By Karryn Miller

Gospel Hiroba
A new Japan-based NGO unites voices for charity

Photos courtesy of Gospel Hiroba

“Sing in unity. Live in peace.” As philosophies go, it doesn’t come much simpler than that of Gospel Hiroba, an NGO which aims to join people together through song while raising money for worthwhile causes.
The nonprofit group was founded in October 2007 by Nana Gentle, a professional Japanese singer who has been hooked on gospel since she was 15. Gentle speaks of being “inspired by its power and beauty, as well as the messages in the songs,” but insists that you don’t have to be religious to appreciate the music.
“I’m a Christian,” she says, “but today I see many [non-Christian] Japanese people who enjoy gospel so much that it sometimes even makes them cry while singing.

“Gospel is not about how well you can sing,” she continues. “Anyone can find themselves in the words and freely express their hearts through singing aloud.”
With Gospel Hiroba, Gentle hopes to harness this energy and use it for a greater good. The group held its first fundraiser event, Charity Gospel Marathon, last May, raising ¥930,000 to open a vocational center in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Working with partner NGOs Minsai Center and Tech Japan, the group subsequently raised money to provide scholarships to 13 Lao children, as well as open a vocational training center to teach sewing to women in Sri Lanka.

The success of the initial concert inspired Gentle to open a music school last June. Called Gospel Square, it has since become the group’s “core activity,” serving as “a place where we can offer opportunities for singing on a continuous basis—not just at a one-time event.”

By all accounts, it’s been a roaring success. Gospel Square attracted 300 members within the first six months, and has continued to grow. Students pay a monthly membership fee of ¥2,500 along with tuition for classes, which cost ¥600 with a Japanese singing instructor and ¥1,200 with an American. “It’s pretty cheap compared to other singing schools,” says Gentle.

There are five gospel classes a week, each of which attracts around 30-40 students. Most participants don’t have any musical background, but anyone can take part, regardless of their age. Students range from teenagers to pensioners, although the majority are 25-40 years old.
“So far we have raised ¥300,000 for charities out of the Gospel Square membership fee, and the amount is sure to grow by the end of the year,” Gentle says.

Preparations are underway for their second charity event, Gospel for Peace Vol. 1, which will be held on April 11 at the Komaba Eminence hotel in Meguro-ku. “This will be the first opportunity for us to present what we really do at Gospel Square,” Gentle says. The first half of the concert will feature performances by the school’s instructors and students, and during the second half, all members of the audience will be invited to take part. Given that around 500 people are expected to attend, it should be quite a show. ¥100 of the ¥1,000 admission fee will go to the NGOs that Gospel Hiroba supports, and attendees will be able to choose which program they would like to donate to, as well as donate more money, if they like.

Gentle’s passion for singing is shared by her students, and she hopes to run more events in the future—for their sake as much as hers. “These days, when people are locked in an office sitting in front of computers all day, many of our members tell me that it gives life to their soul to come to our studio, meet with many others, and sing songs all together.”

April 4, 2pm, ¥1,000. Komaba Eminence. Nearest stn: Komaba-Todaimae (Inokashira line). See www.gospelhiroba.com for more information.

Got something to say about this article? Send a letter to the editor at letters@metropolis.co.jp.

Listen to the Metropolis Podcast, the coolest guide to what goes on this week in Tokyo.

Looking for international friends? Check Metropolis Friends now - it's 100% free!