The New York Daiku “Ode to Joy” Singers is the music program of the Japanese Cultural Exchange, Inc. (JCE), a 501(c)(3) educational and charitable nonprofit organization established in 1990.

Our mission is to introduce, and foster cultural exchange among Japanese, Japanese‑American, and American communities — strengthening mutual understanding and deepening cultural relationships through music and education.

We have been pioneers in cultural exchange since our founding. In 1990, JCE organized the Japan Day Festival to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the New York–Tokyo Sister City program. Through numerous cultural events, we helped establish a foundation for Japanese cultural outreach in New York and became recognized as trailblazers in this field.

The original Japan Day Festival has since evolved into today’s annual Japan Day Parade, now hosted by the Government of Japan.

Our current program brings together Japanese and American singers to rehearse and perform the choral movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 — a piece that has become deeply rooted in Japanese cultural tradition. Alongside Beethoven’s Ninth, we also explore other classical works using a Japanese-style training method.

Our Music Director Reona Ito and Vocalist & Voice Trainer Masayo Joi are among the rare musicians who can successfully adapt Japanese-style choral training to American musical environments, creating a unique and inspiring learning experience for all participants.

New York “Ode to Joy” Daiku Singers (NYDS) was formed in the fall of 2025 by singers committed to sharing Japan’s beloved Daiku tradition with the New York Community. In Japanese, Daiku literally means “the Ninth” and refers to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony—especially its iconic final movement, Ode to Joy. Much like annual performances of Messiah or The Nutcracker in the United States, singing Daiku has become a cherished year‑end tradition in Japan since the 1950s. Each December, countless concerts are held across the country, some gathering 5,000 or even 10,000 singers, as communities come together to close the year in joy and unity.

Why do Japanese people hold Daiku so dear and continue to preserve this tradition? It is not only because the music is uplifting and festive, but because its message is profoundly universal.

Ode to Joy celebrates freedom, equality, and fraternity—ideals shaped by the French Revolution and deeply connected to the American spirit of striving for liberty. The music calls on all people to embrace one another as brothers and sisters, celebrating the joy of living freely without being constrained by one’s origins.

We believe this universal message resonates not only with Japanese audiences, but with people across the world.

• Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Concert (December) 

We welcome singers from the general public — including those who have never sung classical music before — and provide training that makes classical music more accessible. The annual concert is the culmination of this educational program. 

まだ歌ったことがない人も含めて、一般から広くシンガーを募集し、クラシックをより身近に感じられる音楽教育を行い、その成果としてコンサートを開催します。

• “Ode to Joy” Outreach to Public Schools 

Our professional voice trainer and NYDS singers visit schools to introduce students and PTA members to the meaning and history of the music, followed by singing together. 

プロのボイストレーナーとNYDSメンバーが学校を訪問し、楽曲の意味や背景を学びながら一緒に歌う機会を提供します。