The Central Band Clarinet Choir - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Central Band Clarinet Choir, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is organized with 21 clarinetists of the JGSDF Central Band. On this time, we perform with 8 members on the Midwest Clinic 2016 stage. Mainly we have the chamber concert, lobby concert of the regular concerts and pre-concert of concert tours in the Metropolitan area. Eb Clarinet MSG Ogi, 1st Bb Clarinet Noguchi, 2nd Bb Clarinet SGT Murase, 3rd Bb Clarinet Uetake, 4th Bb Clarinet SGM Niwa, Alto clarinet WO Sonoda, Bass Clarinet SFC Yamada and Contra Bass Clarinet MSG Asano. Central Band Clarinet Choir, Japan Gournd Self-Defense Force has recorded Variety of ensemble selections CD, "Scaramouche for Clarinet Octet" with Brain Music Co in 2010.

The Central Band Clarinet Choir - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

Conductor's Bio

COLONEL AKIRA TAKEDA is the thirteenth commander of the Central Band of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, which was established in 1951. He was promoted to Colonel in July 2007 and appointed to his present position in August 2007 after several years as an Executive Officer. COL Takeda holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Musashino Academia Musicae in trumpet performance. His primary instruction on trumpet came from Mr. Sueyoshi Nozaki, formerly of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and Prf. Yutaka Tobe, principal trumpet of the New Japan Philharmonic. He also studied wind band methods with Mr. Toshio Akiyama, former President of the Japanese Band Directors Association. After graduation, he continued conducting studies with Pro. Kazue Kamiya. COL Takeda began his military career in 1980 as an instructor in the education division of the GSDF Central Band. His assignments as band officer included commander of the 2nd Combined Brigade Band, the 1st Division Band, and the Northeastern Army Band, as well as chief of the education division of the Central Band. Concurrently, he was enrolled at Tokyo University of the Arts as an auditor in 1987. He participated in a master class of the 1996 International Conductors Course in the Netherlands under the guidance of Prof. Eugene Corporon of the University of North Texas College of Music. As premier band commander of the JGSDF, COL Takeda has conductor main concerts, tour concerts, national event performances and requested commercial label recordings including “New Arrangement Collections” Vol.3-13 of Brain Music Co., “Premium Wind Ensemble Collection” of Rocket Music Inc., and “Best of Marches” of Fontec Inc. He is also in charge of education for commissioned officers and enlisted musicians of the GSDF bands. COL Takeda was invited to guest conduct the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in 2009 and the U.S. Military Academy Band in 2012, where he shared examples of Japanese wind band literature with American audiences. Takeda also authorized the Central Band’s Tuba Euphonium Quartet and Saxophone Quartet to participate in Chicago’ s Midwest Clinic in 2011 and 2013, respectively. In 2009, COL Takeda and the Central Band were awarded the prestigious Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands, administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. COL Takeda is a member of the Japanese Band Directors Association and is an executive of the Japan Sousa Society. He was selected as an honorary member of the American Bandmasters Association in 2015.