Background – Band

 

Band’s Official Website is here, Official Instagram here and Official YouTube-channel here (all in Japanese).

“The Kyoto Tachibana Brass Band, which is full of energy, full of smiles, and full of dreams, is like a vitamin to modern society, where people tend to feel depressed. The attitude of trying hard gives hope and courage to those who see it. When you’re feeling down, watch Kyoto Tachibana’s performance and get an orange energy injection.” – Marching Navi, June 20, 2022

Band Fact Sheet is here. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is here.

band

Orange Devils in Disneyland Park, Anaheim with their trademark orange uniform

Contents:
– Synopsis
– Name
– Motto
– Band and Class Themes
– Battle Cry
– Leadership
– Music and Style
– Uniforms
– Instruments of the band
– Regular events
– Sponsors and other supporting companies
– References

Synopsis:

(summary of the band historical data in table format collected by Jeff Ragar -san can be found here)

Band in very early years

Kyoto Tachibana High School Concert Band was founded by legendary professor Hisashi Hiramatsu (1935-2021) in 1961 with 16 members (click here for a picture of 9 of those members with professor Hiramatsu in 2019). With the original intent of improving the girls’ health, it was one of the first female Marching Bands in Japan evolving in 2000 into a mixed-gender band (see info on their 50th Anniversary Concert in 2012 here (Wayback Machine), in Japanese).

Band is formed out of students of the school’s Wind Music Club and has usually around 100 members from which typically only handful are boys. Wind Club activities are in the past few decades preferred by girls in Japan (boys tend to go to baseball or soccer clubs). The band trains before and after school hours as well as in weekends, holidays included, and is highly successful participant in the competitions arranged by All-Japan Band Association, especially in the Marching Contest.

Band travels extensively in Japan and occasionally also abroad. Their first overseas trip took place in 1975 to Harrogate, UK, and later the band has visited Hawai’i every three years from 1981 to 2016 (first to Maui and from 1998 to Kaua’i). They participated in the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, California in 2012, and in the 129th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2018, and are invited in the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2025. In 2022 they were invited to Taiwan to play at the National Day Ceremonies as the first foreign performer in these celebrities. Their second trip to Taiwan took place in 2023. A tool by Yoshimitsu-san shows on a map the places the band has been performing, click here.

Due to their fame the band has also been invited to participate in several wider-scale entertainment projects. They played as the background band for the promotional song of the 100th Summer Kōshien (Japanese High School Baseball Championship) in 2018, they collaborated with J-Pop singer Kalen Anzai at her music video in 2019, and they played at the soundtrack of the anime movie “Belle” in 2021.

There are thousands videos of the band on YouTube, Facebook and other video sharing platforms with cumulatively several hundred million views (for details click here).

For more detailed information of band history and activities please see the 2018 “Tachibana Interview” -article series (Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5).

Name:

Band parading at streets of Osaka in 2015

The band name is officially Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Band, commonly abbreviated to Kyoto Tachibana S.H.S. Band (in Japanese: 京都橘高等高校 吹奏楽部) (see more about Kyoto Tachibana High School here).

They are fondly nicknamed as “Orange Devils” (in Japanese: オレンジの悪魔) due to their trademark orange uniform and tendency of winning band competitions.

When working under the auspices of Green Band Association during their expeditions to the US in 2005-06, 2011-12, 2017-18 and 2024-25 they used the name “Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band”.

Motto:

Band permanent motto is: “Full of Energy, Smiles and Dreams” (=”Genki Ippai, Egao Ippai, Yume Ippai” = “元気いっぱい！笑顔いっぱい！夢いっぱい！”).

Band and Class Themes:

Traditionally the band invents an annual theme which often is shouted at the end of the Battle Cry. When the band is participating in the All Japan Marching Contest they also give a name to their competition program which may differ from the annual theme.

List of the known annual themes and program names of the band is here.

In addition each Class of the band members creates a separate theme for themselves which would remain the same throughout their three years in the band. The theme is typically also accompanied by a hand sign. Click here for that theme of the 108th Class, and here for a list of those from 111th to 118th Classes (all themes by Lars-san).

Battle Cry: “Tachibana tension, Agatte-kita”:

It is a matter of honor for the band to express the battle cry in a way set by tradition. The cry has not changed at all since the beginning. It is “Tachibana tension, Agatte-kita, Hai, Hai, Hai, Hai, Hai, Hai, Hah-i, Se-no, X (and cheers)”. Seven “hai’s” and long pronunciation stretch at the end. “Se-no” is the same as the “1, 2, 3, 4” before the music starts and is a common shout used by the Japanese to set the timing. “X” is the annual theme unique to each year.

(More of “Tachibana tension!” can be found from the interview here.)

Band Battle Cry at the beginning of the 2018 Blumen Hügel parades (video by 慶次郎前田):

Click picture to watch video

Tachibana Battle Cry has also been depicted in anime (Hibike! Euphonium, season 3, episode 4):

Click picture to watch video

Leadership:

Introduction of the former leadership members is here.

More details of the Wind Music Club organization at the time can be found in the 2018 interview with Drum Major Okazel here.

Contents:
– Advisory Board
– Band Director
– Marching Coach
– Club Presidents and Vice Presidents
– Drum Majors
– Other officials

– Advisory Board (active: 2025-):

The band announced in April 2025 that they will be led by an Advisory Board, rather than a Band Director with his Assistant Directors as before. The relevant information at the Band’s Offical Homepage is here.

The Advisory Board consists of the following members:
– Ryūichi Okazaki (岡﨑龍一), Band Director
– Akio Kikuchi (菊地昭男), Teacher at Kyoto Tachibana High School
– Kōsuke Yamauchi (山内康祐), Teacher at Kyoto Tachibana High School
– Sakiko Koizumi (小泉咲紀子), Teacher at Kyoto Tachibana High School
– Daijirō Fujino (藤野大次郎), Vice Principal of Kyoto Tachibana High School
– Yutaka Umemoto (梅本裕), former Chairman of Kyoto Tachibana Gakuen

The Band Director is introduced below, the accompanying Advisory Board members are introduced here.

– Band Director Ryūichi Okazaki (岡崎龍一) (Director: 2025-):

Ryūichi Okazaki (岡崎龍一)

Advisory Board Member and Band Director (2025-): Ryūichi Okazaki, born in 1963, plays French horn. Alumnus of Osaka College of Music, majoring in Vocal Music. He has previously worked at multiple public junior high schools in Kyoto, most recently before moving to Tachibana he was with Ritsuryō Junior High School (栗陵中学校) in Fushimi-ku. He has led the brass band of his schools several times to the Kyoto and Kansai Brass Band Competitions of the All-Japan Band Competition (for details click here and here, well researched summary of all of his achievements is here).

Click picture to watch video

In the video above by 20120909singsingsing Okazaki-sensei leads the brass band of Katagihara Junior High School from Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto at a Joint Concert -event arranged by Tachibana at their Festival Hall on July 18, 2016.

Okazaki-sensei with the band of Rakuhoku Junior High School (洛北中学校) at Kyoto Brass Band Competition in 2022 (reference)

– Marching Coach Nanaho Shima (島奈央) (Coach: 2020-):

Nanaho Shima

Drummer Nanaho Shima (“Mentapu”) of the 111th Class was born in 1996 in Uji, and started with percussion instruments at the age of 8 while at elementary school. After graduating from Tachibana she moved to the US and was at the drum-set of Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps (2016), Matrix Performing Arts (2017), Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps (2018, see video above), and later Dark Sky Percussion (2018) and INOV8 (2018). As a member of these groups, she has performed at both the DCI and WGI World Championships on two occasions each. Later she spent a year in the US teaching marching bands.

