The annual National Ensemble Championships were recently held for the third time at the Salvation Army's Yamamuro Gumpei Memorial Hall where 17 organisations were represented.

It was another encouraging increase in numbers since the event started in 2020, with the increase as well as quality of those taking part remarked upon by the adjudicators, with the hope that this will continue for the next event in February 2027. The packed audience of family, friends and supporters also enjoyed the music making.

Excellent performances

This year's competition concluded with the excellent performances in the Championship Section class where Saitama Premier Brass B, beat their hat-trick seeking counterparts Saitama Premier Brass A, thanks to their outstanding performance of 'Moon Traveler' by Hiroki Takahashi.

The defending champion performed 'Mars Talantella' for Brass Octet by Kei Misawa. Third place went to Brass Band TSB -Brass Octet who performed Handel's 'Overture in D minor'.

Youth winners

In the Youth Section (under 19), victory was claimed by Koshigaya-Kita High School Wind Band — Brass Octet performing 'Composition for Brass Octet by Hirokazu Fukushima'.

Second place went to Ohsagami Junior High School Wind Band — Brass Octet with 'Toward the Fair with Sweetheart, on a Friday!' by Tomohiro Tatebe, with third place claimed by Yokohama So-Gakukan High Scholl Wind band — Brass Quintet performing 'Honjitsu Doyo Ushi no Hi' by Eijiro Nakagawa.

Junior Section

In the Junior Section (under 13), there was a victory to celebrate for Hanahata-Nishi Primary School Brass Band -Brass Octet after they performed 'Flying into the future' by Fujio Udagawa, ahead of Ohsagami Elementary School Brass Band — Brass Octet playing 'The Bell of Civilization Enlightenment' by Hiroki Takahashi.

Furthermore, four groups premiered commissioned works, including a piece commissioned by Hanabatake Nishi Elementary School specifically for the event, and marking a significant contribution to the expansion of Japanese brass compositions.
With thanks to Makoto Sekiya: Vice-President of Japanese Brass Band Directors Association

Results:

Adjudicators: Prof. Takeo Yamamoto; Prof. Tsutomu Kako; Makoto Sekiya; Tamao Araki; Yoichi Miyamoto

Championship Section:

1. Saitama Premier Brass B — Brass Octet
2. Saitama Premier Brass A -Brass Octet
3. Brass Band TSB -Brass Octet

Youth Section (under 19):

1. Koshigaya-Kita High School Wind Band — Brass Octet
2. Ohsagami Junior High School Wind Band — Brass Octet
3. Yokohama So-Gakukan High Scholl Wind band — Brass Quintet

Junior Section (under 13):

1. Hanahata-Nishi Primary School Brass Band — Brass Octet
2. Ohsagami Elementary School Brass Band — Brass Octet

Best Instrumentalist Awards:

Tomoe Murata (Euphonium) — Hanahata-Nishi Primary; Yukiko Hara (Trombone) Yokohama So-Gakukan; Haruto Kitano (Piccolo Trumpet) Obihiro Tech. High School; Mitsuki Araya (Tenor Horn) Alto Horn Club; Riko Ogawa (Euphonium) Saitama Premier B; Sachiko Takakuwa (Soprano Cornet) TSB; Naomi Kobayashi (Bb Bass) Saitama Premier A.