ESS Online Events 2024-25
In 2024-25 we hosted a series of seven online events from November 2024 to May 2025, including workshops, concerts and the new ESS Brunches, open to players of all levels. The season featured internationally renowned teachers and explored everything from traditional honkyoku to anime tunes, composing techniques to meditation practices.
Event #1: ESS Sunday Brunch
Date: 3 November 2024
Teacher: Kyle Chōmei Kamal Helou
Level: All levels, especially beginners and elementary players
Content: Ro-buki practice, open session with technique discussions and performance feedback, teaching of Watazumi no Shirabe by Watazumido
Event #2: Composing for Shakuhachi
Dates: 10, 17 November & 1 December 2024
Teacher: Chris Molina
Level: All levels, no prior composing experience required
Content: A beginner’s guide for turning ideas into music. Three-session course covering creative strategies for generating ideas, problem-solving techniques, and participant composition presentations with group feedback
Event #3: ESS New Year Concert
Date: 19 January 2025
Level: Open to all
Content: Annual online gathering featuring ESS members and guest performers, including workshop teachers from the online event series. Preview of World Shakuhachi Festival 2025 with invited performers and information from the WSF2025 Planning Committee
Event #4: Intermediate/Advanced Workshop
Dates: 15-16 February 2025
Teachers: Zenyoji Keisuke (Japan, Kimpu-ryū Nezasa-ha), Christopher Yohmei Blasdel (USA, Kinko-ryu/Chikumeisha), Martha Reika Fabrique (USA, Mujuan/Jin Nyodo), Jean-François Suizan Lagrost (Europe, Shin-Tozan-ryū)
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Repertoire:
- Zangetsu (sōkyoku, Kinko-ryū Chikumeisha) – Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
- Mujushin Kyoku (honkyoku, Jin Nyodo) – Martha Reika Fabrique
- Takiochi (honkyoku, Jin Nyodo) – Martha Reika Fabrique
- Shishi (honkyoku, Nezasa-ha Kinpu-ryū) – Zenyoji Keisuke
- Kangetsu (honkyoku, Nakao Tozan, 1911) – Jean-François Suizan Lagrost
Event #5: ESS Sunday Brunch
Date: 2 March 2025
Teacher: Hélène Seiyu Codjo
Level: All levels
Content: Ro-buki and chakra meditation, daily warming-up routine and technical exercises, teaching of Nyoi Chōshi (from simple to original version, working on phrasing and ornaments), participant performances and feedback
Event #6: ESS Sunday Brunch
Date: 4 May 2025
Teacher: Horacio Curti
Level: All levels
Content: Ro-buki practice with detailed commentary and strategies, technique and practice organization with exercises, improvising with the shakuhachi (different approaches, strategies and exercises), open Q&A session
Event #7: Anime & Movie Tunes
Date: 17 May 2025
Teacher: Seimo Yamaguchi
Level: All levels
Content: Teaching of anime and movie tunes including Princess Mononoke, Ringo Oiwake, and Suzume. Demonstration of 7-hole shakuhachi (including You Raise Me Up), though teaching conducted on traditional 5-hole shakuhachi
All events were held online via Zoom and featured recordings made available to participants for two weeks following each event.