Sutherland Music is going to Japan 2015: The tradition continues . . .
Sutherland Music has enjoyed a unique, special and enriching connection with the most outstanding high school bands in Japan for over fifteen years. During that time our students have had the opportunity to play along side some of the world’s most accomplished high school band students. The experience has raised our students’ level of music achievement while at the same time introducing our students to highly enriching cultural experiences that simply are not available to most secondary school students. These experiences have led to ongoing friendships and opportunities to learn the benefits of being involved with young people (and their teachers) of a fascinating nation with different customs and traditions.
In addition to hosting numerous amazing Japanese wind orchestras, Sutherland’s music students (and, happily, some music parents) have also travelled to Japan, stayed with Japanese families, performed with the very best of Japanese high school bands, performed for elementary schools and participated in formal concerts with our hosts. Beyond the music opportunities the students have also had opportunity to visit some fascinating historical sites, seen special places of interest such as the Emperor’s Palace, see the huge technology stores of Electronic City, visited Ginza and also had the opportunity to visit smaller rural cities where Sutherland also has some of its most treasured music connections.
The Sutherland - Japan music project of 2015 will occur in April 2015 and is open to all students who will be in Grades 10, 11 and 12 in the 2014 - 2015 school year. Parents are most welcome to participate in the experience as well with the only difference being that all adult chaperones will stay in a hotel.
The cost of the tour will be finalized when the details of the experience have been determined. Previous such experiences have ranged from $3200.00 to $3500.00. It is the hope of the school that all music students and as many parents as possible will seriously consider being part of this experience.
A meeting for parents and students will be held on Thursday, April 17 in the school’s theatre to provide further information and to encourage participation in the experience. Please begin having the discussion about this unique opportunity at home … and please mark this important date in your calendar. We will look forward to seeing you at that time!
Sutherland Music has enjoyed a unique, special and enriching connection with the most outstanding high school bands in Japan for over fifteen years. During that time our students have had the opportunity to play along side some of the world’s most accomplished high school band students. The experience has raised our students’ level of music achievement while at the same time introducing our students to highly enriching cultural experiences that simply are not available to most secondary school students. These experiences have led to ongoing friendships and opportunities to learn the benefits of being involved with young people (and their teachers) of a fascinating nation with different customs and traditions.
In addition to hosting numerous amazing Japanese wind orchestras, Sutherland’s music students (and, happily, some music parents) have also travelled to Japan, stayed with Japanese families, performed with the very best of Japanese high school bands, performed for elementary schools and participated in formal concerts with our hosts. Beyond the music opportunities the students have also had opportunity to visit some fascinating historical sites, seen special places of interest such as the Emperor’s Palace, see the huge technology stores of Electronic City, visited Ginza and also had the opportunity to visit smaller rural cities where Sutherland also has some of its most treasured music connections.
The Sutherland - Japan music project of 2015 will occur in April 2015 and is open to all students who will be in Grades 10, 11 and 12 in the 2014 - 2015 school year. Parents are most welcome to participate in the experience as well with the only difference being that all adult chaperones will stay in a hotel.
The cost of the tour will be finalized when the details of the experience have been determined. Previous such experiences have ranged from $3200.00 to $3500.00. It is the hope of the school that all music students and as many parents as possible will seriously consider being part of this experience.
A meeting for parents and students will be held on Thursday, April 17 in the school’s theatre to provide further information and to encourage participation in the experience. Please begin having the discussion about this unique opportunity at home … and please mark this important date in your calendar. We will look forward to seeing you at that time!
