Saitama Kaikan Lunchtime Concert No. 64: Spring Holiday Special
Ensemble Performance by Members of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra ~ Movie & Musical Hits with Brass Instruments ~

Monday, March 31, 2025
Start: 12:10 PM (End: 1:00 PM)

Saitama Hall / Large Hall

Brass Quintet by members of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

-Masato Sawada, Moe Matsuyama (Trumpet)
-Yoshiyuki Uema (Horn)
-Naoto Oba (Trombone)
-Yoichi Kondo (Tuba)

Yusuke Takahashi (Piano)
Ayako Noguchi (Narrator)

Alan Menken: Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid
Leonard Bernstein: Selections from West Side Story
(and more)

Saitama Arts Foundation

Subsidy for the Promotion of Culture and the Arts, Agency for Cultural Affairs(Project to strengthen the functions of theaters and music halls) 

Japan Arts Council

Masato Sawada (Trumpet)

Graduated from Tokyo College of Music. As a soloist, he has performed works like Arutunian’s Trumpet Concerto (2014) and Copland’s Quiet City (2019) with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. Winner of the 16th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. Studied trumpet under Naohiro Tsukake. After serving as principal trumpet for the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, he is now the principal trumpeter of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. Member of the brass ensemble “Samurai Brass.” Lecturer at Tokai University and part-time lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.

Moe Matsuyama (Trumpet)

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, receiving the Acanthus Music Award and the Douseikai Award. First prize winner in the trumpet category of the 30th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition, also receiving the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize and the Governor of Tokyo Prize. Finalist in the 14th Tokyo Music Competition Brass Section. Actively engages in solo and chamber music performances.

Yoshiyuki Uema (Horn)

Hails from Okinawa. Graduated from Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts and completed postgraduate studies at Toho Gakuen School of Music. Studied horn under the late Masayuki Yasuhara. Recipient of several awards, including the Sugar Hall New Artist Award, and laureate of multiple Japan Wind and Percussion Competitions and the Japan Music Competition. Former principal horn of the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, now principal horn player for the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. Part-time lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and a member of several ensembles, including the Japan Horn Quintet.

Naoto Oba (Trombone)

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2002, receiving the Douseikai Newcomer Award. Joined the Gunma Symphony Orchestra after graduating, serving as principal trombonist for seven years. Since 2009, he has been the principal trombonist of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. Actively performs as a soloist and chamber musician and has appeared as guest principal trombonist with various orchestras across Japan.

Yoichi Kondo (Tuba)

Born in Chiba Prefecture, began playing tuba at the age of 9. Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music and completed postgraduate studies at Tokyo University of the Arts. Winner of the 24th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition (Tuba Section), among other accolades. Formerly associated with the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, and Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.

Yusuke Takahashi (Piano)

Graduated from Ueno Gakuen University. Winner of the 10th Tokyo Music Competition (Piano Section) and Audience Award. Regularly appears in recitals and concerts, including performances at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Morning Concerts. Collaborates in a two-piano unit, 176 (un sept six), with pianist-composer Atsushi Yamanaka, known for their arrangement of Respighi’s Roman Trilogy.

Ayako Noguchi (Narrator)

Graduated from Ferris University with a degree in Music Arts. Experienced in educational music performances and workshops, she is active as a leader at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan workshops. She also works as a navigator for educational and family-oriented orchestra concerts and produces workshops for international music festivals.