Dojo Newsletter vol 14 nº1 April-May 2019
Author: Ian Cleworth
Date: Wed 15 May 2019
DOJO NEWSLETTER : vol 14 nº1 April-May 2019
Taikoz on the mainstage in 2019
We have a really exciting year of mainstage performances ahead of us – in May Taikoz 4tet Live! hits the road for a tour to Grafton (2/5), Brisbane (3/5) and Byron Bay (4/5); then we begin preparing for a return of our major production The Beauty Of 8 that will tour to Port Macquarie (19/7), Penrith (20/7), Canberra (25/7), Newcastle (26/7) and Sydney (27/7); and finally a brand new program called Seven Flowers, which will premiere at City Recital Hall on October 11. Taikoz 4tet Live!tour dates are up on our website – please tell any family and friends who live in and around Byron, Brisbane and Grafton to come and check us out! Information about The Beauty Of 8 and Seven Flowers will be up on the web soon.
Anton returns for The Beauty Of 8 in July
We’re very excited to be presenting these programs, as each reflects something different and special about Taikoz. Taikoz 4tet Live! is made up of works for just four players. But don't be fooled by the smaller number of players! From Waves – Ian’s virtuosic kanade-okedo solo – to Joe Small’s dynamic Propel, this is a super high-energy and extremely varied program.
The Beauty Of 8 on the other hand, is for 6-piece ensemble and two incredible soloists. Joining us on stage will be the celebrated artist Chieko Kojima (KODO Distinguished Member, pictured) and Australia’s own world-renowned Shakuhachi Grand Master Riley Lee. And as an added surprise we welcome the return of ex-Taikoz dynamo, Anton Lock!
The Beauty Of 8 has it all! Not only explosive taiko of course, but Chieko’s mesmerising dance, Riley’s sublime shakuhachi, Anton’s percussion vocals, and John Cleworth’s cinematic electronica. All combines to make for a truly unique theatrical experience. Tour dates will be up on the web soon.
As for Seven Flowers… well, I can't say much, as a lot of new music has yet to be composed! The concept though, is based on the writings of Zeami (pictured below)) from his early 15th Century treatise, Fushikaden. More about this later…
Taikoz and Musica Viva In Schools: Illawarra and Canberra Tour
Musica Viva was founded in 1945 and is the world’s largest chamber music organisation. While they tour (mostly Western classical) ensembles around the country, presenting them in our major concert halls, Musica Viva’s schools concert program, MVIS, began in 1981 and Taikoz is proud to be partnered with them, enjoying touring to schools all over Australia for 3 months a year.
It is a joy to have the opportunity to present our music to so many young Australian children. They invariably respond to the sound and energy of the taiko and especially having a play themselves! We also sing, play the shinobue and dance, giving the children a broad sense of who and what Taikoz is.
Recently, Sophia, Ryuji and Sophie headed to the Illawarra and Canberra regions to perform the Taikoz schools program to hundreds of children. They gave 3 concerts a day – that’s 15 per week!
Ryuji and Sophie with Wendy from Berry Public School
Our recent introduction of yoko-uchi style to the concert program obviously made an impression!
Asano Taiko Company and our new skins
Did you know that our dojo is filled with the finest taiko instruments available and we are all truly privileged to play upon them? Many of our taiko are made by the Asano Taiko Company, a family business that has an unbroken line of producing these beautiful instruments since 1609… yes, that’s over 400 years of taiko making!
(L-R) Ryuji, Sophia, Ian, Mr Shimada, Mr Asano, Katsuji Asano, Kerryn, Sophie
We’re often asked how long the skins last. The skins (called kawa) produced by Asano are of the finest quality and they have a life of about 15 years. It takes a couple of years for new skins to ‘warm up’, but after that, they become fuller, deeper and richer in tone. Nevertheless, it takes a truly fine player to get the best sound out of each taiko, so keep practicing!
Back in 2011 we had a number of our taiko skins replaced by Mr Yasuo Asano, including our big odaiko. Although it is not an Asano drum (it’s actually Australian made) the cost of replacing the two skins was $18,000. The high expense of new skins and having them re-tuned is because the materials are of the finest quality and the tuning is impeccable… that’s 400 years of knowledge and superb craftsmanship right there on top and bottom of each drum.
Well, it’s just been that time again when Managing Director Akitoshi Asano and his assistants, Head Craftsman Hiroo Shimada and Head of Asano Taiko USA Katsuji Asano, arrived in Sydney over the Easter weekend to replace and re-tune a few of our aging taiko. The three of them worked tirelessly for four days re-skinning and repairing five nagado-daiko and two hirado-daiko. The results are magnificent and we are absolutely thrilled!
