Sound of Friendship Across Borders~国境を越えた友情の音色~14. June 2024
2024年6月15日 歳時記
「慶誠高校で本当に良かった!」と、慶誠高校吹奏楽部とグランツパス高校吹奏楽部のジョイントコンサートの会場となった県立劇場を出て、最初に思った感想です。本当に素晴らしいSoundでした。前日、リハーサルの場で本校吹奏楽部の宗方さんと交わした会話が事実だったということを実感しました。・・・その感動をデジカメショットで精一杯紹介します。
“Being at Keisei High School was truly wonderful!” This was my first thought upon leaving the Prefectural Theater, which served as the venue for the joint concert between Keisei High School Blass Band and Grant’s Pass High School Jazz Band. It was truly a magnificent sound. I felt the reality of the conversation I had with Mr. Munakata from our school’s blass band during rehearsal the day before. I’ll convey that emotion through the photos I took with my digital camera.
“The bond between Grant’s Pass and Keisei, forever!” It was an emotional finale. Here is Mr. Lewis, raising the bouquet of flowers given by Student Council President Hirakawa towards the band with great pride!
“Chairman Kudo-sensei is also filled with excitement!” It’s before the performance, and the atmosphere is buzzing with anticipation. The first scene I captured with my camera was this one. A girl student was chatting with Kudo-sensei. Though slightly out of focus, he is eagerly awaiting the start of the event.
“Maximum Excitement Before the Performance!” Grant’s Pass High School Jazz Band members entered the second-floor seats before the start. Cheers erupted involuntarily! Each class had prepared welcome boards that were waving vigorously. With reactions from the second floor, the students’ excitement reached its peak!!
“This is the Grant’s Pass High School Jazz Band, which was awarded Best High School at an American wind band competition. We are delighted beyond words to be able to perform together with Keisei High School Blass Band,” Principal Ito said. This speech deeply moved me.
“On this day as well, Mr. Nishimura, a wonderful interpreter!” Ms. Nishimura beautifully interpreted Principal Ito’s speech. Now, it’s finally time for the opening.
“The curtain has risen!” It was an unmistakable sight of our Keisei High School Blass Band, standing proudly with all 64 members! There was a thunderous applause! Imagine the atmosphere in the venue from the silhouettes reflecting off the palms of Keisei students in the audience.
“The Star-Spangled Banner Performance” Our school’s blass band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner”. I’ve heard the American national anthem many times on TV, but this was my first experience hearing it performed live by a Japanese band. It was refreshing and truly moving. Once again, I was deeply impressed!
“The National Anthem Singing” This scene, where everyone placed their hands on their chests and sang the national anthem, is something I’ve seen many times on TV. However, it was my first time experiencing it live. It was a moment that made me feel the cultural differences between Japan and America. Truly, it encapsulates the essence of international exchange.
“Keisei Sound at its Finest!” The signature performance of the Keisei High School Blass Band came to life with instruments in hand. It was a top-notch performance with great expressions!
“The Flags of Both Countries Flutter!” Did the Keisei students notice? The way the American flag was displayed during the “Welcome Ceremony” in the gym was different! Actually, during the Welcome Ceremony, the position of the 50 stars was on the right side, but as you can see today, it’s on the left side. It turns out, this is the official way to display the flag vertically. Without this international interaction, we might not have noticed this rule.
“Keisei Drift’s Signature Performance in Top Form! Mr. Munakata, leader of Keisei Drift, was also in top form! The members showed their best expressions, and their perfomance was outstanding!
“Keisei’s Saori Saito, also known as Ayuri Ishikawa, was in top form!” She showed great courage and singing prowess. Saori Saito’s voice and performance were outstanding, with her fists pumping with enthusiasm throughout!
“Let’s dance! Jamboree Mickey!” … This is also a signature move of Jamboree Mickey. Along with the stage, Keisei students who livened up the hall also appeared!
“Who pumped up the hall…?” First, it was Senior Shimoda who stood up and said, “Let’s dance!” Then, Sophomore Morisawa joined in, and the atmosphere soared even higher! This ability to create an atmosphere together is one of the greatest charms of Keisei right now!
“Keisei Sound’s final signature performance was ‘Young Man!’ … The stage and the audience came together as one, everyone shouting Y-M-C-A!”
“Both the second-floor host family seats and the third-floor parent seats, everyone together!” I could see hand movements from both the second and third floors. This scene also moved me deeply!
“Everyone together, YMCA!” The atmosphere we all created together was incredible! I was truly moved by this sight, like, seriously moved! Keisei High School is the best
“The blass band members also joined in for YMCA!” Among those I saw when I turned around was Keisei High School’s freshman, Tanaka-san from the wind ensemble. Their cheerful and happy expression was priceless.
After this, we took a break, but let me summarize the highlights from before the start to the break in a digest format.
