A Concert in Matsushima Coffee in Nagoya Japan

The other day, we held a concert by melodica and guitar, at Matsushima Coffee in Nagoya. Since relocating to Japan from the UK, it was our first full program performance in a long time. Initially, another melodica player was supposed to join us, but due to an unexpected illness the day before, we had to change the program at the last minute.

Along with the songs we've previously performed, we also played some pieces that, for various reasons, hadn't been showcased before. Each song holds a special place in our hearts, and we had a wonderful time sharing our music with the audience.

We hope to continue performing little by little, and we appreciate your ongoing support.

Date: 22 Jun 2024 Start 16:00

Venue:松島珈琲 (Matsushima Coffee) 〒464-0073 名古屋市千種区高見2-11-2シンワビル
Admission: Donation

Performer: Ayumi Toyama (Melodica) Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar)

Programme:

Part I

1. M. Mirzayev - Lyrical Piece & Dance No.1 (from Six pieces based on Azerbaijani Folkloric Materials)
2. Bulgarian Folk Song - Vida Vido Byala Vido, Dilmano Dilbero
3. Templeton - Mozart A La Mode
4. Crimean Tatar Folk Song - Bahçalarda Kestane
5. Aşık Veysel - Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayım

Part II

1. A. Khachaturian - Two Funny Aunties Argued
2. R. Koarashi - A Bird Flying Over Mountains
3. G. Gasanov - Seven Lyrical Pieces based on Dagestan Folk Themes
4. R. Sakamoto - The End of Asia

After the Concert, "Music for a while"

Date: 12th May (SUN)
Time: 19:30～
Venue: East Finchley Methodist Church
High Rd., London N2 8AJ (opp.Creighton Ave)
Admission: Free Collection in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice

Programme:

Part I

1. Music for a While - H.Purcell (Vo, M & G)
2. Notturuno Op.37 - F. Molino (Vn & G)
3. Abendempfindung - W.A. Mozart (Vo & P)
4. An Chloe - W.A. Mozart (Vo & P)
5. Violin Sonata no.5 (Spring) - L.V Beethoven (Vn & P)

• I. Allegro
• II. Adagio Molto espressivo
• III. Scherzo: Allegro molto
• IV. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo

Part II

1. Pastime with Good Company - Attib. Henry VIII (P, A, U & C)
2. Frog Galliard - J. Dowland (M & G)
3. Fine Knacks for Ladies - J. Dowland (Vo, M & G)
4. Se Florindo e Fedele - A. Scarlatti (Vo, M & G)
5. Elegie - E. Satie (Vo & G)
6. La Statue de Bronze - E. Satie (Vo, M & G)
7. Pastorale - I. Stravinsky (Vo, M & G)
8. Sari Gelin - Folk Song (M & G)
9. Schafe Können Sicher Weiden (from Hunting Cantata) - J.S. Bach (M, Vn, Vo & G)

A=Andes, M=Melodica, G=Guitar, U=Ukulele, Vn=Violin,  Vo=Voice(Mezzo Soprano), C=Cajon, P=Piano

Performers:

Viola da Cunha (Mezzo Soprano)
Ayumi Toyama (Piano/Melodica/Andes)
Junko Ishigaki (Violin)
Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar/Ukulele)
Satomi Hori (Cajon)

After the Tea Time Concert at AGE UK

Pocket Penguin(s) performed for a tea time concert at AGE UK. There were about 50 elderly people and we could play in a very warm and nice atmosphere. We especially enjoyed their participation with singing for Hymn from Jupiter. Thank you very much and we hope to come back again.

