ICPST-42 (2025) Banquet
ICPST banquet is planned on Thursday, June 26 on the 14th floor at Hotel Monterey Himeji from 17:30 to 20:00.
Do not miss the special event to meet with your friends at ICPST with fantastic view of Himeji Castel. The place is in front of Himeji Station. Direction is in the link below.
ADDRESS: 〒670-0927 60 Ekimae-cho, Himeji, Hyogo. PHONE +81-79-224-7111.
Linke to Hotel Monterey Himeji - Google Maps
ICPST Banquet Event Plan (Tentative Plan)
Time: 17:30 - 20:00 MC: Seiji Nagahara (Vice President of SPST)
17:30 - 17:35: Opening Remarks Prof. Takeo Watanabe (SPST President)
17:35 - 17:45: Sake Barrel Opening Ceremony (Kagami Biraki)
17:45 - 17:50: Short speech and Toast Prof. Takumi Ueno (Shinshu University)
17:50 - 18:00: Special guest speech
18:00 - 18:20: Dinner and Networking
18:20 - 19:00: Music Event: Cello Concert with Piano and Koto
Ms. Manami Hirai (Cello), Ms. Yuko Katayama (Piano), Ms Kasumi Watanabe (12-String Koto)
19:00 - 19:15: Music Event: Saxophone Live
Prof. Robert L. Brainard (University at Albany, Tenor Saxophone), Prof. Mark Neisser (Tsinghua University, Tenor Saxophone)
19:00- 19:40: Dinner and Networking
19:40 - 19:55: Comments from Award Recipients and Attendees
The Outstanding Achievement Award 2025 winner: Jos Benschop (ASML)
The Best Paper Award 2025 winners, Jordan Greenough or Robert L. Brainard (SUNY), Tomokazu Umeyama (University of Hyogo)
19:55 - 20:00: Closing Remarks and Farewell Prof. Teruaki Hayakawa (Vice President of SPST)
Live Performance by World-Renowned Cellist Ms. Manami Hirai with Piano and Koto
At the ICPST banquet, we are pleased to have a trio performance featuring the cello, koto, and piano. We hope you enjoy this special musical performance.
Introduction of Ms. Manami Hirai (Cello)
Ms. Manami Hirai is a distinguished cellist who has captivated audiences worldwide. Manami Hirai graduated from Toho Gakuen School of Music and further honed her skills in Germany and France. She has performed with major orchestras such as the NHK Symphony Orchestra and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and has been a guest performer with the Japan National Orchestra led by Kyohei Sorita.
Hirai's versatility extends beyond classical music; she has played in renowned musicals like "WEST SIDE STORY" and "Phantom," and served as the exclusive cellist for the "Arashi" live tour until 2020. She has also performed live with renowned domestic and international artists such as Sarah Brightman, SIGUR RÓS, Eikichi Yazawa, Southern All Stars, and YOSHIKI. Additionally, she has recorded music for dramas, anime, games, and commercials, and appeared on various music programs including NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen, NHK music programs, FNS Music Festival, MUSIC STATION, and CDTV.
Her international acclaim includes performances at the Florence International Music Festival and the Vladivostok International Music Festival. In addition to her live performances, Hirai has recorded music for various media and appeared on numerous music programs. Her debut album "Negai" was released in 2019, and her original composition was featured in a project by Hiroshi Sugimoto in collaboration with SONY and JAXA. For more information, visit her http://manamihirai.net/ or follow her on https://www.instagram.com/hirai_manami.
On the day of the event, look forward to a captivating trio performance featuring the koto and piano.
As a soloist, Ms. Manami Hirai performed in "The Story of Water" at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the Kansai-Osaka Expo (picture above).
She is scheduled to perform in the stage production of "King Lear" starring Shinobu Otake in 2025.
Introduction of Ms. Yuko Katayama (Piano)
Ms. Yuko Katayama graduated from Toho Gakuen College of Music and completed its postgraduate program. She worked as a staff accompanist for the college’s Vocal Music Department before studying
Lied accompaniment in Stuttgart, Germany, where she performed in concerts across the country.
Now active as a collaborative pianist, she performs widely with vocalists and instrumentalists. Her media appearances include BS-TBS’s Nihon Meikyoku Album and TV
Asahi’s The Mozart Music King. She also participates in charity and children’s concerts.
She serves as an ambassador for the Japan Children’s Song Society and is the pianist for the children’s song concerts of Saori Yuki and Sachiko Yasuda.
Introduction of Ms Kasumi Watanabe (12-String Koto)
A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts, Kasumi Watanabe debuted in 2016 with the album Tsutaetai Koto -koto-. She has since released five
albums and one vinyl record.
Her work includes recording for the anime Kono Oto Tomare! (which reached No.1 on the traditional Japanese music charts) and contributing to the music of the global
game Genshin Impact. In 2023, she completed a 70-stop tour across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Known for her solo orchestration style using only the koto, she continues to share its beauty with audiences nationwide.
A trio concert is scheduled as part of this ICPST event.
Himeji Castle view from Hotel Monterey Himeji.
