22 Years of the Green Band Association as told by the founder Yuzuru Kumagai -san

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GBA has announced that the 138th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2027 will be the last expedition supported by them after which the organization will be disbanded. Click here for the relevant blog post.

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Interview and text by Rei’ichirō Fukuno (Wikipedia)
All pictures by GBA, All rights reserved

Green Band Association official website is here and Facebook here.

Also car entertainment magazine “GENROQ” has written an article on GBA, click here (picture of the article courtesy of Orange Fairy).

Yuzuru Kumagai’s Twitter is here, Instagram here, and YouTube-channel is here.

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Shirakawa-gō in winter

Click here for Kumagai-san’s article on moving to and living in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Village of Shirakawa-gō. Another story of interest by him is here, how Tachibana was saved by a cup of soba.

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22 Years of the Green Band Association

The Kyoto Tachibana SHS Wind Music Band (KT) reached a wider audience abroad through YouTube videos, which were in turn the result of the the Green Band Association’s (GBA) visits to the United States and activities there. The GBA members include the founder of KT’s Wind Music Band, KT’s marching director, and an alumna of KT. Past graduates of KT have been responsible for choreography for GBA’s US trips, and so on – both groups have a deep and abiding relationship. Let us take this time to briefly explain what this “mysterious” GBA is all about.

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Green Band Association:

The Green Band Association (GBA) is a Japanese non-profit organization aimed at international exchange by students. Thus far, it has dispatched Japanese high school students and graduates to the Rose Parade twelve times. Though not as well-known, the GBA Band also went to Florida and Paris eight times. As with KT, all members of the the school’s Wind Music Club and their alumni have participated in the Rose Parade. However, the cost they must pay out-of-pocket to do so is no small sum, and the venture cannot sustain itself unless 100 or more members participate. As a result, the project tends involve recruiting high schoolers and alumni from numerous other schools and forming an ad-hoc marching band for the purpose of the visit.

There are three key programs that are generally launched on these overseas GBA expeditions. The first is performance at Disneyland, the next is home stay program, and the third is charity concert. The educational theme of the activities is learning about raising profits from concerts and fundraising, protecting the environment, and other charitable acts. The name “Green Band” is emblematic of this mission. Over 22 years and 27 trips overseas, the GBA program has had over 2,800 children participate.

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Founder Yuzuru Kumagai (熊谷讓):

Yuzuru Kumagai after Tachibana 2025 Rose Parade expedition

The founder of GBA is Yuzuru Kumagai -san, who is also its chief representative. He was born in Kyoto in 1969. His parents managed a Yamaha music school in Kyoto, and he undertook gifted classes in piano and violin from the age of four at their urging. During his elementary school years, he was a mezzo-soprano in the Kyoto City Junior Children’s Choir and played the trumpet in the brass band club of Kyoto Municipal Okazaki Junior High School. He went on to Kyoto Prefectural Rakuhoku High School, where he played the trombone. At the time, Kumagai-san was the only member of the brass band his own student class year, so he found himself outnumbered by the others.

He became so entranced with practicing for the Wind Music that he did not pass his university entrance examinations, and entered the Japanese branch of Phillips University, an American school, where he assiduously studied English. After his second year of exams, he was able to enter the night course at the Doshisha University Law School. During the day, he worked part-time at a retail center, using his English ability to become the top seller to inbound tourists. After overcoming hundreds of obstacles, he was able to transfer into the day course as a regularly matriculated student.

While studying the law, he developed an interest in international exchange and support, and formed a student group geared at humanitarian activities for people in Central America. He went on to Doshisha University’s graduate program in law and graduated at the top of his class. Instead of his first choice, a position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he took a post at a private sector company focusing on international exchange, mainly responsible for student overseas training and study abroad programs. He also took part in some home stay programs in the US.

In 1997, on a visit to California on his honeymoon, he saw a marching parade of American high school students at Disneyland for the first time. He was impressed by the striking figure of the boys walking with their chests stuck out and performing with gusto. He thus gave his business card to a Disneyland employee and immediately asked what he would have to do to put on a parade at the park. Perhaps because Kumagai-san was in his usual suit and tie, the park representative graciously shared the right contact information with him. (*1)

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Early years:

Sendai SHS Green Band, December 1998

In March 1998, as part of company work, he formed the first Green Band with seven members, among them students from the brass band of Sendai Minami SHS. Under the tutelage of Jun’ichi Naitō -sensei (a leading Japanese composer of songs for wind instruments) and Noriyuki Shikano -sensei of St.Ursula Gakuin Eichi SHS, they visited a nursing home and held a charity concert at a church in California.

