2024 - Adjudicator - Band & Instrumental

Tak Maeda: Band & Instrumental

Energetic, passionate, and driven, Tak Maeda believes that embracing every moment at rehearsals and on stage is the key to a successful performance.

A graduate of the Osaka College of Music and overseas student of Frank Kaderabek (former principal trumpet with The Philadelphia Orchestra), Tak played his trumpet with the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, a full time professional orchestra in Japan, from 1979 to 1989. In addition, he was a Band Clinician for Yamaha Music Foundation

Japan, where he conducted mass bands and honour bands at Yamaha Sponsored clinics and festivals in Western Japan. It was here that he began to mentor younger band instructors.

In search of more musical challenges, Tak moved to Canada in 1990. He played trumpet with the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, was the choir director and ensemble leader at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in North Vancouver, as well as the bandmaster of the North Vancouver Youth Band.

Tak is now enjoying his busy life as the music director of The Sea to Sky Wind Ensemble (in North Vancouver), The West Vancouver Concert Band, The West Vancouver Pops Band, and The Suncoast Concert Band (in Gibsons, BC), conducting rehearsals and dozens of public concerts every season.

He also often takes on the role of guest conductor at public and private high schools as well as clinician/adjudicator for clinics/festivals in the lower mainland BC.