Page 3 - 張祝珊英文中學－ECHOv1.2

Overseas study tour

Japan Music Tour - immersed in music, culture and future

4B Tam Ching Hin
Mostly when people talk about Tokyo, they
call the Japanese capital a paradise for shopping,
entertainment and sightseeing. But Tokyo, where
ancient meets modern, offers far more than that. In
July 2016, the School Band of CCSC started our
very first pioneer trip to explore the other side of
this capital city which amazed us far beyond our
imagination.

One of the highlights of the tour is the visit to
Hamuradiichi Junior High School where we had
musical exchange with the school band members and
enjoyed their performance. I truly recognize the fact
that we have a lot to learn from their sophisticated
performance, which combined band music and all
sorts of creative props. Their creativity added much
color to the whole performance! In a chat with the
students, I was pretty shocked to know how often
they practised - twice per school day! No wonder
they came fi rst in the National Tournaments! I really Do we look like Japanese?
appreciate their perseverance and devotion towards traditional costume and walking around a medieval-style Japanese town, we enjoyed a much-needed short
music. They succeeded not just because they thought break from our busy city life. I jumped on the bandwagon and took numerous selfi es with my dear friends
out of the box, but also because they were passionate round the corner of the traditional Japanese architecture. We visited old shops selling traditional Japanese
about pursuing musical excellence. There's nothing treats, which gave us a taste of Japanese craftsmanship in delicacy. You know, it's always reasonable to
we can't do if we try to breakthrough and at the comfort your tongue better, isn't it?
same time not to give in to obstacles. Apart from the
exchange with local students, we also had the honour The trip ended with a visit to Miraikan, a museum about innovation, science and technology. Located
to attend a master class taught by two veteran music near the coast of the Bay of Tokyo, Miraikan offered us a glimpse of the future world. Nowadays we are
professors. Though the duration was not that long, it all enjoying the benefits technology brings us and witnessing the power of artificial intelligence, but the
did enrich our musical knowledge and sharpen our next generation may not live in a better world than us because we have not stopped hurting our planet.
skills of Brass instruments. Improvements have to be made to save the earth. Now the Japanese have a comprehensive plan about this
and I believe we could also follow.
Apart from the musical side, we also had a
chance to experience the cultural uniqueness of Before I end, I would like to acknowledge Ms Fu and bandmaster Mr Wong for coordinating the entire
Tokyo. I personally enjoy the kimono experience tour, Mr Kan, Mr Sham and Mr Tse for their effort in taking care of us, and last but not least the tour guides
at Kawagoe very much. Experiencing the Japanese and all other personnel for their helping hand. Thank you all for making our tour both fruitful and joyful.

Musical exchange with local students. We discuss the sheet music really seriously! Master class by musical professor

Visit to Hamuradiichi Junior High School.Though we don't speak each other's language, music bonds us together!