Formed by volunteer cabin crew members of Japan Airlines (JAL), the handbell performance team “JAL Bellstar” is continuing rehearsals for concerts to be held across Japan during the Christmas season.
JAL Bellstar’s activities began in 1995 and mark their 30th anniversary this year. Each year a team of eight volunteer cabin attendants is formed to perform at airports and other venues nationwide in Japan during the Christmas season. While the lineup basically changes every year, one or two members stay on to serve as leader or sub-leader and pass on their know-how to new members.
This year, Mio Yamamoto and one other member are returning from 2024. Yamamoto is leading this year’s team. “Being able to see so many customers’ smiles outside of flights, to feel their support firsthand, and to spend an enjoyable time together was truly delightful,” said Yamamoto on her decision to participate again. Although she feels a sense of responsibility and pressure to serve as leader in this milestone 30th year, she expressed her enthusiasm: “As a representative of JAL, this is an opportunity to convey our gratitude to customers. I want to do my best.”
▲Mio Yamamoto (center), returning from 2024 and serving as leader this year
Six first-time members were selected through an internal open call. The group brings rich musical experience, from piano and Electone to Irish traditional music. As a first for the open call this year, applicants were screened via a one-minute video introducing themselves and explaining their motivation.
For the first time in 30 years of activities, a male member has joined: second-year employee Junya Nakao. Encouraged by family members familiar with JAL Bellstar, he applied. Although Nakao has 10 years of piano experience, this is his first time performing with handbells. Unlike the piano, where he plays alone, performing one note at a time as a group was initially a bit challenging, he said. “It’s an exciting chance to interact with people who don’t usually fly. I hope to enjoy myself and deliver performances that our customers can enjoy, too,” he said, looking forward to the day of the performance.
▲Junya Nakao (left), the first male member in 30 years, with leader Yamamoto
This year’s activities began on October 1. At the sixth rehearsal on November 5, all members performed three pieces: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” “This year’s members have outstanding rhythm,” Yamamoto said, impressed with the group’s sense; she added that they had already reached a certain level at the very first run-through. They are refining the performance by making eye contact to align chords beautifully and adding sleigh bells for extra sparkle. A total of 12 pieces are being rehearsed. In addition to Christmas songs, the set list centers on tunes loved by all generations, including children, such as “Anpanman’s March.”
The concert tour will kick off on November 29 at the Otsuka Museum of Art in Tokushima and will be held over eight days at locations across Japan—including Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Hakodate, and Akita—through Christmas Day on December 25. In addition, on November 30 an event will be held in the mockup cabin at Haneda Airport’s training facility, where guests can enjoy the performance while dining on in-flight meals served in business class.
The performance theme the members agreed on for this year is “Ring in the Smile!!! — With gratitude for the 30th anniversary —.” In addition to meaning “to resound,” “ring” can also mean “to call in” and “to ring in the New Year.” “With tones played in unison, we want to call in smiles and spread a circle of smiles,” said Yamamoto. The team is practicing with gratitude so that Christmas and the New Year in Japan will be filled with smiles.
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