After returning to Japan in spring 2020 she became freelance marching coach and was appointed as the Marching Coach of Tachibana in June 2020. She has also worked as a pit instructor of Marching Band 輝合 ~Teria~ and as a percussion coach of Kisshōin Zaurus. Apart from these bands she coaches about 20 other brass band groups nationwide (both AJBA and JMBA). Besides coaching she also teaches percussion, designs drills and arranges music. Click here for a reference.

Click here for additional photos from her high school days.

Links:
– facebook,
– YouTube-channel.

– Club Presidents (部長) and Vice Presidents (副部長):

Club President, assisted by two Vice Presidents, is in charge of the smooth operation of the overall club activities, and direction of the club. Together with the Drum Major Club/Vice President acts as the spokesperson of the band in interviews and other public relation activities. In the band performances they play like any regular band member.

List of the Club Presidents and Vice Presidents in recent years is here.

– Drum Majors (DM) (ドラムメジャー):

Drum Major is the band’s marching leader in parades and field/stage shows, and is in charge of marching practice. The Drum Major is the most recognizable band member, distinguished by a silver-decorated capelet (when the band is using the orange uniform). In sit-down concerts the Drum Major plays like a regular band member. Together with the Club President (and occasionally also with the Vice President) the Drum Major acts as the spokesperson of the band in interviews and other public relation activities.

List of the Drum Majors in recent years is here.

In the video below Drum Major “Ron” climbs up to podium and leads the band through two first songs at the 38th Annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Bandfest in 2017 (video by st.taketo). Notice her capelet:

Click picture to watch video

– Other officials:

Student Conductor (学生指揮者) is a new official, introduced to the band by Kaneshiro-sensei. She leads the band in sit-down practice in case the Band Director is not available.

Each instrument section of the band is led by a Section Leader.

Music and style:

The music the band plays is largely uptempo Western, starting from gospel and big band era classics, and ending to evergreen pop/rock songs and Disney tunes. Music is chosen bearing in mind the expected preferences of the audience, and how easy it is to adapt to the band’s dancing style. Their regular parade program is about 15 minutes long, and if needed it will be rolled over.

Based originally on the suggestion by Yokoyama-coach the band’s trademark dancing style was developed in 2005 based on the 1997 “Burn the Floor” ballroom dance show by 102nd Class Marching Composition Team, including euphonist Seiji Nakao (中尾征爾) and percussionist Kōhei Shiba (芝公平). All dance moves are choreographed by the band members themselves resulting to the unique Kyoto Tachibana -style of marching which has made the band adored in Japan and overseas. Band has granted permission to some other schools to adopt similar approach to their brass bands, such bands are e.g. Izumo Business High School Wind Orchestra and Ōnishi Gakuen Junior and Senior High School Brass Band.

Click here for a 2018 interview with Yokoyama-coach containing more details on the band’s music and style.

Article on the choreography the band is famous for was published in the September 2023 issue of Band Journal. Translation of the text to English by Tetsuya T -san is here.

Click here for a fan-collected Song Library which contains a list of songs the band has played since 1977 (to the extent there are videos and/or public information available on the band’s performances).

Contents:
– Fanfare for Tachibana
– Sing, Sing, Sing
– Down by the Riverside
– Winter Games
– Traditional marches
– Big band jazz
– Evergreen rock and pop
– Disney tunes
– Music from movies and musicals
– Emotional music
– Japanese-origin music
– Discography

– Fanfare for Tachibana:

Since 2021 the band kicks off most of their events with “Fanfare for Tachibana” which is written for the band by famed brass band composer Eiji Suzuki (鈴木英史). In the video below by Sound of Wind Band the band plays the “Fanfare” at the beginning of “Marching Carnival in Beppu 2023” -event on October 29, 2023:

Click picture to watch video

– Sing, Sing, Sing:

The trademark song of the band which is practically always part of the program is “Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)” made famous by Benny Goodman in 1937. This wild dance is sometimes performed in parades as a standstill number but usually it is the last song (or encore) of any stage/field show. Several band members have said that the reason they applied to Tachibana and joined the band was to be able to play and dance this song. In the video below from the Band’s Official YouTube-channel they are at the end of their Stage Show at National Concert Hall in Taipei on December 14, 2023. They have several adaptations of this song, and what you will hear here is the “traditional” version. What a way to bring the roof down!

Click picture to watch video

– Down by the Riverside:

Tachibana parade nearly always starts with a century old gospel tune “Down by the Riverside“. The song tells you to throw your aggression away and assume more peaceful way of life – what better message to set up proper mood for the band’s performance! In the video below by うかのみたまのみこと 30’000 people have squeezed themselves in the narrow streets of Ximending in Taipei on December 12, 2023 to listen to the band which begins their night parade in the traditional way.

Click picture to watch video

Clarinet part of “Down by the Riverside” from the era when the school was still called Kyoto Tachibana Girls’ High School (=before 2000):

The handwritten annotations are translated here

– Winter Games:

Tachibana stage/field show often starts with “Winter Games”, 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics theme song by David Foster. In the video below by st.taketo this tune is performed at the 70th Anniversary event of Tokoname City on September 29, 2024:

Click picture to watch video

– Traditional marches:

Traditional marches are practically always part of the band’s drill in the AJBA Marching Contest. In the recent years the photography restrictions have meant that there are no videos of the Contest, but sometimes the band performs their competition drill in field/stage shows of other events as well. Here they are playing march “On the Mall” by Edwin Franko Goldman at “Marching Carnival in Beppu 2023” -event on October 28, 2023 (video is from the Band’s Official YouTube-channel).

Click picture to watch video

– Big band jazz:

Besides “Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)” classic big band jazz is a definite part of the band’s repertoire. In the video below the band wows the audience with “Little Brown Jug” made famous by Glenn Miller Orchestra marching down Marunouchi Naka-dōri in Tokyo as part of the Tokyo Sōbun 2022 -event on July 31, 2022 (video by st.taketo).

Click picture to watch video

– Evergreen rock and pop:

Evergreen rock and pop songs are practically always part of the band’s program. As an example they play below “We Will Rock You” by Queen at Kanazawa Yume Kaidō -event on August 10, 2024 (video by st.taketo).

Click picture to watch video

– Disney tunes:

Catchy Disney tunes are an integral part of the band’s program. Below they play (and sing) the dwarfs’ song “Heigh-Ho” from Disney 1937 movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs“. The event is Traffic Safety Week Parade and they march along Fushimi Ōtesuji Shopping Street near the school on September 30, 2023 (video by 慶次郎前田).

Click picture to watch video

– Music from movies and musicals:

Music from movies and musicals is an essential element of the band’s program. Here they are playing in succession the themes from the movies “Jurassic Park” and “Back to the Future” on October 29, 2022. The event is called “PARADE & KITCHEN”, celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Fusō City in Aichi Prefecture (…Tachibana provided the “PARADE”-part, of course…). Video is by st.taketo.

Click picture to watch video

– Emotional music:

Tachibana is known for their upbeat music but almost always they also add slower emotional songs in their performance. Here they play a sorrowful song “Hymne à l’amour” by Édith Piaf (song known in Japan as “Ai no Sanka“) at the 111th Taiwan National Day Ceremonies in Taipei on October 10, 2022 in front of Madame President Tsai Ing-wen and other dignitaries (video from the Band’s Official YouTube-channel). This performance has since became legendary and greatly loved by the Taiwanese fans, and the Tachibana interpretation of the song is known to move people to tears (click here).

