On Dec. 31, the Marunouchi Building's grandiose first floor, Marucube, will be filled with the sound of a large choir singing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral."

This symphony is referred to as "Daiku" in Japan and is a favorite classical piece that is often performed at the end of the year. In the summer in 2005, the Marunouchi Female Choir formed to participate in the first anniversary of the "Marunouchi Cultural Encouragement Project" held by the Agency of Cultural Affairs and the NPO Otemachi/Marunouchi/Yurakucho Area Management Association.

The choir consists of female office workers from the Marunouchi area. Last New Year's Eve, they performed "Daiku" with female singers only. Forty new members then joined the choir and a newly formed Marunouchi Male Choir made up of male office workers has also joined the event. On Dec. 31, the two choirs sing "Daiku" together in collaboration with the Marunouchi Silvester Orchestra conducted by Hirofumi Yoshida.

"Marunouchi Daiku Countdown Concert 2006" takes place at Marunouchi Building 1F (Marucube), in front of the Marunouchi Exit, JR Tokyo Station. Starting at 11 p.m., Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (Beethoven) will end around midnight Jan. 1. Admission is free. For more info, call (03) 5218-5100.