User:Stgrlee16/Min-On Concert Association

Min-On Concert Association

The Min-On Concert Association (“People’s Music”) is a Japan-based organization that promotes musical and performing arts exchanges across the world. It has a distinguished history of promoting high-profile cultural exchanges between Japan and other nations and introducing the culture of countries from around the world to Japanese audiences. The range of artistic and cultural styles presented has included everything from European and Chinese opera, to ballet, to the indigenous folk music of many nations, to tango. Every year, on average, they organize over 1,000 concerts across Japan, with an average audience of 1.2 million. Over the years, more than 120 million people have come to Min-On concerts. Min-on was founded in 1965 by Daisaku Ikeda who was at the time the president of the Soka Gakkai. Underpinning its cultural programs is the aim of social and global interrelation and harmony. Min-on reflects Ikeda’s interest in art, music, literature, and philosophy. Some Japanese dismissed Min-On as sectarian in its early history. The perception of the organization changed in the 1980s when Min-On underwrote a tour by Italy’s La Scala Opera, among the first Western opera companies to perform in Japan. Min-On has also become a leading promoter of Latin, folk and indigenous music.

History

Since its inception, Min-on has realized exchanges with more than seventy-five nations. Several large—notably European and American—companies, as well as dance and folk music groups, have been invited to perform in Japan and Japanese artists have given concerts throughout the world. According to Ikeda' narrative, he first articulated the need for a cultural association in 1961 while traveling on his first overseas tour of Southeastern Asia. Ikeda’s secondary goal was to provide affordable cultural performances for Japanese citizens who were still suffering in the post-war economy. Min-on launched its first concert in 1963. In 1966 Min-on established the Tokyo International Music Competition which has conducted artist competitions in the three categories of vocalist, conductors, and chamber ensembles. The Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting is held every three years since its inception in 1967. In the 1960’s and the early 1970’s Min-on sponsored concert tours from cultural groups from Russia, France, Belgium, Argentina, Guinea, Germany, and Italy. It began publishing a monthly magazine as well as sponsoring master classes, performance competitions, school concert series, and tours of Japanese artists to other countries. Among visiting Japanese and overseas performers were the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler, and Mitch Miller and his band.

Organization

Min-on finances itself primarily through a voluntary subscription movement of some 1.2 million people who contribute $5.00 a year (as of 2004). The Min-On Culture Center (Min-On’s National Headquarters) in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, also houses the Min-On Music Museum and Music Library. The president of Min-On is Hiroyasu Kobayashi.