Activities Aimed at Popularizing Music(2)Supporting Musical Activities

  Yamaha Corporation continuously supports music clinics and contests for people that have their sights set on becoming performers as well as for instructors. In fiscal 2011, the Company provided diverse support at The 17th Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy and Festival, 2011 Japan Band Clinic and The 6th Shizuoka International Opera Competition, in all of which participants pursue a high artistic standard. This was achieved by providing musical instruments as well as their maintenance while also assisting with the running of the events.

  Since 2010, Yamaha Music & Electronics (China) Co., Ltd. has been holding training workshops across major cities in China for the wind orchestras of leading schools in each region. Up to 45 workshops were provided by prominent instructors to an aggregate total of 2,800 students in 31 cities by March 2012.

  Siam Music Yamaha Co., Ltd. (SMY) supports musical activities at schools by holding marching band competitions and sponsoring drumline contests. It also stages the “Looktung Contest” every year for junior and senior high school students.

  Looktung is a mix of traditional music and modern pop in Thailand. SMY began to hold the contest in 2000 to provide an opportunity for junior and senior high school students learning Looktung to perform their music.

  With cooperation from local companies and the community, the event has grown into the longest-running Looktung contest in Thailand. The number of schools that took part in 2011, including regional contests, climbed to 127. Around 2,000 people filled the venue of the finals to cheer on the 10 schools selected from the regional contests, making it a huge success.

  Yamaha Music Latin America, S.A. (YMLA), which is primarily engaged in the sale of musical instruments in Central and South America, provides support for music education in the region. The company held “Yamaha Caravana” in Colombia in September 2011, offering participants the opportunity to enjoy Yamaha musical instruments and other products. As part of the project, around 5,000 recorders were given out to visitors as well as students from 116 educational institutions. Fifty of the recorders found their way to children living in the conflict zone of Cauca and a Concert for Peace was staged there.

  Additionally, the YMLA's Branch in Venezuela  is helping music education project of Venezelan government called  "El Sistema^*1" for over 15 years by providing musical instrumens and holding seminars and contests.  The project is conducted by organization called "Funda Musical", formely known as "FESNOJIV^*2".

• *1 A music education system that started in 1975 to promote the sound development of less fortunate youngsters through the practice of music in symphony orchestras by providing free lessons and instrument rental.
• *2 FESNOJIV:Fundacion del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela

Introduction to activities

  Yamaha believes that we are fulfilling our mission to society through these activities as part of our business. We place value on family ties and human relationships in order to give birth to and nurture the warmth of “kando”. We will continue to make steady efforts with such activities that enrich people’s lives.

Yamaha Corporation is keen to help create an environment in which any and all people can enjoy the pleasures of music. With this in mind, we are considering the merits of incorporating the universal design concept into our products and services. In putting forward this concept, we participated as a sponsoring company in the 3rd International Conference for Universal Design in HAMAMATSU 2010 held between October 30, 2010 and November 3, 2010 in Hamamatsu City in fiscal 2010. Based on the slogan and pledge of “music for you, music with all,” we showcased several universal design prototype products at the corporate exhibition corner of the Conference. Buoyed by this sponsorship and exhibition, the Yamaha Group will again consider adopting a universal design approach. Looking ahead, we will put forward proposals that take full advantage of the power and strength of music to help realize a society that is both rich in communication and that allows people of diverse backgrounds and attributes to live in harmonious comfort.