The British Brass Band has recently performed at a commemorative 50th anniversary concert at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, held in the majestic setting of the Maeda Hall in Tokyo.

The concert was divided into three sections, with the Intermediate Band, conducted by Distinguished Professor Takeo Yamamoto and the Elite Band led by Black Dyke's Director of Music, Prof Nicholas Childs.

Classic works

Repertoire included two classic works of banding history in the form of Eric Ball's 'Resurgam' and Gilbert Vinter's 'Symphony of Marches', whilst the special guest soloist was Black Dyke principal cornet Richard Marshall who performed Terry Camsey's 'Life Pageant' and the beautiful Delibes 'Flower Duet'.

He was also joined by a dozen other cornet players for Leroy Anderson's ever popular 'Bugler's Holiday'.

Honour

Richard told 4BR: "This was a magnificent occasion and it was a real honour to be asked to perform. The memories of the event will remain with me for many years to come."

The capacity audience was also treated to a memorable finale as Prof Childs added: "It was an incredible occasion that closed with performances of Verdi's 'Grand March' from 'Aida', with antiphonal fanfare trumpets adding to the incredible sound of the massed band of 130 musicians and then '1812' overture with 14 percussionist playing four sets of tubular bells, cannons and Japanese tai-ho drums."

The concert encore featured the first march that was played in the British Brass Concert Series, back in 1979, Eric Osterling's 'Thundercrest'4BR

The concert encore featured the first march that was played in the British Brass Concert Series, back in 1979, Eric Osterling's 'Thundercrest'.

Speaking about the success of the event, Masanori Fukuda, Director of Brass Band Studies at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music told 4BR: "Today's concert was a real milestone and the young musicians performed wonderfully well in both their performance and presentation.

He added: "It is always a pleasure to welcome my good friend and Senzoku's Visiting Conducting Professor, Nicholas Childs, and it was an added bonus to have the opportunity of welcoming Richard Marshall for his debut performance at Senzoku. I am sure it won't be his last."