Translation: Article on Tachibana Rose Parade expedition in March 2025 issue of Band Journal

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Tetsuya T
February 13, 2025 at 8:24 am

https://x.com/michinoku56/status/1887446824988123541

I have been looking forward to receiving this issue for a long time, as the photos on the above site (MICHINOKUGORO-san’s X) include a double-page spread. However, the article on KT was only one page on the right side. The left page was an article about Oarai High School’s expedition to Taiwan. Furthermore, there were very few sentences.

Translation:
Title: About 200 students from Kyoto Tachibana High School participated in the 136th Rose Parade 2025
Abstract: Kyoto Tachibana High School, aka “Orange Devils,” participated in the “Rose Parade” held in Pasadena, California, USA. Club President reported on the parade and the Band Festa.
Text: Kokoro Kumagai 熊谷心彩 (Third-year student, Club President, Saxophone)
Photo: Green Band Association
Period: December 25, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Place: Pasadena, California, U.S.A.

We participated in the Rose Parade in the United States this year, our third time, following 2012 and 2018. This is the most among Japanese groups. We were also able to experience several other performances.

December “29 (Sunday)
The charity concert was a stage full of laughter and tears, and we were able to express our gratitude to our host families who had taken care of us for the past two days through our music, with many members crying when we said goodbye at the end.

December 30 (Monday)
At the “Band Festa” at Pasadena City College, we were nervous in front of the huge audience, but we went into the performance believing in what we had done so far. The cheering voices of the audience melted away our nerves, and we were able to finish the performance while enjoying ourselves.

December 31(Tuesday,)
I had the precious experience of performing as a cast member in the Christmas parade at Disneyland. We enjoyed performing, of course, but we also felt a different kind of elation while doing it.

January 1(Wednesday,)
　　　　　It is the day of the Rose Parade. During the waiting time, we exchanged songs with an American band. It was our first experience, but it was very exciting and fun.

　　　　　The sun was gradually rising and the parade was about to begin. I felt excited and nervous that the parade had come this far. I was surprised at the sheer number of people that I had never seen before, and was even more amazed at the different vibe from that of Japan. They danced with us to our music, and we were very happy to hear their comments such as “Wonderful” and “Incredible. It was a long parade of about 9 km, but we enjoyed the music, smiles, and conversation with the spectators so much that we forgot about our fatigue. The feeling of elation lasted for a while after the parade was over, and I wanted to do more parades.

　　　　　I would like to thank the many people who supported us and made our various experiences possible. It was a very precious and treasured experience for me. I would like to make the most of this experience in my club activities and in the future. Thank you very much.

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