代表者あいさつ

メドフォードの皆様

実行委員長 今村 愛子 (のべおか「第九」を歌う会全体指揮者)

今村愛子 実行委員長 2000(平成12)年8月29日、延岡市とメドフォード市(アメリカ合衆国マサチューセッツ州)は姉妹都市提携20周年を迎えます。私ども「第九」メドフォード公演実行委員会では、これを記念して両市で公演を開催いたします。延岡でのプレコンサートが7月8日、メドフォード公演が8月24日です。メドフォード公演は、延岡フィルハーモニー管弦楽団とのべおか「第九」を歌う会、市政関係者、サポーターの方等を加えて240名の大訪問団となります。
 奇しくも、今年はミレニアム(千年紀)であるとともに、のべおか「第九」を歌う会が15周年、延岡フィルハーモニー管弦楽団が10周年を迎えました。これに延岡市・メドフォード市姉妹都市提携20周年を加えますと、4つの記念日が重なるおめでたい年に当たります。
 今回のメドフォード公演を企画したのは、延岡フィルハーモニー管弦楽団です。彼らは1996(平成8)年10月21日に「第九」メドフォード公演実行委員会が発足しました。両団体とも延岡総合文化センターをホームグラウンドとし、皆様の温かいご支援、ご協力のもとに育ってきた団体です。
 私ども実行委員は、結成以来3年余、月に1回のペースで委員会を開いてうち合わせを重ねてまいりました。3回にわたる現地視察を含めて、メドフォード市側と電話やファックス、電子メールなどで連絡を取り合いながら最終計画案をまとめました。太平洋を隔てての交渉はなかなか思ったように進まず、一時は「無理かもしれない」と弱気になった時期もありました。しかし、いよいよ公演までこぎ着けました。
 当日は「第九」とともに、延フィルが日向出身の長崎大学助教授、三上次郎氏に委嘱した作品、管弦楽のための「遙かなる幻影~Illusion Far Beyond」を演奏いたします。宮崎県北の夜神楽をイメージした曲で、こちらもどうぞお楽しみください。

Dear People Medford

Chairman Aiko Imamura (Medford 2000 Anniversary Concert Committe)

This is an exceptional year. In this year of the Millennium, we are celebrating not only the 20th anniversary of the Sister City pledge between the cities of Medford and Nobeoka, but also the 15th anniversary of the Nobeoka Choral Symphony Group and the 10th anniversary of the Nobeoka Philharmonic Orchestra. On this joyous occasion, the Nobeoka Philharmonic Orchestra, in conjunction with the Nobeoka Choral Symphony Group, is proud to perform both Beethoven's 9th Symphony and a piece entitled "Illusion Far Beyond" for your enjoyment and the commemoration of this historic year. "Illusion Far Beyond" is a piece composed by Dr. Jiro Mikami, currently a professor at Nagasaki University, who hails from Hyuga City, Nobeoka's next-door neighbor. It is a piece which captures the essence of Northern Miyazaki. The planning for this anniversary concert began over three years ago with the formation of the Medford 2000 Anniversary Concert Committee on October 21st, 1996. Since then, the committee has been meeting about once a month and has been in regular contact with organizers in Medford in order to complete the planning for the 20th anniversary concert. We began the search for concert participants and supporters in the fall of last year, and the response has been overwhelming. Participants and supporters now number over 240 people. However, this anniversary isn't only about the concert, starting with the welcoming party the people of Medford have so graciously prepared, and culminating in the anniversary concert, this visit is an excellent opportunity for the members of both of our communities to get together and learn more about each other. On a personal note, the chance to cross the ocean and perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony ("An Die Freude") for you is a wonderful experience for us all that we will cherish for a lifetime. In closing, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the people who have worked for this concert including Mayor McGlynn and Mr. Leslie B. Lewis. We look forward to meeting you!

Greetings From Mayor McGlynn

Michael J. McGlynn (Mayor of Medford)

Michael J. McGlynnOn behalf of all the Citizens of Medford, Massachusetts, I welcome you to today's rendition of Beethoven's Symphony No.9 choral, as performed by the Nobeoka Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. This event commemorates the twentieth anniversary of The Medford- Nobeoka Sister City relationship. In 1978 an idea was born. Although there was a long-standing business relationship between two companies in our respective cities, there existed the opportunity to go beyond the exchange of goods and services. With the assistance of Sister City International, the Mayors and City Councils of both Medford and Nobeoka, a cultural relationship was established in 1980, at a time when Medford was celebrating its 350th Birthday. A 50-person delegation from Nobeoka came to Medford to participate in the 350th program as well as officially signing a Sister City Pact. A ten-foot high Japanese Ishidoro Lantern was presented to the Citizens of Medford from the Citizens of Nobeoka at that time to commemorate this event. This lantern was dedicated and placed on the front lawn of the Medford City Hall where it is proudly displayed. Over the last twenty years we have had scores of cultural exchanges ranging from Pen Pal relationships between grammar school children, yearly home and home stay visits between high school students, teacher exchanges and in 1985 a high school basketball team representing Medford traveled to Nobeoka to play a series of games. These are just a few examples of how this program has worked. It is my deepest wish that as we enter into the new millennium, that this relationship between Medford and Nobeoka will continue to grow and flourish. I want to thank all of those who helped in organizing this great event. I particularly want to thank the 240-person delegation from Nobeoka for making this all possible. I hope all of you will enjoy your stay in Medford and the Greater Boston Area.
Very truly yours,

A Word From Mayor Sakurai

Tetsuo Sakura (Mayor of Nobeoka)

櫻井哲雄 延岡市長I'd like to start by welcoming you all to this evening's festivities. I'd particularly like to thank both the Mayor and the people of Medford not only for your efforts in realizing this concert, but also for the gracious reception which we have been afforded in coming here. 20 years ago, in the interests of friendship and understanding, Nobeoka and Medford were joined as Sister-Cities. Mutual exchange between our two cities has grown and blossomed ever since. In this year of the millennium, the citizens of Nobeoka feel privileged to be able to perform in commemoration of this historic 20th anniversary. Medford is a wonderful city blessed with an abundance of nature and warm, friendly people. The exchange between our two cities is something that all citizens of Nobeoka cherish, and take pride in. The desire for peace and fellowship embodied in Beethoven Symphony No.9 is expressed both in the music, and in the lyrics: "Alle Menschen werden Bruder" (All people become brothers). I am confident that that spirit suffuses us all, and that we can each take this wonderful opportunity to broaden our circle of friends.
Enjoy the show!