Visualizing the Power of Music – The Making of this Pamphlet

Although we realize the amazing power of music every day, we have yet to find effective ways of communicating it to all
those who are yet to experience it - this was the motivating force behind our project to investigate the “magical” effectorchestras have on children. We surveyed approximately 3,000 students at elementary schools throughout Japan that werevisited by a professional orchestra (through educational programs mainly sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs)
during the 2015-2016 season. The results exceeded our expectations.
Asked their impression immediately after the performance, not only did the children express the “Excitement” “Joy” and“Fascination” they experienced through spending time with an orchestra, but 77 percent found it memorable (“Indelibility”)
and 73 percent felt it triggered an inner change (“Awareness”)!
Two weeks later, we asked the children how their everyday feelings had changed, and 76 percent responded either “I feel
more positive” “Somehow I feel more calm” or “I’ve started enjoying each day more,” confirming that encounters withmusic afford many children feelings of vigor and serenity. Furthermore, approximately half of the children felt moreinterested and motivated about things around them.
The survey results summarized in this pamphlet* document the values orchestras deliver to society in a manner anyone
can see, encouraging us greatly. The Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras will continue to study factors thatenable orchestras to help stir children’s hearts, inspire their actions, and expand future possibilities as we pursue new waysof doing so, and will share our findings with everyone.
*Please refer to the back page for an overview of the survey data.

Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras
October 2016

Acknowledgements
This project was made possible with the warm support and cooperation of numerous organizations and individuals with acharitable mind, in particular the following.
Participation in working groups:
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra; Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra; Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra;
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra; Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Cooperation with surveys:
The teachers and students of 21 elementary schools.
Contributions to this pamphlet (on how music performed by orchestras had helped them expand future possibilities):
Masayuki Oku (Chairman of the Board, Mitsui Sumitomo Financial Group); Kazumi Saeki (Novelist);
Naoki Tsuboi (Announcer, TV Asahi); Yuzuru Hanyu (Figure skater)

Stirring Hearts
These are the results of an in-depth survey of how children were affected from eight perspectives. Students were asked how
they felt immediately after listening to music performed by the orchestra (mostly combined with participatory sessions).

Respondents:
2,944 elementary students (Grades 1~ 6)

Changing Feelings
Children were asked about how their everyday feelings had changed approximately two weeks after their musical experience
with the orchestra. Changes were explored from the four perspectives of “Emotions,” “Relationships,” “Interest,” and“Motivation.”

Respondents:
2,087 elementary students (Grades 3 ~ 6)