Click picture to watch video

– Japanese-origin music:

Even though somewhat rare, the band has not completely forgotten Japanese-origin music either. As an example, in the video below the band is recording “Sōran Funk” which is a funk arrangement of a traditional folk song “Sōran Bushi” from Hokkaidō. The song is about fishermen’s work at sea, as you can easily see from the band’s choreography. The recording took place in December 2022 at Taiyogaoka Gymnasium, and the band’s performance was a segment in a Taiwanese TV-program “We Are” celebrating Lunar New Year, broadcasted in Taiwan on January 21, 2023 (=Lunar New Year’s Eve). Video is from the Band’s Official YouTube-channel.

Click picture to watch video

– Discography:

The band has published several discs on their performances:
– 2024: Stage Selection IV Shine × Peak (59th and 60th Regular Concerts), click here for more details,
– 2022: Stage Selection III Charm x Wings (57th and 58th Regular Concerts), click here for more details,
– 2020: Stage Selection II Magic x Bloom (55th and 56th Regular Concerts), click here for more details,
– 2019: Stage Selection 2015-2017 (52nd, 53rd and 54th Regular Concerts), click here for more details,
– 2016: “Sing! Sing! Sing!” 2007-2015 (Marching Contest drills 2007-2015), click here for more details.

In addition the band appears in several of the “Gold Prize Selection” -discs of PalsMusicShop featuring National Gold -winning bands of the AJBA Marching Contests. Details of those discs are here.

Uniforms:

Over the decades the band’s uniform has of course changed several times, and in the following only the last 10-20 years are covered (basically, the timeframe there is video coverage of the band).

Some more details on the early uniforms of the band are in this interview.

Contents:
– Trademark orange uniform
– T-shirt with orange uniform skirt
– Blue-gold uniform
– “Hawai’i” uniform
– Old sit-down concert uniform
– Current sit-down concert uniform
– School uniform
– Cheering jacket
– Tracksuit
– Tabards

– Trademark orange uniform:

The current trademark orange uniform of the band is regarded as a symbol of luck, and it has evolved over the years in stages to reach its current form:
– The orange uniform was born in 1973 with a skirt below the knee and with white cap. The Drum Major had a cap with tufts, white gauntlets up to the elbows, and white long boots.
– In 1981, a band alumna Yamashita-san studying fashion design at university altered the uniform design, making it the current uniform with short skirt.
– In 1993, the cap was abolished at the suggestion of the students. Drum Major’s white long boots were abolished as well.
– In 2002, Drum Major’s white gauntlets were abolished at the suggestion of students.
– In 2004, shoes were unified at the suggestion of students.

From 2017 onwards the band has worn this uniform almost exclusively. Color comes from Citrus tachibana -fruit (mandarine-like fruit growing native in south-western Japan) and the white hair ribbon represents the petals of the flower of the fruit. Socks are black, and the Drum Major uniform can be distinguished by its silver-decorated capelet. In chilly weather, or if modesty requires, black tracksuit pants can sometimes be worn under the skirt.

When the band went to the 2018 Rose Parade they manufactured large amount of new orange uniforms to accommodate the alumni who joined the band in the US. These “new” uniforms came out with slightly different shade of orange as the “old” ones which you may recognize in the videos. Over time the “old” ones were phased out and the active band wears the “new” ones exclusively now (…even though the band members themselves thought the “old” ones were more kawaii…).

In the video below by 慶次郎前田 the band is marching along Fushimi Ōtesuji Shopping Street in Kyoto on November 23, 2017, just before leaving to the 2018 Rose Parade.

Click picture to watch video

– T-shirt with orange uniform skirt:

In warm weather the band does not use the orange uniform jacket but goes out with white T-shirt and white socks and shoes. Drum Major is now recognized by the red lettering on her shirt. In some occasions the band can also wear sponsor provided T-shirts, or other garments. Video below by st.taketo is when the band was marching in the 62nd Hakata Dontaku Festival in Fukuoka on May 4, 2023. Hakata Dontaku is extremely traditional two-day festival with more than 840 years of history.

Click picture to watch video

– Blue-gold uniform:

Blue-gold uniform was the other main uniform until the end of 2016. It was used in events in Kyoto Prefecture, whereas orange uniform was worn in the events outside their home Prefecture. Nowadays blue-gold uniform is only occasionally worn outside the band’s Regular Concert. In the video below by 慶次郎前田 the band is parading to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Kyoto Yamashina ward on October 29, 2016.

Click picture to watch video

– “Hawai’i” uniform:

Blue happi-coat/white skirt combination (often called “Hawai’i uniform”) is used only very rarely any longer as the band does not have enough of them for everybody. This uniform was probably originally intended to be used when the band participated in the (now discontinued) Midōsuji parade, but it was also used when the band went for their regular expeditions to Hawai’i, hence the nickname. In the video below by MIKAN the band is performing at their Stage Show part of the Tachibanasai (school’s Cultural Festival) in September 2016.

Click picture to watch video

– Old sit-down concert uniform:

For sit-down concerts the band used the combination of red jacket/white skirt and socks until the end of 2020. In the historical video below by 京都いろは通信 the band is at their 29th Regular Concert on January 10, 1993. Photography is typically prohibited in indoor concerts so videos on band playing in a sit-down setting are quite rare.

Click picture to watch video

– Current sit-down concert uniform:

New uniform for sit-down concerts was introduced in the beginning of the 57th Regular Concert on December 24, 2020. This uniform consists of a white tuxedo with orange handkerchief and/or tie and black trousers. White symbolized the color of Tachibana flower, and orange the pistil of the flower (click here). In the video below the band is playing in Taiwan Plus 2024 -event on May 11, 2024 in Miyako Messe Convention Center, Kyoto.

Click picture to watch video

– School uniform:

Occasionally the band also performs in their school uniforms. Below the band is playing a surprise show to the guests of Grand Hotel in Taipei on October 6, 2022 (video by the Official YouTube-channel of the Grand Hotel). They are playing in their 2017 school uniforms with checkered skirt. Before that the skirt of the school uniform was solid black.

Click picture to watch video

– Cheering jacket:

For winter-time cheering duties to support school’s soccer and volleyball teams the band uses strikingly red jackets with black tracksuit pants. Below the band is cheering the school’s soccer team at the 102nd All-Japan High School Soccer Tournament in Kita, Tokyo on December 31, 2023 (video by blueamber):

Click picture to watch video

– Tracksuit:

Although mainly used in practice, black tracksuit pants and white T-shirts have been used in some events until 2019, e.g. in Sakura Parade and Brass Expo. Nowadays the band wears orange uniform also in these events. In the video by 慶次郎前田 below the band is in the Brass Expo 2019 at Expo Commemoration Park, Osaka on May 12, 2019.

Click picture to watch video

– Tabards:

Typically in the field/stage shows the members of the percussion wear white or black tabards to protect their uniforms (white with the blue-gold uniform, black with the orange uniform). In the video below from the Band’s Official YouTube-channel you can see the band using the white tabards when they play their intended drill for the 23rd Kansai Stage Marching Festival. This event was cancelled as it was in the middle of the worst of the COVID pandemic, and the band recorded their performance on March 15, 2021 at empty Taiyogaoka Gymnasium.

Click picture to watch video

Instruments of the band:

Yearly breakdown (2007-2014) of the instruments the band has been using is here, by angmarta-san.

