ANAHEIM, California— The vibrant hum of staccato snares, the thud of sousaphones and the clatter of shoes, all acting in unison, recently filled the gray morning air in the parking lot outside Angel Stadium. Piles of travel-worn cardboard boxes and pristine instrument cases were piled at one end of the cracked asphalt as dozens of young performers marched, danced and played in tight formation, twisting and turning across the vast expanse.
It was just a few days before the Rose Parade and one of the last opportunities the Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band had to practice its eight-song medley and accompanying choreography.
Yuika Okai, left, and Karin Yamamoto enjoy a quiet moment while taking a break from rehearsing for the upcoming Rose Parade.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
The Japanese School, one of 24 bands scheduled to perform in the Pasadena procession, will celebrate its third appearance there on New Year's Day. He will join an international contingent of bands from Mexico, Panama and Denmark.
The Japanese band's whirlwind visit to Southern California began on Christmas Day, when the artists and their instruments began arriving at Los Angeles International Airport. For most, it was their first visit to the United States.
They spent Thursday and Friday practicing and retreating to a nearby hotel, escorted back and forth by long charter buses while a local volunteer transported their instruments in a Penske moving truck.
The Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band rehearses for the Rose Parade in the parking lot of Angel Stadium in Anaheim.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
When asked about their first impressions, many of the young band members commented on how friendly the Americans they had met had been. And several praised the food, especially the hotel's bacon and eggs, a rare breakfast in Japan.
“Everything is huge. There are a lot of cars and highways,” saxophonist Kokoro Kumagai, 18, said through a translator. “We went to the supermarket and each item is quite large and its color is quite bright. Everything seemed delicious to me.”
The group is considered the best and most innovative high school music band in Japan. Until just a few years ago, when the school began admitting boys, the band was made up exclusively of girls. This year, 109 enrolled students and 82 recent graduates made the trip to California.
The Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band is considered the best and most innovative high school marching band in Japan. Until just a few years ago, when the school began admitting boys, the band was made up exclusively of girls.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Over the weekend, band members fanned out across Southern California, staying with families from Seal Beach to Ontario. Many said they were excited to experience normal American life and maybe see some tourist attractions or go shopping between engagements. They had a busy schedule, with a benefit concert at John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma on Sunday, an appearance at the Bandfest event associated with the Rose Parade at Pasadena City College on Monday and a performance in the parade at Disneyland on Valentine's Day. New Year. Eve.
Bob Kunihiro said he hosted two band members at his family's home in Anaheim Hills in 2018 and decided to do it again this year. He takes them to local restaurants and outlet stores, which he says is a popular choice because American clothing is typically more expensive in Japan, especially with the current weak yen.
“It's very fun. I really enjoy it, the children are very friendly,” Kunihiro said. “A lot of the kids don't speak much English, so they're very apprehensive. I speak a little Japanese, but I also use Google Translate, which helps me.”
That uneasiness disappears the moment they put on their trademark yellow and black collared tops and orange skirts (or black pants in the case of the few male musicians) and raise their instruments in the air. The band is a coordinated explosion of energy, with much more activity than the average marching band, as its members jump, high kick, and move, all while playing a tune.
“About 200 high school students and graduates will put on an impressive performance, with a combination of dance and music,” said Yasuda Fumihiko, director of Kyoto Tachibana.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
“About 200 high school students and graduates will put on an impressive performance, with a combination of dance and music,” said Yasuda Fumihiko, director of Kyoto Tachibana, as he watched Friday's practice. “Very skillful steps and very beautiful sounds, they will play eight melodies.”
The band's leaders said they chose songs that American audience members of all ages would enjoy, from Taylor Swift's “Shake It Off” and Lady Gaga's “Poker Face” to the Beach Boys classic “Surfin' USA.” and the jazz standard “Sing Sing.” Sing”, made famous by Benny Goodman.
For band members, the day of the Rose Parade begins hours before dawn, as they hope to arrive near the parade route around 3 a.m. The actual performance will last approximately two hours, during which they will perform the eight-song medley repeatedly. loop as they cruise through the streets of Pasadena before finishing in the late morning.
The Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band listens to their music director during rehearsal.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
The next day, the high school students return to Japan, who have exams to study for. The graduates will stay one more day in the United States to visit (and where else) Disneyland.
“We want to do a very good performance. “We want to have fun and we want everyone watching to have fun too,” Kumagai said. “It's a kind of harmony. “We want people in the US to know peace and harmony through our music and our marches.”
