2008 Elementary School Championship: Mama Elementary

[apopuluto]

こんなの小学生がやる曲じゃねええｗｗｗとか言いつつも自分も小­学校の時

同じ作曲者の「元禄」を演奏しました。

小学生とは思えない演奏です。すごい。

[K0ELW]

Is teaching via rote learning as in Suzuki violin?

[bravomusicinc]

@K0ELW A fair question, but it is not. They rehearse, mark, and revise the parts as needed, but do short contest performances (10-12 minutes) from memory to maximize unity and expressiveness. Unlike Suzuki (one to four parts played by all) an advanced band score has up to 40 independant parts. Rote teaching can't work with complex music scores, and besides, look at, and listen to the great emphasis on fundamental training. It is what it is, no "tricks", just lots of time, which they have.

[K0ELW]

@bravomusicinc tnx! 

[MegaTaytay00]

that is amazing i would  like to meet your teacher

[blastjet2000]

Typical American Elementary school bands don't have anyone. They're really small, with once a week rehearsals. At least in MD.

[HawaiianSuperDude]

O.O

[Rawr3221]

my elementary didnt have actual band until you were in fifth grade ._.

[fantasynreality]

if a typical japan kid is in band from elementary to senior high, gosh, he/she gonna own big time

[hqfizulhqkim]

very impressive!!! how i wish to be one of the player! Japanese are very expert in this field of music =D ..

[corner559]

Un-f*cking real. THESE ARE KIDS!!!!!!! Oh, wait. They're Asian. That explains it.

[MrMaxymon]

anyone else notice that it's all memorized 

[InBy9OutBy5]

They've all memorized their parts. This is unbelieveable. Puts the US to shame in a hearbeat (downbeat ?)

[diessel1303]

@InBy9OutBy5 same for europe ^^

[XLeeHarveyOswaldX]

thumbs up for the euphoniums

[LaTex305]

i feel ashamed of myself

[itsumo321]

@LaTex305 Please don't feel that way-these recordings are meant to inspire, and consider what can be, given enough time to practice an art or sport. In America we try, and do a lot of activities, and in Japan, students select one and give it all their time after school. We can, though, use their type of focus and intensity to make our rehearsals more effective. Tell your band friends to listen carefully, don't make the director repeat instructions, and come well-prepared for practice each day.

[silvisvegas]

This video is very good, but it makes my band members and I look like little beginners. we play good, but compared to them, we're amateurs.

[BandMom101]

No music. I would like to see them read what they're playing.....

[Liynkx]

damn, I guess they just decided to memorize the freakin thing while they were busy pwning. Man sometimes I wish more people in the world had this kind of dedication. I know it comes at a price though, but this is a result worthy of so much.

[clubparty44]

i cant play this and im in high school

[itsumo321]

@freecomkcf - Don't be hard on your own band or director. Our school culture promotes individuality and diversity, which goes against the idea of uniformity and self-denial needed for a tight and well-blended ensemble. You know all the speeches about "I" not being in "teamwork". And, in Japan, you can only be in one major extra-curricular club, because it takes all of your time. Band is rehearsed just like track or swimming-hours daily, sometimes weekends, etc. Different world, and results.

[stubert311]

i smell bullshit

[itsumo321]

@stubert311 Try taking a nice, warm bath.....with soap!

[karnak472]

@stubert311 Let's see....who's going to be working for who?

[stubert311]

@karnak472 OMG YOUTUBE COMMENTS

[RaNd0mMP3rs0n]

got my school band concert tommorow. only were not as gooooooood!!!!!

[kolakowskiproduction]

If this is their elementary school, I'm not sure if I even want to hear their high school.

[SgtPenguin117]

I know it's an elementary school (and don't get me wrong, they were jaw dropping), but that final chord made me wince like I just swallowed an entire lemon.

[vandall321]

To all the people who say memorizing music is overkill. What do you think we do for marching band? Sometimes we learn 5 to 6 pieces of music. Its really isnt that hard to do if you apply yourself.

