Ms.Seiko Ojima

In April 1979 the Rotary Clubs of Sasayama and Walla Walla began a sister relationship.  A ceremony and commemorative tree planting were held to celebrate this new union.

In 1998 five female artists came from Walla Walla, along with the annual student cultural exchange.  Barbara, one of the artists and also a massage therapist, stayed in my home.  She is a very charming lady.  During that time, I invited the artists to come to a silver house (elder care home) to attend an informal performance of the Silver Echo Chorus, for which I am the director.  Everyone in attendance showed great interest in the production.  The performers wore kimono style blouses, and the performance included Japanese songs and dance, accompanied by drums and shamisen.

It was that performance which sparked Barbara’s idea of the Silver Echo Chorus performing in Walla Walla.  After much discussion, their proposal included three stages of Japanese songs, overseas songs, and joint songs.  After that I started exchanging emails with Barbara almost every day.  Two Walla Walla church choirs were chosen to participate.  Three songs were performed jointly with the two church choirs, including “Hallelujah”.  The Silver Echo Chorus performed five Japanese songs, such as “Shojoji no Tanukibayashi”.  It was not only challenging to express the scene descriptions, peculiar to Japan, to an English speaking audience, but also to communicate the story told in the original language.  Japanese dance was also used as a visual aid.

When we arrived in Walla Walla, in March 2000, we were greeted by a “Welcome Sasayama” banner and many people, including the mayor.  Posters, with a photo of the previous silver house concert, were posted all over town generating great expectation and excitement. Cordiner Hall, a large concert venue at Whitman College, was filled almost to capacity.  There was thunderous applause and whistle echoes after each song.  At the last Hallelujah, the audience stood up and the venue was filled with a loud chorus.

A big dream like this could only be realized if there was a strong bond of sister cities.  I once again felt that music is a great magical power that transcends words, interacts with people across international borders, and connects hearts to hearts.