Introduction

The Tokyo University Trombone Club is a trombone ensemble consisting of current and former members of the trombone section of the University of Tokyo Orchestra and was formed in 1978. The first regular concert was held in the spring of the following year, 1979, and it is active mainly in the regular concert of almost every year since then. The concert celebrated its 30th anniversary in the fall of 2009. The members range in age and occupation from university students to working adults, with 10 to 25 people performing at a single concert and some alumni joining in on the day of the concert. Our repertoire ranges from classics to pop music. In the past, We have performed commissioned works. For information on past performances, please see the information on past concerts.

About the Trombone Ensemble

I think there are relatively few opportunities to hear trombone ensembles. The trombone is one of the few instruments that can be played in an ensemble with only the same type of instrument because of its high expressive power and wide practical range. Once you've heard it, you'll never forget its gorgeous and solemn sound. The wide variety of ensembles is also appealing. Starting with duets, there are also large ones like trios, quartets, quintets, quintets, octets, and duets. However, quartets are still fundamental, and we play many quartets at TTC concerts.

A Year in the TTC

The focus of TTC's activities is the regular concert in October each year. The year's activities begin around June, when the group meets on holiday mornings to determine the pieces to be played and the performers. After the summer break, practice resumes in September, and in the middle of September, we will have a two-night training camp at Iwai Beach in Chiba Prefecture for the main event. In addition, we also offer commissioned performances. In 2009, he performed at a party for the University of Tokyo Alumni International Exchange between the University of Tokyo and Yale University in the United States, a project sponsored by the University of Tokyo. In addition, we hold social events several times a year where volunteers gather to perform in ensembles.

Introduction of the advisor, Mr. Yorio Imai

Born in 1943, he graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1968. While at school, he studied trombone under Masato Yamamoto, Kurt Puchke, and Yasuhiko Shiozawa, and conducting under Noboru Kaneko. He is the president of the Japan Trombone Association, the organizer of the Shiga Kogen Music Festival, and the representative of the Shiga Kogen Summer Music Camp Organizing Committee. He is active as a clinician in orchestras, brass bands and brass ensembles. Advisor of the Nihon Amateur Brass Ensemble Organization(Nabeo). He is a mentor to our members in common.