On Sunday, December 3rd, a group of SFC students conducted Performers In Context (PIC), one in a series of miniature concerts held at Shonandai Station. PIC is organized by 11 students currently enrolled in Prof. Ichiro Innami’s Organizational Strategy (Micro) class offered in the GIGA Program this semester.

In order to find out more about this event, we interviewed one of the main organizers and main performer after one of their events finished.

A first year student of Faculty of Policy Management, performing a solo A first year student of Faculty of Policy Management, performing a solo

Editor’s note: Interviewee requested to appear anonymous.

Interview with a member of Performers In Context (PIC)

—— Great performance! How long have you been playing violin?

I personally have been playing since I was four, so give or take twelve years.

—— What exactly is this event?

We are Performers In Context, and our core vision is to inspire social change using music as a tool. Our particular goal is to donate to the Japan Foundation [in order to help] homeless shelters, and we believe that’s a very powerful cause to work towards.

Three students from different school years raising funds through their street performance Three students from different school years raising funds through their street performance

—— How did this idea form and eventually became something concrete?

We’re doing this for the Organizational Strategy class, and we found out that a lot of us have music backgrounds. Some of us have professionally trained as musicians or [have taken] lessons. We thought it’d be a great idea to continue that into college through organizing performances.

A cello performer of PIC, playing the Harry Potter movie theme, which elicited excited murmurs from elementary schoolers in the audience A cello performer of PIC, playing the Harry Potter movie theme, which elicited excited murmurs from elementary schoolers in the audience

A duet by two of the members A duet by two of the members

—— Is this the first time?

This is our third concert. Our first performance was at Medical Home Granny Shonandai [also known as Benesse Style Care], our second one is at Yatto no Hanare [an izakaya restaurant 350m to the south of Shonandai Station], and our final two are the two performances here.

—— Is there still one more concert?

Yes! On December 17th, we’ll be having our final street performance in Shonandai Station. We always welcome an audience. We’ll probably even have chairs set up for an audience. It’d be great if people can make it.

—— Thank you so much and have a great Christmas!

Their last song of the third performance Their last song of the third performance

Two of the PIC organizers, in charge of compiling feedback and comments from the audience Two of the PIC organizers, in charge of compiling feedback and comments from the audience

Next performance

PIC will be holding their last street performance on Sunday, December 17, from 16:00 to 17:00 near the Christmas tree in Shonandai Station. If you have time, please drop by their event and listen to the Christmas songs they will be playing!