3 days ago
Nation's rich heritage showcased at music, cultural exchange in Nagoya
Ting interacts with the musicians at the Sarawak-Japan Music and Cultural Exchange.
KUCHING (Aug 12): Sarawak's The Band Lab showcased the nation's rich heritage at the Sarawak-Japan Music and Cultural Exchange 2025 in Nagoya, Japan last Sunday.
The vibrant display of musical unity and cultural exchange unfolded at Aikodai Meiden High School in the event, which marked a significant milestone following the success of last year's Sarawak International Band and Orchestra Festival (SIBOFest), according to a press release.
Organised and coordinated by its sister branch, The Band Lab Japan, the performance was a key highlight of the exchange trip, which also included participation in the Ninth Gamagori City International Band Festival and further collaborations with other renowned Japanese high school bands.
The afternoon's grand performance featured approximately 70 musicians, including members from Aikodai Meiden High School Symphonic Band, The Band Lab Japan, and The Band Lab Kuching.
A distinguished delegation from Sarawak, coincidentally in Japan for the Osaka Expo
for Sarawak Week, also attended the event.
Among them were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah's wife Datin Sri Zuraini Abdul Jabbar; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting; Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor, and Business Events Sarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman.
The musicians highlighted local Malaysian and Sarawakian music such as 'Bunga Raya Concert March', composed by up-and-coming local composer Yeo Chow Shern; the patriotic 'Tanah Pusaka'; and a captivating rendition of the traditional Kenyah folk song, 'Leleng', composed by local composer and The Band Lab Kuching member Anthony Wong.
The afternoon concluded with an energetic performance of 'Deep Purple Medley', arranged by Toshihiko Sahashi.
The performances were conducted by The Band Lab founder and president Jesmond Siew, and Aikodai Meiden High School Symphonic Band resident conductor Maestro Hiroki Ito.
Ting, who represented Abdul Karim, commended the unwavering efforts of the organisers, and expressed gratitude to The Band Lab Japan founder and president Kana Yamamoto and Siew for facilitating this invaluable cultural exchange.
He remarked: 'The ministry remains committed to supporting initiatives and bilateral exchanges between Sarawak and Japan, such as SIBOFest, which foster deeper cultural understanding and strengthen international ties through the universal language of music.' cultural exchange Japan lead Sebastian Ting The Band Lab
