Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 8

This morning we headed to Engaru Junior High School after breakfast to prepare for a concert @ 10:40am. As soon as Olivia sung her first note she had many of the students ‘eating out of the palm of her hand‘ so to speak, the amazement in some of their eyes spoke volumes.

That is not to say that the band didn’t play well, in some regards I think that that they have played better each day as the tour progresses. But even when the band sang When I Survey the students were enthralled.

After Engaru we had lunch at a hotel on the way to Kitami. Upon arriving in Kitami we had a rehearsal with the Obrigado Brass Consort at the Kitami Art and Culture Centre.

The Obrigado Brass Consort started the evenings concert with a few numbers including a popular song by Yoko Ono. They concluded their set with some Japanese cultural arrangement which was just fantastic.

After a brief intermission due to the stage hands rearranging the seating the band played some of their band repertoire. Which included; Phoenix, Fusion, Celebration and The Incredibles. But the piece that stole the second part of the show was Grant’s solo, Air ‘n Variations.

After another intermission that saw the seats rearranged to accommodate both bands the opening piece, a rousing rendition of Fire in the Blood was really awesome and contributed to a rapturous applause. After a couple more pieces and the message the evening concluded with A Christmas Festival.

Although our night was not complete without dinner @ Morse BBQ Restaurant, even if it was close to 10pm. So by the time we were done it had been an extremely long day.

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Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 7

This morning we were greeted by the sight of snow falling outside as we ate breakfast at the hotel restaurant. As we went outside to load the coach it was not as cold as predicted, but there was definitely a chill in the breeze.

When everyone was loaded up, Band Master Jim and the percussionists headed to Hokusei University to set-up. While the rest of the band split into 3 groups and headed to some of the local nurseries (kindergartens), to play a selection of Christmas Carols to the young ones.

In our setting we gave the nursery a New Zealand Silver Fern flag and a bit of kiwi memorabilia, as well as some cards featuring the full band for the teachers and teacher aides on site.

There was so much enthusiasm eminately not only from the children but also from the band ensemble, so much so that Wayne gave them a brief preview of some Maori culture. Which was absolutely awesome and the children got into it big time, I’d almost say that they didn’t want us to go by the number of high-fives and handshakes that we received over and over again.

The coach came and picked us up, so that we could go to the University and we tightly gathered in a smallish Chapel. Due to its construction the sound of the band resonated beautifully in the Chapel and Olivia’s voice reverberated extraordinarily so that it brought a tear to the eye of many for sure.

The afternoon was spent taking the coach for 5 hours to Engaru through one or two blizzards along the way.

While on the coach we heard a testimony from David and then were subjected to a Kangaroo Court session in which indiscretions that have taken place since leaving Wellington were recounted, much to everyone’s amasumement including those that were fined for them.

Upon arriving at the Engaru Welfare Centre we had a brief rehearsal with the Engaru School Wind Band. When they played a rendition of Goldcrest and Shine with the Wellington Citadel Band during the later concert it was absolutely amazing.

Their are many talented young people around, they need the opportunity to shine in settings such as this. When you factor in the fact that we have a number of young people in the WCB, just as long as they stick to it, there is a bright future for all types of banding.

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Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 6

This morning we were up and ready slightly earlier than we have been to date, so that we could get breakfast, sign out of the hotel, and get on the coach for a 8:00am departure to Shokei Christian University.

Once there we were straight into rehearsals as we had the concert scheduled for a 10:30am start. We needed to be very mindful of the fact that many, if not all of the students had classes immediately after the concert. This meant that their would be a high likelihood that we’d need to drop a musical piece or two so that we could keep to time.

Apparently, although the University is a Christian one, they have only recently instituted specific Christian Studies. So my short Devotional Message which challenged the students to seek out Jesus and learn about His life & ministry, based around the visit of the wise men found in Matthew 2, was extremely well received by both the teachers in attendance and the pupils.

