HARMONY BASKET - 21st annual concert
Naoko Kamihara followed her husband to Cliffside Park when his Japanese employer transferred the family to the Metro/NY office.
Naoko, a very professional amateur violinist sought a way to make new friends and entertain her New Jersey neighbors.
She posted flyers at Japanese grocery stores: "Do you like to sing?" - and included her phone number (no e-mail in those days).
Since the flyers were in Japanese, the replies were from other Japanese women like herself, transferred to a new life in a new world - with a language they studied, but never really spoke. Like Naoko, the women could sing in English - as well as Japanese - and Latin - and Italian.........
Harmony Basket was born 22 years ago. They have entertained at an annual concert for 21 years - and performed at local schools, senior citizens centers and other venues, including Lincoln Center!
Naoko has returned to Japan with her family - but the chorus of her dreams lives on - under the guidance of Mamoru Takahara and the energy of conductor Aya Shimada. And - Naoko is usually back to NJ for the annual concert - though she is busy conducting "Harmony Basket Japan" these days in the Tokyo area.
Seeing (and hearing ) IS believing! Rush over to Teaneck tomorrow afternoon at 4:45! This year's program includes Disney favorites - and Japanese folk songs - Broadway and Hollywood classics - and Japanese popular tunes - as well as some classical works - and a performance by harpist Kaoru Jitsuno.
