Joint concert highlights 'universal language'

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matt Summers
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  More than 120 musicians from Fussa City and the base combined their talents March 15 to entertain more than 850 Japanese and American spectators at Fussa Citizens' Hall.

The free concert, "Music Across the Border," marked the first time the North Kanto Defense Bureau worked with officials from Fussa City and Yokota to host such an event. The performance blended the talents of junior high and high school students from Fussa as well as Fussa City Wind Ensemble members with those of the Yokota High School band and the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia "Pacific Trends."

The host designed the performance to not only enhance the relationship between members of the Yokota community and local residents, but also to allow musicians to share "a common language of music," said Akira Kamata, North Kanto Defense Bureau director general.

"We have no doubt the joint concert will greatly contribute to the deepening of mutual friendship and understanding through music and the promotion of interaction between local residents around Yokota Air Base and the people at Yokota," Mr. Kamata said.

Fussa City's mayor said that although this is the first time for such an event, he hopes it marks the beginning of increased interest in the sharing of the two cultures.

"I hope that mutual understanding will be strengthened and a circle of interaction will spread further through today's concert," said Ikuo Kato, Fussa City mayor. "I also hope that a significant exchange program like this concert will be conducted continuously in the future."

The 374th Airlift Wing commander said the concert ranks among his fondest memories of a tour at Yokota which began in July 2007.

"Music is a common language that unites our nations," said Col. Jeff Newell, 374th Airlift Wing commander. "It's wonderful to see American children working side-by-side with the children of Fussa City, being literally on the same sheet of music."

Chiharu Sugita from the Fussa High School Wind Ensemble Club said she was nervous and lacked confidence before she hit the stage, but added she experienced a "sense of achievement" following the performance.

"I didn't understand English very well and had trouble understanding the conductor," she said. "But I realized we shared a common language through the music."

Rachell Sanchez-Aizpru'a from Yokota High School said she enjoyed bringing the two cultures together on stage.

"It was neat to make new friends and the energy I got from everyone around me was really cool," she said.

The concert also motivated the only full-time, professional musicians on stage.

"It's great to see young folks playing music -- it shows us the music will continue on after we retire," said Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Smalley, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia manager. "It means a lot to us to continue the bi-lateral relationship we have here and we look forward to doing more events like this in the future -- stay tuned."