The New York Young People's Chorus, which has been applauded around the world, makes its long-awaited visit to Japan! The young voices of New York will tour Karuizawa, Osaka, Tokyo, and Noto. Harmony of Hope" in Suzu City July 25, 26, 29, and 31, 2025

The New York City Young People's Chorus (YPC), an internationally acclaimed youth choir based in New York City, will perform in Japan for the seventh time. This visit to Japan marks exactly 20 years since YPC represented the United States at the World Choral Symposium in Kyoto in 2005.

In addition to Karuizawa, Osaka, and Tokyo, the commemorative tour will visit Suzu City on the Noto Peninsula.

In Suzu City, YPC will hold a concert in support of reconstruction with "Noto Kids Chorus" and "Suzu Children's Chorus Tinkle Bells".

YPC was founded in 1988 by Francisco J. Nunez, a world-renowned conductor and composer, as a place for children aged 8 to 18 to sing together regardless of race, religion, or economic background. The YPC is highly regarded around the world for its outstanding singing ability and artistry. For children from culturally and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds, the YPC is not only a place to learn choral singing, but also a place to develop friendships with peers from diverse schools and to experience acceptance of different values.

This year's program will include works with a connection to Japan, including "Cantus Omnibus Unus" by Ryuichi Sakamoto in memory of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Shuntaro Tanikawa, and "Hope" composed by Toshiko Akiyoshi, a world-class jazz pianist, based on the poem "Hope" written by Shuntaro Tanikawa for YPC's 2013 performance. The performance will include "Hope," a poem written by Shuntaro Tanikawa for YPC's 2013 performance and composed by Toshiko Akiyoshi. In addition, there will be a Gershwin medley and a dance performance using traditional Brazilian music.

The singing voice of YPC, whose activities are centered on multiculturalism and arts education, truly embodies the "power of song to connect the world. Miraculous harmony that can only be heard now. Please pay attention.

Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Concert

About the New York City Young People's Chorus (YPC)

The New York City Young People's Chorus (YPC) is a youth choir known worldwide for its outstanding singing ability and high artistic standards, as acclaimed by the New York Times.

It was founded in 1988 by Francisco J. Nunez, a young man who had just graduated from college. Today, approximately 2,000 children from three states near New York practice once to three times a week after school in classes divided into age groups. Membership is open to elementary, middle, and high school students between the ages of 8 and 18, and a grand gala concert is held every March.

YPC is a place for children from culturally and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds to learn choral music, develop friendships with peers from diverse schools, and experience the acceptance of different values. YPC celebrates its 37th anniversary in 2025. The YPC has commissioned many outstanding composers and has been invited to perform in the neighborhood and around the world. The orchestra has performed at the Smetana Hall in the Czech Republic, the Beijing Opera House, Korea, Canada, Spain, and Switzerland.

The group has a strong relationship with Japan, starting with participation in the World Choral Symposium (Kyoto) in 2005, followed by national tours in 2009, 2010, and 2018 at the invitation of the Min-On Chorus. Furthermore, in 2013 and 2023, they have successfully held solo performances. This year's tour will be the seventh in Japan, with performances planned in Karuizawa, Osaka, and Tokyo.

In addition, the group has been invited to the annual dinner of the Japan Society of New York in 2024, and will perform in the "Japan Day Parade" held every May.

Music Director and Founder: Francisco J. Nunez

Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC)

Outline of the event

Performances

Conductor: Francisco J. Nunez (Founder)

Chorus: Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC)

Noto Kids Chorus & Suzu Children's Chorus Tinkle Bells (7/26 only)

Date, Time, Venue

Karuizawa Performance

Date: Friday, July 25, 2025, 18:30 Concert begins

Venue: Karuizawa Ohga Hall

Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Concert

Date：July 26, 2025 (Saturday), 14:00 Concert begins

Venue：Laport Suzu

Osaka Concert

Date：July 29, 2025 (Tuesday), 18:30 Concert begins

Venue: Sumitomo Life Insurance Izumi Hall

Tokyo Performance

Date：July 31, 2025 (Thursday), 19:00 Concert begins

Venue: Bunkyo Civic Hall, Main Hall

Performance program

First part

Song of Light

　(Chandrika Tandon)

Credo" from "Missa Brevis" in D major, K.194

　(Mozart)

Memories of Summer

　(Words by Akiko Ema, music by Yoshinao Nakata)

Three Indigenous Songs of the Klao Tribe

　(Brazilian traditional music / Arranged by Marcos Leite)

If I Were a Swan

　(Kevin Putz)

Ezekiel, I See a Wheel

　(African American Folk Song / Arr. by William Dawson)

Sometimes I'm Like a Motherless Child

　(African American Folk Song / Arranged by Craig Hella Johnson)

Ten Bandamba

　(Paquito de Rivera)

Flowers Will Bloom

　(lyrics by Shunji Iwai, music by Yoko Kanno)

Part 2

Ue o muite arukou

　(Words by Rokusuke Naga / Composed by Hachidai Nakamura / Arranged by Francisco Nunez)

Notebook for Tomorrow

　(Words by Machi Tawara / Composed by Koh Matsushita)

Hope

　(Lyrics / Composed by Shuntaro Tanikawa / Arranged by Toshiko Akiyoshi)

Gershwin Medley

　(George Gershwin / Arranged by Matt and Adam Pod)

A New Day in the Sun

　(Justin Huetz, Pasek & Paul / arr. Baylin Vargas)

Sit down! The boat is rocking!

　(Frank Loesser / arr. Baylin Vargas)

Keep dancing!

　(Steve Schwartz, Pharrell Williams, Kenny Loggins, Dean Pitchford / arr.)

Cantus Omnibus Unus

　(Ryuichi Sakamoto)

Imagine

　(John Lennon / arr. Jim Papolis, Francisco Nunez)

Ticket information

Karuizawa and Tokyo Concerts / All seats unreserved

Adults 5,000 yen, Students (University and under) 3,000 yen

Ticket PIA P Code 299776

Osaka Concert / All seats reserved

Adults 5,000 yen, Students (University & Under) 3,000 yen

Ticket PIA P Code 299891

Sumitomo Life Insurance Izumi Hall Ticket Center

06-6944-1188 10:30-17:00 (closed on Sundays and holidays)

Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Concert in Suzu City

Admission free / Inquiries: Chorus Yagi: 090-1630-4083 (cell phone)

Sponsored by New York City Young People's Chorus (YPC)

Sponsored by] Sony Life Insurance Company, Totsu Co.

Consulate-General of Japan in New York, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, The Japan Club, Daikin Industries, Ltd.

Official Website

About the Japan tour: https://www.almond-music.com/portfolio/ypc

About New York City Young People's Chorus (YPC): https://ypc.org/