A new form of music
performed by individuality
This unique chorus includes many children from social minorities, such as those with hearing or visual impairments, wheelchairs, autism, and vocal difficulties.
The blind children can sing with their voices, and the children with vocal difficulties wear white gloves to express the lyrics of the songs, hence the name White Hand Chorus.
Turn CHALLENGES into
EXCITEMENTS
El Sistema Connect brings
music to life with children who dare to make a difference,
creating an inclusive future
that resonates from the stage to the world.
Why We Do It: Our Purpose and Passion
Disabilities and poverty impact many children in Japan, limiting their access to music education. Notably, disparities in circumstances contribute to inequalities in cultural experiences. We firmly believe that engaging in music-making provides these children with confidence and self-esteem.
Our Vision and Mission
The Joy of Music for All
The White Hand Chorus sis committed to fostering an inclusive environment, ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds have access to music education. Our goal is to cultivate a society where every person can reach their full potential.
White Hands Chorus NIPPON (WHCN) offers workshops free of charge where children with disablities or economic hardsnip can participate. Using white gloves and sign language, they developed a way to make music visible and accessible to all.
Our workshops are held globally and designed to be accessible including remote learning systems and tutorial videos for practice from home or hospital beds. Another innovation captures music through photography, allowing audiences to see songs in tactile exhibitions — where music can be experienced by sight and touch.
RESULT'S
In 2024, WHCN's inclusive performance of Beethoven's 9th was presented at the United Nations in Vienna and received
overwhelming international recognition. Ine accompanying photo exhibitions were held over seven times, during which more than 600 people from around the world were photographed as part of
the experience. Inis tusion or music, movement, ana visual art nas become a universal language of joy.
519 WORKSHOPS
82% of children with economic challenges reported having no access to cultural experiences in Japan. olg workshops by protessional artists havebeen held tree of charge since 2020
15,185 PARTICIPANTS
have taken part, with over 60% being persons with disabilities. The majority are 6 to 18 years old, ensuring that young people have the opportunity to engage with arts from an early age.
30,941 AUDIENCE
For perrormances, photography exhibitions since 2021.
112 MEDIA COVERAGES
61 newspapers (national and international. 18 TV programs. 11 radio programs, 2 nationally awarded documentary films, and 21 magazines and web media national and international.)
Donation
Join us in making a difference for
a more inclusive society
through music.
Music for all, whether you can hear it or not,
whether you can see it or not.
Our differences empower us. Together,
we will confront invisible barriers using the power of music.
Support and join us on this journey.
