Students at Higashimachi Junior High School, the champion among the chorus for 2003 (Courtesy: Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun) The Kuma-Nichi Students Music Competition has been hosted by Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun since 1968, as an annual music competition for students of elementary, junior high and senior high schools in Kumamoto. It is the only general music competition in Kumamoto that invites contestants in piano, violin, wind and string instruments, chorus and solo singing. The skill level of students participating in the competition is very high and contestants are required to perform rather difficult test pieces. The Winners' Concert featuring the grand prix winners among the individual performers of each instrument and the chorus is so popular that each year people stand in the aisles just to listen. With Yatsushiro Mill in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., is one of the local businesses in this area. The Company has co-sponsored the Kuma-Nichi Students Music Competition since 2002 (the 35th competition), as a way of supporting future performing artists. The Nippon Paper Industries Award is presented to excellent performers, and commemorative gifts are sent to all finalists. →Go Back to Major Activities