Next time you make a sound on the taiko, take a moment to think of the history, skill and love that has gone into making that instrument… DON KON!
KJ & IDPs 2019
This year, Kerryn is working with the IDPs on singing and movement. Apart from learning some beautiful songs, their class focuses on voice production, quality of sound, tone colour, intonation and interpretation. Here’s an update from Kerryn…
“Music and singing has been a major part of my life as I was brought up in a very musical family. Although untrained, my mother had an incredible voice and she was always singing, so I naturally wanted to sing, too. Taking singing classes with the IDP students has been a delight. I don’t consider myself to be a singing teacher – it’s such a difficult art form to teach – but we are enjoying exploring Taikoz repertoire and songs that I have composed for the students. They’re also making their own arrangements. I’m looking forward to hearing them sing in the dojo, in the corridors, and eventually the stage. It’s wonderful to be able to help them on their IDP journey throughout the year!”
... and …
Hello! It's Rhet from the IDP checking in! What an amazing year it's been so far, between training hard on the big odaiko through to fue and singing. We have all immersed ourselves into a very full spectrum of taiko training. It would not be unusual to find some of us in D1 or D2 outside of usual classes to get in a bit of extra practice, whether its Silvana and Haruka running through Onikenbai dances, Hirotaka flying though some katsugi licks or Liam busting out the taiko set. This term we have been focusing on a deep exploration of the subtleties of Yataibayashi and there are a few pieces coming up which will be challenging but exciting. Looking forward to the next phase, ganbarou! [IDP Member Rhet Magarragia]
IDPs 2019 (L-R) Haruka, Hirotaka, Silvana, Rhet and Liam
Onikenbai Club
A component of the IDProgram is practicing the ancient Japanese dance-music form known as Onikenbai. Hailing from Iwasaki, a tiny farming hamlet in Iwate Prefecture, Onikenbai is also practiced in Sydney!
Every Saturday the members of Sydney Onikenbai Club get together to dance and play (pictured right). Many of them will be heading off to Japan in August to attend the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri and deepen their knowledge and skills with the Iwasaki masters, but in the meantime, you can catch them at our very own Buddha’s Birthday Festival at Darling Harbour on MAY 11 at 11:40am. Being a dance rooted in Buddhist culture, the Club’s performance will be right at home!
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What's On
Dojo Newsletter vol 14 nº1 April-May 2019
Author: Ian Cleworth
Date: Wed 15 May 2019
DOJO NEWSLETTER : vol 14 nº1 April-May 2019
Taikoz on the mainstage in 2019
We have a really exciting year of mainstage performances ahead of us – in May Taikoz 4tet Live! hits the road for a tour to Grafton (2/5), Brisbane (3/5) and Byron Bay (4/5); then we begin preparing for a return of our major production The Beauty Of 8 that will tour to Port Macquarie (19/7), Penrith (20/7), Canberra (25/7), Newcastle (26/7) and Sydney (27/7); and finally a brand new program called Seven Flowers, which will premiere at City Recital Hall on October 11. Taikoz 4tet Live!tour dates are up on our website – please tell any family and friends who live in and around Byron, Brisbane and Grafton to come and check us out! Information about The Beauty Of 8 and Seven Flowers will be up on the web soon.
Anton returns for The Beauty Of 8 in July
We’re very excited to be presenting these programs, as each reflects something different and special about Taikoz. Taikoz 4tet Live! is made up of works for just four players. But don't be fooled by the smaller number of players! From Waves – Ian’s virtuosic kanade-okedo solo – to Joe Small’s dynamic Propel, this is a super high-energy and extremely varied program.
The Beauty Of 8 on the other hand, is for 6-piece ensemble and two incredible soloists. Joining us on stage will be the celebrated artist Chieko Kojima (KODO Distinguished Member, pictured) and Australia’s own world-renowned Shakuhachi Grand Master Riley Lee. And as an added surprise we welcome the return of ex-Taikoz dynamo, Anton Lock!
The Beauty Of 8 has it all! Not only explosive taiko of course, but Chieko’s mesmerising dance, Riley’s sublime shakuhachi, Anton’s percussion vocals, and John Cleworth’s cinematic electronica. All combines to make for a truly unique theatrical experience. Tour dates will be up on the web soon.
As for Seven Flowers… well, I can't say much, as a lot of new music has yet to be composed! The concept though, is based on the writings of Zeami (pictured below)) from his early 15th Century treatise, Fushikaden. More about this later…
Taikoz and Musica Viva In Schools: Illawarra and Canberra Tour
Musica Viva was founded in 1945 and is the world’s largest chamber music organisation. While they tour (mostly Western classical) ensembles around the country, presenting them in our major concert halls, Musica Viva’s schools concert program, MVIS, began in 1981 and Taikoz is proud to be partnered with them, enjoying touring to schools all over Australia for 3 months a year.
