Day 14 (Hamamatsu) August 16, 2024 (repost from KCR/ER1 Japan Tour 2024)

Today was our penultimate day at the symposium center on this trip. It started as usual, with a 3-hour morning rehearsal. Today, we fit seven pieces into that time slot instead of six, as the schedule was adjusted for the evening’s concert.

Today’s lunch was accompanied by a performance called the ‘Bell Smile Lunchtime Concert’. The team consisted of intellectually and emotionally challenged ringers from Oyama City.

After lunch and a shortened afternoon rehearsal, we had the opportunity to enter the Hamamatsu City Museum of Musical Instruments either before or after our workshop. The museum trip replaced what is normally a free hour, so the afternoon was especially busy.

However, we were able to rest for the remainder of the day and enjoy the ‘Ring the Future’ international concert. We got to watch the Kanto Gakuin choir, whom we played with at the friendship concert, represent Japan.

There was also communal bento dinner at eight. It was the first dinner of the symposium where all attendees shared dinner. It served as a celebration of our practice and the coming concert. The day was a collection of tying up loose ends and enjoying performances to prepare the finale of the symposium.

Andrew & Dante