PICKBOY baton installed in the conductor's room of the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra in Hungary

As part of its efforts to support the development of music education and conducting culture, PICKBOY delivers sample sets of baton sets to music organizations and educational institutions around the world. A PICKBOY baton has been installed in the conductor's room of the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra in Hungary.

This was made possible thanks to the cooperation of Toshifumi Kanai, a member of the group, and we received warm comments from everyone involved.

"Our orchestra frequently receives guest conductors not only from Hungary but also from other European countries, America and Asia, so we hope to introduce them to a wide audience."

The photo shows a commemorative shot of the PICKBOY baton on display in the conductor's room and everyone involved.

About the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra, Hungary

The Szolnok Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra based in Szolnok, located in central Hungary, and leads the local cultural activities. It holds regular concerts, inviting renowned conductors and soloists from both Japan and abroad, and is also actively involved in educational programs and international cultural exchange.

Official website:https://szolnokiszimfonikusok.hu/

Profile of Professor Toshifumi Kanai

After working at the Hungarian National Operetta Theatre of Budapest, he is currently the principal conductor of the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra in Hungary.

In 2016, he received a special prize at the Aram Khachaturian International Conducting Competition, the Jomo Arts and Culture Award from the Jomo Shimbun, and the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Overseas Diplomatic Mission Award for his work in Hungary, an unusual achievement for someone in his 30s.

In Europe, he has performed with major orchestras from around Hungary, including the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, the Liszt Chamber Orchestra, and the Hungarian State Choir, as well as with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra (Germany), the Salzburg Orchestra Soloists (Austria), the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra of Finland, and the Sinfonia Cracovia (Poland).

He has performed at concerts such as the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (Berlin Philharmonic) and the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (Vienna State Opera). He collaborates with famous artists every year. In July 2025, he performed at the Osaka Kansai Expo with the Chamber Orchestra of his alma mater, the Liszt Academy of Music.

He studied at the Faculty of Music at Toho Gakuen College of Music and the Graduate School at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, and graduated with the highest honors from the Graduate School of Conducting at the Liszt Academy of Music, becoming the first foreign graduate in history to receive a diploma.