"TOC 2nd Fife & Drum Camp" Report

Blessed with warm spring weather, the "TOC Second Fife & Drum Camp" was spiritedly held for two days over 27 and 28 September. A total of 29 people including 21 participants and 8 staff & parents gathered together to hold the splendid camp.

TOC Fife & Drum Band was formed on 26 December 1999. This year marks its 9th year. The Band started with the goals of “further developing the Oceania Centre’s activities for children including the Children’s Sleepovers”, “having the local community recognise the Oceania Centre and contributing to missionary work through the Band’s activities”, and “providing its members and their parents with an opportunity through the Band activities to join the "Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba’ which is held annually in Jiba”.

The first TOC Fife & Drum Camp was held with 38 participants in September 2004 for the purposes of having the children who have participated in the sleepovers to know the existence of the Band, become more interested in music and feel the joy of playing the instruments, and increasing the number of the Band members. The camp this time, on the other hand, was held with the main purpose of improving the performing skills and techniques of the existing members. Therefore, the schedule included more practice sessions than before.

At the opening ceremony, listening to the address of Rev Adachi, head of the Oceania Centre, participants enjoyed watching a video which put together the performances of the Fife & Drum Band for the last nine years, by which the participants came to know its activities in a friendly atmosphere.

After the ceremony, a practice session was held in which participants were separated into each instrument group and engaged in basic practice. Since most of the newcomers were early elementary school children, five of them practiced cheerleading while the other two practiced the drum and the keyboard instruments respectively. The young cheerleaders enjoyed themselves, whose lovely dancing impressed us very much.

Before the evening and morning services, the participants listened attentively to Rev Adachi’s small talk on the teachings. After the seated service, they played the musical instruments for the service and performed “Yorozuyo” in high spirits, like they do in the sleepover. Curry-rice, their most favorite, salad and desert were ready for dinner. They enjoyed the meal and had a great time.

After dinner, an electronic organ concert was held. Not only children but also adults were enraptured by the beautiful sounds and rhythm of the electronic organ, which made the audience feel the joy and excitement of music once again.

The following morning began with morning exercise. After the morning service, breakfast and clean-up hinokishin, the participants practiced marching. Although most of them experienced marching practice for the first time, they worked very hard, with sweat on their foreheads, which impressed us very much. After that, the participants conducted practice in each instrument group again, and then seriously engaged in practice in concert to make the practice complete.

BBQ lunch was served on the terrace. The children seemed a little tired because of the long and hard training. But lunch, including sausages and fried noodles, made them refreshed and regain their energy. Finally, the “performance offering to God” started. All of the participants in the Band uniform looked very brave and gutsy while the cheerleaders were so cute and lovely, which greatly lighted up the Band. The Band marched along to the drum march from the parking area to the courtyard next to the sanctuary where they offered their performance to God the Parent. They performed, staring earnestly at the conductor, and the sounds they made echoed above the beautiful sky. It is certain that their performance in unity of mind pleased God the Parent and Oyasama.

Finally, we would like to thank all the staff and parents involved in this camp and earnestly ask for their continued support and co-operation.