Kosei Publishing Company

December 7, 2004

Maestro Frederick Fennell, Conductor Laureate of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (TOKWO) and one of the world's most distinguished conductors of wind ensembles, passed away peacefully at his home in Siesta Key, Florida on December 7. He was ninety years old.

Born on July 2, 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio, he studied at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, New York as a young man. In 1952 he founded the now famous Eastman Wind Ensemble, the world's first such musical group, at his alma mater. His recordings as conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble won worldwide renown for their superb musical interpretations and the high technical level of the sound, in which he took great personal interest.

Maestro Fennell was appointed Principal Conductor of TOKWO in January, 1984. The following year he received the Star of the Order from the John Philip Sousa Memorial Foundation, and in 1994 the Theodore Thomas Award from the Conductors Guild. In 1991 he and TOKWO received the first Bandmasters Academic Society of Japan Award for their outstanding performances. In March, 1996 TOKWO honored him with the title of Conductor Laureate.

Along with his many recordings with TOKWO, Maestro Fennell conducted the orchestra's regular concert series in Tokyo and toured with the group throughout Japan. His distinctive personality made him much loved by his audiences, who always awaited his saying "sayonara" (goodbye in Japanese) at the end of his concerts, creating a lasting memory of his many admirers.

The members of the Audiovisual Section of Kosei Publishing Company have long been deeply moved by his personal warmth and kindness during his many recordings and concert tours with TOKWO. It was a great honor for us to be so closely associated with him for so many years, and to share in the brilliance he poured into his musical performances.

We are especially grateful to Maestro Fennell and pray that his spirit will rest in peace.

Staff Members of the Audiovisual Section
Kosei Publishing Company, Tokyo

Photos by N. Kawamura