Date: 14th Feb, 2019 (Thu)
Venue: AGE UK

Performers:
Ayumi Toyama (Piano/Melodica)
Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar/Melodica)
Junko Ishigaki (Violin)

Programme:

Part I
1. Sonatine Op. 70 - A. Diabelli (P, G & V)
2. A Bird Flying Over Mountains - R Koarashi (G & V)
3. Romanian Folk Dances - B. Bartok (G & V)
  i. Stick Dance
  ii. Sash Dance
  iii. In One Spot
  iv. Dance from Buscum
  v. Romanian Polka
  vi. Fast Dace
4. Four Short Pieces for Violin and Piano - F. Bridge (V & P)
  i. Meditation
  ii. Spring Song
  iii. Lullaby
  iv. Country Dance

Part II
1. La Cumparsita - G.M.Rodriguez (M, G & V)
2. Hymn from Jupiter - G. Holst (M, M & V)
3. Pachelbel Canon - J. Pachelbel (M, G & V)
4. Libertango - A. Piazzolla (M, G & V)

M=Melodica, G=Guitar, V=Violin, P=Piano

After the Concert at St Mary Church in Finchley

Thank you for coming all the way. We really had a great time to perform and hope you all enjoyed as well.

Date: 9th Feb (SAT）
Venue: St Mary Church at Finchley
Hendon Lane, London N3 1TR

Performers:
Ayumi Toyama (Piano/Melodica)
Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar/Melodica)
Junko Ishigaki (Violin)

Programme:

Part I

1. Sonatine Op. 70 - A. Diabelli (P, G & V)
2. A Bird Flying Over Mountains - R Koarashi (G & V)
3. Le Montagnard - N. Coste (G & V)
4. Four Short Pieces for Violin and Piano - F. Bridge (V & P)
  i. Meditation
  ii. Spring Song
  iii. Lullaby
  iv. Country Dance

Part II

1. Jangi - U. Hajibeyov (M & G)
2. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach (M & G)
3. La Cumparsita - G.M.Rodriguez (M, G & V)
4. Romanian Folk Dances - B. Bartok (G & V)
 i. Stick Dance
 ii. Sash Dance
 iii. In One Spot
 iv. Dance from Buscum
 v. Romanian Polka
 vi. Fast Dace
5. Londonderry Air - Irish Trad. (M & G)
6. Hymn from Jupitar - G. Holst (M, M & V)
7. Pachelbel Canon - J. Pachelbel (M, G & V)
8. Libertango - A. Piazzolla (M, G & V)

M=Melodica, G=Guitar, V=Violin, P=Piano

Pocket Penguin(s) Concert on 9th Feb 2019

Pocket Penguin will be performing with a violinist, Junko Ishigaki. Hope to see you there.

Date: 9th Feb (SAT）
Start: 6:30pm　
Venue: St Mary Church at Finchley
Hendon Lane, London N3 1TR
(please do not go to church hall it will be held in CHURCH!)
Admission: Free (donations are welcome)

Performers:
Ayumi Toyama (Piano/Melodica)
Junko Ishigaki (Violin)
Ryusuke Koarashi (Guitar)

Programme:　
Trio for Violin, Guitar and Piano Op 70 (A. Diabelli)
Romanian Folk Dances for Violin and Guitar (B. Bartok)
Four Short Pieces for Violin and Piano (F. Bridge) Canon in D for Violin Guitar and Melodica (Pachelbel)
and more.

Melodica Club Concert in May, 2015

Melodica club is going to have a concert in next month. The programme will include repertoires in quite diverse styles as Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Film, Jazz, Bossa nova, and more.

Fee: Admission Free (Donation Only) Free drinks will be provided.
No under 5s.

Performers: Ayumi, Ryusuke, Rika, Yumiko, Satomi (Melodica, Guitar, Vocal)

Date: 17th May 2015 (SUN) 14:00 -15:30

Venue: Holy Trinity East Finchley Church
Church Lane, East Finchley
London N2 0TH

Contact: ukmelodica@gmail.com

Arrangement Score of ‘The Merry-Go-Round of Life’

The score of ‘The Merry-Go-Round of Life’ also became available to purchase from here (Japanese). This piece is asked to arrange by a member of Melodica club to include in the ensemble’s repertoire. I arranged it rather polyphonically as well as Carrying You, to make it idiomatically more effective and enjoyable for all the players. Three parts seem to work very good for melodica ensemble, when the register of the instrument is quite limited and the timbre is very sharp and prominent—that can crush in their overtones making a dissonance, whilst three is the minimum number that still can keep “triadic structure”.

Please feel free to ask us if you have a problem for purchasing with their translation of Japanese.

Related Article - Joe Hisaishi – The Merry Go Round of Life, for Three Melodicas