UCLA Marching Band Hits Japan with a Goldened Melody Spectacle
UCLA Bruin Marching Band Shines at Ekitopia Festival in Nagoya, Japan
The UCLA Bruin Marching Band made a memorable appearance at the 35th annual Ekitopia Festival Parade in Nagoya, Japan on May 4 and 5, 2018. This performance marked another milestone in the band's history of participating in international events.
The Ekitopia Festival is an annual event held during Japan's "Golden Week," which includes The Emperor's Birthday, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day. This festival is a large cultural and music event that celebrates diverse musical traditions and community spirit, and the UCLA Bruin Marching Band was invited to participate as a featured international marching band.
The band performed a variety of pieces, including classic UCLA fight songs, contemporary music arrangements, and traditional marching band repertoire. Their performance was designed to engage the local audience with dynamic marching formations and high-energy music. Beyond just performing, band members interacted with local musicians and festival-goers, participating in cultural exchange activities and workshops.
The governor of Aichi Prefecture, Hideaki Omura, was present to welcome the band to Nagoya. Other performers at the parade included several local high school bands and traditional Japanese dance troupes. The band's Asian performances include the Chinese New Year Night Parade in Hong Kong and the Taoyuan International Band Festival in Taiwan.
After rehearsing on May 3, the band's incredible performance was well-received, enhancing UCLA's international presence and strengthening cultural ties between the U.S. and Japan. Upon returning to Los Angeles on May 7, most of the students from the band headed directly to classes.
The UCLA Marching Band's international performances demonstrate their global reach and versatility. In fact, the band has a history of participating in international events, including the Chinese New Year Night Parade in Hong Kong in 2006 and 2008, and the Taoyuan International Band Festival in Taiwan in 2016. In 2010, fourteen members of the UCLA Drumline also performed at the Ekitopia Festival in Nagoya.
For those interested in reliving the band's performance at the Ekitopia Festival, videos can be found on platforms like YouTube by searching terms such as "UCLA Bruin Marching Band Ekitopia Festival 2018" or "UCLA Marching Band Nagoya Japan 2018." There, you might find recordings of their live performance and behind-the-scenes footage shared by attendees or the band itself.
On May 6, the band visited several historical sites in Kyoto, including Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Temple), the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kameyama-koen Park, and Fushimi Inari-taisha. The UCLA Bruin Marching Band's international performances continue to showcase their musical talents and represent UCLA on a global stage, connecting with audiences and other performers from around the world.
