will be announced at a later date; please watch for announcements on the PMF Facebook page or PMF website.

PMF alumni concert series at Sapporo elementary schools

Since 2016, PMF alumni ensembles have been regularly performing at public Sapporo City elementary schools, as part of a cultural educational program sponsored by the City’s Cultural Promotion Department. Though normally presented at 2 or 3 schools per year, in light of the current lack of opportunity for children to experience live music due to the ongoing pandemic, the program’s 6th season will be expanded to include 9 schools, with the first concert on October 15. An ensemble including Minako Hachijo (flute), Kana Kobayashi (violin), and Tatsuya Shirato (percussion), along with other musicians, will perform a program of popular repertoire tailored to elementary school students.

Photo (left to right): Minako Hachijo, flute / Kana Kobayashi, violin / Tatsuya Shirato, percussion

Help us sustain the standard and quality of the festival!

Providing innovative content with a uniquely diverse mix of nationalities remains the core philosophy of PMF. Your support helps us to continue providing learning opportunities to these young aspiring musicians of tomorrow.
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