Junior Original Concert

What is ‘Junior Original Concert-JOC’?

The Junior Original Concert (JOC) features Yamaha Music School students aged 15 and younger from around the world performing their own original compositions. Founded in 1972 on this philosophy, JOC activities have spread to over 40 countries around the world.

JOC is the realization of Yamaha Music School's educational philosophy, “To foster the musical sensitivity that everyone is born with, to develop the ability to enjoy creating and playing music of their own and ultimately share the joy of music with anyone”. Also, JOC is being continuously developed as an activity to realize the infinite potential of children and promote their growth.

JOC celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and enthusiasm during the last 50 years. We will continue to conduct JOC to inspire and encourage the next generation of children as they lead by expressing their individuality through music that transcends  national boundaries.

JOC 50 Years of History

1972

The first JOC (Nemu-no-sato, Mie, Japan)

1974

First JOC performances outside Japan

(Former West Germany, Mexico)

1976

The first UNICEF Charity Original Concert (NHK Hall, Tokyo, Japan)

1981

The first International Junior Original Concert at the United Nations General Assembly in New York

1984

Composition for women's gymnastics floor exercise and synchronized swimming (duet) at the Los Angeles Olympics

1987

JOC celebrates its 100th overseas performance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and on a concert tour of Mexico

Japanese TV program "Original Concert - The Music We Created" begins

1991

JOC 20th Anniversary International Junior Original Concert

The first Asia Oceania JOC (Singapore)

1995

20th Anniversary UNICEF Charity Original Concert

1996

UNICEF 50th Anniversary Concert at UN Headquarters in New York

2001

JOC 30th Anniversary International JOC (Nemu-no-sato, Mie, Japan)

JOC 30th Anniversary Concert (Bunkyo Civic Hall, Tokyo, Japan)

2003

Genichi Kawakami Memorial Concert (Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Tokyo, Japan)

2004

First Yamaha Gala Concert

(Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Tokyo, Japan)

2007

Asia Oceania JOC was renamed Asia Pacific JOC and held regularly

2008

The first European JOC (Italy)

2017

JOC Selection begins

2020

YouTube "Yamaha JOC Channel" launched

2021

JOC 50th Anniversary Concert

(The Symphony Hall, Osaka)

JOC 50th Anniversary Concert

A concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of JOC was held in Japan.

The concert showcased 12 students' learning results from JOC activities.

Also, looking back at the history of the past, the concert featured performances by alumni and former students.

Date

November 23, Tuesday, 2021

Venue

Osaka, Japan

Contents

- 9 performances from 2019-2020 JOC participataed pieces

- 3 performances that participated from over the world

- JOC 50th anniversary piece which was first performanced in this concert

Share your memories of JOC on Social media!

Post your memories related to JOC on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag "#Yamaha_JOC_memories".

Feel free to share episodes, photos, performance videos, etc. related to your composition or JOC activities.

Note

By posting on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag "#Yamaha_JOC_memories", you are agreeing to have your post displayed on the Yamaha Music Foundation (Japan) webpage.