Videos, pictures and text by Paul Miller (ptmiller448 (at) gmail (dot) com)
What a fantastic New Year celebration for 2018! From Thursday December 28th until January 2nd, my wife and I had the extreme pleasure of being a host family for Tachibana students. Something we had looked forward to experience was about to come true!
On December 7th we found out who our guests would be during a meeting of all 128 host families. After a few days we were exchanging emails and Facebook-messages with three wonderful young ladies. They are not current band members, but alumni chosen from the great 112th class, the class that went to the All Japan Marching Contest National Finals in 2015 and came back as GOLD winners. We had received profiles on each person and along with our emails we had a very good feeling about these students. Still students, as all three are now in second year of college.
I really don’t have any idea where to start, like the commercial says…”too much good stuff”. One thing I now realize as I reflect on this experience is that they taught me more than I perhaps taught them. All of us benefited from this experience in so many different ways.
A question I see all the time is: “Do they know how good they are, and that people allover the world are crazy about them?”. The simple answer to this is “YES”, but they don’t flaunt it. NO egos at Tachibana. They celebrate their good fortunes among themselves and the school. The only concern they have is to provide a quality presentation of music, dance and marching.
We couldn’t wait until the December 30th to meet our “roomies” so we stopped by the last day of practice at Anaheim Stadium on Thursday and watched four hours of intense, hard, “make you sweat” practice. The one thing I will never forget is the sound this group has. Sure the band was “spiked” with about 50 alumni, but it was fantastic, clean and balanced between brass and woodwinds, without blowing hard just to be loud but a controlled dynamic sound.
Click picture to watch video
The next day on the December 29th we did Disneyland… another fantastic presentation, and then on December 30th we were at the Bandfest, where they received three standing ovations… enough said!
We officially picked up our guests that evening and had a nice but late dinner at home. They were exhausted and about midnight they called it a night. I told them to sleep in for they had no place to be… or time to be there… to do anything for anybody. So sleep in!
Over the next two days we tried to show them “life in America”. We did horseback riding, shopping, dinner out twice and lots of time talking music, time in the pool and jacuzzi… and sitting in L.A. traffic. These three ate like crazy… double burgers, fries and more fries… Mexican combination plates with chips and salsa, desserts… and their first “brain freeze” as they drank down margaritas, alcohol-free of course, just a little too fast.
Every time we picked them up they were still in their uniforms, so some laundry was necessary, I walked in the laundry room and saw their uniforms ready to be washed. It caused me to stop and reflect that when they were wearing the uniform, they were Tachibana… from head to toe. Out of uniform, dressed as normal 20 year olds do they were just kids like anywhere else. They never bragged or boasted about their success, in fact they never talked about the band at all, unless my wife or I asked a direct question. They have the separation of both worlds down pat. Picking them up from the Rose Parade they climbed in the back seat and promptly fell asleep, they give it all when in uniform.
The next day we took them back to their hotel, then on to the high school for that night Benefit Concert. That’s when the reality hit home that this was coming to an end, and the tears started to flow. Most 3rd year students knew this, and between the farewell gifts and hugs between students and host families… talk about “crying a river”… we all did!
Click picture to watch video
After “The Stars and Stripes Forever“, they realized they needed another encore piece. Drum Major “Ron” strongly suggested (we could hear her) to Tanaka-sensei what she wanted the band to play. She wanted the band to finish big, with a flourish. Tanaka-sensei agreed, gave the band a few instructions, checked with “Komare” on drums (because this was going to start with her) and they broke into the last part of “Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)“. The audience went crazy, the band started to stamp their feet, wave to everyone, scream and yell… “Tippi” grabbed a tambourine and danced to her hearts content in the left front corner of the stage, and everyone played like there was no tomorrow, because there wasn’t. This was it… last song, last concert.
A concert for the ages, no one on stage, or in the audience, will ever forget this night.
God Bless Tachibana!
(see more pictures here)
Paul, you have been so kind to me with answers about Tachibana SHS.
I have 2 more. First what is meant by (dud gold). Second, class references are 114th or 112th and so on. How does the class number relate to the calender year that they graduated.
Thank you.