In December of the same year, he traveled to California with a larger version of the Green Band, consisting of 33 students from the Sendai SHS Wind Music Club. There, they performed a concert at Disneyland. In addition, the group held charity concerts at local churches. In March 1999, 51 students selected from junior high and high schools in Miyagi Prefecture went to the United States to hold a concert. On this occasion, the funds raised from the concert were pledged to a relief fund for the California desert tortoise, which was on the verge of extinction.

The terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 put an abrupt halt to Kumagai-san’s international exchange activities. He resigned from his workplace and assumed a position at a branch of Temple University in Japan, traveling between the two countries. He later went on to hold roles such as the editor of a magazine and designer, as well as open a ramen restaurant in Kyoto. (*2)

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Disney Parade era:

Click picture to watch video

In 2004, seeking to resume his lifelong dream of international exchange, Kumagai-san founded the NPO Green Band Association by himself.

On trips around Japan to other schools, he happened to meet Hisashi Hiramatsu -sensei (1935-2021) and hit it off with him. Hiramatsu-sensei was the vice chair (later the chair) of the All-Japan Band Association and also the founder of the KT Wind Music Club. Kumagai-san asked him to become honorary president of GBA. At the recommendation of Hiramatsu-sensei, Nobuko Hatai -san, a KT alumni (95th Class percussionist) who participated in KT’s 1996 expedition to the Atlanta, also joined GBA (for more information on her, click here (English translation) and here). The group also entered into an agreement with Hirofumi Yokoyama -sensei to lead the marching. (*3)

From left: Kumagai-san, Hatai-san and second from right Christensen-san, with Kyoto Bunkyō High School

In December 2004, the Wind Music Club of Akashi Kita SHS in Hyōgo Prefecture went to the United States as the “Green Band,” and the Disney Parade was finally realized after seven years of effort. On that trip, Kumagai-san met Emiko Christensen -san, a American-Japanese who lives locally there. Since that time, she has served as GBA’s program director and offered unflagging support.

Christensen-san (second from left), Kumagai-san (right)

From 2005 to 2007, 124 members from KT, 11 from Sendai SHS, 90 from Izumo SHS, 101 from Kansai Honor Band, and 89 from Kyoto Bunkyō went to the United States under the name of the Green Band, playing shows there and making charitable donations in California and Florida.

Kyoto Bunkyō High School Green Band in Florida in March 2007

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Rose Parade era:

In October 2006, the Midōsuji Parade (御堂筋パレード), arguably the Japanese version of the Rose Parade, was held in Osaka, Japan, with 10,000 performers from 93 organizations, and 1.23 million audience members. The chairman of the 2007 Rose Parade and Rose Queen were invited as guests from the U.S. Kumagai-san considered this a sterling opportunity. He put on a dark suit and went to visit the chairman, handed over a business card, and pitched GBA’s achievements in the field of international exchange. The chairman was impressed by this enthusiasm and said, “Got it. If you want to participate that much, feel free to audition.”

The auditions for the Rose Parade are screened through video footage. This was a major opportunity for Kumagai-san. He is a skilled videographer, with shooting and editing abilities that rival a professional’s. (*4)

Akashi Kita High School Green Band in Rose Parade 2008

Click picture to watch video

The Green Band, organized by Masayuki Taketani -sensei of Akashi Kita SHS, sailed through the video auditions for the 2008 Rose Parade, and the 180 members, under the leadership of Yokoyama-sensei, drew the cheers of the audience at the Rose Parade on January 1 (see videos by GBA Archives above and below).

Click picture to watch video

Click picture to watch video

Henri Soucy -san, an accountant, and also Band Booster at John F. Kennedy High School, is a GBA supporter who volunteered to arrange homestays and plan concerts for Japanese students for 12 years since the 2008 trip to U.S. Next to him in the photo below is Yurina Konishi -san, who was the Drum Major in the 2020 Japan Honor Green Band. She is an alumna of Akashi Kita SHS and is now a teacher at Himeji Ciy Shikama Higashi JHS (姫路市立飾磨東中学校) in Hyōgo Prefecture and the chief advisor of their wind club (she led the club to National Gold in the 32nd All-Japan Marching Contest in 2019, click here). When the band was performing “Takarajima”, she was playing clarinet and sitting in front of one Color Guard in the center front row (see the video at the end of the article).

