• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home World News Us & Canada

As Rose Parade nears, California greets visiting bands

December 31, 2024
in Us & Canada
Reading Time: 9 mins read
A A
0
Two girls with trombones laugh while sitting in a parking lot.
6
SHARES
13
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


ANAHEIM, Calif. —  The ebullient thrum of staccato snares, thumping sousaphones, and tramping shoes all acting in unison filled the gray morning air in the parking lot outside Angel Stadium recently. Piles of travel-worn cardboard boxes and pristine instrument cases stood stacked at one end of the cracked asphalt as scores of young performers marched, danced and played in tight formation, round and round the vast expanse.

It was just days before the Rose Parade and one of the last chances the Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Green Band had to practice its eight-song medley and accompanying choreography.

Yuika Okai, left, and Karin Yamamoto enjoy a light moment while taking a break from rehearsal for the upcoming Rose Parade.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

One of 24 bands slated to perform in the Pasadena procession, the Japanese school will mark its third appearance there on New Year’s Day. It will join an international contingent of bands from Mexico, Panama and Denmark.

The Japanese band’s whirlwind visit to Southern California began Christmas Day, when the performers and their instruments started arriving at Los Angeles International Airport. For most, it was their first visit to the United States.

They spent Thursday and Friday practicing and retiring to a nearby hotel, escorted back and forth in long charter buses while a local volunteer transported their instruments in a Penske moving truck.

A group of people with musical instruments march in a stadium parking lot.

The Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Green Band rehearses for the Rose Parade in the parking lot at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Asked about their first impressions, many of the young band members remarked on how friendly the Americans they had met had been. And several raved about the food, especially the hotel’s bacon and eggs — an uncommon breakfast in Japan.

“Everything is huge. Lots of cars and freeways,” 18-year-old saxophone player Kokoro Kumagai said through a translator. “We went to the supermarket and every item is quite huge and its color is quite vivid. Everything seemed delicious.”

The group is considered Japan’s best and most innovative high school marching band. Until just several years ago — when the school began to admit boys — the band was made up entirely of girls. This year, 109 enrolled students and 82 recent graduates made the trip to California.

A group of people play  French horns.

The Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Green Band is considered Japan’s best and most innovative high school marching band. Until just several years ago — when the school began to admit boys — the band was made up entirely of girls.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Over the weekend, band members dispersed across Southern California for home stays with families from Seal Beach to Ontario. Many said they were excited to experience normal American life and maybe see some tourist attractions or go shopping in between commitments. They had a busy schedule, with a charity concert at John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma on Sunday, an appearance in the Rose Parade-associated Bandfest event at Pasadena City College on Monday and a performance in the parade at Disneyland on New Year’s Eve.

Bob Kunihiro said he hosted two band members at his family’s house in Anaheim Hills in 2018, and he decided to do so again this year. He takes them to area restaurants and to the outlets, which he said is a popular option because American clothing is typically more expensive in Japan, particularly with the current weakness of the yen.

“It’s a lot of fun. I really enjoy it, the kids are really nice,” Kunihiro said. “A lot of the kids don’t speak much English, so they’re very apprehensive. I speak a little Japanese, but I also use Google Translate, which helps.”

That trepidation disappears the moment they don their signature yellow-and-black collared tops and orange skirts — or black pants in the case of the few male players — and hoist their instruments in the air. The band is an explosion of coordinated energy, with far more activity than the average marching band as its members skip, high kick and sashay, all while playing a tune.

A band rehearsing in a parking lot.

“Around 200 high school students and graduates are going to make a very impressive performance, with the combination of dance and music,” said Yasuda Fumihiko, Kyoto Tachibana’s principal.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

“Around 200 high school students and graduates are going to make a very impressive performance, with the combination of dance and music,” said Yasuda Fumihiko, Kyoto Tachibana’s principal, as he watched the Friday practice. “Very skillful steps and very beautiful sounds, they’ll play eight tunes.”

The band’s leaders said they chose songs that American audience members of all ages would enjoy, from Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga to the Beach Boys classic “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and the jazz standard “Sing Sing Sing,” made famous by Benny Goodman.

For the band’s members, the day of the Rose Parade begins hours before dawn, as they expect to arrive near the parade route around 3 a.m. The actual performance will last about two hours, during which they will perform the eight-song medley in a repeating loop as they make their way through the streets of Pasadena before wrapping up in late morning.

The Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Green Band listen to their music director during rehearsal.

The Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Green Band listens to its music director during rehearsal.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The next day, it’s back to Japan for the high schoolers, who have exams to study for. The graduates will stay an extra day in the U.S. to visit — where else — Disneyland.

“We want to make a very good performance. We want to enjoy ourselves and we want every person watching to enjoy themselves, too,” Kumagai said. “It’s a kind of harmony. We want people in the U.S. to know peace and harmony through our music and marching performance.”



Source link

Tags: bandbandsCaliforniadaydisneylandFamilygreetsinstrumentJapanmusicNearsnew yearParadeparking lotperformancerecent graduateRoserose paradethird appearancevisitingyoung band member
Previous Post

Trump tests influence over GOP with Johnson Speakership vote

Next Post

Why one Colorado county has seen a steady drop in its suicide rate over five years

Related Posts

Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over 'cruel' social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over ‘cruel’ social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

June 17, 2025
5
Edmonton Oilers could join elite NHL teams who rallied in Game 6 to win Stanley Cup

Edmonton Oilers could join elite NHL teams who rallied in Game 6 to win Stanley Cup

June 17, 2025
2
Next Post
depression

Why one Colorado county has seen a steady drop in its suicide rate over five years

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0

Virginia Man Fined for Killing Protected Birds Using Illegal Poison

June 17, 2025
Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over 'cruel' social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over ‘cruel’ social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

June 17, 2025
The Straits Times logo

Australia’s Albanese confident on Aukus treaty after British leader says it will proceed

June 17, 2025

Oil prices rise as Iran-Israel conflict fans supply worries

June 17, 2025

Recent News

Virginia Man Fined for Killing Protected Birds Using Illegal Poison

June 17, 2025
2
Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over 'cruel' social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over ‘cruel’ social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

June 17, 2025
5
The Straits Times logo

Australia’s Albanese confident on Aukus treaty after British leader says it will proceed

June 17, 2025
5

Oil prices rise as Iran-Israel conflict fans supply worries

June 17, 2025
4

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

Virginia Man Fined for Killing Protected Birds Using Illegal Poison

June 17, 2025
Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over 'cruel' social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over ‘cruel’ social media posts on the Minnesota shootings

June 17, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co