Project summary
Isabella a cappella is a vocal ensemble based at Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW.
The 'Hana Wa Saku' friendship tour will establish new friendships between the choir and communities in the Miyagi prefecture with performances in Natori, Sendai and Minami Sanriku.
The 'Hana Wa Saku' friendship tour will promote awareness of the special friendship that exists between the choir's hometown of Lismore and Japan and the history of how Australia's first sister city connection came to be established between Lismore and Yamatotakada, Nara in 1963.
The project title 'Hana Wa Saku' refers to the song of the same name which was commissioned by Japanese broadcaster NHK to promote awareness of the 2011 tsunami and earthquake disaster. The lyric translates as "flowers will bloom" and is about recovering from loss and rediscovering hope and optimism.
Isabella a cappella will feature a new a cappella version of "Hana wa saku' on their new CD and will perform the arrangement as part of each live concert. In the spirit of the "Hana Wa Saku" project established by NHK, all net proceeds of CD and online sales will be donated to tsunami and earthquake relief charity.
http://www.isabella-acappella.com.au
Key dates: 2015 Japan Tour between 5 and 25 November 2015.
Total project value: $79,060
Australia-Japan Foundation grant: $27,500