Konishi-san and Soucy-san

The following year, they resumed their usual exchange program at the Disney Parade and concerts. The Rose Parade approached them, asking why they did not audition that year. The organizers strongly encouraged the group to reapply the following year. Ever since then, since 2010, GBA has gathered together numerous students from schools around Japan and led them as the Green Band to auditions for the Rose Parade, passing with flying colors for eleven years in a row. It has now become an abiding custom for this marching band out of Japan to travel to the Rose Parade each year as the GBA.

Mr and Mrs Kelley have been housing the students and giving them gifts since 2008

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Practicalities of the expeditions to Rose Parade:

Kansai Honor Green Band in Rose Parade 2010

The 12-day expenses associated with traveling to the Rose Parade are approximately JPY400,000 (=USD3700) per student. Those who wish to participate must pay for this out of pocket. Yet such a cost for these overseas trips is quite steep. In addition to round-trip airfare and transport costs for the musical instruments, there are hotel expenses for ten days (high rates due to the holiday season), costs for several tourist buses to transport members and staff, and expenses to rent trucks, and drivers, to store instruments for twelve days. Given the difficulty of breaking even on these ventures, when the project posts a net negative balance, Kumagai-san has topped up the balances with his own funds. (*5) GBA also offers a system to aid students who cannot afford to make the trip themselves.

Kyoto Tachibana in Disneyland in December 2011 (for Rose Parade 2012)

Naturally, GBA has its share of supporters. Japan Airlines helps members secure tickets, discounts, and substantial exemptions from excess baggage charges imposed on large instruments in exchange for having small patches sewn on uniforms. The founder of a national chain of restaurants in Japan is also a supporter of GBA. About 250 Green Band uniforms, the design of which was overseen by Yokoyama-sensei (the uniforms are quite similar to his own) were created thanks to donations from this patron. Moreover, this patron asks for nothing in return. Born as an orphan, this eminent figure struggled in childhood poverty and only obtained an elementary school education. When he reached adult age and married, he and his wife opened a small cafe, the cuisine of which started to draw attention, and he decided to open a restaurant exclusively serving that food. Before long, it was a hit. They gradually added more shops to their roster, and over the span of 28 years, it grew into one of Japan’s leading chains of national restaurant. This patron has ceaselessly donated the proceeds of this business into the promotion of music. He has helped build a concert hall and loaned it out, and purchases Stradivarius instruments to lend to talented artists (Ryū “Brian” Gotō and Tarō Hakase). He has pledged instruments to 100 junior and high schools nationwide. There is no one in Japan who has not heard of the delicious food served at his restaurants. Yet it remains little-known that he has offered such ceaseless support to high school brass bands. While many people like to talk about their accomplishments, there are few who would stoically pledge funds without seeking any recompense. This patron is, like Kumagai-san, someone truly deserving of our respect.

Nagoya Minami High School Green Band in Disneyland in December 2013 (for Rose Parade 2014)

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Memories of the 2011 Rose Parade:

GBA owes its existence to the support of many patrons who have empathized with Kumagai-san’s enthusiasm. Over 22 years of overseas trips, there have been many trials and tribulations, of course.

Northern Japan Honor Green Band in Disneyland in December 2010 (for Rose Parade 2011)

For the 2011 Rose Parade, it recruited applicants under the name of the North Japan Honor Green Band. However, there were not many participants from Northern Japan, and ultimately they also recruited participants from the Kansai region. In the end, half of the 192 members were students from schools in the Kansai region (Western Japan).

However, upon going to the United States and practicing at Angel Stadium, the idyllic and laid-back attitude of kids brought up in the Tōhoku and Hokkaidō regions (Northern Japan) did not mesh well with the more hot-tempered, active style of kids from the Kansai region. Students from Western Japan said, “We won’t put on a good live show if we’re relaxed all the time” while those from Northern Japan said, “The kids from Kansai are always getting flared up about the slightest thing – it’s intimidating!” This incident finally swelled and involved the teachers, with the band fracturing into two camps. Miraculously, the program went according to plan and they returned home. On March 11th, 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami rocked the Tōhoku region. The Kansai members were stunned to see the news. Many of the members who had played alongside them in the United States were, after all, from the Tōhoku region. “Our friends and loved ones are there…” Yet the phone lines were jammed. The home of one member, who had walked the Rose Parade with them and lived in Sendai, was totally destroyed by the tsunami. The Kansai members took the initiative to help support those in the stricken regions. They performed on the streets and collected donations and pledged them to the GBA. Everyone instantly put aside any problems they had had on the US trips.

