The most important aspect of any musical group is its sound, and teaching ideal sound production should be an omnipresent basic of ensemble training. Student recognition of proper tone and intonation, derived from focused ear training, plus student-directed reinforcement exercises promote individual participation in, and commitment to the group’s construction of a proper sound. Members of the Saitama Sakae HS Wind Orchestra will share daily warm-up, tuning, and balancing methods used to create its renowned "pipe-organ" balance and blend.
Minoru Otaki
- Biographical Information
Many national and international credits mark Mr. Otaki's devotion to Saitama Sakae's musical excellence, including the Vienna World Festival Grand Prix, performances at Chicago’s Midwest Band Clinic, Carnegie Hall, the NBA/BOA Summer Convention, the Florida Music Educators Assn. Convention and 19 National Band Contest "Gold" Awards. He received the "Long Appearing Conductor Award" for 15 nominations to the All Japan Band Competition national finals. His instruction has been the subject of Toshiba/EMI's "New Collection of Practical Band Teaching Methods" and other programs regarding band fundamentals. Mr. Otaki conducts the Omiya City Wind Orch., lectures at Saitama Junior College and serves as a regional adjudicator for concert and ensemble festivals. He is president of the Saitama State Band Association, Associate Director of the Academic Society of Japan for Winds, Percussion and Band, Chairman of "Joyful Festival" for Arts and leader of the Study Group for Wind Band Literature.