The bus ride from the Ashikaga Heritage Site to the Sakushin High School seemed to be like many others.  All of the students loaded onto the bus and either find a stationary seat or in the case of the coach busses in Japan, a seat in the center isle. Once the bus was moving however, Dr. Hancock announced this bus ride would not be like the others, but we would get a chance to sing karaoke on the bus.

It so happens that karaoke is so popular on Japan that the coach busses all come equipped with two built in karaoke TVs, a microphone that reaches the entirety of the bus, and thousands of song choices.

Songs selected by members of the wind ensemble included “Dancing Queen”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and “Country Roads.”  The students has a blast passing the mic and jamming out.

When we finally arrived in Utsunomiya, we were greeted outside by music!  Both brass and saxophones represented the Sakushin high school band with their pieces.

Introducing us to the school was Mr. Hideyuki Mihashi who arranged our visit to Utsunomiya.  Following a brief information session about Utsunomiya highlighting the city’s fame for its dumplings, gyoza, all of the students rushed off for a joint rehearsal between the Wartburg College Wind Ensemble and the Sakushin High School band. Several joint pieces were rehearsed for the two upcoming concerts on May 10 and May 12.  I cannot wait to spend several more days in this wonderful city, trying many varieties of gyoza and performing two more of our concerts now on the middle of our tour.