Click here for a 2021 article on the instruments the band is using.

Regular events of the band over the year:

This list describes events the band regularly attends. To assist watching older Tachibana-related videos, the list also contains some events which are not held any longer, or which the band does not attend any more.

Note that occasionally some regular event can be cancelled due to various circumstances (e.g. bad weather). Also, sometimes the band may cancel their attendance by themselves.

Click also here for a 2018 interview with Drum Major Okazel containing more detailed account of the band’s activities over the year at the time.

Contents:
– Field Art
– Kansai Stage Marching Festival
– Kyoto Sakura Parade
– Regular Concert
– ROHM Music Festival
– Parades at Blumen Hügel Farm
– Brass Expo
– Spring High School Band Festival
– Brass Band of 3000
– Tachibanasai
– All-Japan Band Competition and All-Japan Marching Contest
– Marching Carnival in Beppu
– Shuten-dōji Festival
– Kyoto Prefectural High School Cultural Festival
– Parade at Garasha (Gracia) Festival
– Christmas concert in Toyooka
– Heart Bond Concert
– Cheering Duties

– Field Art (フィールドアート) (ongoing):

Since 2019 Tachibana has been attending Field Art -event held in late January at Shiga Theatre for Cultural and Industrial Development in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture. This is an indoor stage show, and videos are not typically available. We can, however, see a short excerpt of the band’s performance in the promotional video from the Official YouTube-channel of the Hall for the event on January 27 or 28, 2024:

Click picture to watch video

– Kansai Stage Marching Festival (関西ステージマーチングフェスティバル) (ongoing):

As per the known records the band has been participating in the Kansai Stage Marching Festival held in early Feburary at Amagasaki Cultural Center in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture since the 3rd installation of the event on February 12, 2001. However, it may well be that they have been attending since the very beginning of this event in 1999. This is an indoor stage show, and as expected, videos are extremely rare. Even so, in the video below by heights Wash you can see their drill on February 4, 2018.

Click picture to watch video

– Kyoto Sakura Parade (京都さくらパレード) (ongoing):

The first outdoor parade after the winter break is typically Kyoto Sakura Parade in late March. This event was first held in 2002, and it consists of a Friendship Concert (a field show) followed by a parade (video below is on the 18th Kyoto Sakura Parade on March 24, 2019 by st.taketo).

Traditionally the Friendship Concert has taken place on the square in front of the Kyoto City Hall, and the parade along the covered (and very crowded, see video below) Teramachi Street in Kyoto. In 2024 the event was transferred (probably due to extreme crowding at Teramachi Street) to Umekōji Park in Kyoto (not held though due to poor weather, and the first actual event in this venue took place in 2025).

Click picture to watch video

– Regular Concert (定期演奏会) (ongoing):

The highlight of the year is the Regular Concert late March at the very end of the school year (note however that this event used to take place in Christmas-time until 2021). In March 2024 the band held the 60th Regular Concert. This is the last concert the band’s 3rd year members play in. The concert is usually split in three parts: first part is the “Classical Stage” with classical music, second part is the “Pops Stage” with lighter music, and the third and last part is the wild Tachibana-style Stage Show which culminates in the emotional farewell of the retiring band members who walk off the stage often to the tunes of “Sailing” made famous by Rod Stewart.

It is very difficult to attend this Concert in person as the tickets sell out in seconds, but the band has published discs featuring the third part (Stage Show) of the Concerts of recent years (for details click here). Starting from the Concert in 2021 the event has also been broadcasted as pay-per-view online stream. Photography is forbidden so there are typically no video recordings publicly available (apart from the discs and broadcasts as above). The Concert was held at the School’s Festival Hall until 2018, after which it was transferred to larger venues due to increasing popularity. In recent years it has been held at Biwako Hall in Ōtsu.

– ROHM Music Festival (ロームミュージックフェスタ) (ongoing):

Since 2018 the band has played every second year in the ROHM Music Festival held in ROHM Square of the ROHM Theater Kyoto in late April. This is an outdoor stage show but videos have not been available in recent years. There is a video by st.taketo, however, on the 2018 show on April 22, 2018. And what a glorious show that was! Enjoy the rays of the setting sun!

Click picture to watch video

– Parades at Blumen Hügel Farm (ongoing):

School year starts in April and late that month freshmen join the “Spring Parade” -event in Blumen Hügel Farm (video below by st.taketo is on the morning parade on April 29, 2024). The freshmen used to march in their school uniforms behind the band clapping hands, but starting from 2023 most of them played with the band already (few are still clapping in their sports uniforms though). As weather is warm in April the band wears T-shirts with white socks without the jacket of the orange uniform.

Click picture to watch video

– Brass Expo (ブラスエキスポ) (ongoing):

Brass Expo takes place in early May at Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka, the site of Expo ’70 in 1970 (video below by st.taketo is on the parade on May 8, 2022). Since its inception in 1987, the event is attended by more than 4000 band members from dozens of bands each year. The parade routes around the park vary year by year, click here for details. After the parade all the participating bands play together as a vast massed band.

As per the known record, Tachibana has been attending this event since 1993 but it is likely they have been there already earlier. This used to be the event where the Tachibana freshmen made their marching debut, but, as described above, starting from 2023 most of them debuts already at Blumen Hügel Farm. In 2025 this event was held unusually in Yumeshima, the brand-new grounds of the Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Click picture to watch video

– Spring High School Band Festival (春の高校バンドフェスティバル) (ongoing):

First record of the band attending Spring High School Band Festival at Muromachi-kōji Square, Kyoto Station Building late May – early June is in 2018 (cancelled due to bad weather though) but likely they have been attending already earlier. This event has been able to guard its secrets very well as no videos have been found.

– Brass Band of 3000 (3000人の吹奏楽) (1961-2023):

In June the band used to participate in the “Brass Band of 3000” -event at Kyocera Dome, Osaka for a short (7-9 minutes) field show. This event has been held since 1961 and Tachbana has participated 23 times. As one of the major sponsors of the event (Hankyū Hanshin) pulled out, the last event was unfortunately held in 2023 (video below by st.taketo is on this last show on June 24, 2023). After the individual field shows all participating bands join to play as a large massed band. The name of the event refers to the total number of the band members in this massed band, but in reality there usually were lot more than 3000 members.

Click picture to watch video

– Tachibanasai (ongoing):

Tachibanasai is the traditional cultural festival (bunkasai) almost all schools in Japan are holding every year. It is in early September, and it spans over several days and attracts thousands of visitors. The band will play in an indoor stage show at the School Festival Hall, and the 3rd year band members will also play at the outdoor Courtyard Stage. The band members relish this event as it is one of the rare occasions they can show their skills to their fellow students. In the video below by 慶次郎前田 on September 10, 2016 we can see the show at the Courtyard Stage (… the band has just arrived from their expedition to Hawai’i, as you can guess from the colorful shirts and haku leis…). Photography has been forbidden in recent years so very few publicly available videos exist any longer.

Click picture to watch video

– All-Japan Band Competition (全日本吹奏楽コンクール) and All-Japan Marching Contest (全日本マーチングコンテスト) (ongoing):

Fall is dedicated to the All-Japan Band Competition (sit-down concert, held from 1940 except for the war years) and All-Japan Marching Contest (indoor marching show, held from 1988) organized by All-Japan Band Association. These competitions are the main measures of success for a Japanese high-school brass band and enormous effort is exerted to reach the coveted National Gold Award. Qualification rounds start in early August (Band Competition) and in early September (Marching Contest), with National Finals in October (Band Competition) and in November (Marching Contest). Click here for detailed information on these competitions.