[Comingout301]

Wow the energy they have is so... Great.. one the best sound and energy i have seen.. they take their work seriously.. japanese bands are allways the top ones

[NBWallace11]

dam japs r good at everything

[MrProcidano]

o.O very very good 

[ReinforceZwei009]

Japan School Bands = Singapore Gold with Honours Secondary School Band in SYF

[Comingout301]

@ReinforceZwei009 ya even the younges can get gold with hornours.. eumm our showdown is near,,

[chibby93]

dios bendito!!! es impresionante. ya les gustaría a otras bandas profesionales tocar así. PERO SI ESTÁN TOCANDO DE MEMORIA!! impresionante! :)

[chibby93]

dios bendito!!! es impresionante. ya les gustaría a otras bandas profesionales tocar así. PERO SI ESTÁN TOCANDO DE MEMORIA!! impresionante! :)

[HappyTrekkIrah]

I wonder why Japanese bands are so FREAKING AWESOME ??!!!

[itsumo321]

@HappyTrekkIrah Answer: 1) all clubs can practice as long as they wish after school, 2) the goal is to be good as possible, no excuses 3) students tutor and mentor each other, which builds a great ensemble, 4) you can only belong to one club, and are always expected to give 100%.

[pongpiano]

เด็กประถม...

[Tigerfulish]

damn where'd they get the money?

[allwedoissell]

This is amazing!!!

[064645642]

japanese elementary band > american high school bands

WOW. Japanese kids.... TOO PRO.

[bravomusicinc]

@064645642 This is one of the best bands, and they rehearse concert music maybe three times longer each week than our school bands. Just a different system, but it works.

[PalerThenTheMoon]

@bravomusicinc actually they practice on their own like two or three hours a day each at home.

[Marcu5r0xs0x]

@064645642 Japanese elementary band > most college bands.

[ReaperExecutor]

@064645642 They just hardcore practice that piece... they don't even need the score!

[shinobimaster123]

1:12

its hard to be cool when your instrument is bigger than you

[windxpig]

@shinobimaster123 I am liking this comment cuz i get the reference =3

[asians1213]

note:first we brought japan trians they make the fastest one in the world.

we give them euroupean insturments they startt voilin and paino when they r 2

u see were im going

[THEEsaxmaniac]

They look a little older than elementary us studients.. regardless they are very very good!! I wish the USA schols would take note of this (no punn intended) and relise that if we cute the arts out of school we are not leading our children to use the brain the way it was designed to function.

[bravomusicinc]

@THEEsaxmaniac Japan's elementaries are 1st-6th grade, and these kids are 4-6th graders. The ties work wonders for maturity, and this director is a master teacher. His previous school was the renowned Ohgashiwa Elementary.

[bene951]

@bravomusicinc Obviously a lot of credit must be given to the director, but most if not all of these students must be taking private lessons, or are being forced to practice very hard by their parents. Most American band directors could only dream of having students willing and able to put in this much work. There are many reasons why these students are playing so well at such a young age. It doesn't, however, necessarily translate to individual musical excellence later on in life all of them.

[itsumo321]

@bene951 The truth is simple. None of them study privately, or at home. That's the value of club activities...they are an all-consuming, personal, voluntary part of the school experience. All training is done by student section leaders (trained by the director). Individual, section, then full ensemble, in that order. Its all about "basic fundamentals" and time spent, 3-4 hours daily and weekends as needed. The baseball club works even harder, but no one claims "abuse" ..its fun, just for now.

[bene951]

@itsumo321 How voluntary?These children must be pushed by their parents to be involved with the band. American parents don't push their children (as much) and you've possibly heard the results (not very good). The difference with the American approach is that you get a handful of naturally self-motivated students here and there who pursue music. Just listen to the level of US college wind ensembles like Eastman, Michigan, Northwestern, UNT... all of which play at an extremely high level.

[itsumo321]

@bene951 Sure...I assume we are all educators with student's best interest in mind. Japanese students are given a great deal of autonomy-I have seen kindergartners riding the Tokyo subway. Their schools are academically tough, so parents and adminstrators encourage club activity to build their life experiece. A small percentage of those music clubs strive for extreme excellence, and their successes actually attract students to those schools. They WANT to be there, because its thrilling-its fun.