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Paul, you have come thru again. The judging and award system is a bit different. As for the class numbers If one adds 3 to the last digit of the class number that should give the last digit of the calender year. Example (class number 114 would be 2017). Hope I’m correct.I am really missing KT videos this year with all the new members. Have to go back to older years to get my daily fix of these amazing youngsters. I’m 80 years old and I hope I will be in good health to come see them when they return to the Rose festivities.Thank you for all your help.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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Hello Paul,
I’ve been a fan of KT SHS Band for about 6 months now having stumbled across one of their competition videos randomly on Youtube. I’m now a 100% loyal fan.
I wanted to say a huge thanks to you and your wife for such a wonderful post about your experience hosting 3 of the band members (alumni) when they visited the United States for Bandfest – it was a real insight and I know you both felt enriched by the exchange as I’m sure did they.
I watched the recording of the benefit concert last night with the insight that the students were coming into the audience to seek out and say goodbye to their hosts and it was so moving! I was welling up myself thinking about the emotions you and they must have felt and I lost it completely when I saw them in pairs suddenly run together when they spotted their hosts! I’m a bit teary even writing this and thinking about it. I’ve never seen that happen in England and it was such a lovely idea to do!
It was also great to see DM ‘Ron’ actually playing in the band instead of leading it and you could see how emotional and proud she was. That whole trip will be something that stays with them forever and you and your wife were a part of that. I know that fans sometimes have their individual favourites such as Penguin-chan who is, sadly, graduating in December but they are all great and I love them collectively. I would be ecstatic if they could come to England soon and participate in the Lord Mayor of London’s show (currently in its 804th year!). Can you imagine them marching past Buckingham Palace and Big Ben?!!?
Well, I better get on with some work now but I wanted to tell you how much your post is appreciated by me and, I’m sure, every KT Band fan around the world.
With my very best regards,
Ian
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omg I’m crying, the last concert must be really, really very sad.
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What is the purpose of the mall parades? I have noticed there are many bands other than KT that do these parades. Are they pre announced? The photographers seem to be there in great numbers. Some people seem to want to crowd by them. I have seen in other remarks that the students call this “contact sports” I keep watching videos of the 2018 Rose Parade and just to see the connection and reaction of the crowd says more than words. Between Band Fest, Disney, Concerts and the parade, these youngsters absolutely owned Pasadena.
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John Travis-san Read you comments about the crowd reaction at the RP, One video that I really enjoyed was the one recorded by the Green Band Association. This one video was at road level, where one could almost shake hands with the crowd. I felt like I was part of the band, and watched their reaction to the crowd’s applause. I have seen many videos of the RP from ever angle, and height. but I liked this one the best. arigatou
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I agree. I have watched that video many times just to watch the crowd.
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Paul-san…. Will send you contact ASAP. I am on Tweeter, and facebook. If you are on either of these, I could contact you there. If not I will contact you email.
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Paul
Thank you for your response. These youngsters absolutely astound me. I shared the Sakura parade with my daughter who was in a high school marching band and the steps starting at the 5:28 mark just amazed us. How they can even keep the instrument in or at their mouth while playing and jumping like that.
Your reference to an accident waiting, I worry about the flute players. They seem to be the ones most vulnerable.
I have been caught in the Tachibana vortex and I love it. These young people will brighten any day.
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Oh my goodness, I loved reading this so much. Whenever I feel sad, I just play a Kyoto video and I magically feel better. They are darling young ladies (and young men) so talented.
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Each time I watch these amazing youngsters, I come up with more questions. The band changes in numbers from year to year. Does that account for the different number of flag carriers? How are the flags and banner girls chosen? I’m pretty sure they play instruments for concert. I imagine the school provides the uniforms and instruments. Do they handle the care and cleaning?
Since the band is a club activity then performances such as parades, festivals, and competitions would be after school hours or weekends. Who absorbs the cost of transportation? They seem to travel on charter buses.
Thank you. I’m sure I’ll have more.
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Thank you so much for the information. I watch as many videos of these amazing youngsters as I can find. Can’t wait to see what’s new for this year.
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About the “flags and banner girls”. I was curious about this as well. Then I spotted one of the current “flag girls” in a video where they were cheering from the stands at a sporting event, and she was playing the oboe.
As a former oboe player I can say for sure that any double reed instrument would be far to fragile to use with the type of dance marching that the Kyoto Tachibana SHS Band performs.
They are just so mad talented these kids.