Tachibana has participated in the Band Competition since 1963, and in the Marching Contest since the very first event in 1988. You may notice that the band’s drill in the Marching Contest is somewhat different as to what they normally do otherwise. This is because the compulsory maneuvers take about the first half of the performance (note, however, that the rules have changed several times over the decades). Their track record in Band Competition is here, and in Marching Contest here.

Video below by Marschtanz63 is from the 31st Kyoto Prefecture Marching Contest on September 9, 2018 which is the first qualification round of the All-Japan Marching Contest. Photography is usually forbidden in these events so there are only very few publicly available videos on them, apart from the discs featuring the Gold Award Winners of the National Finals sold by PalsMusicShop (click here for details). Recent years the National Finals have been streamed also online, as well as some regional qualification rounds.

Click picture to watch video

– Marching Carnival in Beppu (マーチングカーニバルin別府) (ongoing):

Beppu in Ōita Prefecture is a famous onsen (Japanese style hot springs) city, but it also promotes itself as the “Marching Capital of Japan”. The two-day “Marching Carnival” in late October (…suitable timing for any Halloween costumes…) consists of a “Marching Night” (indoor field show) followed by an “Opening Parade” along Fujimi Street next day. Tachibana has been participating since 2021, and they use this opportunity to travel to the remote island of Kyūshū also to meet their great friends at the Seika Girls’ Marching Band (another top high school band in Japan). Video below by Sound of Wind Band is on the Parade on October 29, 2023.

Click picture to watch video

– Shuten-dōji Festival (2014-2016):

For a period of three years (2014-2016) Tachibana participated in the Ōeyama Shuten-dōji Festival in late October held around Ōe railway station in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture. This event was arranged to revitalize the local community, and it celebrated Shuten-dōji, the famous red oni leader who dwelled in the nearby mountains, according to the legend. Tachibana participated in a field show and a parade around the Railway Station. Video below by 慶次郎前田 is on the band’s last parade on October 30, 2016.

Click picture to watch video

– Kyoto Prefectural High School Cultural Festival (Kyō Sōbun) (京総文) (ongoing):

Kyō Sōbun is an annual event covering a large variety of high school extracurricular club activities divided in a multitude of sections taking place in early November. It has been arranged since 1988 by Kyoto Senior High School Cultural Federation in order to enrich and improve cultural activities of high school students in Kyoto Prefecture.

According to the known records Tachibana has attended since 2018, but it is likely they have done so already earlier. The band plays in the Brass Band/Concert -section which is a sit-down concert held in Kyoto Concert Hall. In some years they are also selected to play at the National High School Cultural Festival which is similar event, but held at the national level, rotating among the 47 Prefectures of Japan. Other Clubs of the School are also participating in this event (e.g. Taiko Club, Koto Club).

Videos are scarce, but below the band is playing in their winter uniforms great polka “Unter Donner und Blitz” by Johann Strauss II on November 4, 2018 at the 35th Kyoto Prefectural High School Cultural Festival (video by Eu Tuba, sorry for the camera shake).

Click picture to watch video

– Garasha (Gracia) Festival (ガラシャ祭) (ongoing):

City of Nagaokakyō in Kyoto Prefecture has been arranging Garasha (Gracia) Festival since 1992 in early November to celebrate the wedding of Gracia Hosokawa (Garasha Hosokawa, 細川ガラシャ) in 1578. She was a daughter of samurai general Mitsuhide Akechi who converted to Catholicism and died under tragic circumstances.

This Festival has large amount of events, and Tachibana has participated in the parade across the city from 2016 onwards (video below by st.taketo is of the 2019 Parade on November 10, 2019). In earlier years the band used to march the full parade route up to Shōryūji Castle, but in recent years they end their parade at the Nagaokakyō City Hall. Traditions of this parade include Drum Major wearing red happi-coat, and that the band is stopped by trains at Azalea Dōri level crossing of Hankyū Kyoto Main Line.

Click here for an eyewitness story of the 2019 Parade. Website of the event is here, in Japanese.

Click picture to watch video

– Christmas concert in Toyooka (ongoing):

The band has played in Toyooka Citizen’s Hall, Toyooka, Hyōgo Prefecture since 2020 in an event which has evolved to a concert held in Christmas time. This is an indoor stage show, and as expected, almost no videos exist. However, below you can be entertained by the band playing “Lum’s Love Song” (“Lum no Love Song”, “うる星やつら”) from 1981-86 anime series “Urusei Yatsura“ on December 24, 2022 (video from the Band’s Official YouTube-channel).

Click picture to watch video

– Heart Bond Concert (ongoing):

Another Christmas-time tradition is the “Heart Bond Concert” in Nagoya Congress Center, Nagoya, where the concert is held after a lecture on “Disaster Prevention”. Band has played there since 2021 and their performance consists of a sit-down concert and a stage show. There are no videos every year, but below you can enjoy band’s sit-down concert on December 25, 2023 (video by Momoyama Orange).

Click picture to watch video

– Cheering Duties (ongoing):

In addition to the world-famous brass band the School also has a strong girls’ volleyball team and boys’ soccer team which regularly attend the national-level tournaments in Japan (All Japan High School Volleyball Championship and All Japan High School Soccer Tournament). These tournaments typically have prefectural qualifiers in December, and the national tournament itself takes place in January. The band occasionally travels with the teams in their matches as a cheering squad. In the video by blueamber below the band is cheering the school’s volleyball team at the 76th All Japan Volleyball High School Championship in Shibuya, Tokyo on January 4, 2024.

Click picture to watch video

Sponsors and other supporting companies:

– Sun•Chlorella (official sponsor):

Kyoto-based Japanese health food company Sun•Chlorella is the band’s official sponsor. Introduction of the Band at the Team Sun•Chlorella -webpage is here, in Japanese. The Band usually participates in the celebrations of the “Chlorella-day” on September 6 by providing tailor-made videos, and occasionally the company also runs marketing campaigns of their products which are also used to support the Band (click here and here).

The Band welcomes other sponsor companies as well, click here.

– Japan Airlines (JAL) (flights to the US):

Japan Airlines (JAL) (日本航空株式会社) is the flag carrier of Japan, and they sponsor the Band in their Rose Parade expeditions in 2011-12, 2017-18 and 2024-25.

– Sponsors of the band’s second expedition to Taiwan:

The band’s second expedition to Taiwan was sponsored by E.SUN Commercial Bank, snack company Kenji健司 and Fuji Grand Hotel. More details of their sponsorship can be found here, in Chinese.

– Nippon Pals Co., Ltd. (DVDs/BDs):

Nippon Pals Co., Ltd. (株式会社日本パルス) is a video production company specialized in live broadcasts and streaming, and other video products operating mainly in Kansai and Kyūshū. They also run an online shop (Pals Music Shop) selling a large selection of discs on the performances of Japanese brass bands, including many discs of Tachibana.

You can also buy discs from them in English, instructions are here, and introduction of all Tachibana discs can be found here.

– Maile Co., Ltd. (physical health):

Band members’ physical well-being is overseen by osteopathic clinic Maile Co., Ltd. (MAILE株式会社), headquarted in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture. They are specialized in the care of athletes and brass band members. Their activities with the Band are occasionally covered by the company’s Instagram, click here.

References:

Contact form of the school, click here.

Kyoto Tachibana High School email: nk (at) tachibana-hs (dot) jp.

