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Sapporo Broadcasting Chorus, Sapporo, Hokkaido, JAPAN

Sapporo Broadcasting Chorus is a non-professional chorus for mixed voices
that was founded in 1942 by Japan Broadcasting Corporation(NHK) Sapporo Division.
At the first time the chorus was founded as a female chorus
and in 1948 the chorus was reorganized as mixed voices.
Now the chorus is independent of NHK.

There are about 80 members in the chorus,
who have various occupations such as company workers, public servants, doctors,etc.
The chorus holds an audition for accepting new members.

The chorus practices twice-weekly (basically on Monday and Thursday evening) at NHK Sapporo studio
and the main activity is an once-yearly regular concert of its own.
And the chorus often performs with Sapporo Symphony Orchestra,
that is the only professional orchestra in Hokkaido prefecture.

In the past Sapporo Broadcasting Chorus has performed many works
not only Japanese chorus pieces but also pieces such as the Requiem by Mozart, Brahms, Faure, Verdi, J.S.Bach's Mass in B-minor, etc.

In 49th regular concert 1998,
the chorus performed J.S.Bach's Matthew Passion (following photograph)
with Sapporo Symphony Orchestra and nationally famous soloists.

Also the chorus performed at the Pacific Music Festival(PMF) many times
since it was founded by Leonard Bernstein in 1990.

In 1992 commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Munich-Sapporo sister-city relationship,
the chorus visited Germany and co-performed J.S.Bach's Mass in B-minor
with Munich Amateur Orchestra Associations in Munich "Gasteig",
and also had an own concert in Heiderberg "Heiliggeistkirch ".

The chorus was awarded "Hokkaido Koro" prize in 1993 that was the most honorable prize in Hokkaido prefecture.

Conductor and music adviser
Sapporo Broadcasting Chorus have worked with various conductors.
Particularly the chorus was awarded many prizes with SHISHIDO Goro, who has been a principal conductor since 1970 until now.
OSANAI Isao has been a music adviser since 2001, who is a president of Hokkaido chapter of All Japan League of Chorus Associations.