[bene951]

@itsumo321 Also, I don't mean to imply "abuse" at all. The parents who push their children obviously have their best interests in mind. It's hard for kids to appreciate it when they are young, but chances are they will appreciate being pushed when they are older. I don't have anything against an approach that involves the parents pushing their children. It's just a very different approach from what I grew up with, where I could have stopped playing my instrument at any moment and nobody'd care.

[itsumo321]

@bene951 Here's an example of enthusiasm. Seika Girls HS Band that played at Midwest this year...the students are very proud of the fact that they rehearse 364 days a year. They love the program, the director, and all that they do. Seika has an alumna band of about 90 players that performs at Seika's main annual concert. They can't get enough! The MO for school clubs is this-learn to do one activity really well, in a teamwork setting, something to build pride and confidence...not a resume.

[karnak472]

@bene951 Please don't end your sentence with a prepositional phrase. It shows bad lernen.

[bene951]

@karnak472 a) No such rule b) will proudly not proofread what i write on youtube because this is not a scientific journal c) sometimes being economical because of the character limit causes some funky sentences d) grow up

[yvonsaxer]

la vache, il y a matière à méditer

la synchro à la perfection et le son

bravo, chapeau bas

[patmanrox]

they memorized it too

[BOOMDIGIDYable]

My jr high symphonic band is just as good but DAMN, we dont memorize are music!

[Bluebox91]

um these guys are way better than my high school symphony band was. And wtf? they memorize all their music? Why is America so lame at everything?!?!?

[KayCeebaby526]

My band teacher told us to look at this and said to us that if they can play that way then we can too, but then I just had to remind him that they're Japanese. My point was made.

[Quy4life]

they better than high school band!

[TheShadealex]

i don't see any trumpets how come?

[itsumo321]

@TheShadealex : At 2:15, they are playing claves. There are two rows, trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet. This sample clip is only part of the performance, so some views are missing.

[THEEsaxmaniac]

@TheShadealex ( mexican voice) They don't need no stinking trumpets

[jahi5]

i am pretty supprised that these elemnetary school aged kids are better than my 8th grad middle school band wow

[thehulk372]

This is Freaking amazing. OH my God. I am in a middle school band, and we are pretty good, but these guys make us sound horrible.

[jkman10]

holy shit these little guys playing upright tuba

[bstuts7914]

Do they read music or are they taught by rote?

[itsumo321]

Mr. Tagawa is known for his great fundamental teaching skills. All members read music, and learn quickly from each other in student-led section rehearsals daily after school. Short contest performances can be memorized for the sake of attentiveness, but not lengthy concerts.

[monkeyrilla]

LMAO!! thats freakin tight

[bterazono]

holly shit they memorized that

[kwrwkwrw]

this is incredible! my band teacher - mrs. dubbert was talking about this band and how we should look it up on this site. wow... i am in 8th grade and our band is spectacular! but, this is too great for words. they have it allll memorized! i'm impressed.. better than a lot of high schools , even colleges. also, don't forget, they practice 23 hours a week.. we practice 5!!!!!! they look so little(: how adorable! i just want to pinch thier cheeks... but great work!!!

[itsumo321]

Typical club meeting schedule 3-5 or 3-6 daily after school, and Saturday if needed. Some don't do as much, some do more, as they wish.

[Emmi928]

Its amazing that they are this good for being so young!

[neoguy9090]

すげぇ

アメリカの音楽教育はこれに比べて本当に情けないな。

[ito7952]

neoguy9090

一人ではなく、猛威笑顔は、常に強い

All boats float higher from a rising tide.

[trumtrum66]

That is absolutly amazing! and its all memorized! WOW

[inkigl]

i almost feel sorry for these kids. i mean....its obvious that they practice 13 hours a day and i can't imagine growing up like that and living a decent well rounded life

[itsumo321]

Well, its actually 2-3 hours a day after school, and they participate in clubs for the express reason of having a more rounded life as well as the experience of doing something well.

