UBE Announces 17th UBE Classical Concert — Nurturing Children with Music

UBE Corporation (President: Masato Izumihara) announced today that it will hold the 17th UBE Classical Concert on October 13, 2024. 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.

Specifically, 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 17th 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 SDGs 4, “Quality Education.”

This year, we invited conductor Tsuyoshi Ooi and flutist Ayako Takagi. Ooi has conducted major orchestras around the country , and is also passionate about making music familiar to many people through concerts with talks and concerts for children. Takagi has also attracted attention for her music that transcends genres with her solid technique and unique tone. This is the first time that we have invited a flutist as a soloist at our concert.

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 seek 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.

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 SDGs 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 17th 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 17th UBE Classical Concert

Name	17th UBE Classical Concert Next Generation Music Culture Promotion Project Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Ube Concert
Date & Times	Sunday, October 13, 2024 Curtain rises at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1:10 p.m.)
Venue	Ube City Watanabe Memorial Hall
Performance content	Conductor Takeshi Ooi Soloist Ayako Tkagi, flute Program Suppe: Light Cavalry Overture Mozart: Flute Concerto No.2 in major,K.314 Johan Strauss Jr. : Overture to the operetta <The Bat> Johan Strauss Jr. : Waltz<Viennese Temperament>,Op.235 Mozart: Divertimento in D major,K.136 Rossini: Overture to the opera<William Tell>
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 Wednesday, September 11 Ticket agency Ticket Service, Ube City Foundation for Culture and Art Creation (https://p-ticket.jp/ube)