Kumagai-san reflects on that time: “The high school band members who walked in the Rose Parade with us also raised funds and pledged them to GBA. I was so grateful, I cried…” “Each year, after going on these trips and working hard, I come home to find my four daughters tell me, “Dad, you’ve aged a lot again.” But each year is an amazing experience, and I always want to go back and do it again with everyone. I’ve been doing that for twenty years”

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Final words:

Over the span of 22 years, the Green Band has had 2800 people on its roster. The audience, the performing students, the staff, the teachers, Japanese people, Americans, VIPs, local firefighters impacted by their donations to resolve forest fires, and many others find the Green Band’s performances a joy to watch – and saying goodbye is always hard. In this way, Kumagai-san, a devout Christian, has succeeded in turning US-Japan relations into a rich source of joy for all.

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Future of the GBA:

Japan Honor Green Band after the “Olympic Year Celebration Concert” in January 2020

This format for overseas programs formally concluded on January 2020 with the expedition of the Japan Honor Green Band. GBA’s activities going forward have not yet been announced, but GBA and Kumagai-san plan to continue supporting schools and bands joining the Rose Parade.

The video below is the encore performance of the Japan Honor Green Band Benefit Concert, and the last performance of 22 years of the Green Band history (the band plays “Takarajima” by The Square). This was shot and edited by Kumagai-san and publishing is limited to this page.

Click picture to watch video

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Footnotes:

(*1) Kumagai-san’s habitual outfit is a dark suit, white shirt, and necktie.
(*2) Kumagai-san’s ramen shop had to close after a few years, but for the next ten he dined at more than 1,000 ramen shops all over Japan, becoming a specialist writer on the subject of ramen. He will publish a new book summarizing those experiences.
(*3) Since 2004, Yokoyama-sensei has led the marches during GBA expeditions. The selection of schools to visit, the tracks to perform, and the choreography to use, as well as the uniforms, all are deeply influenced by his advice. It has been an abiding tradition for eleven years since 2010 for graduates of KT to handle choreography for the Rose Parade.
(*4) Kumagai-san takes a video camera with him on every GBA trip and records everything in faithful detail. He then spends about six hours editing it after returning to Japan and turns it into a set of three to five DVDs/BDs, distributing it to participants and their parents/guardians. The copyrights to that footage vest with GBA, but for the countless background tracks and special footage therein, usage is allowed only on a private basis. GBA cannot make this video content public without the the students, schools, and other parties appearing in it giving their consent for use of their right to likeness (portrait rights). Moreover, students and schools cannot themselves publish this content without the consent of GBA. Therefore, these videos have not been made available for sale to the general public or posted on social media. Once, in 2019, who posted a short version (3 BDs) of footage from the 2018 Rose Parade but the majority of students cherish this DVDs/BDs as private memories of a special time.
(*5) Over the last ten years, Kumagai-san has enjoyed great success as a day trader, and he uses these proceeds to support GBA.

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Complete Green Band Association activity chronology 1998-2019:

(1) March 1998:
Sendai Ensemble Green Band (centered on Sendai Minami SHS students)
California, US（charity concert at a local church）
The number of participants: 7
“California Forest Greening Charity Concert”
(Supported by the Miyagi Prefectural Wind Music Federation)
Conductor: Noriyuki Shikano (St. Ursula Gakuin Eichi SHS)
Instructor: Jun’ichi Naitō (composer Miyagi SHS)

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(2) December 1998:
Sendai SHS Green Band
California, US (concert at Disneyland Fantasy Land Theater/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 33
“California Desert Turtle Relief Charity Concert”
(Supported by Miyagi Prefectural Wind Music Federation, Sendai City International Association, and other sponsors)
Conductor: Masami Hoshina (Sendai SHS Wind Music Club)
Conductor: Kōji Yanagisawa (Sendai SHS Wind Music Club)

