Savannah Philharmonic's Keitaro Harada receives one of Japan's Highest Musical Honors

SAVANNAH, Ga. - March 17, 2022 - PRLog -- (SAVANNAH, GA / JAPAN) Keitaro Harada, conductor for the Savannah Philharmonic (https://savannahphilharmonic.org/), received the Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award (https://www.smf.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/smf_e_10.pdf) last month in his native Japan.

This award is presented each year to two promising young musicians – one a conductor, as in Harada's case, and one a cellist. In addition to international recognition, the award includes a plaque and a significant financial prize of about $50,000.

The Sony Music Foundation established the Hideo Saito Memorial Award in 2002 to honor the late Saito, a renowned cellist, conductor and educator.

"We are so excited to see Keitaro receive this award, further proof of the international quality of musical talent the Savannah Philharmonic brings to our mission of building community through music," said Dr. Amy Williams, SavPhil's executive director.

The committee said it selected Keitaro because of his vast musical knowledge and training gained from living abroad and training under wonderful mentors. It cited the courage he shows as music and artistic director of the Savannah Philharmonic and how he has improved the importance of music in the Savannah region.

Harada is now in his third year with the Savannah Philharmonic. Previously, he completed his fourth and final season as Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops (https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/pops/). He has performed extensively in Asia, Europe and North America.

ABOUT THE SAVANNAH PHILHARMONIC
The Savannah Philharmonic is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization of more than 60 professional musicians who are dedicated to bringing the "Soundtrack of Savannah" to all of the various communities and neighborhoods of Savannah and the region. Joining them on this mission are the 60-plus voices of the Philharmonic Chorus. The Philharmonic, or SavPhil, performs under the baton of Keitaro Harada. The SavPhil conducts an extensive and far-reaching educational mission in Savannah and the surrounding area, all the while building community and forging bonds with the unifying power of music. To learn more about Savannah Philharmonic or the Link Up program, please visit www.savannahphilharmonic.org, call 912-232-6002, or email info@savannahphilharmonic.org. Offices are at 1515 Abercorn St. Stay engaged with Savannah Philharmonic on social media by using the hashtag #SavPhil.

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