I don't know what happened to the comment I left over a year ago but - for non-Japanese speakers, this is Kindai/Kinki University Senior High School Band and in my opinion they are Definitely one of the Finest in Japan, if not the world! Unbelievable standard of musicianship both individually and collectively, these kids just blow me away!!
Yes Jay I agree fully. This band from Toyko knocks me out. Most jazz bands may have 2-4 soloists. Here they have so many more AND they all PLAY!! Great charts and use of alll elements of the band. This is the only large concert band that really plays jazz. They may ONLY play jazz charts like Spain, Manteca Tarajima and September. Correct me if I'm wrong in this .
@@braintreecat Hey Tony, nice to meet a like-minded individual (albeit remotely), actually Kindai Uni is located in the Higashiosaka prefecture of Osaka not Tokyo, and whilst the majority of their material available on RU-vid falls into the Jazz & Pops category, I have found the odd excellent symphonic performance too. I first discovered them two or three years ago and since then have watched every video of them that I could find - several times over, but during this time some of the videos have disappeared, some reappear from different uploaders and all in all, their performances are not the easiest to track down. Some of the uploaders' names are in Japanese characters so a search for them is hopeless but Jazz & Pops Palstokyo used to be the best source for their videos 'though maybe not now. A good place to start would be to do a YT search for "Kindai university wind orchestra" (you may already have done that) which will yield plenty to be going on with. A few months ago I came across a Kindai Alumni band which was brilliant but I've been unable to find it again - yet! BTW the band is easily recognized thanks to the distinctive Blue left lapel of their white jackets whilst their symphonic configuration has two white lapels. Regards Jay.
@@jaycooper2624 Hey Jay nice to share with you again. Thanks for the ipdate on Kendai HS band. Incrediatble band playung like professionals in the jazz big band genre! AND with a mutitude of quality soloists. Also their concert band is of GOLD quality. I also like Osak Toin there. But no band can play klike Kendai!! Happy New Yeasr!
@@braintreecat Hey Tony, good to hear from you again. Glad that you found their symphonic band and enjoyed them too. The thing that I really find amazing about Kindai is; that being a High School Band the members are only in the band for 3 yrs at the most before graduating so to achieve the standard that they do with the yearly turnover is quite staggering. Not only that but, as you say, they boast so many brilliant soloists and this is one school only, you might expect one or two but to have so many is just mind-boggling and their Big Band Sound is exceptional. I wouldn't be surprised if - like Kyoto Tachibana - they have such a reputation that youngsters with real musical talent choose Kindai in order to play in the band. I think we have to give much credit to their MD for harnessing all that talent and I bet he loves his job LOL. I agree with you that Toin are a wonderfully talented outfit if a little formal, but there are more fine bands than you could shake several sticks at ( apparently approximately 6,500 in Japan!) Police Bands, Fire Service and Metro Bands and the Japanese Self Defense Forces Bands (who have some wonderful Diva Singers) are all worth checking out. Right back at you with That Happy New Year! Tony, Let's hope it's Happier than the last couple! Jay.
@@jaycooper2624 Hay Jay --same to you. As a former band director and music judge at festivals and competitions here in the Boston area and in Canada ,i can really appreciate the talent there in Japan . We are envious but understand the that the commitment level there is far more than we have here. Students choose to play a band instrument at an early age and stay with it throughout. Also their parents purchase professional instruments for them NOT student level ones as they do here. I was told by a man in the business of arranging tours and exchange concerts here in USA with Japanese bands that most of these bands are called "clubs" and students must select only one club when they reach HS. Since most girls do not want to select a sport club, they select band. As a result these bands are @ 80% girls. Yes it is amazing that they remain strong even though they have only 3 years of HS. Also much of the teaching is done by the older students. We would call that the "buddy system" here. Usually these clubs rehearse @ 2 hours before and after school. Plus weekends. There is no vacations. Osaka Toin plays @ 80 concerts and performances a year. In December they perform every day-night in December. But remember they rehearse a great deal more than American schools who may have band scheduled 3-5 times a week. As such it is also amazing that American band directors get such good results based on that practice regimen. Kendai plays at the level that may be (as well as Seika and others) as good or better than college wind ensembles etc.. here. I teach a little at Berklee in Boston and there are no bands there that can compare. However Berklee has become more of a music "business" school now ,not a band or performing group school. Even NEC woujld find it difficult to compare. It is such a great thing that we are able to view so many of their performances here on RU-vid. Would love to go there some day to attend one of those national contests.