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What a weet behind story !!! thanks for posting it !!!
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Thanks for posting your article. Adds a lot more insight into the band and its members.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I found out about this band only a few days ago. I found it interesting that this band has so many fans from all over the world for ”just” being a high school band. But then again if i watch other marching bands this has a lot of different elements to it.
A new fan from the Netherlands. 🙂
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I am from West Virginia and have become an avid fan of these amazing youngsters. I first found them in the Rose Parade and after researching them and watching many of there performances, I am now hooked. This may not be the right place for my questions, but I’ll try. Some of the girls have a drape on their left shoulder and I assume that designates a class or rank. Second, on there right sleeve there appears a different colored ribbon. Perhaps same reason. Third, in the Rose Parade there was a tall guy dressed in black in front of the main body of the band. He does not appear with them in any other parades. I did notice that the other Japanese bands also had a person dressed the same. They wore a sash with the color of the band.
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Because no one will reply. in my poor English・・・・
The third question is, he is Yokoyama coach. He belongs to the Green Band and is a coach of ｍarching. He is also teaching marching of many high schools other than KT. Every year he lead the Green band at the Rose parade.
About him, please read the interview of this site.
I’m sorry, I can not understand your first and second questions. （the uniform of DM？） Can you point out specific scenes?
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Thank you for your reply. As for the other questions, The DM wears a shawl that covers both shoulders. Some. not all, of the other girls have a shawl on their left shoulder. Just wondered if there was any particular meaning for this. As for the different colored ribbons on the right sleeve, I cannot locate the video where I noticed it. I watch videos of this amazing group every day. They just make my day. I worry about their parades in the malls. Do they ever have contact with anybody in the crowd when they march and dance. A bumped instrument into the mouth not so much fun.
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The shawl on the left shoulder is part of the uniform. Some members don’t wear it though as it would be cumbersome with their instruments. Ribbon on the right sleeve is worn in AJBA competitions and it indicates that the person is part of a competing band.
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Thank you. Each time I watch a parade or show, I see something different. Even a couple times when somebody lost a shoe. They made nice recoveries.
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I am somewhat slow in replying. Thank you very much for the information. Whenever I watch them march through the mall it amazes me that there no collisions with bystanders. The way the students sway, dance and turn in close quarters it seems inevitable. Sometimes they get stopped or split apart by the commuter trains. Each time I watch them (over and over) I discover new details. I have to get my Tachibana fix every day.
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Thank you Paul for sharing this and show us a bit more of whats happening “behind the scene”. I would love to see more of their work before and after shows to. I know there’s hard work behind every success and it is always fun to see a glimpse of that when ever we can.
I’m a KT-fan living in Sweden so my chances to se them live is very slim I’m sorry to say but I will give it a go when I go to Japan next time. I didn’t know about them when I was there in August last year, but stumbled upon a video when I was searching for videos from Kyoto when I got back home.
One question, do the girls you had as guests still play on in a college band or studying music? I think that if you are so involved with something like the KT band you will have a great big abstinence for more when you have to leave.
And how did they felt about being back in the orange uniform again? 🙂 Cheers!
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Paul: Hello long lost Bloger. This is the first time I’ve been back to the blog in about a month. Since the flood, and exams at KT, there haven’t been much activity. I did read your reply to Peter, about your adopted daughters, and was happy to hear, they are doing great. Do you think they will come back to the US to visit? It would be great for you and your wife to see them again. arigatougozamasu
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Paul: I was happy to hear from you. If your adopted daughters intentions are to go out dancing, and If you are my age, yes, you are in trouble. Maybe you could introduce them to a lot of those famous Southern California ooey, gooey, cheesy pizzas; The pizzas should lay heavy enough on their stomach, they will not be able to go dancing. You could throw in a couple of milk shakes also. If this doesn’t work, you could go visit Japan, instead of them coming here. Now, two of the oldest are college students, but the youngest daughter is still at KTSHS? Best wishes, and I know we will hear from you again, and when the girls come back in 2019, we would love to hear about the visit, if you survive the dancing. arigatougozamasu .
