Cindy Scaruffi-Klispie, applied trumpet adjunct instructor, performing arts, SCF

Cindy Scaruffi-Klispie and her all-female trumpet ensemble, Trompettes Soniques, performed at the 2024 International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC) in Mito City, Japan. Read about her extraordinary experience below.

My Japanese adventure began with a flight from Tampa to Washington, D.C., followed by a 14-hour direct flight to Tokyo Haneda International Airport. Traveling solo is a daunting experience, and traveling to Japan posed extra challenges, including language differences. I had to ask people for assistance with navigating the train station transfers. Thankfully, I had Google Translate!

The first train ride was fascinating because it offered a birds-eye view of Tokyo and insight into Japanese culture. Tokyo is the world’s largest city by population. All the buildings were well-maintained, and there was no apparent graffiti or garbage on the streets. The people on the trains sat quietly.

I finally arrived in Mito City. I discovered smiles and humor are the same in every culture and communication is often possible without words. I strolled in the beautiful Kairakuen Garden and visited a few temples. During the Obon festival, I observed people bringing flowers to a cemetery near a Shinto religious shrine to honor ancestors’ spirits.

The Japanese people are so kind and helpful. They drive on the opposite side of the street than the U.S. They serve rice, meats and raw eggs for breakfast. The musicians at the IWBC conference were invited to traditional riot tea and iced tea ceremonies. The ceremonies are spiritual experiences focused on mindfulness, senses and inner peace.

A typhoon impacted the area one day. Some performers and volunteers could not get to the Mito City Civic Center venue. My eyeglasses flew off while walking to the civic center. Thankfully, I found them on the street, and some nice people in an eyeglass shop repaired my glasses to a wearable condition.  

The conference was outstanding. Diverse people of many ages from at least three continents attended or participated. The performances were amazing, including a contemporary rock-classical fusion group, large brass ensembles, small brass chamber groups and soloists. I wish my students could have been there to experience the musical talent and creativity. It was truly inspirational.

Photo caption: SCF Adjunct Instructor Cindy Scaruffi-Klispie visits Japan to perform at the 2024 International Women’s Brass Conference.

Music is indeed a universal language. Even if I cannot say a word in another person’s language, we can sit down and make music together.

I performed a trumpet solo during a professor’s recital. My piece, “Good Trouble,” was written by Dr. Amy Dunker, a music professor at Clarke University in Iowa. The work was inspired by the late John Lewis, a U.S. congressman and revered civil rights leader. The performance included jazz elements as a nod to the African American community and a display of my PowerPoint presentation of photos of iconic civil rights marches.

Trompettes Soniques performed works written by Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, Nicole Piunno, Elaine Ross and John Philip Sousa.  

Photo caption: Trompettes Soniques ensemble members Amy Cherry, Mary Thornton, Judith Saxton, Cindy Scaruffi-Klispie, Ayako Nakamura and Stacy Simpson perform at the 2024 International Women’s Brass Conference in Japan.

Two earthquakes struck in the middle of the night on the conference’s last evening. The level 4 event did not awaken me, but the level 5.1 event did. The entire building swayed, and my bed rocked. It was scary. Earthquakes are common in Japan.

After the conference, I returned to Tokyo for a couple of days of sightseeing. I went to the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens and museum sites. The museum featured the Edo Castle’s tower foundation remains, a 13th-century scroll and displays of vases, artifacts, paintings and calligraphy. I also took an elevator 1,475 feet inside the Tokyo Skytree broadcasting and telecommunications tower to the observation decks. The tower is the second tallest building in the world and provides a breathtaking 360-degree city view.

I returned home on flights from Tokyo and Houston. During takeoff, I saw a beautiful view of Tokyo’s coastline. I said “arigato” (thank you) to the Japanese people and “sayonara” (goodbye) to Nihon (“land of the rising sun”).

For more information about the SCF Music Program, visit SCF.edu/Music.