School telephone switchboard:
+81-75-623-0066

Band postal address:

京都橘高等高校 吹奏楽部
〒612-8026 京都市伏見区桃山町伊賀50
JAPAN

Telefax number to the band:

+81-75-623-0070
addressed to: 京都橘高等高校 吹奏楽部

Please do NOT send cards, letters, gifts and the like to the band or the band members as the school policy is NOT to deliver them to the students.

248 thoughts on “Background – Band”

  1. I kept looking for appropriate superlatives to describe the band’s performances, but there don’t seem to be any that are that excellent. To the band’s instructors, choreographers, and especially the performers, WOW! Simply beautiful and outstanding. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

    George Baker
    Jonesboro, Georgia, USA

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Please review Gershwin “Strike Up the Band” for your edification. Also “Manhattan Skyline” by David Shire. The world would approve. Thanks

    Like

    Reply

    • Hello Tudy! Are you related to Alain Prost the “Professor”? I only want to be humour but I’m afraid there are no souvenirs related to the school or the club offered for sale!

      Like

      Reply

  4. I found the KT Band by accident and have been an absolute fan since then. No day without KT. I would be glad if you ever perform in Europe because I would spare no effort to go there. glg from vienna

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Hi. KTHSB, sensational, amazing. The best of the best.
    Question. What happened with the wonderful band. I don’t see new video’s, long time ago. Can I know, what happened. Thanks you much.

    Like

    Reply

    • Suggest you go to Fan Corner and read the comments there, that is the main discussion area.

      Generally, during this time of the year, videos tend to be scarce as they are preparing for the All Japan Band Association competition qualifiers that will be held in September. Also, it appears that due to more restrictions on photography being implemented, it is likely that not many, if any, videos of indoor performances will be available moving forward.

      Like

      Reply

        • It’s an Honor Band from the members of the Green Band Association schools. There will be, from what I’ve read, approximately 15 personal from Tachibana, however, they will not all be marching. I heard the Honor band will consist of 163 members(don’t quote me).

          Like

          Reply

          • Ok, thanks. I didn’t want to miss the typical Orange Devils incredible performance, and was getting ready to make a 1500-mile round trip to get there. I hope they have a great morning!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

  7. Me encantan…son fantásticos,me gustaría no nombren a cada uno de los integrantes de la banda…los ví hace un mes por Youtube y los sigo siempre…deben tocar un tango…Y venir a la Argentina.. aplaudo lo que hacen.. soy Martín,mis saludos desde San Juan,REPUBLICA ARGENTINA!!!!

    Like

    Reply

  8. I loved watching this big music band on YouTube I can’t stop watching it listening to it so much I’ll drink every mother of all music bands out there around the world I’ll give him moving staff to each kid although I do can’t stop watching it loving it you should try them on TV programme You’ve Got Talent but that enjoy that and then we get the Golden buzzer and win I love watching this music band thank you a lot 😅😍😅😍😅😍😍😍

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Pingback: Japan’s Best Marching Band | Internet Ninja

  10. I really enjoyed the first performance of the year at the volleyball court, even though it was just the second and third year band members. The music and dance were fun. I haven’t seen the performance since then. Did I miss something?

    Like

    Reply

  12. Until I saw this band in a video taken at the 2018 Rose Bowl I was never interested in big band music. I knew who Glen Miller was but that’s about all. Since then I have become a fan of this school band. I have watched many, many videos that contain this band. I have watched videos of parades that included band from other schools. I have tried to compare then but there is no comparisons. Being a bit slow sometimes it took me a while to figure out why. Those smaller band most times play good but they don’t have the quantity of instruments that the KT band has. Quantity has major effect on the quality of sound produced. Also, the music they produce is better. They are very crisp and the volume of air they put through those horns is incredible. Their dance steps are just as crisp, with everyone in step. It is easy to see that they spend a lot of time practicing both the music and the dancing. Some of those bands just look like a group of people walking along playing something. A lot of their songs I don’t recognize. But it is probably Japanese music. The KT band plays mostly American music so I can recognize it. So it is no surprise that they are always the last band in line. No one wants to follow them.
    I just watched a video that had a Junior High band that sounded good. They had t-shirts in all shades of pastel colors and looked like Easter Eggs walking along. The band wasn’t big but they did have a good sound. The march stopped in front of the one taking the video and while they were there they started playing the Marine’s Hymen. it surprised me that they would play that.
    I have become attached to several of the members. First, the xylophone player in the marching band but in a concert she moves to almost any instruments in the percussion section. For the ending piece she is one the triple drums and pounds the heck out of them. I think I read that her name was “Tippi” and she seemed to be a fan favorite. Several others I liked too but since I don’t know all the names of the instruments I couldn’t tell you who they were, except they had black hair. I also like the way that they give high fives to the fans as they walk by, when they can. I especially like the fact they when the are marching and have a free moment they will step out of formation to high five a child. I am very impressed about that.
    I am now a fan of Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band.

    P.S. I have seen brass turn green before. That usually means it needed cleaning. At least that is what the D.I. said, along with telling me how many push-ups he wanted.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I have watched many videos taken of the KT band marching and putting on a concert. Some of the videos seem to be taken in a baseball stadium. The one student I have been keying on is the one named “Tippi”. I love watching her because the always has the biggest smile and most times showing the most movement. At many shows she is bouncing and swaying with the music even when she is not actively playing. At one show in Japan, either just before or just after they came for the Rose Bowl Parade they were about to play “It’s a Small World”. Tippi was on the cymbals(I think that’s their name) She wasn’t to play until late in the song but from the start she was swaying with the music. I don’t think anyone on the band got so into their music the way Tippi did.
      I watch the percussion section a lot, when I can as I am always at the mercy of the one taking the video. And I have noticed that the performers move between instruments a lot. I never knew why, each one seems to be just as good as an other with one exception, I noticed that whichever instrument Tippi was on produced the most racket. I assumed that was by design. Sometimes when the band is off in the distance, so far that I couldn’t distinguished one band member from another I always waited until they started Sing Sing Sing. Then I could tell if Tippi was still there and what instrument she was playing, because it always made the most noise.
      At first I started looking at the KT band as a male and noticed the short skirts. Later as I kept watching my feelings begin to change. Now I love these kids and am just as proud of them as if they were my granddaughters out there marching. I was a bit concerned that they play a piece, I think it is ‘Gangnam Style’ and they do the squat and march a few steps in that pose. At first I noticed that they all had on their long Gym pants. But I recently saw a outdoor parade with them in the short skirts doing the number. I was angry that the school would have them doing that in a short skirt, even though I know they have on shorts under it. I felt the same way when it really was my daughter doing something similar. I know I am in danger of gushing but at 68 I am old enough to feel this way.

      Like

      Reply

      • I am in agreement with you John. I am exactly the same age as you and have the same points of view (perhaps not as vehement as you). But what a band, There dance/march moves were the first thing that caught my eye. Outstanding!!!

