About Volunteer Activities
Four activity groups
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Hall Arrangement Support Group
Prior to the Competition, this group holds study sessions and conducts hands-on training to ensure every member is thoroughly familiar with the procedures and guidelines covered in the volunteer manual. The members also work as front-of-house stuff (receptionists, ushers, etc.) at the supplementary prize concerts and other events leading up to the Competition. During the Competition, they handle jobs related to hall management by serving as receptionists, hall attendants, ushers, and also by selling the Competition’s official program booklets, etc. Warm hospitality extend by them is highly appreciated not only by the audience but also by all involved in the Competition. Public Relations and Publicity Support Group
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Public Relations and Publicity Support Group
This group publishes a “MAP for the SIMC Contestants” (Japanese version and English version) filled with useful information for the Contestants’ stay in Sendai. The group also publishes a newsletter named “Concerto”, which covers the information related to the Competition from the viewpoint of the general public. Using “SIMC Volunteer Blog” and Twitter, etc., this group also contributes greatly to the publicity of the Competition by providing information on the Competition, on the SIMC volunteers activities and on the City of Sendai.
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Contestants Support Group
Aiming to provide Contestants a place to relax and interact with citizens, this group operates a communication lounge “Koryu Salon”. At “Koryu Salon”, Contestants will also be introduced to Japanese cultures and attractiveness of Sendai City, or can receive messages of encouragement from the audience with the help of translation service provided by this group. Members of this group also help Contestants with any questions Contestants may have and always extend warm hospitality to them. This group also supports operation of the Competition by providing information announcement over the public address system at the Competition venue or working as interpreters at official practice venues, etc.
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Homestay Arrangement Group
Homestay Program is operated by this group to provide accommodation for those Contestants (including those from Japan) who finish competing in the Competition but wish to stay for a few days in Sendai. The group also supports operation of the Competition by serving as liaison-cum-coordinators in scheduling or in providing transportation to and from the venues, etc., to those Contestants who perform at the related concerts. Even when the Contestants are participating in the Competition, warm support is extended by the host family members to the Contestants, which provides the Contestants a great encouragement.
Major activities/projects organized and carried out by the SIMC Volunteer members
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Volunteer Projects
Under the name of “Volunteer Projects”, special events and/or mini concerts are planned and carried out by the Volunteer group members at the time when the Prizewinners return to Sendai for recitals to be given as part of their prizes. During the Competition period, operation of the related concerts to be performed by the Contestants is supported by the Volunteer members.
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Volunteer General Training
Study session/workshops, etc. are held for the Volunteer members to provide them with helpful information. English conversation study sessions or lectures given by inviting experts in the related fields, etc., are planned and held.