Despite strong winds, the 2006 Tokyo Open (previously known as the Autumn Preview) took flight in Tokyo's Ohta ward at Ohta Stadium, officially opening the 2006 Drum Corps Japan (DCJ) season. Six drum and bugle corps in the DCJ family competed in this rare outdoor contest. All corps arrived at Ohta Stadium bright and early for rehearsals and warm-ups, with each corps being given 15 minutes rehearsal time in the main stadium.

The Yokohama Inspires took top honors with their 2006 production of "M", sweeping all captions. "M" is an 8 minute rendition of Malguena, arranged by Ron Ellis. Following in second was Tokyo Phoenix with their 2006 production "Melting Pod." The show is a lot more harmonic than the previous year, focusing more on musicality than on range it seems. A chop-resting year one may call it. Taking a surprisingly third place as well as the division two trophy was the jazzy Imperial Sound. They look to be about twice the size as they were last year. Phoenix Regiment (1991, 1993, 1995 DCI participants) was in fourth place with their production of "Phoenix," using music from the ever so popular "Firebird Suite" by Igor Stravinsky. In fifth place were the Tokyo Cherry Blossoms with their production of "Gilamesh," followed by the Sonic Lancers in sixth with their production of "British Fantasy." The day ended with a mass corps production of "Let It Be Me," an arrangement similar to the late Jim Ott's 1978 Spirit of Atlanta arrangement.

The next DCJ event will be on Sunday, December 23rd as the Pride of Soka present the 2006 Hachioji Open at Soka University.

For more information on DCJ events, scores and recaps, please visit their website at www.dcjpn.org.