Column

Fruition and Challenge Acquired through an Online Activity 

I was happy to see the great number of audiences and to hear all the positive comments although my program contained only unknown composers’ works. The sound quality was very satisfying, and the stream was stable. But I have two reflection points that I can improve for the future stream concerts. Between the pieces, I started talking so early that the microphone for the talk didn’t capture my voice at the beginning. After editing the video, all the live chat comments disappeared, so from next time, I won’t edit the video so that people can see the live chat comments in the archive.

Time, Number of People, and the Environment Required to Prepare Online Distribution

Preparation for the live stream required about 3 hours, but I had spent more than 3 weeks to prepare the program, and the friend also tested live stream in the similar situation several times.
　We were two people in the room. He set up two microphones, two PCs (one is for checking and for the urgent case), an electric fan, and a flower arrangement on the occasion of Mother’s day.
　He also prepared the lightning and changed the color along with the composers. I think it gave a great effect and was professionally done.

Utilization and Development of Online Live Streaming for Forthcoming Activities

Under these circumstances, in which I don’t know when I can perform in Europe and America again, I will continue doing live stream concerts via Youtube, providing original programs with concepts so that it will be unique every time. I am asking my fans on Facebook what pieces they want to hear, and I’ve got more than 100 requests.
https://www.facebook.com/kotarofukumapianist/posts/2906634559373750
　I’m also considering using the contribution system with which the audience can give contribution voluntarily.

<Program>

Kotaro Fukuma Online Live Stream Concert

• Date & Time: May 10th, 2020 (10 pm in Japanese time)
• Content:
  Program (45 min.):
  Cécile Chaminade: Pièce romantique, Scarf Dance, Danse paysante, Automne
  Fanny Hensel: 4 Songs for Piano Op.8, Introduction and Capriccho
  Minako Tokuyama: Jo no Mai, Flying Birds
• Promotion Tool:
  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Newsletter (in 4 languages: Japanese, English, German, and French)
• Distribution Tool: YouTube 
• Twists to get attention and reactions from audiences:
  – Joint promotions by Ms. Minako Tokuyama (composer), my friend who gave me a space for this concert, and Bechstein Japan (a manufacturer of my friend’s piano).
  – Program dedicated to Mother’s Day
  – Activation of live chat comments on YouTube (invisible now due to editing)
• The number of views:
  891 (at the peak during the live).
  The video has been viewed over 5,000 times afterward and 137 users have subscribed to my channel through this live streaming (as of 15 May 2020).