        Like

        Reply

    • I’ve read so many comments here and agree with all the ones I read. I chose John’s to reply to because it’s one of the latest and he hit the nail on the head with Tippi-or whomever the xylophone player is, WOW, she’s the first one I notice too. She rocks and is infectious with her energy, smile, and skill. She even makes the drummer grin. I called her, little drummer girl. I’ve noticed others too. Granted they are all beautiful and talented, but I know, true grit, little t, little big horn, slim 1 and slim 2, both play bigger horns, and Solo, who has inspired me to take up her horn. I just wish I could play as well as her.
      I never thought for a minute that I would become a groupee for anyone or anything, but wow, people call me Killer, this is a Killer band if ever there was one, so awesome and such a treat. I’m also not a prideful man, but I act like they are my kids, my friends out there and I love it when they are really appreciated and cheered for. They deserve all the accolade, I’ve watch behind the scenes work. I’m starting to learn Japanese as well, we’ll see how that goes. I want to thank all those who make these kids who and how they are, thank you so much. I watch them daily. Even writing this, is something I normally wouldn’t do.
      Orang devils, mm, I’m a bee keeping-green too. I think they’re more like honey bees. They work so hard and produce such golden nectar. If anyone ever harms one of these sweet girls, I hope they feel the sting. Best wishes, Killer.

      Like

      Reply

  13. I’ve never been so interested into a marching band at all, even I don’t have such knowledge about what are they playing at all, the music, the song and the instrument I know nothing. all I know is just they play some music with a variety of instrument and with a group of people together, when I was a kid the first time I watch a marching band I was amazed they was so cool with the formation and all those instrument sound, but.. its just it. I forget that a moment later.
    BUT! ON THE OTHER SIDE AFTER I WATCH KYOTO TACHIBANA ON YOUTUBE I JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH!
    its been a week now and I nearly have watch them all related to KT green band, even its still playing while I typing this now, and even more I watch the reaction about their training which is in japan tv with no subtitle and I watch them entirely which 1 hours long without understanding a single word they are saying, but i do understand how they put their pain, effort, and hardwork into an amazingly incredible unbelievable remarkable magnificent performance!
    all those heartwarming smiles, those cute dance, cute voice, outstanding music performance (while dancing), those complicated position formation, those lungs, backbone and legs power effort to hold those heavy instruments, while matching up with the beat while dancing, walking, jumping, spinning, rolling and blowing, and so much other difficult thing that can be done BY A KAWAII JAPAN SCHOOL GIRL!
    It was really shame for me as a grown up guy who passed out just to stand in the middle the field of direct sunlight (physically weak)
    SO MUCH LOVE FROM INDONESIA FOR EACH ON OF YOU THANKS KYOTO TACHIBANA GREEN BAND!!
    Thank you and so much appreciated to all those teacher, parents, brother, sister, family, government, school, pets, etc. for supporting the existence of Kyoto Tachibana SHS Green Band from year to year!
    I really enjoy all of your performance with all my heart, I cried, I laughed, I cheered, I clapped, I sing, I dance, I smile, and repeat. brightens my day!
    please if anyone know how to contact them screenshot this message for them, they fill the hole in my heart.
    And last thing I suggest to make their group commercial! whether its alumni or not. and make an official account!
    you wont regret that minasan arigatou gozaimasu!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I know how you feel. I’ve been hooked for over 2.5 years and it’s not going away. I have to have a “Fix” everyday..LOL

      Like

      Reply

      • I watched a John Wayne movie called The Undefeated where Wayne’s crew rounded up 3000 horses and drove them to Mexico. The is the only place I saw more pony tails bouncing up and down than you see when KT goes dancing by. Someone once posted on YouTube that to be in the percussion section you had to be part jumping bean. I think all those kids have jumping beans sewn into the waist bands of their uniforms.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

    • The loco motion song was made famous by Little Eva from the USA in the mid 60’s, Kylie just covered it. This band is talent + dedication + practice= perfection.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Found a great video on YouTube in Russian, but if you turn on the Closed Captioning, you can get English subtitles. Has some interesting observations/commentary, but it also has clips of a Japanese program (in 2011) that showed the band members training. It brought tears to my eyes watching them working so hard and struggling & perserving:

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • If you mouse over Events at the top of the page and click on Events of 2019 in the drop down menu, you will find a list of publicly confirmed events that KT will be attending. However, to-date they have only confirmed events up to May. This list is updated by orangedevilsfan as and when additional information is available.

      Like

      Reply

  19. I discovered this great band last year. Their skill and joy they show in their performances always nearly move me to tears of joy and sighs: I am 54, and passed half of my life in deep depression because a neighbour killed my parents, and the fact and the lack of justice here in Italy ruined the life of me and my sister. Now I feel I have to discover again the joy of life to do the things that I couldn’t do before, and relief the pain giving joy to myself and to persons who can feel beauty. Years passed can’t come back, but since now on I want to see more and more their performances to gain energy. I would like to know their names one by one, all of them, to say :”Thank You!” to each one. I hope, when I will pass away, that I could leave to the world something beautiful lasting through the years, like the things they also leave to us. I say Thank You with my heart in my hands, boys and girls of Tachibana SHS. Love from Italy.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  20. Kyoto Tachibana bridges the gap between Japan and the rest of the world. When American students watch the precision and hard practice that goes into your organization, it is only then that one can appreciate what joy you bring sounding and moving as ONE together. In a way, you have become the all-girl “K-POP” sensation of Japan with your style, dance, American music and smiles. Your country should be very proud of you sharing your good-will and love for your talent all over the world. It doesn’t matter where all of us are from or where we are going but it is the love of the band instrument that binds us all together. May your organization be forever blessed with success.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  21. Dear Kyoto Tachibana S.H.S. Band, it would be an understatement to write that I was blown away the first time I saw a video of your band another or so ago from last year’s Disneyland parade and the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. As the former Director of the United States Navy Band, Newport, Rhode Island, in the United States, and from 2000-2010 the announcer for the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights in New Brunswick, New Jersey, I thought I understood what could be done by a marching band. Your band has changed my mind forever! It is not just your choreography but the SOUND of the band while dancing/marching! Incomparable to any other band I have ever heard anywhere in the world. Someday if I ever get the chance to visit Japan, I will make certain I will coordinate my visit with one of your show dates. Please let your band members know that they have a real and lifelong fan here in the United States!
    Sincerely Yours,
    John C. Baker, CAPTAIN, United States Navy (retired)

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    • I am a former USCG band member and I also felt very moved by this organization. If only we could instill our students minds to put down the electronic devices and show them that practice certainly makes perfect. Kyoto Tachibana made me feel the way you do, John. They were amazing to listen to and watch and they are the prime example of what the words “one sound, one group” means in music. Your words were very kind and accurate. I wish I had that much precision sound just in marching let alone dancing!!

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  22. Hi there! I love the KT Band! You all are doing some excellent work and it shows!

    I am a high school band director in the Bay Area of California, and I am wondering if you (or any of your directors) ever would consider doing a teacher exchange where one of your teachers would come teach at my school for a semester/year and I could come teach at your school for that same semester/year? I have marching band experience, but I’d love to learn some new techniques from you to move my marching band into performing the way the KT Band does!

    Also, if there is a better place to email/call about this, please let me know. I would really like to work with you all out there. Thank you for reading this and getting back to me if possible!!

    Like

    Reply

    • It would be difficult to replicate KT, especially in California. You are seeing the result of a lot of hard work and self-discipline that would be difficult to find among students in an American university, much less among Bay Area high schoolers. The societies and the schools are just not enough alike. It would be like trying to graft a branch from a Sequoia onto a mesquite.

      The KT students make that investment to become part of a tradition which has evolved over decades — which you wouldn’t have — and it’s pretty much self-generating now. New members come into an already-operating organization, run by the older members — the adults are mostly just there to keep them between the lines.

      Like

      Reply

    • Japanese band participation under the Green Band Association banner is rotated amongst different bands / clubs every year. The group representing for 2019 will be made up of members from 6 high schools in Izumo Province. The last time KT appeared in the Rose Parade was in January 2012 so if they maintain the same time interval their next appearance will be 2024.

