From percussion rooms around the world vol.30 | Masaya Takagi, Wuxi, People's Republic of China

Hello everyone, my name is Masaya Takagi and I live in Wuxi, China.

I recently wrote an article looking back on my activities and life at the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra, to which I am currently a member, as well as what led up to that point. I hope you enjoy it.

At the time of the audition

``Auditions for a new Chinese orchestra will be held in Tokyo.''

One day in May 2023, I saw this kind of information on the old Twitter (currently X). This was how I first learned about the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra. At the time, I was in my third year of freelancing after completing my master's degree at a graduate school, and I was trying out a lot of things, not just marimba, which was my major.It may sound good, but of course there were many things that didn't go as planned, and I remember being mentally depressed. Even in such a way『The deadline is still a long way off, so for now』The bookmark I left. Now that I think about it, this was a fine play.

Later, I happened to look back at my bookmark and realized that the email submission deadline was that day, but there were only 30 minutes left, the documents were untouched, and I needed a video. No matter how I think about it, I won't make it in time.No, I guess it will work out somehow considering the time difference.I created the documents at a rapid pace,I sent an email with the video that was on my computer attached. After that, I received news that I had passed the video screening and went on to audition in August. A few days after I managed to get to the venue and perform despite being drenched in the heavy rain, I received a call to hire me. After that, I went through the procedures for a work visa and crossed the ocean in January 2024.
After the audition, I will never forget what the music director who was there to judge said to me.『He seemed to have more fun playing the drums than the keyboard.』And. What was your major?

About Wuxi Symphony Orchestra

Wuxi City is about an hour away by bullet train from the big city of Shanghai, and is located on a large lake called Lake Tai (JapanIt is located in the northeastern part of the largest lake (3.5 times the area of Lake Biwa). Wuxi Symphony Orchestra (English name: Wuxi Symphony Orchestra) is a young orchestra that was established in June 2023 and began performances in January 2024. Currently, in addition to the sponsored performances once or twice a month, requests from outside parties and chamber music performances are also added, with each stage having three or four days of rehearsal before the actual performance. In our sponsored performances, we often use classical music, opera, and movie music, but in our requested performances, we often perform Chinese works (ranging from gentle arrangements of folk songs to technical new pieces).
We are also actively performing in other cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou, and overseas, and we held a tour in three Russian cities (Novosibirsk, Moscow, and St. Petersburg) from the end of September to the beginning of October 2025. Especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg.『Russian National Orchestra』We also had a joint performance with the group, and it was a very valuable experience, including interacting with the members and tasting authentic vodka.

Regarding the environment of rehearsal grounds and halls

Rehearsals are held in a hall within the ward's administrative facility, and individuals can practice in their free time in the waiting room and instrument storage behind the hall. Although each room is not soundproofed, it is open 24 hours a day, which is a great practice environment. Large percussion instruments are generally installed on the stage, but after rehearsals the stage is open to the public and can be used for individual practice.

The sponsored performances are held at the Wuxi Grand Theater, which is about a 30-minute drive from the rehearsal venue, and uses either the 1,600-seat opera hall or the 500-seat small hall.
When performing in other cities or at large theaters, the space in the hinadan is sometimes small and it can be difficult to set up the environment. There is no problem with large drums, cymbals, small drums, and one type of keyboard, but songs by Chinese composers in particular tend to have a large number of instruments, so you may not be able to survive the hinadan stage and have to change the arrangement of the actual performance. Even now, I still find it difficult at times, but thanks to this, I have learned the technique of going up and down the steps of the stage during a song without making any noise.

About the percussion environment

As we are a newly established troupe, there were a number of issues with musical instruments at first, such as not having them, or even if we did have them, they were in poor condition.However, we have gradually acquired instruments and have reached the point where we are now. What left an impression on me was the large drum mallet. At first, we only had things for marching, and we were asked to play a symphony with them, so it was difficult. CurrentlyPLAYWOODWe have a variety of mallets for you.
As for musical instruments, I use instruments from various manufacturers: I have one xylophone and marimba from MarimbaOne, one glockenspiel and chime from Kolberg, and one vibraphone from Musser. Personally, I first encountered MarimbaOne's xylophone here, and I like the relatively soft and warm tone.
The timpani have been changed from 4 made by a mysterious Chinese manufacturer to 5 Hardtke. The large drum was also made by Hardtke, and was available in two sizes, 36 and 40 inches. Even though we are a new band (maybe because we are a new band?), we are able to provide a fulfilling environment at a fast pace, which I am very grateful for.

Finally opened (?) “Wuxi Symphony Hall”

From the time of the audition, there was a rumor that ``I would be able to perform at the newly built Symphony Hall,'' but it was finally unveiled at the New Year's concert on January 1, 2026. As mentioned earlier, if you have a lot of instruments to use, it's a pain just to set them up, but now you can use them in a spacious manner, and this solves everything! It was supposed to be... but for some reason, it has only been held twice. I would like to move in as soon as possible since the environment, including the acoustics, stage structure, and conductors, is relatively well-equipped, but the official opening is scheduled for the new season in September, so I'm looking forward to it.

Finally

Europe andJapanCompared to Japan, it is a country whose cultural standard cannot be said to be high at all. I feel that this is largely influenced by differences in historical background and social operating methods. Besides the Symphony Hall thing I mentioned earlier,『countryShaft』There are many scenes where I feel that way, and there are many deep events that are difficult to write about, and I feel dissatisfied and want to start a rebellion, but as performers, let alone foreigners, there are many things that we can't do anything about, so I feel it's important not to worry about them too much.
However, although China is a large country,JapanIt's a city with relatively good access, so I'm thankful that it's close enough that I can come home for a few days and relax. The recent political situation hasn't affected me too much so far, and I feel that being in an environment where I can work on various genres of music, not just classical music, is a great benefit and rewarding for me.

Looking back on my school days and after, I wanted to pursue marimba/contemporary music, so I went to university and studied abroad, but the fact that I was enthusiastically working on various music and instruments in my daily studies (even if it took a bit of a detour) has led to my current activities, and I once again realized that I have been able to continue playing percussion instruments this far thanks to the support and support of many people. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. We will continue to do our best.
Thank you for reading to the end.