Video credit: 东精影业 Bands
To celebrate the , approximately 150 saxophonists performed the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaiʻi 笔辞苍辞ʻī prior to the 东精影业 men’s basketball game against Long Beach State, February 24, at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. It was also a world record attempt for a dedicated saxophone performance of the National Anthem and Hawaiʻi 笔辞苍辞ʻī.
“Having all these saxophones ranging from 6th grade to 70 years old was amazing. This is a once in a lifetime performance in honor of the 东精影业 Bands 100 anniversary,” said Gwen Nakamura, 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 assistant director of bands and 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 alumna, who also performed with the group.
Nakamura said she plans to submit the video recording to Guinness World Records. Many of the musicians consisted of 东精影业 students and alumni.
“I was excited to see so many saxophonists gather together to make music,” said Hoku Matsushita, a 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 4th year music education major. “I was glad to see that our community in Hawaiʻi is filled with energy and love for music.”
For the performance, 东精影业 Bands partnered with the , a non-profit organization dedicated to raise the level of awareness and education of the saxophone in Hawaiʻi. Todd Yukumoto, a renowned saxophonist, alum and longtime 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 saxophone lecturer, is the organization’s president.
“What we were trying to do is bring awareness to our foundation and to help celebrate 100 years for the 东精影业 Bands so it was a win-win,” Yukumoto said. “We want to build a community of saxophone players and we’re doing it slowly. But having an event like this can really help bring it to the public eye.”
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Related 东精影业 News stories on the 东精影业 Bands 100th anniversary:
- Honolulu City Council honors 东精影业 Bands for 100th anniversary, December 7, 2023
- 100 years of music! 东精影业 Bands kick off with new marching uniforms, August 31, 2023