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(3) March 1999:
Miyagi Selected Green Band
California, US (Concert at Disneyland Fantasy Land Theater/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 51
Miyagi Prefectural Band Association 40th Anniversary Event “California Desert Turtle Relief Charity Concert”
(Supported by Miyagi Prefectural Board of Education, Miyagi PTA Federation, Sendai PTA Council, Miyagi Prefectural SHS Cultural Federation, and other sponsors)
Director/Conductor: Naoka Mitsuka (Chairman of the Miyagi Prefectural Brass Band Federation, President of the Tōhoku Brass Band Federation)
Conductor/Instructor: Toshihiko Mizuguchi (Sendai Mukaiyama SHS)

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(4) December 2004:
Akashi Kita High School Green Band (joint with Hyōgo Prefectural Akashi Kita SHS and 2 other schools)
California, US (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 72
“Southern California Forest Fire Reconstruction Support Concert (for October 2003 Wildfire)”
(Supported by Hyōgo Prefectural Wind Band Federation, Japan Marching Band Leaders Association Kansai Chapter, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor/Advisor: Masayuki Taketani (Akashi Kita SHS)
Conducting and marching coach: Hirofumi Yokoyama

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(5) March 2005:
Xaverian High School (N.Y.) Commemorative Green Concert in Japan (US-Japan Music Exchange Concert in Kyoto)
Kyoto, Japan
“Kyoto Greening Charity Concert: Protect the Greenery of the DAIMONJIYAMA”
(Co-sponsored by NPO World Greening Movement, Kyoto Prefectural Wind Band Federation, Kyoto Ōnishi SHS, Heian Gakuen Heian SHS)
* Donation of proceeds from charity concerts for greening the DAIMONJIYAMA in Kyoto

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(6) December 2005:
Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 124
“Hurricane Katrina Disaster Recovery Support Concert”
(Supported by Kyoto Prefectural Wind Band Federation, Japan Marching Band Leaders Association Kansai Chapter, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor/Advisor: Hiroyuki Tanaka (Kyoto Tachibana SHS)

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(7) December 2005:
Sendai High School Green Band
Florida, US (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 11
“Hurricane Katrina Disaster Recovery Support Concert”
Conductor: Masami Hoshina (Sendai SHS)

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(8) March 2006:
Izumo High School Green Band

Click picture to watch video

Florida, US (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 90
“Hurricane Katrina Disaster Recovery Support Concert”

Click picture to watch video

(Supported by Shimane Prefecture, Izumo City, Shimane Prefectural Board of Education, Shimane Prefectural Wind Band Federation, Chūgoku region Wind Band League)
Conductor: Ōkubo Osamu (Izumo SHS)

Click picture to watch video, click here for more information

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(9) December 2006:
Kansai Selected Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 101
“Southern California Forest Fire Reconstruction Support Concert (for Wildfire in October 2006)”

Click picture to watch video

(Supported by the Nara Prefectural Wind Band Federation, Japan Marching Band and Baton Twirling Association Kansai Chapter)
Conductor: Mami Yamase (Nara Prefectural Soekami SHS)
Conductor: Masanori Ōshima (Kōbe City Minatojima JHS)

Click picture to watch video

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(10) March 2007:
Kyoto Bunkyō High School Green Band
Florida, US (Disney Parade/Universal Studio Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 89
“Large-scale Florida Tornado Reconstruction Support Charity Concert”
(Supported by the Kyoto Prefectural Wind Band Federation, Japan Marching Band and Baton Twirling Association Kansai Chapter)
Conductor: Harumi Ogawa (Kyoto Bunkyō SHS)
Advisor of the Band: Tsutomu Takayama

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(11) December 2007:
Akashi Kita High School Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Rose Parade 2008/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 180
“Southern California Forest Fire Reconstruction Support Concert (for Wildfire in October 2006)”

Click picture to watch video

(Supported by Kansai Wind Band Federation, Hyōgo Prefectural Wind Band Federation, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors
Conductor: Masayuki Taketani (Hyōgo Prefectural Akashi Kita SHS)
Advisor: Hiroyuki Iamamura

Click picture to watch video

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(12) December 2008:
Northern Japan Honor Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 51
“Southern California Forest Fire Reconstruction Support Concert (for the November 2008 Wildfire)”
(Supported by Tohoku Brass Band Federation, Miyagi Prefectural Brass Band Federation, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Jun’ichi Naitō (Miyagi Prefecture Furukawa Reimei SHS)
Yoshio Seno (Hokkaidō Eniwa Kita SHS)

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(13) March 2009:
Izumo High School Green Band

Paris, France (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 72
“Southern California Forest Fire Reconstruction Support Concert (for the November 2008 Wildfire)”