Lochlan’s & Brenna’s testimonies went down extremely well with many of the students. And the musical pieces that were presented which included: Concerto for Horn, My Love is like a red, red rose, O Mio Babbino and Through the Fair amongst others we’re very well received.

The Incredibles kicked off the second half of the programme and When I survey was sung by the band at the conclusion of the concert, you could see many of those in the audience amazed, which was a huge blessing. One of the teachers just prior to this vocal piece had just prayed so it was quite fitting.

After lunch we did some marching practice just as the rain started and much of the remainder of the afternoon was spent either on the coach, or on our flight to Sapporo. Which made for a long tiring day.

Upon arriving there we were treated to a number of Hokkaido delicacies for dinner at a local restaurant before turning in for the night.

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Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 5

After a hearty breakfast for many of us, we headed by coach to the Nankodai Community Centre for church. From all accounts it was well received and those gathered really enjoyed what the band and I brought to the meeting.

For many churches, especially The Salvation Army here in Japan they don’t necessarily have much in the way of live musical accompaniment (apart from piano) in worship. So it was not only a huge honour and privilege to be @ the Sendai Corps, who in a few weeks will be opening there own building set aside for doing mission and ministry out of in the community. But it was also a massive blessing to bring our gifts of music and song to the people of this area.

The translation of the testimony of Major Glenton Waugh and my message was handled superbly and those that gathered were moved by the Holy Spirit as they took in what was being shared about “Living as Children of the Light” which was taken from Ephesians 4:17 – 6:19.

After lunch we headed across to the Nankodai Junior High School to rehearse for the afternoon concert programme with the Sendai British Brass Band as they would accompany us for some of the massed band pieces in the second half of the programme.

Those that gathered, (approximately 450) were suitably impressed and hugely appreciative of the Wellington Citadel Band and the Sendai British Brass Band. So much so that they wanted an encore. 🤓

Some of the pieces that were played included; Aka Tombo / Pokarekare beautifully accompanied by Olivia, El Cuban hero which featured Jonty’s solo, and Flower Blossom amongst others.

Once the Sendai British Brass Band joined in to create the massed band the audience was especially enamoured by the first piece, Fire in the Blood. After the concert the band played a few Carols as attendees exited the building which was a lovely touch.

After the concert we were treated to dinner and the Sendai British Brass Band joined us, sharing in some fellowship.

All in all the community of Sendai have been blessed mightily and it will be hugely encouraging to hear how God moves in this community as the Corps establishes itself in its new building over the coming months and years. As I’m sure that we have left a lasting impression of what it means to be Chriatlike and how we have modeled being “Children of Light“.

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Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 4

We arrived @ Hendai Airport in Tokyo, blurry eyed after the overnight flight from Singapore to start the Japan leg of the tour. For most of us we managed to get at least a couple of hours sleep on the plane.

Upon getting all of our luggage and belongings together, we were welcomed by Majors Nigel & Brenda Luscombe on the other side of immigration and customs, who many of us know from New Zealand, they are currently serving in Japan.

After some brief introductions to others in the welcoming party we were shown to our coach and a couple of trucks, which we loaded up with all the gear. Then we headed to Tokyo Station so that we could catch the bullet train to Sendai where we’ll be spending the next couple of nights.

The seats on the bullet train were a fair bit more spacious than the seats on the plane, so some of the band were able to catch some much needed z’s as we headed for our next stop.

Upon arriving in Sendai we took in some of the sights of the local mall and grabbed lunch before finally making our way to the hotel so that we could get refreshed, and prepare for the rehearsals at Nankodai Community Centre. Which also included a short rehearsal with the Sendai British Brass Band, who will be accompanying us at the concert in the afternoon at the Nankodai Junior High School.

Tomorrow morning we will also be having a Holiness Meeting at the Community Centre starting @ 10:00am in which I have the privilege of preaching at, and Major Glenton Waugh will be sharing a bit of his testimony of how God has and is working in and through his life.

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