New International School (NewIS) had its annual musical at the Box in Box Theater in Minami-Ikebukuro on March 11, which also happened to be the third anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake. In commemoration, the music teachers composed an original song entitled “Believe in Yourself~強くなろう” that was performed on stage by the upper- and senior-school students after a moment of silence.
The lyrics, created by the students with the support of the teachers, were as follows:
She saw her whole life
Crumble away
泣きくずれ
Sometimes in the dark
The path is not clear
迷いながら
でも明日に向かって
You just have to hang on tight
Believe in yourself
強くなろう
希望を持って歩こう
あなたにできること
勇気を持って進もう
Just never give up
Have faith in yourself
Do not be afraid
We are always one
助け合う
We’ll be there for you
You are not alone
負けないで
この日を忘れない
We will always pray for you
Believe in yourself
強くなろう
Following the song, students performed an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “Cinderella,” in which Cinderella recognizes the Prince to be a brute and instead marries a commoner. The musical featured about 90 students from ages 3 to 17 participating as musicians, vocalists, or actors.
It was a memorable day and evening, beginning with the dress rehearsal — which was attended by children from Joy to the World American International Preschool and the Tokyo YMCA International School — continuing with a matinee, and ending with the sold out evening performance. If any school would like to send their teachers and students to next year’s dress rehearsal, please contact Steven Parr at [email protected].
