Thursday was another great day in what is fast becoming an epic trip. It was my pleasure to observe Chihiro teach her general music classes again. She is a delightful person and a wonderful teacher. Chihiro's smile and patient nature make me wish Christian and Emily could have her for class. I have so enjoyed watching her work with students. She exudes joy as she plays piano for students to sing or explains new concepts to the class or moves from student to student demonstrating how to hold the traditional Japanese flute. I hope to model her patient, positive attitude with my students at Western Heights.
I had to take of from school at noon to head to Yokohama for the rehearsal and concert of the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band. Never having been to Japan and not having much lead time to research the cities surrounding Tokyo, Yokohama was a pleasant surprise. A beautiful city that surrounds an inlet of Tokyo Bay. It reminded me of San Diego in many ways. Modern buildings cozying up to a bay spanned by a beautiful bridge. The photos will attest to the contemporary beauty of Yokohama.
The KU rehearsal was splendid and I was greeted backstage by Yuka Honda (pictured above,) coach of the band. Way cool moment #1: She invited me to return backstage after the concert to meet the conductor of the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band, Toshiro Ozawa. Ate a quick dinner and then returned to Minato Mirai Hall (my third incredible concert hall of the trip.) Just in case you are unfamiliar with the KU Symphonic Band, they are regarded as one of the best collegiate bands in the world, on par with Eastman, Illinois, Oberlin, Michigan and North Texas. I just lucked-out in finding the right people to contact to enable me to attend the dress rehearsal and buy a ticket to their completely sold out concert. The performance included Malcom Arnold's English Dances, several works by Japanese composers and..............as a final encore...........The Stars and Stripes Forever!!! (Way cool moment #2.) Way cool moment #3 came when during the Grandioso strain, the point where the brass usually stands up and lets go, The Kanagawa University Marching Band, in full uniform, entered the stage to join the Symphonic band which gleefully encouraged the overall volume way past the "fff" mark. The goose bumps on my arms and hair follicles on the back of my neck were at full attention, and suffice to say, it was just one of those moments that you really don't want to let go. The most surprising thing to me was the reaction of the crowd. Apparently the Japanese speak Sousa too, because they clapped in tempo from the beginning until the Piccolos came forward and from the break strain to the end. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. Were these really citizens of Japan keeping time to our National March? I could have gone back to Oklahoma happy at that moment. The final cool moment of the day came with my opportunity to meet Maestro Ozawa. When I was presented to Ozawa Sensei, I bowed and he presented me with a business card, shook my hand, and asked me a couple of questions through Yuka Honda about my program. I am at a point of not knowing what to say anymore. My life here in Japan has been a big bowl of cherry blossoms. As anxious as I am to get home to LeaAnn, Christian and Emily, it will take a while to come off of the high of my time here.
Friday will be my last day at Yamato Nishi. My heart is already heavy having to leave my new friends.
-k
I had to take of from school at noon to head to Yokohama for the rehearsal and concert of the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band. Never having been to Japan and not having much lead time to research the cities surrounding Tokyo, Yokohama was a pleasant surprise. A beautiful city that surrounds an inlet of Tokyo Bay. It reminded me of San Diego in many ways. Modern buildings cozying up to a bay spanned by a beautiful bridge. The photos will attest to the contemporary beauty of Yokohama.
The KU rehearsal was splendid and I was greeted backstage by Yuka Honda (pictured above,) coach of the band. Way cool moment #1: She invited me to return backstage after the concert to meet the conductor of the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band, Toshiro Ozawa. Ate a quick dinner and then returned to Minato Mirai Hall (my third incredible concert hall of the trip.) Just in case you are unfamiliar with the KU Symphonic Band, they are regarded as one of the best collegiate bands in the world, on par with Eastman, Illinois, Oberlin, Michigan and North Texas. I just lucked-out in finding the right people to contact to enable me to attend the dress rehearsal and buy a ticket to their completely sold out concert. The performance included Malcom Arnold's English Dances, several works by Japanese composers and..............as a final encore...........The Stars and Stripes Forever!!! (Way cool moment #2.) Way cool moment #3 came when during the Grandioso strain, the point where the brass usually stands up and lets go, The Kanagawa University Marching Band, in full uniform, entered the stage to join the Symphonic band which gleefully encouraged the overall volume way past the "fff" mark. The goose bumps on my arms and hair follicles on the back of my neck were at full attention, and suffice to say, it was just one of those moments that you really don't want to let go. The most surprising thing to me was the reaction of the crowd. Apparently the Japanese speak Sousa too, because they clapped in tempo from the beginning until the Piccolos came forward and from the break strain to the end. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. Were these really citizens of Japan keeping time to our National March? I could have gone back to Oklahoma happy at that moment. The final cool moment of the day came with my opportunity to meet Maestro Ozawa. When I was presented to Ozawa Sensei, I bowed and he presented me with a business card, shook my hand, and asked me a couple of questions through Yuka Honda about my program. I am at a point of not knowing what to say anymore. My life here in Japan has been a big bowl of cherry blossoms. As anxious as I am to get home to LeaAnn, Christian and Emily, it will take a while to come off of the high of my time here.
Friday will be my last day at Yamato Nishi. My heart is already heavy having to leave my new friends.
-k
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