It is a joy to have the opportunity to present our music to so many young Australian children. They invariably respond to the sound and energy of the taiko and especially having a play themselves! We also sing, play the shinobue and dance, giving the children a broad sense of who and what Taikoz is.
Recently, Sophia, Ryuji and Sophie headed to the Illawarra and Canberra regions to perform the Taikoz schools program to hundreds of children. They gave 3 concerts a day – that’s 15 per week!
Ryuji and Sophie with Wendy from Berry Public School
Our recent introduction of yoko-uchi style to the concert program obviously made an impression!
Asano Taiko Company and our new skins
Did you know that our dojo is filled with the finest taiko instruments available and we are all truly privileged to play upon them? Many of our taiko are made by the Asano Taiko Company, a family business that has an unbroken line of producing these beautiful instruments since 1609… yes, that’s over 400 years of taiko making!
(L-R) Ryuji, Sophia, Ian, Mr Shimada, Mr Asano, Katsuji Asano, Kerryn, Sophie
We’re often asked how long the skins last. The skins (called kawa) produced by Asano are of the finest quality and they have a life of about 15 years. It takes a couple of years for new skins to ‘warm up’, but after that, they become fuller, deeper and richer in tone. Nevertheless, it takes a truly fine player to get the best sound out of each taiko, so keep practicing!
Back in 2011 we had a number of our taiko skins replaced by Mr Yasuo Asano, including our big odaiko. Although it is not an Asano drum (it’s actually Australian made) the cost of replacing the two skins was $18,000. The high expense of new skins and having them re-tuned is because the materials are of the finest quality and the tuning is impeccable… that’s 400 years of knowledge and superb craftsmanship right there on top and bottom of each drum.
Well, it’s just been that time again when Managing Director Akitoshi Asano and his assistants, Head Craftsman Hiroo Shimada and Head of Asano Taiko USA Katsuji Asano, arrived in Sydney over the Easter weekend to replace and re-tune a few of our aging taiko. The three of them worked tirelessly for four days re-skinning and repairing five nagado-daiko and two hirado-daiko. The results are magnificent and we are absolutely thrilled!
Next time you make a sound on the taiko, take a moment to think of the history, skill and love that has gone into making that instrument… DON KON!
KJ & IDPs 2019
This year, Kerryn is working with the IDPs on singing and movement. Apart from learning some beautiful songs, their class focuses on voice production, quality of sound, tone colour, intonation and interpretation. Here’s an update from Kerryn…
“Music and singing has been a major part of my life as I was brought up in a very musical family. Although untrained, my mother had an incredible voice and she was always singing, so I naturally wanted to sing, too. Taking singing classes with the IDP students has been a delight. I don’t consider myself to be a singing teacher – it’s such a difficult art form to teach – but we are enjoying exploring Taikoz repertoire and songs that I have composed for the students. They’re also making their own arrangements. I’m looking forward to hearing them sing in the dojo, in the corridors, and eventually the stage. It’s wonderful to be able to help them on their IDP journey throughout the year!”
... and …
Hello! It's Rhet from the IDP checking in! What an amazing year it's been so far, between training hard on the big odaiko through to fue and singing. We have all immersed ourselves into a very full spectrum of taiko training. It would not be unusual to find some of us in D1 or D2 outside of usual classes to get in a bit of extra practice, whether its Silvana and Haruka running through Onikenbai dances, Hirotaka flying though some katsugi licks or Liam busting out the taiko set. This term we have been focusing on a deep exploration of the subtleties of Yataibayashi and there are a few pieces coming up which will be challenging but exciting. Looking forward to the next phase, ganbarou! [IDP Member Rhet Magarragia]
IDPs 2019 (L-R) Haruka, Hirotaka, Silvana, Rhet and Liam
Onikenbai Club
A component of the IDProgram is practicing the ancient Japanese dance-music form known as Onikenbai. Hailing from Iwasaki, a tiny farming hamlet in Iwate Prefecture, Onikenbai is also practiced in Sydney!
Every Saturday the members of Sydney Onikenbai Club get together to dance and play (pictured right). Many of them will be heading off to Japan in August to attend the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri and deepen their knowledge and skills with the Iwasaki masters, but in the meantime, you can catch them at our very own Buddha’s Birthday Festival at Darling Harbour on MAY 11 at 11:40am. Being a dance rooted in Buddhist culture, the Club’s performance will be right at home!