UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE TOKYO KOSEI WIND ORCHESTRA: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION A DOCUMENT SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS By DANH T. PHAM Norman, Oklahoma 2011 TOKYO KOSEI WIND ORCHESTRA: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION A DOCUMENT APPROVED FOR THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC BY _______________________ Dr. William Wakefield, Chair _______________________ Dr. Charlene Dell _______________________ Dr. Michael Lee _______________________ Dr. Roland Barrett _______________________ Dr. Elyssa Faison © Copyright by DANH T. PHAM 2011 All Rights Reserved.!! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is far more than a culmination of years of study. These pages reflect relationships with people I love dearly. The list is long, but I cherish each contribution to my development as a son, brother, teacher, and conductor. My deepest gratitude goes to my conducting mentor and supervisor Dr. Bill Wakefield and members of my dissertation committee. Drs. Charlene Dell, Elyssa Faison, Michael Lee, and Roland Barrett – I owe you everything. Your insights, professionalism and teaching have inspired my continual growth as a scholar and musician. Thank you for making my last days of a student so memorable. To my family of friends – mahalo. From my days at Indiana University to the many unforgettable years in Oregon, to these last few years in the American Southwest, you all have, and continue to be, my foundation of love. Thank you for the many holidays and family moments together. I miss and love you all. To my past and current students – my career is a success because of you. I could not be prouder of your accomplishments! You helped made me into what I am today. To my McMurry University colleagues – I am blessed to work with great people each day. Mark Wilcox – you are the finest musician and boss ever! Keith Lloyd – I could not ask to work besides a better friend. And last but not least - special acknowledgments to my editor Kelli Porter, the Sam Taylor Fellowship Program, and the Higher Ministry of Education for providing the necessary support to complete my research. ! "#! To my loving family: Cindy, Charlie, and Davin - C!m "n b#n $ã cho t%t c! m&i th'! This document is affectionately dedicated to Don Tsuha and Ray Cramer. You are the reason why I do what I do. I will always consider myself your student. There is not a day that goes by when I do not hold myself to your personal and professional standards. You are the most important teachers in my life. Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu. ! #! TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………….viii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………...1 PART ONE THE HISTORY OF JAPANESE BANDS AND MUSIC EDUCATION 2. THE INTRODUCTION AND PROGRESSION OF WESTERN MUSIC IN JAPAN……………………………………18 PART TWO RISSHO KOSEI-KAI AND THE TOKYO KOSEI WIND ORCHESTRA CHAPTER 3. RISSHO KOSEI-KAI BUDDHIST ORGANIZATION…………...47 4. THE TOKYO KOSEI WIND ORCHESTRA……………………...75 5. FREDERICK FENNELL IN JAPAN……………...…………..…104 6. FINAL SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: THE WESTERN THREADS OF THE TOKYO KOSEI WIND ORCHESTRA…………………….………………………………124 ! #"! BIBLIOGRAPHY…………...……………………………………………………136 APPENDIX A. Origins of Kimiyago…………………………………………...….144 B. Chronology of General Douglas MacArthur’s Career………...….146 C. Shinto Directive…………………………………………………...153 D. Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Organization Timeline…………….…158 E. Interview with David G. Hebert, PhD………………………….....167 F. Interview with Jerry Junkin, Dallas Wind Symphony…………….174 G. Part I: TKWO Japanese Composers and CD Catalogue……….....178 Part II: Japanese Composer Biographies………………………….180 H. Frederick Fennell TKWO Regular Concerts…………………...…183 I. Frederick Fennell TKWO Recordings…………………………….193 J. Interview with Barry Kopetz, DMA…………………………...….208 K. TKWO Guest Conductors and CD Catalogue……………...……..211 L. Kiite! (Translated by this Author)……...…………………………214 M. TKWO Music Director Biographies…………...……………...….238 N. TKWO Regular Concerts…………………...………………….…243 O. Excerpt of Jay Gilbert study on Wind Repertoire……………...…278 ! #""! ABSTRACT The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra is a renowned professional wind band founded in 1960 under the aegis of the Buddhist organization Rissho Kosei-kai. Originally named the Tokyo Symphonic Band, the group was renamed in 1973 to reflect its growth in concert activity. As one of the world’s leading professional wind ensembles, its rise to international prominence is a direct result of Western artistry, political influence, and musical direction. This Western thread of influence can be felt in three specific areas: history, religion, and artistry. This dissertation traces the history of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra from its earliest roots with the introduction of wind instruments to