Schirm. wins Six bands perform at Okinawa Kaiho Bank Yaeyama Branch Student Band Festival
The "Student Band Festa" (sponsored by the Yaeyama Branch of Okinawa Kaiho Bank), a live music competition for junior and senior high school students living in the Yaeyama region, was held for the first time on the afternoon of the 8th at City Jack, a live music venue in Ishigaki City, with six bands coming together to perform a passionate live show. This time, admission was limited to those involved, and the competition was live-streamed on social media.
The event was planned to support healthy musical activities among junior and senior high school students and to provide a venue for the next generation of young, talented performers to perform. Tickets for 10 people per band were distributed to the venue, and friends and parents of the same generation came to support them.
The competition featured bands with a wide range of individuality, singing current hits, Heisei era hits, and even original songs created on the day of the competition, allowing them to express their individuality through music. After all the bands had finished performing, four judges evaluated each band. After a rigorous selection process, Schirm., a band made up of five first-year students from Yae High School, emerged as the winner. At the awards ceremony, the winners were presented with a trophy and a gift certificate to be used at Marniya Used Guitar Shop, a musical instrument store in the city. Individual prizes for the five categories and participation prizes were also prepared, with hand towels, stationery, and other items being distributed to each band member.
Miu Yamamoto (16), who plays guitar and sings for Schirm., said with a smile, "I was very nervous, but I was able to express myself in a way that matched the atmosphere of the song. I would like to use the prize for winning as equipment in the club room. My dream for the future is to become a singer-songwriter."
Kentaro Nakahodo, manager of Kaigin Yaeyama Branch, who served as the executive committee chairman of the tournament, commented, "Everyone's feelings were expressed in the high level of their playing and singing ability. I was impressed by the lively performances they showed with students of the same generation, and I hope they will continue to work hard and move forward positively in everything they do."
(Photo caption) Band members and related parties who participated in the Student Band Festa = Live House City Jack, afternoon of the 8th
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Excerpt from Yaeyama Mainichi Shimbun