Video credit: UH Bands
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the University of Hawaiʻi Bands, approximately 150 saxophonists performed the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī prior to the UH men’s basketball game against Long Beach State, February 24, at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. It was also a world record attempt for a dedicated saxophone performance of the National Anthem and Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī.
“Having all these saxophones ranging from 6th grade to 70 years old was amazing. This is a once in a lifetime performance in honor of the UH Bands 100 anniversary,” said Gwen Nakamura, UH Mānoa assistant director of bands and UH Mānoa alumna, who also performed with the group.
Nakamura said she plans to submit the video recording to Guinness World Records. Many of the musicians consisted of UH students and alumni.
“I was excited to see so many saxophonists gather together to make music,” said Hoku Matsushita, a UH Mānoa 4th year music education major. “I was glad to see that our community in Hawaiʻi is filled with energy and love for music.”
For the performance, UH Bands partnered with the Hawaiʻi Saxophone Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raise the level of awareness and education of the saxophone in Hawaiʻi. Todd Yukumoto, a renowned saxophonist, alum and longtime UH Mānoa saxophone lecturer, is the organization’s president.
“What we were trying to do is bring awareness to our foundation and to help celebrate 100 years for the UH Bands so it was a win-win,” Yukumoto said. “We want to build a community of saxophone players and we’re doing it slowly. But having an event like this can really help bring it to the public eye.”
Visit this website for more information about the UH Bands 100th anniversary.
Related UH News stories on the UH Bands 100th anniversary:
- Honolulu City Council honors UH Bands for 100th anniversary, December 7, 2023
- 100 years of music! UH Bands kick off with new marching uniforms, August 31, 2023