[inkigl]

@itsumo321 well nvm then. they really must know how to practice efficiently

[musicchick581]

they're in school all day doing math and science for hours on end. And you're saying including the arts isn't well rounded? That's what being well rounded is! By the way, how many asian band directors do you see? I know one and I'm outside NYC, the emmigration capital. Their parents want them to be the best at everything, then they drop music in favor of higher paying careers.

[stickontrol]

See that is want good hazing will do for you.

[silkaem]

My goodness. No sheet music. All from the brain!!!!!!! That's incredible

[mrkanyuk]

and They All Play By Memory!

Is this perhaps overkill?

[bugamonga]

They are kind of amazing performers, as professionals. That confidence, power, sound. Is incredible, totally incredible, congratulations. Wish my university band could sound as them. We have to work hard and think like them. Their success is thanks to the concetration and discipline.

Again, Fantastic!!!!

[kiylaajem]

Damn. I should have grown up in Japan.

[mygarage95]

ditto man... i grew up in taiwan.... but then came to america... now that im in love with band... i feel as if i should have stayed in taiwan...

[bugamonga]

I agree, me too. Hahaha, this is Awesome!

[secretorganisation]

ur future kids should

find a japanese wife and live there

[Blijdenstein]

Unbelievable! And all kids are playing there parts memorized, without sheet music.

Fantastic!

[hironobu3210]

こりゃすごいや

[blastjet2000]

wow!!!!!! They're better than my middle schools advanced band, and last year we were in the top ten bands in the state.

[Theblackampithere]

Dang, Im in my elementary school band, (I play the alto sax) we sound nothing like them. My band teacher showed this video to us during class, and I had to see it again. It just amazes me that theyre in the same grade as I am, and they play like professionals 0.o

[FrawstBite10]

wow this is an amazing band! its only elementary, they must've invested alot on instruments, and last, they must've had intensive practices!!!!

[WHATKIDS123456]

DCI has a challenge ahaha

[WHATKIDS123456]

hell no.

[Pasanine]

holy fucking shit...elementary school!?!?!?!

My god! holy shit! that is amazing!!! they're so professional!

[nagetier01]

Genial!! davon sind unsere Landesjugendblasorchester in Deutschland weit entfernt :D

[klaptongroovemaster]

One word: Disciprine.

[lmaoxlolx3]

Holy shit...

[Oboe0500709]

music is still there.....but the way they interprte this song is not on the level...come one they still kids la....

[glockmeister001]

True, but they BLOW AWAY us American elementary and even middle... even the high school bands! Sad to say us American elementary school kids aren't as dicsiplined as the Japanese kids are.

Maybe the laws should be lifted that we can start wacking our kids to submission..... just kidding.

If you aren't impressed with this band, BUY the Ohgashiwa Elementary School concerts! $32.00 with shipping, but well worth it! Especially when they played Van Roost "Spartacus"...

[Aeileo]

It's true. The US school music programs haven't been exactly great

[HHRmac614]

Anyone notice? No music. Wow.

[glockmeister001]

YUP! This song is the fourth movement. ALL by memory! You think THIS is UN-real, buy the Ohgashiwa Elementary School concerts. Mind blowing performances by fourth, fitth, and sixth graders! Order it through the link to your right. Quite expensive $29.00, but well worth it! You can buy any concert ticket and plane fare, but for $29.00, this is the concert to behold! I actually tune my Magnepans with their (Ohgashiwa Elementary School) concert!

[gypsykid81]

shit, seriously?? this is amazing!! these kids are at a level that adults aren't even at

[itsumo321]

The DVD this comes from has 10 such elementary bands playing at evaluation festival... "Superior"

[chutdigadut]

OH MY GOOOSH! Speechless.............

[RossiniSoprano]

Yo, Mama.....you rock, kids!

[Oboe0500709]

wow......this is truely amazing,my high school orchestra is not at this standard.....

[kkqcc882]

えーーーーっ

[pgrpnbtn]

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