FIMA Toddler Marching Carnival 2008, Shining Beat Report

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Shining Beat, All Japan Infant Marching Association’s 20th annual marching carnival took place at the historic Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle) Hall on Monday, November 3rd. 14 nursery schools (that’s right, we are talking about preschoolers here) from Osaka and Hyogo prefectures brought in drum corps to this unique event. Corps instrumentation included drums, bells and synthesizers. Suwahoikuen Nursery School from Osaka brought in their own taiko line.

These little tots played to their hearts’ delight to a crowd full of parents, supporters and others who took advantage of the free event. To say these groups were cute would be an understatement. The accomplishment that they achieved today in not only performing their music in a large arena, but while marching in formation is unheard of in the American marching activity. Yes, we have the Blue Devils C corps, but they would be too old to perform with the toddlers in Japan.

Music selections ranged from West Side Story, Indiana Jones and Holst’s Jupiter from the Planets Suite, to more familiar Japanese tunes such as Lupin III (Madison Scouts 1998 opener) and Truth, among others.

The event’s participants were evaluated by Japan resident and Pro-Mark endorser Steve Ulicny and DCI/WGI/BOA adjudicator Kyle Miller of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Posted by on Saturday, November 8th, 2008. Filed under Other.