Augustana Symphonic Band to tour Japan

The Augustana Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. James Lambrecht, will perform concerts in Japan in March and April.

The 50-person ensemble will perform pieces by Yasuhide Ito, Philip Sparke, Julie Giroux, David Maslanka, Frank Ticheli and John Philip Sousa. 

Originally scheduled for spring 2020, the tour was postponed due to COVID-19. This tour is especially important to current seniors as they will embark on their first tour abroad. 

“This tour is a fulfillment of a promise I made to try to go back to Japan,” said Dr. Lambrecht. “This will be a life-changing experience for the students to witness and participate not only in a very different, but modern Asian culture such as Japan, but to view and be part of the great band programs in Japan that rival the U.S. and Europe.”

The Augustana Symphonic Band’s connections to Japan date back to 2009, when Dr. Lambrecht was appointed a guest conductor at the Musashino Academia Musicae, a top music school in Japan. He has since spent four semesters teaching as a guest conductor. 

The Symphonic Band, which has toured throughout Europe and the Midwest, first toured Japan in 2014.

Between performances, students will visit multiple cities throughout Japan and fully immerse themselves in the culture. 

Tour performances

March 25: Joint concert with a local school

March 28: Performance at the Sagamihara Band Festival

April 2: Concert in Nagoya