Saitama Sakae Wind Orchestra

Over the weekend we had the privilege of hosting two students from Saitama Sakae High School in Saitama, Japan. They were visiting with the Saitama Sakae Wind Orchestra, an after-school activity of their high school. The Orchestra is a twelve-time Gold Medal winner in Japan's national concert band finals, and we had the chance to hear them in concert in Naperville's Central Park last night. One criticsm sometimes leveled at Japanese musical groups playing western music is that they play with great precision but little passion; this was certainly NOT the case for Saitama Sakae. They played with great emotion as well as great precision. It was a real treat to hear them, and the young ladies staying with us--a percussionist and a string bass player--presented us with a CD this morning before they left to go play for the Bands of America/National Band Association convention at Illinois State University. After that they will be off to play at Disneyland--something I have fond memories of doing with my high school band. I look forward to hearing their CD and wish them all the best as they finish their tour.

Posted by trygstad | Category: Family Category: Music | 11:42 AM