Japan Music Projects1. All Chiba Junior Brass Band (August 19 to 28, 1997) 2. Matsuo High School (August 1998) 3. Carson Graham (February 1999) 4. Asahikawa Commerce High School (March 1999) 5. Sugiyama ESL Group (August 1999) 6. Astana Strings (September 1999) 7. Eslha7an (November 1999) 8. Narashino High School (March 2000) 9. Funabashi Junior Orchestra (August 2000) 10. Sutherland (February 2001) 11. Takanawadai High School (March 2001) 12. Takanawadai High School Graduates (March 2002) 13. All Chiba Junior Band (August 2002) 14. Enjoy Percussion (September 2002) 15. Blaine High School (February 2003) 16. Takanawadai High School (March 2003) 17. Asahikawa Commerce High School (March 2003) 18. Takanawadai High School Graduates (February 2004) 19. Kanazawa-Sakuragaoka High School (March – April 2004) 20. Takanawadai High School (March 2005) |
21. Asahikawa Commerce High School (March – April 2005) 22. Takanawadai Grads (February 2006) 23. Seitoku (March 2006) 24. Sutherland (April 2006) 25. Blaine High School (February 2007) 26. Takanawadai High School (March 2007) 27. Asahikawa Commerce High School (March – April 2007) 28. Taisho Koto (May 2007) 29. Funabashi City Junior Orchestra (August 2007) 30. Takanawadai Grads (February 2008) 31. Komatsumeihou (March 28 to April 4, 2008) 32. Takanawadai High School (March 16 to 25, 2009) 33. Sutherland School (April 15 to 25, 2009) 34. Soshin High School (March 25 to 29, 2010) 35. Japan Ladies Brass (Stratford, Ontario – June 20 to 23, 2010) 36. Komatsumeihou High School (March 27 – April 4, 2011) 37. Asahikawa Commerce High School (March 26 to April 3, 2012) 38. Sutherland (April 17 to 26, 2012) 39. Soshin All Girls School (March 20 - 27, 2013) |
Cultural and Musical Connections
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
JAPAN . . . Sutherland Music Department’s Unique and Amazing Connection with Japan Continues!
As most of Sutherland’s music students and parents know, our school has enjoyed a unique relationship with some of the very top High School Brass Bands in Japan. Dating back to March 27, 1999 with the visit of Asahikawa Commerce High School and continuing throughout the years, Sutherland’s students have had the opportunity to learn with and from these amazingly accomplished Japanese High School musicians and their conductors.
Equally as significant as the opportunity to have hosted Japanese bands is Sutherland’s ongoing commitment to providing music students with the opportunity to visit these same schools in Japan where the students can once again meet their Japanese musician friends, perform concerts in Japan and develop cultural understandings that far surpass that which could be taught in a classroom. Sutherland’s music students have travelled to Japan in 2001, 2006, 2009 and 2012. The next opportunity for our Senior Band students in grades 10 to 12 to visit Japan will take place in the Spring of 2015. All students will have the chance to go in their senior music years if the commitment is there from the groups. While that seems like a long way off, experience has taught us that planning must begin now! Every Sutherland music student is strongly encouraged to participate in this unique educational experience.
Of natural interest to families wishing to ensure that their sons or daughters have the opportunity to experience this trip to Japan in future years is the financial consideration. The school does what it can to ensure there are initiatives taken to assist the students in raising funds to offset the cost of the experience. One of the most meaningful and important ways of raising funds comes through the hosting of Japanese students when they are in North Vancouver either as part of a band tour or while they are here to study English as a Second Language (ESL). The school has had several wonderful experiences for families to host students and the consistent comment from the Host Families has been that it was a very special experience for everyone involved.
There are certain basic requirements that are necessary to host students. As examples, clean and proper bedding must be provided (and both students can stay in a double bed) and it is required that host families attend certain events of the visiting bands such as the Welcome Reception, the public concert and the Farewell Party. There is also one day during the group’s stay in which the visitors remain with the Host Family for the entire day as an opportunity to experience the normal cultural routines of a Canadian family. The guest students can not be left alone in your home during their stay. Most importantly, the expectation is that they will be treated with care and kindness throughout their stay.
Whereas the hosting of students does provide an opportunity to raise some funds, the overall experience goes beyond the financial benefit. It is equally as important to stress that the experience provides families with the opportunity to meet the Japanese students and become familiar with their customs and learn some Japanese words and phrases. Gaining familiarity with the visiting students enables our students to adapt quickly to the culture of Japan when they go. The opportunity to settle into new cultural surroundings with old friends enables our students to make the most of the learning opportunities that await them on their own Japan tour.