      Like

      Reply

        • I could watch them every year. I do not see how they could remember all the music, remember which steps to do with every piece of music, do all that dancing without damaging their lips and have enough breath left to produce the volume of music that they do.. AMAZING

          Like

          Reply

  24. Hola! A todos los integrantes de esa gran banda! Un saludó desde Puerto Rico. Me llamo
    Ana Hernández y soy estudiante del conservatorio de música de Puerto Rico. Mi instrumento es la flauta traversa . Los felicito por su estupenda ejecución como banda .
    Yo realizaré un viaje a Japón del 23 de abril a Mayo 8 . Me gustaría me informara si para ese tiempo ustedes realizarán una presentación como lo demuestra sus videos.
    Gracias, por su atención.

    Like

    Reply

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jl6YWEPx-Y&t=5s
      ※2018 this year
      3.25 kyoto★sakura parade

      4.25 shiga★blumen hugel
      5.4 biwako classic festival (a ticket needed soon sold out)
      5.13 osaka★osaka brass expo(heavey rain not held)

      6.23 3000 people (ticket needed)

      2019
      sorry,I have no 2019 events
      “ a Japon del 23 de abril a Mayo 8 .”

      If you have double lucks,
      You could watch ★blumen or ★brass expo
      I think both events are 2 of KT’s main some events without heavy rainny day.
      osaka,kyoto,shiga,in Kansai. If you could,please learn the rail ways of kansai area.

      Buena comida!

      Like

      Reply

    • Hello, it’s not the official site nor official blog of KT band but stay tune here then you’ll be able to get good information about the band including their schedule near that time… though CurioJapan gave you the important information already, as CurioJapan said, I think the parade in the ブルーメの丘 (Blumen Hügel) around April would be best event for you considering your schedule plan.

      Like

      Reply

  25. Suggestions to ODF: 2 gentlemen’s name have been mentioned for the credit of the choreography, they are all professional musicians these days and the mentions wouldn’t annoying some of our visitors for sure. I am afraid you mis-type Mr. 芝公平’s family name as Sima when he should be called Kohei Shiba in western style and Mr. Seiji Nakao’s name in Kanji is 中尾征爾, his personal name is the same with no other than the world famous musician/conductor Maestro 小澤征爾/Seiji Ozawa.

    Like

    Reply

  26. Can anybody answer me about the DM of junior year who’s going to be the FINAL DM next year ?
    According to the information here about DM of recent years, it’s being said that …
    —> 2019: “Palinpu” (ぱりんぷ), plays flute

    but when I saw the interview with the director Akemi-san, she said that the student who was bearing the green-band association flag during the rose parade was junior year’s DM elected last year but I can’t find her in recent parade videos nowhere… so can anybody let me know who’s exactly the next DM and which instrument she plays ??
    I thought she plays the saxophone but it seems not… I guess…. quite confused…..

    Like

    Reply

    • The girl carrying the Green Band Association flag during the Rose Parade is visible in some of the Sakura Parade videos playing the piccolo. She normally plays the flute but until the new members joined, I am guessing there was no piccolo player available amongst the current 2nd and 3rd year members.

      Like

      Reply

      • Oh… it means she is the 116th class DM…. right ?? I was wondering who’s DM of class116 and finally I got to know that she is SHE who was reffered to as DM of 115class and was carrying green band flag and said to be normally playing flute.

        Like

        Reply

      • By the way, interestingly a girl who playing flute just in front of her in Sakura parade was played piccolo last year (23rd Nov)… not sure why they have switched the instruments in Sakura parade then….

        Like

        Reply

  27. Hola. Me gustó mucho ver como tocan y bailan a la vez esos distinguidos chicos y chicas. Hace un buen trabajo felicitaciones… Ustedes son lo mejor que he visto en mi vida… Me enamore de su banda y la alegría que entregan sus intérpretes musicales… Soy su fans número 1 en Chile… Muchos abrazos… Me alegran la vida… Gracias.

    Like

    Reply

  28. Hi…
    Is there anyone who knows the Japanese character they use on their white t-shirts (on the front)?
    Thinking it has a special meaning? But my ability in Japanese is not enough to translate it.

    Like

    Reply

    • Good afternoon. I live in Brasil and I´m a huge fan of Tachibana SHS. Fisrt of all, cogratulations for your profissionalism, and beautiful work . I´d like to know how can I get a Tachibana ShS Band t-shirt or coat. I´ve been looking for it on shopping sites but I don´t find it.

      Like

      Reply

      • Jose Antonio Serra Arteiro: Unfortunately there’s no such thing as official merchandising in the Japanese High school Bands as far as i know, they are just a normal japanese students who study music in music Clubs and sometimes perform and enroll in national tournaments.
        So yeah, i think it is just not a thing there. We all wants some kind of merch and some goods from our beloved band to support them. But as far as i know the Yearly school donation is the only way to support them, then again the page itself is only in japanese and there is no such thing as something in return for us the fans.
        I guess it comes back to my first point, they consider themselves just a regular high school music club band. So i don’t think they would go commercial and become a kind of idol, since their main priority is study.

        Like

        Reply

  29. Hi guy, Do you have facebook or whatever Social network of Hitomi Kanamaru (Kurara)? Hitomi Kanamaru really is a inspiring story of determination and I want to find her. I don’t know Japanese and don’t know how to find her.
    Thank you!

    Like

    Reply

    • Ong Gia Vui: sorry for typing your name incorrectly, I live in Taiwan and may I ask are you a Vietnamese?
      Talking about Kurara, her stories are much told during the 2017/2018 Rose Parade but not heard much after she graduated from KT since early summer of 2018. It seems this brave and determined girl is quitting brass music and concentrating her college studies. But some sources are liking her with 2020 Tokyo Olympics/Paralympics so maybe that’s the way we can Google the how abouts of this much loved girl.

      Like

      Reply

        • GG-san：很可惜嘉管或其他他台灣的行進樂競賽/活動，從未邀到京都橘參加；個人認為以行事曆來說，嘉管的可能最高，畢竟連精華都邀到了！These roughly translated to: it’s a pity that KT has never visited the nearby Taiwan, even Seika has showed us what they could do here in Chia-yi in southern Taiwan..

          Like

          Reply

          • GG-san: Anonymous was me Conway Shen, this blog would sometimes lost someone’s identity. If you check a Chinese site called Bilibili you would find KT has so many knowledgeable followers there too.

            Like

            Reply

          • I hope to see their impressive performance some day in Taiwan.And how can I know the date of their public performance?Im planning to travel to Kyoto or any other city to see them.

            Like

            Reply

          • GG-san: 明年晚春到初夏的機會最大，您可參考這部落格今年的活動資訊，1.京都櫻花遊行2.滋賀農業公園3.琵琶湖戶外演奏都是京都橘固定參加的場次。Maybe Sakura parade, Blumen Hugel or Biwako events of 2019, KT are always there to perform.

            Like

            Reply

          • GG-san: 沒錯!暑假起他們都專注在全日本大賽，要到聖誕節前後才能放鬆，這也是嘉管最可能邀到他們的原因。Because KT will concentrate on AJBC/AJMC from summer vacation, that’s the priority of the club.

            Like

            Reply

Add your comment in the commentbox below. First write the comment text and then click the envelope or gear icon. English only. No negativity. No band member names, social media accounts or whereabouts. No more than 10 links. Send direct messages to the band using their Instagram (do not post them here).