SASEBO, Nagasaki -- Junior high and high school brass band members, whose dreams of performing in a competition were dampened by the novel coronavirus, have been given an opportunity to present their performances on the radio.
Akio Nakamura, a high school teacher in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, started broadcasting recorded performances of junior high and high school brass bands on his radio program, because a competition was canceled due to the spread of the virus.
He thought an opportunity for third-year students to present their performances would be evidence of their hard work, so he set the stage for them to broadcast their talents on the radio.
Students at schools in and outside the prefecture have been practicing, saying they want to impress listeners.
Nakamura is an adviser to the brass band club at Sasebo Tosho High School, which won a gold medal in last year's brass band competition in the prefecture.
The band members usually begin practicing hard in spring for the competition that is held in July and August, aiming to pave the way for the Kyushu region at national competitions.
This year, however, the competition was decided in May to be canceled due to the outbreak of infections. Unlike high school baseball tournaments, there was no relief measures for school brass bands.
When students were crying because they lost the chance to achieve their goals, Nakamura knew he had to do something.
Nakamura, a locally renowned music teacher, was asked by the community FM radio station, FM Sasebo, to work together to enliven the community. Since 2008, he has hosted -- without pay -- a one-hour live program "Let's support brass bands! Bura Ban" from 9 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
Nakamura came up with the idea of broadcasting recorded performances he receives from schools. He started inviting school brass bands to participate late May, and received inquiries from more than 10 schools in and outside the prefecture.
The radio program has so far broadcasted performances by the brass bands of six schools over four shows, while introducing messages from the members, such as, "I will play [for the radio] as if it were a real competition," or "I'm happy to be in a brass band."
When Nakamura received an anonymous e-mail saying, "Thank you for the wonderful opportunity," he was close to tears, he said.
Thirty-nine students who belong to the brass band club at Sasebo's Haiki Junior High School are also planning to record a song for the radio.
"It was disappointing that the competition was canceled, but I've got a new goal. I want to play music that will move listeners," said third-year student Haruto Fujii, a baritone sax player and leader of the brass band club.
Nakamura said any effort is never in vain. "I hope that students will use this experience as a source of inspiration and wisdom in difficult times, and become adults who inspirit people's hearts."
The radio program is also available for listeners outside Sasebo through the FM Sasebo website and smartphone app.
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