Very simply, this unique program cannot work effectively without the involvement of Sutherland music families. The Music Department strongly encourages as many students as possible to participate in the music education initiative in Japan. Along with that, we encourage each family to consider serving as a Home Stay family … particularly next Spring when the Soshin All Girls High School will be visiting. The Music Department and the music students needs everyone’s help in this regard and we are confident that you will be very happy to have been part of something as special as these international music opportunities.
Japanese students are housed in pairs. While here, the students will be participating in day time sightseeing and activities including concerts for Sutherland and other places in the communities. You will be compensated $30 per student per night. These funds can go into student fundraising accounts or a cheque can be given to families. Also, if you know of a family that is not currently in the music program but would be interested in this opportunity, please have them contact Ms. Workman or refer them to the music website (sutherlandmusic.weebly.com) where they can access this letter along with the attached homestay profile.
Looking forward to another memorable exchange with our Japanese friends!
As most of Sutherland’s music students and parents know, our school has enjoyed a unique relationship with some of the very top High School Brass Bands in Japan. Dating back to March 27, 1999 with the visit of Asahikawa Commerce High School and continuing throughout the years, Sutherland’s students have had the opportunity to learn with and from these amazingly accomplished Japanese High School musicians and their conductors.
Equally as significant as the opportunity to have hosted Japanese bands is Sutherland’s ongoing commitment to providing music students with the opportunity to visit these same schools in Japan where the students can once again meet their Japanese musician friends, perform concerts in Japan and develop cultural understandings that far surpass that which could be taught in a classroom. Sutherland’s music students have travelled to Japan in 2001, 2006, 2009 and 2012. The next opportunity for our Senior Band students in grades 10 to 12 to visit Japan will take place in the Spring of 2015. All students will have the chance to go in their senior music years if the commitment is there from the groups. While that seems like a long way off, experience has taught us that planning must begin now! Every Sutherland music student is strongly encouraged to participate in this unique educational experience.
Of natural interest to families wishing to ensure that their sons or daughters have the opportunity to experience this trip to Japan in future years is the financial consideration. The school does what it can to ensure there are initiatives taken to assist the students in raising funds to offset the cost of the experience. One of the most meaningful and important ways of raising funds comes through the hosting of Japanese students when they are in North Vancouver either as part of a band tour or while they are here to study English as a Second Language (ESL). The school has had several wonderful experiences for families to host students and the consistent comment from the Host Families has been that it was a very special experience for everyone involved.
There are certain basic requirements that are necessary to host students. As examples, clean and proper bedding must be provided (and both students can stay in a double bed) and it is required that host families attend certain events of the visiting bands such as the Welcome Reception, the public concert and the Farewell Party. There is also one day during the group’s stay in which the visitors remain with the Host Family for the entire day as an opportunity to experience the normal cultural routines of a Canadian family. The guest students can not be left alone in your home during their stay. Most importantly, the expectation is that they will be treated with care and kindness throughout their stay.
Whereas the hosting of students does provide an opportunity to raise some funds, the overall experience goes beyond the financial benefit. It is equally as important to stress that the experience provides families with the opportunity to meet the Japanese students and become familiar with their customs and learn some Japanese words and phrases. Gaining familiarity with the visiting students enables our students to adapt quickly to the culture of Japan when they go. The opportunity to settle into new cultural surroundings with old friends enables our students to make the most of the learning opportunities that await them on their own Japan tour.
Very simply, this unique program cannot work effectively without the involvement of Sutherland music families. The Music Department strongly encourages as many students as possible to participate in the music education initiative in Japan. Along with that, we encourage each family to consider serving as a Home Stay family … particularly next Spring when the Soshin All Girls High School will be visiting. The Music Department and the music students needs everyone’s help in this regard and we are confident that you will be very happy to have been part of something as special as these international music opportunities.
Japanese students are housed in pairs. While here, the students will be participating in day time sightseeing and activities including concerts for Sutherland and other places in the communities. You will be compensated $30 per student per night. These funds can go into student fundraising accounts or a cheque can be given to families. Also, if you know of a family that is not currently in the music program but would be interested in this opportunity, please have them contact Ms. Workman or refer them to the music website (sutherlandmusic.weebly.com) where they can access this letter along with the attached homestay profile.
Looking forward to another memorable exchange with our Japanese friends!