We will say emotional farewell to the 118th Class at the band 58th Regular Concert which will be held on March 27 and 28, 2022 at Biwako Hall with special guest, drummer Tsugio Ano. The concerts will accept live audience and they are also streamed online in Japan and abroad, for tickets click here, and for the overseas streaming ticket click here. One day streaming ticket cost is ¥1000+¥220 (=USD11, =EUR10, =GBP8), and two-day ticket is ¥1500+¥220 (=USD15, =EUR13, =GBP11). Two-day ticket buyers will also be provided with special behind-the-scenes bonus video.
For the first time the band will also sell merchandise to the audience at this concert, for details click here.
Live chat facility for everyone interested, please click here to join!
In both days the concerts will start at 6pm JST (=2am PDT, =11am CEST). Fans in Europe, please note that the Summer Time begins early hours of March 27 so be extra careful when setting up your clocks in the morning!
English translation of the program sheet by Alan-san:
March 27:
Classics Stage:
– Band performance at the 34th All-Japan Marching Contest
– “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from opera “Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner
– Genesis by Eiji Suzuki (set piece of the 70th All-Japan Band Competition)
– Third Symphony – “The Tragic”, Op. 89 by James Barnes
Special Stage:
– guest drummer Tsugio Ano (阿野次男)
Marching Stage:
– Soar on Wings
March 28:
Classics Stage:
– “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from opera “Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner
– Third Symphony – “The Tragic”, Op. 89 by James Barnes
– “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein
– “Maria” and “Tonight” from the musical “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein
– The title song “The Sound of Music” and “My Favourite Things” from the musical “The Sound of Music” by Richard Rodgers
Marching Stage:
– Soar on Wings the Final
Notes at the Band Official Instagram are here, here, here and here. Notes at the Band Official Homepage are here and here, in Japanese.
Detailed report on the 58th Regular Concert and the 118th Class Retirement Ceremony is here.
There were so many high points. For me, the most memorable were:
The Barnes symphony.
The Tsugio Ano drum “duette”.
Virtuoso mace twirling- with dress!
The Ensemble at the interval, which the octet played perfectly, even better that at the Ensemble competition.
The two musical excerpts, an innovation so enjoyable I’m sure the next generations will want to make such performances a regular feature.
The songs with messages about the students themselves: the 1st & 2nd years with “Try Everything”, the 3rd years with “Go the Distance” and all together with “High School Musical”.
And Sing3! For people worried it might fade away, not only is the piece manifestly here to stay, but it has been developed with wonderful instrument-part solos.
And I liked Kaneshiro-sensei’s suit on the second day. Also noted that he seemed almost as emotional as the students!
Goodbye the 118th. Thank you for leading the band to create magnificent performances (though sadly we were deprived from seeing some of them properly). Thank you for your courage in embracing change and in your creativity. Thank you for evolving yet further the art form that KT pioneered. Having led the band for the longest period ever, the time has come to move on and go your separate ways. But, not to be too mawkish about it, you will stay in my heart.
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Having failed to get the double ticket due to time constraints I was only able to book Mondays performance and so I missed the appearance of guest drummer Tsugio Ano who only appeared on the Sunday concert.However, my disappointment has since been partially assuaged having found postings (some 2 weeks old) of the man in question rehearsing with the band on “Sir Duke” and an absolutely knockout drum duet on “Sing, Sing, Sing” where our girl on drums gives every bit as good as she gets – Fabulous! – Check it out!
Alan, I completely concur with your sentiments, it’s clear to me that Tachibana are going “Onwards and Upwards” and may I add my Best Wishes to the graduates of the 118th. You are and have been a Credit to your School, your City, your Country and last,but not least, to us your loyal supporters. Long Life, Love and Happiness and Success in all you attempt. Love from The UK.
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I have just watched the concert. My opinion is (ABSOLUTELY MARVELLOUS) I do hope the film crew make a DVD of it for sale. I also watched the one last year and I am hoping that there is a DVD of that one as well. My admiration and congratulations to the band on a magnificent show. I wish them all along and prosperous life, with lots of good health, wealth, love and laughter.
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Difficult to find the superlatives to describe the performances, cos they all apply
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I totally agree Hawkeye, an absolute delight from start to finish with the usual emotional and tear-jerking graduation of the seniors at the finale.I had intended to purchase a ticket for both performances hoping for the bonus footage promised but fell foul of the time restriction and missed my chance by a few minutes GRRRHHH!!! still, after what I’ve just seen I’m not complaining – shame we can’t watch it again!
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It’s good to notice that purchases must be made a day prior, so tickets for the Sunday performance are no longer available. Tickets for the Monday performance must be purchased before Sunday evening midnight Japan time (Sunday 27th 15:00 UTC).
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