Volunteers Welcome Visitors with Station Concerts (February 15) A corner of Nagano Station turns into a concert hall every day when "music volunteers" take the stage to offer a swinging welcome to spectators and athletes. The volunteer musicians also perform at the Olympic Village, where athletes are housed during the Games. On February 14, the "concert" began shortly after 1 p.m., as a volunteer jazz ensemble filled the station with lilting melodies. People from many different countries waiting for trains and shuttle buses stopped to listen, clapping their hands and moving their bodies in rhythm. A big round of applause greeted the end of each piece. The concert was even a miniature forum for international exchange, as a spectator from the Republic of Korea reached out to shake hands with the female vocalist. "This is a completely hand-made project," organizer Satoru Kamiya said, "with volunteers helping keep the crowd in order. This is so much fun that I might be tempted to jump in and start jamming with the band--but probably not until the last day." (Shinano Mainichi Shimbun)

Volunteer musicians show off their chops at a concert in Nagano Station.

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