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Paul: Just now received your post. The pizza in So. California muse be better than Japan, if the girls like it that much. I am still searching you tube for new videos, but looking at old videos. Best to you and wife. arigatou
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Paul-san: Don’t say no more, that sounds so good. Now, I know why your step-daughters are travelling all the way from Japan–pizza, and, of course, to see you and your wife. When I was living in D.C. well in Arlington, Virginia, there was a little Italian place on 24th street, N.W. had the best pizza in all Md., DC, and Northern Virginia. He was so busy, I had to place my order hours ahead. I don’t know where he got his cheese, but it was a creamy yellow bubbling up on top, with a smell that slowly wangled down the block. I couldn’t wait to get up for work, knowing that that Italian place was cooking my pizza.
I haven’t found any new KT videos, so I went to the man, Dr. Tanaka-sensei, facebook page, and downloaded one of his recorded videos, It really sounds good, especially with headphones. I found that if i put the headphones on, and open my mouth, it gives an echo sound. You should try it. arigatou
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Paul: I totally agree. I also believe the school had become concerned over the various videos.(my opinion) Maybe they came to realize that things was getting too much out of hand. With the TV media, both in the US, and Japan naming the individual members of the band, which is verboten according to the 5 part interviews, the advisers decided to limit video coverage. I know that a lot of KT outdoor events were cancelled due to bad weather, like an earthquake, and heavy rain. The parents could have voiced their concerns also. During Dr. Tanaka-sensei years at the school, video of almost every event was recorded.
Tanaka-sensei will have a birthday on the 16th August, just thought I would throw that in. I wonder how many of those taking KT event videos, was making money, showing them on YOU TUBE or other outlets. I don’t know maybe I’m all wet. I think we might see more new videos this fall and Christmas. arigatou
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Doug, I have a best friend living in MD.
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You had the experience of a lifetime and I thank you for sharing. The students of Tachibana Senior High School Green Band are amazing! I’m in New York but follow them on You Tube. They always leave their audiences with smiles after a performance and tears when they leave for home. Long live The Orange Devils!
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Yes thank you for sharing. I always wondered what the band did during down time and thanks for sharing. It’s hard to believe that they are in high school and have had an amazing impact around the world. I am glad to hear they are well grounded and have a great attitude about their success. They are the best. Again thanks for sharing
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Gary nice to hear from another east coaster. I am in Maryland and a huge fan
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I get teary eyed when the students go into the audience and hug their host families. A very touching moment. Such wonderful young people
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Wonderful story of you and your wife’s experience with your Tachibana guests. So glad you shared with us your experience with them. I think they may know that America loves Tachibana. I’ve always enjoyed the segment where the students go out into the audience to say a final goodbye to their host families. It’s a touching moment. I especially liked one of the videos on YouTube that showed the students in a park having lunch. I searched for it again but couldn’t find it. It was up close views of smiling faces while the enjoying hamburger’s and Lays potato chips, my favorite chips. Hope to come across it again.
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Actually Paul, “Anonymous” above is me, Les Blankenhorn. We’ve talked back and forth in comments sections of other Japanese High School Band Videos. I’m new to this fan page and before I realized it, I sent my comments through without giving my name. I so envy you and you wife being a host family to Tachibana alumni. Seems like once an Orange Devil, always an Orange Devil. I haven’t yet found that video segment of the band in a park having a meal. It may have been taken down, but I’ll keep looking. I’am a retired Radio Broadcaster, and I’ve broadcast perhaps a thousand High School Sporting events over a 38-year period of my 40-year career. I’ve witnessed many very good High School Bands during football season with their pregame and half-time shows, but none comes close to the Orange Devil’s marching and dancing abilities. They are the very best! Their Concert performances are as good and any professional orchestra. I’am also a big fan of “Tippi”. She has the biggest and brightest smile when performing. Her enthusiasm rubs off on everyone who witnesses this fabulous band. “Komare” on drums is another who always has a bright smile on her face. Everyone looks like they truly enjoy entertaining their audience. I look forward to seeing more YouTube video’s of them during the year.
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I have followed Kyoto Tachibana SHS band since 2012, and have enjoyed every performance. I can see why they eat so much. All that dancing, and having to play at the same time will make one eat. When I played trumpet in the band, I was lucky to walk a straight line,but to do what they do. I had tears in my eyes watching the 2018 band concert at John Kennedy HS. Their performance, and solid sound, put a lot of University bands running for the exit. In Japanese elementary schools, music is part of the curriculum. Can’t wait for the next you tube video.
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