The Min-On Concert Association organized six free school concerts at six different venues in the month of May 2025. The series of concerts is among Min-On’s numerous public outreach initiatives and made possible through the generosity of Min-On supporting members.
The artists and the schools that hosted them are as follows:
Cousin
As their namesake reveals, the Japanese pop duo of Izumi Koga and Hiroshi Urushido are cousins. They held three concerts—one at Tokano Elementary School in Kochi Prefecture, the second at Kuma Junior High School in Ehime Prefecture and the third at Takashiro Elementary School in Kagawa Prefecture—from May 19 to May 21. The concerts drew a total of 650 students and faculty members, who joined in singing with the duo for the final two songs.
Photo of Tokano Elementary School students clapping in rhythm to a Cousin song
Steve Barakat
The talented Canadian composer and piano player Steve Barakat played at the Suehiro Elementary School in Aichi Prefecture on May 21, with some 600 students and faculty members attending. Knowing that Mr. Barakat had celebrated his birthday three days earlier, the concertgoers surprised him by singing “Happy Birthday to You” to the pianist’s great delight. During his informal chat with concertgoers, Mr. Barakatt shared that he was working with UNICEF and learned there were many children in the world who wanted to go to school but could not. That was why he composes songs to encourage them, he explained. (
Photo of Mr. Barakat engaging school kids in an informal chat
Viento
On May 28, the eclectic duo Viento, which fuses the traditional musical instruments of the Andes and the modern synthesizer, performed at the Chausubaru Elementary School in Miyazaki Prefecture. Not only did the entire student body of the school attend, children from a nearby nursery also took part. The duo’s repertoire included their original compositions as well as songs on the English flute and keyboard harmonica that the students are learning in school. As part of the program, some children from the audience tried their hand at a few instruments. (Photo of Viento on stage)
Japan Marvelous
On May 30, the traditional Japanese taiko group Japan Marvelous performed at the Kawasaki Elementary School and Himawari Nursery in Fukuoka Prefecture. Having performed earlier at a vocational school for youth, the drummers drew an audience of some 300. A group of five students and teachers also took to the stage to experience playing the taiko drums. 
Photo of Japan Marvelous on stage
Min-On wishes to thank its sustaining members for making this and other association initiatives possible.
