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During the whole semester of concert band we had been preparing for our "Regular Concert" in March. Unlike my school, the Ehime University Symphonic Band only performs once per semester, and it's a big one. Our plan was to practice at school during the week before, and then the day before in the concert hall. We had a ton of set up to do, so we would arrive early in the morning and be there for about 8 hours. I still remember how freezing cold it was while I was riding my bike there. For lunch, on our own we rushed over to the Lawson convenience store for whatever. It was funny seeing dozens of band kids ordering things at the same place, but probably not so funny for the poor staff. After rehearsal on the first day we were there, everyone took section photos (I got my section to do a Stingers Up) and all of the soon-to-be graduates hugged their friends and cried. Flowers were given out to many people. Then the students from the previous year got together and played a Deep Purple Medley. It was awesome.
Before the concert, I baked cookies at June's apartment for my section and other members of the band along with a personal note to each member. I wanted to thank everyone for helping me with that experience.
When the concert began, we all emerged from our practice rooms (changing rooms) and lined up before walking onstage. We performed under the bright, hot lights until the end of the first part. I was nervous about my part in Centuria. We had a short amount of time to change into our club shirts, and then went back out for part 2. Because of how we switch seats for every song, they rotate out the players. So, I was rotated out for March Sky Blue Dream. Then I came back and we finished the whole show.
After the concert, everyone went into the lobby and met their friends and family. Now, I obviously didn't have any of that there. I received a message from my study abroad professor Tokuoka saying that he and his son loved the Dragon Quest March. June also surprised me and told me that I did great. After everything quieted down, the graduating students went out for shabu-shabu. Of course it had to be in the back-alley neighborhood. It wasn't bad, but I have definitely had better. I slept SO great that night knowing that no longer did I have 16+ hour rehearsal weeks.
I know that they probably won't see this, but I really want to thank my band mates Kenta, Tomochika, Kanaya, Sako, Myon, Misaki, Sora, and especially Kaho.
Notes:
During the second part of the concert, anyone could come up from the audience and experience conducting one of a few select songs which we had rehearsed before hand.
The bass player with blue hair is a huge Van Halen fan.
The final song we play has the graduating senior students go play in the front.
Here is the Program Schedule:
Part 1
Candid Overture - Leonard Bernstein https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MWPqChnrII
Airs - Tsutomu Tajima https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWt-vOaOgUQ
The Last Letter from Murdoch - Masanori Taruya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOI03ciVLgA
Miracle Shot - Kazuhiro Ishikawa & Shinya Naito https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM6WnN_1Sys
Centuria - James Swearingen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWwF_QJpvH0
March Sky Blue Dream - Yato Manabu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yLQKzdEZJg
Centennial Celebration - Hirokazu Fukushima https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yStEuNLarPA
Part 2 "You are the conductor! A thrilling conducting experience."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esZWfMTkjxk
We Are (Theme from "One Piece") - Hiroshi Kitadani
Studio Ghibli for Instrument Showcase - Joe Hisaishi
Dragon Quest March (From Dragon Quest) - Koichi Sugiyama
Make My Dreams Come True Doraemon (From Doraemon) - Katsuhiko Korosu
Super Mario Bros. (From Super Mario Bros.) - Koji Kondo
Tomorrow, Too - SHISHAMO
I Want to Become the Wind - THE BOOM
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