Japan in the sixteenth century, and explores the Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist organization, its membership and worship practices since the end of World War II. Additionally, the dissertation describes the dual purpose of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, performing both as an ensemble in religious services for their Buddhist sect and on the concert stage featuring some of the finest wind and percussion performers in Japan. Finally, a description of Frederick Fennell’s tenure as Music Director and various other guest conductors will substantiate the importance of Westerners in professionalizing the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra through repertoire selection, international concert tours, and recording since the 1980s. This portion of the study includes rehearsal observations, conductor interviews, and subscription concert catalogues of one of the world’s leading professional wind ensembles whose rich history encompasses centuries of band and religious activity. ! ! #"""! CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION I so marvelously remember the first time I stood in front of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. It was an unforgettable experience to hear that sound.1 Frederick Fennell As a musician growing up in Hawaii, opportunities for me to attend professional or military band concerts were infrequent. My first experiences of hearing contemporary wind ensemble repertoire came from purchasing new recordings available at the local record store. Because of Hawaii’s Japanese-friendly economy, it was common to see store shelves stocked with as many foreign as American artists’ recordings. Thus began my fascination and admiration of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra was established in 1960 as the Tokyo Symphonic Band, a brass band attached to the lay Buddhist organization Rissho Kosei-kai. It was given its present name in 1973 to reflect its growing professionalism and scale of activities.2 Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading civilian professional wind bands, the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra’s concert activity and recording output rivals several regional and professional symphony orchestras.3 With over three hundred titles on compact discs to its credit, the Tokyo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Frederick Fennell: A Life of Joyful Discovery, DVD (Orange Coast Productions, 2004). 2 The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra: The 40th Anniversary, “All Data of The Concert,” concert program archive, Volumes 1-66, 2000, 6-7.! 3 David G. Hebert, “Alchemy of Brass: Spirituality and Wind Music in Japan,” in Music in Japan Today, ed. E. Michael Richards and Kazuko Tanosaki (Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2008), 238. ! ! 1! Kosei Wind Orchestra performs throughout Japan, and occasionally tours the United States and Europe. Despite the wind orchestra’s fifty-year history, little is known in the United States about the ensemble outside of its recordings. As a musical entity within Rissho Kosei-kai, the orchestra’s musical commitments vary greatly from major subscription concerts to charity band events at national music clinics such as the Nemu-no-Sato and the Hamamatsu Band Clinic held in Tokyo and Hamamatsu City, respectively.4 Other primary performance duties include educational concert performances and an extensive recording schedule, with repertoire ranging from newly commissioned works for wind orchestra to pop-music band arrangements on the popular Japanese label Sounds in Brass. The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra has also released several live video performances and was the first ensemble ever to record a DVD of an all winds-and-percussion program.5 The ensemble gained immediate worldwide acclaim under the directorship of Frederick Fennell (1914-2004), who served as Music Director from 1984-1994, and Conductor Laureate until his passing. Having founded the Eastman Wind Ensemble at the University of Rochester in 1952, Fennell is widely considered as one of the most influential band conductors of the later half of the twentieth century. A pioneer in the wind band recording field, his concepts in programming new works for the wind ensemble genre continues today through establishments such as the !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 David Hebert, “The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra: A Case Study of Intercultural Music Transmission,” Journal of Research in Music Education 49, no. 3 (2001): 217. 5 The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, “Recordings,” concert program advertisement, Activities, 2003, 8. ! ! 2! College Band Directors National Association and the American Bandmasters Association. Fennell’s legacy provided validation and recognition for the professional Japanese band movement.6 His devotion brought forth a level of excellence that allowed