Click picture to watch video

(Supported by the Shimane Prefectural Brass Band Federation, Chūgoku region Wind Band Federation, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Ōkubo Osamu (Izumo SHS)

Click picture to watch video

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(14) December 2009:
Kansai Honor Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Rose Parade 2010/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 140
“Southern California Forest Fire Reconstruction Support Concert (for the November 2008 Wildfire)”
(Supported by Kansai Band Association, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Hisashi Hiramatsu (Chairman of the All Japan Band association)
Conductor: Masayuki Taketani (Hyōgo Prefectural Akashi Kita SHS)

Click picture to watch video

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(15) December 2010:
Northern Japan Honor Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Rose Parade 2011/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 192
(Supported by Tōhoku Brass Band Federation, Miyagi Prefectural Brass Band Federation, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Jun’ichi Naitō (Miyagi Prefecture Furukawa Reimei SHS)
Yoshio Seno (Hokkaidō Eniwa Kita SHS)

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(16) December 2011:
Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Rose Parade 2012/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 132
“The East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Support Concert (for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan)”
(Supported by Kyoto Prefectural Wind Band Federation, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor / Advisor: Hiroyuki Tanaka (Kyoto Tachibana SHS)
For more information of this expedition click here.

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(17) March 2012:
Kansai Honor Green Band

Florida, US (Disney Parade/Universal Studio Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 54
“The East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Support Concert (for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan)”
Conductor: Masayuki Taketani (Hyōgo Prefectural Akashi Kita SHS)

Click picture to watch video

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(18) December 2012:
Izumo Honor Green Band
California, US (Rose Parade 2013/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 110
(Supported by Shimane Wind Band Federation, Izumo City Wind Band Federation, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Toshiyuki Kataoka (Shimane Prefectural Izumo SHS)
Conductor: Ōkubo Osamu (Shimane Prefectural Izumo Commercial SHS)
For more information of this expedition click here.

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(19) March 2013:
Kansai Honor Green Band

Click picture to watch video

Paris, France (Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 52
“The East Japan Earthquake Memorial Concert (for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan)”
(Supported by Kansai Symphonic Band, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Masayuki Taketani (Hyōgo Prefectural Akashi Kita SHS)

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(20) December 2013:
Nagoya Minami High School Green Band

Click picture to watch video, and click here for participant report

California, US (Rose Parade 2014/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 130
(Supported by Aichi Prefectural Band Association, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Makoto Katō (Nagoya Minami SHS)

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(21) December 2014:
Kōriyama Honor Green Band

Click picture to watch video

Click here for the band’s expedition journal in Twitter.

California, US (Rose Parade 2015/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 100
Conductor: Jun’ichi Naitō (Miyagi Prefecture Sendai Minami SHS)

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(22) December 2015:
Tōhō High School Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Rose Parade 2016/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 140

Click picture to watch video

Conductor: Minehito Shiratani (Tōhō SHS)
Conductor: Tatsuya Furuno (Tōhō SHS)

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(23) December 2016:
Gifu Shōgyō High School (Gifusho) Green Band

Click picture to watch video

California, US (Rose Parade 2017/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 150
Conductor: Taka-aki Wada (Gifu Commercial SHS)

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(24) March 2017:
West Japan Honor Green Band

Florida, US (Disney Parade/Universal Studio Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 160
Conductor: Tōshirō Seno

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(25) December 2017:
Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band
California, US (Rose Parade 2018/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 192
Conductor: Hiroyuki Tanaka (Kyoto Tachibana SHS)
For more information of this expedition click here.

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(26) December 2018:
Izumo Honor Green Band

California, US (Rose Parade 2019/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 160
(Supported by Shimane Prefectural Wind Band Federation, Izumo City Wind Band Federation, International Art Education Promotion Association (国際芸術教育振興会), and other sponsors)
Conductor: Yūji Katayose (Matsue Minami SHS)
Conductor: Ōkubo Osamu (Shimane Prefectural Izumo Commercial SHS)
For more information of this expedition click here.

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(27) March 2019:
Tōhō Marching Band
Florida, US (Disney Parade/Universal Studio Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 80
Conductor: Minehito Shiratani (Tōhō SHS)

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(28) December 2019:
Japan Honor Green Band

California, US (Rose Parade 2020/Disney Parade/Charity concert)
The number of participants: 163
“Olympic Year Celebration Concert”
Conductor: Masayuki Taketani (Hyōgo Prefectural Akashi Minami SHS)
For more information of this expedition click here.

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