Band members from units throughout the Air Force came to play in the annual Marching Band Festival held at this city’s Budokan Hall.

The concert, on Nov. 18 and 19, is an annual event held near the anniversary of the founding of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. This year, a crowd of nearly 50,000 people showed up for the festivities.

Airmen said they were glad to represent the Air Force.

“It’s an honor for us to be invited to perform at the Budokan,” said Capt. Daniel Price. He commands the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

“Events like this help us demonstrate our national willingness and interest in continuing to build relations with our allies,” he said.

Captain Price said the 30-member Yokota band performs at Budokan Hall every three years. But because it is small, it invites band members from around the world to augment the band.

“Bringing in extra people can be a logistical challenge,” Captain Price said. “Our biggest hurdle is the short amount of time we have to learn the music and the intricate marching drill as a team.”

Before the performance, the 67-person team spent six days pounding the floor of a Yokota aircraft hangar.

“We had some long and intense practice days -– it was hard work,” said Staff Sgt. Shane Stanke, a French-horn player from the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

“It’s been years since many of us played in a college or high school marching band,” he said. “Plus, most of us [augmentees] had to battle jet lag during practice.”

Playing music while marching in formation can also be physically challenging.

“You have to know the music, know the drill and know where you are physically within the formation all the time,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Rattay, a flugel horn player from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Liberty at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Nearly 1,000 people performed during the two-day, six-show event. Performers included numerous bands from the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band from Okinawa and the U.S. Army Band from Camp Zama, Japan.

A ceremonial precision rifle/drill team and several hundred Taiko drummers also took part in the event.

After the show, the Airmen said they were impressed by the quality of the musicians at the event. Many took notice of the professionalism and organization of the Japan Self-Defense Force bands.

“I’m really happy that I came to Japan to participate in this event,” Sergeant Stanke said. “The people were great and they welcomed us with open arms.”