“Grants Pass Takes the Stage!” …The Grants Pass High School Jazz Band is finally making their entrance! They’re about half the members of Keisei Blass Band! I wonder how their acclaimed JAZZSound, ranked No. 1 in the U.S., will measure up…! Exciting times ahead!
“Learning American Culture!” Is it a typical trait of Japanese people to want to mimic things? Nevertheless, at this moment, Keisei students were embodying today’s learning by respectfully listening to Grants Pass High School perform the Japanese national anthem, “Kimigayo.”
“Speaking English is truly wonderful!” It’s Kodama-sensei, transforming Mr. Lewis’s lovely speech into beautiful Japanese. Surely, the Keisei students must have felt it too. Kodama-sensei, you’re cool! Let’s study more English! Now, let’s enjoy the sounds of Grants Pass!
“Wow! Best School Sound at the National Jazz Band Competition!” …I can’t claim to be an expert, but even as an amateur, I could feel the incredible power and amazing sound!
“The band leader is so cool!” It’s the leader who appeared in front of the band. Cheers from the Keisei students are echoing!
“Like something out of Back to the Future!” Perhaps not something high school students would recognize, but have you heard of the DeLorean, a time machine? It’s from the movie “Back to the Future,” where the main character, Michael J. Fox, travels through time. The band leader looked just like him. Look it up! It’s definitely cool! The piano accompanied by synthesizer sounds was also amazing!
“Saxophone, trombone, and trumpet!” …It was just incredible! I genuinely felt it! It was the moment when I realized what Mr. Munakata from the blass band had mentioned the day before!
“Lovely! Saxophone solo!” …Even before hearing the sound, the entrance scene was so cool! I was captivated by it!
“She’s so cool playing the double bass!” …Each of the 30 members is full of charm! This applies equally to the Keisei Blass Band. Moreover, every single Keisei student is also full of charm!
“Playing the tenor saxophone with full force!” …They showcased the charm of each instrument abundantly!
“Playing the electric guitar with full force!” …Each note resonated strongly, vibrating through the air!
“I’ve heard that there are many genres of music, but ultimately, it all boils down to jazz!” …I felt the meaning of these words as a novice yesterday!
“Playing the trombone with full force!” …Moving the slide back and forth to play the trombone. In that moment, I felt something universal… That giving it your all, putting in your best effort, is truly cool!
“To Kodama-sensei! With heartfelt thoughts from Grants Pass High School!” …This international interaction was made possible through our music connections. Although Kumamoto Prefecture may be wide, Keisei High School is probably the only one doing international exchanges on this scale! That was the moment I thought so!
“Today is amazing! We will continue to build on this encounter in the future!” …Kodama-sensei, Mr. Lewis, and his wife, all together with happy faces and the greatest smiles!
“Taking off their jackets… and giving an impassioned performance!” …The moment they shed their jackets, cheers erupted from the audience! It was a moment where I felt the power of music moving people with full force!
“Electric guitar and electronic cello… What a lovely sound!” …The sounds resonating against the green backdrop doubled in impact! The electronic cello… It was my first time seeing and hearing such a fresh sound!
“Mr. Lewis… shaking himself to shake the band!” …Mr. Lewis seemed completely immersed and on fire! A conductor riding the rhythm himself, adding charm to the band’s sound!
“Each person playing their instrument with full force, reaching the climax!” …The finale is approaching! Stepping onto the stage is Mr.Munakata, the leader of KEISEI Drift! “Everyone at Keisei High School! Are you ready?!” …The whole venue rose to their feet in response! This energy is what defines Keisei High School right now!
“At the end, we all performed YOASOBI’s ‘Idol’ together!” …The Keisei High School Blass Band joined in, making it a performance of 100 members in total. The entire standing-room-only audience erupted in cheers!
“Keisei’s colors adorned the stage, dancing gracefully even at the highest level!” …It was a scene of immense emotion. Viewing through the lens, I felt a surge of intensity. It was truly moving!
“Thank you very much for the great experience! Student council president, Hirakawa presented a bouquet to Mr. Lewis!” …It was a fleeting two hours. It was a wonderful time and space that I could truly appreciate because it was Keisei High School! The Grants Pass band members who made me feel this emotion will have a scattered exchange meeting for all classes in the first period on June 17th (Monday)! I imagine each Keisei student is eagerly looking forward to it! With that in mind, I’ll summarize the highlights of the second half of the concert in digest form!
最後に山﨑先生から聞いた音響を担当された業者のコメントを紹介します。
「仕事がら多くの学校を見てきましたが、全校が一つになってこんなにステージを盛り上げる学校を見たことがありません!慶誠高校ってすごいですね!最高ですよ!一番ですよ!」・・・と。
熱いものが込み上げてきました。
I’ll conclude by sharing a comment from the sound engineer, as heard from Mr. Yamasaki, who was in charge of the audio:
“I’ve worked with many schools, but I’ve never seen a school where the entire student body comes together to lift the stage like this! Keisei High School is amazing! It’s the best!” …It really stirs up something passionate within.