Brass bands remain one of the UK's successful cultural exports with banding movements established in many European countries, Australia, New Zealand and North America.

Japan

However, perhaps its greatest achievement has been the help that created a thriving movement in Japan, where there are currently almost 100 British-style ensembles spread across the Land of the Rising Sun.

One of the oldest is Tokyo Brass Concord (TBC), which was founded in 1981 by Kinji Inoue, and which since its formation has developed generations of Japanese players as well as welcoming many guest players from the UK, USA and Australia.

Cory MD

One such guest was current Cory Band Musical Director Philip Harper, who was a member of TBC between 1996 and 1998, and who has many happy memories of his time with the band.

"The welcome I received during the two years I lived and worked in Japan was phenomenal,"he told 4BR.

"Weekend rehearsals were always productive and then spilled into lunch or dinner, with everyone very keen to socialise together and to hear stories from the banding 'motherland'!

I have since kept in close touch with many members of the band who have become life-long friends."

New visitors

Now Tokyo Brass Concord is keen to embrace new visitors with an interest in brass bands and to welcome them to join rehearsals and to share their experiences, as band leader Hiroshi Shirai told 4BR.

"We hold regular rehearsals on Sunday mornings in the Tokyo area, so if you have the opportunity to come to Japan, privately or with your work, please visit us."

Weekend rehearsals were always productive and then spilled into lunch or dinner, with everyone very keen to socialise together and to hear stories from the banding 'motherland'!former member Philip Harper

Come and play

He added: "If you have short/mid-term assignment to work in Japan, please become our temporary member during your stay and enjoy weekly rehearsals and concerts with us.

Our band members' ages are ranging from 19 to 62 and members have various different types of jobs and some are university students. So you will enjoy friendship with various types of Japanese people as well as enjoying your brass band music in Japan. A warm welcome awaits you."

More information

You can visit the band's website for more information about its activities and its favourite music, and make contact through the contact form at: http://web-tbc.com/en/index.html