Today we had the great honor of sharing the stage with the Ichikawa Gakuen Brass Band Club. The club itself is made up of both Junior high and high school students. Yesterday and today we practiced as a group, and then we performed a joint concert together Wednesday afternoon. Each band performed three individual pieces and then we came together to play four more pieces!

We began by playing Melodious Thunk, Riffs for Lenny, and Slava, afterwards it was time for the Ichikawa band to play. Some of their selections included Big band showcase and The Galaxy Express 999, which are both popular repertoire for Japanese music. We then all played the Japan National Anthem, Kimigayo, directly followed by the Star Spangled Banner. It was fun to share the honor of playing both countries’ National Anthem right next to each other. You could feel the power and pride that was felt in both Japanese and American anthems alike. We then played a piece called Spring March which is one of the top selections for Japan’s band repertoire, followed by John Phillip Sousa’s, Stars and Stripes Forever.

Before Stars and Stripes, both WE and the Ichikawa Gauken School showed their respect for one another by the gesture of a gift. It was very thrilling to see and be apart of the interaction that was able to take place to make our ties a little more stronger!

Dr. Hancock being presented a gift from the Ichikawa Gakuen Brass Band Club, along with Dr. Wachmann also being presented a gift.

After the concert both bands were invited to a reception. There we celebrated and shared laughs, joy, and, of course, popular Japanese snacks. It was a joy to converse with the high school students and just have fun on our last evening in Ichikawa. I loved getting to know the students and have some fun with them at the same time before we said goodbye.

Group trombone selfie – Ichikawa and Wind Ensemble Trombone section

This experience has forever made an impact on my life, and I will always have fond memories of the students that I now call friends. These students are so amazing and bright and I am very honored to have had the opportunity to get to know them. I loved talking with them about all kinds of subjects ranging from anything to anything, and making memories while doing it!

Our first interaction with Japanese students was a success and we will come home with so many amazing stories of our time here in Ichikawa.

Wind Ensemble Portion:

Ichikawa portion of the concert –

Shared portion: