Besson are delighted that Shoichiro Hokazono, widely regarded as the finest euphonium player in Japan and one of the top brass soloists in the world today has become a Besson artist.

Attraction

His change to the Besson Prestige euphonium is yet another example of a leading perfomer being attracted to the sound and quality of the new Besson instruments.

Prestige

Shoichiro had been working with Yamaha for more than 8 years. Several months ago, Shoichiro tried a latest model "Prestige" and preferred the sound and the potential for his performance on it.

He already started to perform with his "Prestige" in publicy this summer and played concertos with wind bands in 4 cities within the first one week.

Shoichiro is without doubt one of the world's leading brass soloists, combining as he does a dazzling technique with great artistry and a wonderfully smooth soundBesson

Dazzling

Shoichiro is without doubt one of the world's leading brass soloists, combining as he does a dazzling technique with great artistry and a wonderfully smooth sound.

Shoichiro and fellow virtuoso Steven Mead are planning a duo tour of Japan in September 2010.

Shoichiro Hokazono
Profile:

Considered one of the greatest euphonium soloists in the world, Shoichiro Hokazono was born in Kagoshima City, Japan (1969).

He is a graduate of the Shobi Conservatory in Tokyo (1994) where he studied with Toru Miura. He then continued his studies under Kaoru Tsuyuki and Steven Mead.

After winning the 1st prize and grand prize at the 9th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition (1992), he won 1st prize at the Philip Jones International Competition in Guebwiller, France (1997).

Player of the Year

Hokazono has appeared as guest recitalist at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference (ITEC) held at the Northwestern University, Chicago (1995), and awarded "Euphonium Player of the Year" at the Tuba and Euphonium Conference held in Great Britain (1997).

He has performed as a special guest in the recital series, "from Bach to Contemporary Music (B to C), "at Tokyo Opera City (2000), and he was a member of the Saito-KinenOrchestra conducted by Seiji Ozawa (2002).

Masterclasses

He has been presenting masterclasses not only in Japan but also in France, UK,Scandinavia and he has been performing around the world as a soloist in Europe, U.S.A., and Asia. Moreover, he has recorded five solo CDs as well as appearing a great number of recordings as a guest soloist.

He plays solo euphonium in the Central Band of the Japan Air Self Defense Forces, whilst actively promoting and challenging new possibilities for the euphonium.