Nishi Ward Civic Band & Nishi Ward Philharmonic Orchestra

This concert was planned to commemorate and celebrate the 70th birthday of our maestro, Mr. Toru Mizusaki, who is the creator of the Nishi-ku Citizens' Wind Orchestra "Nishi-Buki" and the Nishi-ku Philharmonic Orchestra "Nishi-Oke" and has been our mentor for a long time. Today, "Nishiabuki" has become a national-level band that has participated in the All Japan Band Competition for five consecutive years, and "Nishi orchestra" has grown into an orchestra that can take on challenges such as the "Roman Trilogy," a large-scale piece that even professionals have difficulty tackling. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Mizusaki for his "selfless" guidance and efforts to date.
Profile] Toru Mizusaki
Born in Fukuoka in 1952, Toru Mizusaki began playing clarinet at the age of 16 and entered the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He founded the Fukuoka Clarinettist Group, the Nishi-ku Civic Wind Orchestra, and the Nishi-ku Philharmonic Orchestra, and also presided over Kyushu's first professional wind ensemble, the Kyushu Wind Ensemble. His future activities are highly anticipated.
He also devotes himself to training and clinics for wind bands and orchestras, as well as to the development of younger musicians and amateurs, and is highly regarded for his leadership skills. Currently, he is the president of the NPO Kyushu Wind Ensemble and the leader of the Fukuoka Clarinettist Group. He is also the Music Director of the Nishi-ku Philharmonic Orchestra and the Music Director of the Nishi-ku Civic Brass Band.
Hiroko Matsui
Clarinetist, Kyushu Wind Ensemble
Permanent Conductor of the Fukuoka Institute of Technology Symphonic Band
Nishi Ward Civic Wind Band
The Nishi City Symphonic Band was formed in 1993 for the purpose of communicating with the citizens of Nishi Ward, Fukuoka City, through wind music for the creation of civic culture and the development of music culture. Currently, the group has nearly 70 members and practices every Sunday; since 2017, it has participated in the "All Japan Brass Band Competition" for five consecutive years, honing its skills while also holding concerts twice a year.
Nishi Ward Philharmonic Orchestra] The Nishi Ward Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 1998 by music director Toru Mizusaki and volunteers living in the Nishi Ward area of Fukuoka City. Today, more than 70 members from across the city gather at the practice base in Imajuku. Under the strict but warm guidance of the music director, the group continues to take on various challenges, daring to "grow taller" with the aim of "performing as well as the professionals. Every year, the group holds a regular concert in early summer, a New Year's Concert, special performances of ballets, operettas, and the Ninth, and family concerts in the community.