R E C A P : A P A C B A N D 2 0 1 3
By MAGGIE C.
April 2, 2013
The festival culminated in a theatrical performance of "Godzilla Eats Las Vegas".
CANADIAN ACADEMY - The recent 2013 APAC Band
performance was successful in delighting both the audience and
band members with a cultural experience.
This years APAC Band was held at Canadian Academy. As in
previous years, the event provided the
opportunity for musicians to improve and demonstrate their
skills. The concert finale entertained the audience and
concluded with a loud applause. Thus the performance was
indeed triumphant, however what really made the event so victorious
was the cultural experience it provided.
The initial purpose of APAC events was not only to give members the chance to practice their skills, but to immerse visitors with the
local culture they would otherwise be unable to experience. Over the years, this aspect of APAC events has somewhat diminished. The
competitive edge often found in APAC Sports events has put the focus more on winning than on making memories in the unique foreign
locations. Additionally, the tight scheduling makes it difficult to fit in excursions outside of school in years past.
MUSIC AND CULTURE
However, this years band directors were able to overcome these obstacles and offer a truly fun and distinctive time for participants. Mr.
Vest commented on the importance he placed on the Japanese aspect of the event, “For me as a director at APAC, I want the students
who come to have an experience where they know they’ve been in Japan, an international school experience. Something that they
aren’t going to get at the other schools.” Whereas other APAC events can be riddled with competition and school-associated bonds,
APAC band is generally free of such complications. This allowed the band members from different schools to work together and truly
enjoy the trip. The schedule was also planned in order to include as many activities, both musical and cultural, as possible. Between
long hours of practice, APAC band members spent time with their peers or exploring local Japanese lifestyle. The talent and motivation
in each musician allowed the directors to prepare more difficult pieces. Together these aspects aided in making a memorable band
event. The music was one way in which students were able to connect to Japanese culture. Many of the pieces were inspired by Asian
influences, as directors hoped to broaden students horizons musically. The concert commenced with a dramatic Taiko drum
performance. Taiko drums are elaborate in construction, and vary in size and sound. As a set or alone, Taiko drums and their skilled
drummers are able to create a musical experience unparalleled in other cultures. Afterwards the band continued the Japanese theme
with Yagi Bushi. Yagi Bushi is a well-known Japanese folk song that has been played at matsuri festivals for decades. The piece is very
energetic and started the concert off beautifully. The fourth song was Fantasy on Sakura Sakura. This piece featured very Japanese
styles, and was originally written by Ray Cramer for the Musashino Academia Musicae – one of the most prestigious musical
conservatories in Japan. The final piece was a mesh of Japanese and western cultures chosen to truly entertain and push traditional
concert parameters – Godzilla Eats Las Vegas by Eric Whitacre. This piece was a challenge for the band as it blended together multiple
musical styles and encouraged participants to join in whole-heartedly. The storyline, flashing lights, and screams of terror were
unforgettable while Godzilla symbolized popular Japanese-American media.
"IT JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER"
Overall, the performance and the trip was incredibly worthwhile and exceeded all expectations. Not only were the musicians able to pull
off difficult pieces they had only practiced for three days, they were able to create and participate in a cultural experience that reminded
us of the purpose of APAC. When asked whether or not he found the event successful, Mr. Vest commented, “Oh, definitely. At one point
a student came up to us. The way he was talking we thought he was going to tell us some sort of problem… but then he said he just
wanted to tell us that he really liked the event. It was the hardest APAC we’ve ever done, but also the most fun… It seems it just gets
better and better.”
Interested in watching the performance?
http://catv.canacad.ac.jp/groups/apacband/blog/
performance was successful in delighting both the audience and
band members with a cultural experience.
This years APAC Band was held at Canadian Academy. As in
previous years, the event provided the
opportunity for musicians to improve and demonstrate their
skills. The concert finale entertained the audience and
concluded with a loud applause. Thus the performance was
indeed triumphant, however what really made the event so victorious
was the cultural experience it provided.
The initial purpose of APAC events was not only to give members the chance to practice their skills, but to immerse visitors with the
local culture they would otherwise be unable to experience. Over the years, this aspect of APAC events has somewhat diminished. The
competitive edge often found in APAC Sports events has put the focus more on winning than on making memories in the unique foreign
locations. Additionally, the tight scheduling makes it difficult to fit in excursions outside of school in years past.
MUSIC AND CULTURE
However, this years band directors were able to overcome these obstacles and offer a truly fun and distinctive time for participants. Mr.
Vest commented on the importance he placed on the Japanese aspect of the event, “For me as a director at APAC, I want the students
who come to have an experience where they know they’ve been in Japan, an international school experience. Something that they
aren’t going to get at the other schools.” Whereas other APAC events can be riddled with competition and school-associated bonds,
APAC band is generally free of such complications. This allowed the band members from different schools to work together and truly
enjoy the trip. The schedule was also planned in order to include as many activities, both musical and cultural, as possible. Between
long hours of practice, APAC band members spent time with their peers or exploring local Japanese lifestyle. The talent and motivation
in each musician allowed the directors to prepare more difficult pieces. Together these aspects aided in making a memorable band
event. The music was one way in which students were able to connect to Japanese culture. Many of the pieces were inspired by Asian
influences, as directors hoped to broaden students horizons musically. The concert commenced with a dramatic Taiko drum
performance. Taiko drums are elaborate in construction, and vary in size and sound. As a set or alone, Taiko drums and their skilled
drummers are able to create a musical experience unparalleled in other cultures. Afterwards the band continued the Japanese theme
with Yagi Bushi. Yagi Bushi is a well-known Japanese folk song that has been played at matsuri festivals for decades. The piece is very
energetic and started the concert off beautifully. The fourth song was Fantasy on Sakura Sakura. This piece featured very Japanese
styles, and was originally written by Ray Cramer for the Musashino Academia Musicae – one of the most prestigious musical
conservatories in Japan. The final piece was a mesh of Japanese and western cultures chosen to truly entertain and push traditional
concert parameters – Godzilla Eats Las Vegas by Eric Whitacre. This piece was a challenge for the band as it blended together multiple
musical styles and encouraged participants to join in whole-heartedly. The storyline, flashing lights, and screams of terror were
unforgettable while Godzilla symbolized popular Japanese-American media.
"IT JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER"
Overall, the performance and the trip was incredibly worthwhile and exceeded all expectations. Not only were the musicians able to pull
off difficult pieces they had only practiced for three days, they were able to create and participate in a cultural experience that reminded
us of the purpose of APAC. When asked whether or not he found the event successful, Mr. Vest commented, “Oh, definitely. At one point
a student came up to us. The way he was talking we thought he was going to tell us some sort of problem… but then he said he just
wanted to tell us that he really liked the event. It was the hardest APAC we’ve ever done, but also the most fun… It seems it just gets
better and better.”
Interested in watching the performance?
http://catv.canacad.ac.jp/groups/apacband/blog/