Memories

Symphony of memories: a life dedicated to music.

Memories from Kim Trolier

My memories of lessons with Mr. Tokito are full of kindness, gentleness, hulity and grace. He was a patient teacher who coaxed me to play at a higher level a little at a time. He could have been intimidating, as many of his colleagues, yet he chose to be consistently supportive and uplifting. When I first met him, I told him I was nervous to play for him. He smiled and said "pretend that I am your Grandad." He was exacting and disciplined yet playful and funny. When I slowed the tempo too much in an excerpt, a consistent bad habit, he would shake his head slowly and say "draggo mucho!"

A colleague of his from the orchestra told me that Kaz was a descendant of one of the last Samurai warriors. His concentration, focus and disciplined playing seems to come from that tradition. His integrity and sense of honor seemed to as well. When he spoke about the force of music, I would think "I am having piccolo lessons with Yoda."

It is one of the great honors of my life life that I now own two of his head joints. I play them with humility and appreciation for everything he taught me. It's like having him close by, a gentle, kind presence by my side.

He was truly one of the finest people I have ever known. When I was younger, I didn't realize how lucky I was to learn from him. I do now.

I can only hope to play in such a way that represents him in a positive way. I hope to emulate his character and generosity and pass that on to my students.

“Music can be made anywhere.”

Memories of Mr. Tokito

I first encountered the flute while studying music at a university on the small southern island of Okinawa, Japan. During the Philadelphia Orchestra’s tour of Japan, I had the opportunity to hear Mr.Tokito perform on the piccolo. That experience left a deep impression on me, and after graduating from university, I was fortunate enough to study music under his guidance.

Once my plans to study in Philadelphia were finalized, Mr.Tokito took great care of me, knowing that I was coming from a small island in the south. He often drove me to Japanese grocery stores near New York so that I could cook familiar meals in my university dormitory. Having never experienced life in a snowy climate, I was also grateful for his advice on how to prepare for winter. His support extended far beyond music, and I owe him much for helping me adjust to life abroad.

Mr.Tokito’s passion for music was immeasurable. I remember being deeply moved during every lesson by the depth of his dedication and love for the art. Even now, I can vividly recall him smiling as he spoke enthusiastically about music and the beauty of the works we studied.

His care was not limited to music alone. He always sought the best way to help each student develop. Because I have small hands, he even handcrafted a special attachment for my flute to make it easier for me to play. That attachment remains with my flute to this day, a treasured reminder of his kindness and thoughtfulness.

After returning from Philadelphia, I sometimes struggled with building a musical career in my hometown. During one of those difficult periods, Mr.Tokito shared words that have stayed with me ever since:

“Music can be made anywhere.”

Whether in Philadelphia or Okinawa, music can be enjoyed wherever we are. The pursuit of music has no end, but there is always joy in engaging with it and continuing to grow through it.

Thanks to those words, I have continued my musical journey even as marriage and my husband’s job transfers have led us to live in many different parts of Japan. In every place we have lived, the flute has brought wonderful friendships and meaningful connections into my life.

With Mr.Tokito’s words, “Music can be made anywhere,” held close to my heart, I hope to continue enjoying and sharing the gift of music through the flute for many years to come.

Madoka Saito

SYMPHONY OF MEMORIES: A LIFE DEDICATED TO MUSIC.

Words from Lois Herbine, written for the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia on January 28, 2025:

I was saddened to learn of the passing of my former teacher Kazuo Tokito on
Dec 28, 2024. A very sweet, quiet and unassuming man, he didn’t bring
attention to himself as a person but he did as a player. He was a very
commanding presence onstage with the Philadelphia orchestra until his
retirement in 2016; playing forcefully when called upon, and soft, serene
and beautifully ethereal at other times. He can be heard on recordings with
the Philadelphia orchestra and on a solo piccolo album titled Piccolo
Virtuoso, released in 2010.

Kazuo Tokito was born in Sapporo, Japan. He studied at the Interlochen Arts
Academy, with Robert Willoughby at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music,
and with James Pellerite at Indiana University School of Music. After
serving as the Assistant Principal Flute/Piccolo of the Vancouver Symphony
Orchestra and the Principal Flute of the CBC Chamber Orchestra of Vancouver
he joined the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1981 as Solo Piccolo.

I started lessons with Mr. Tokito because one of my teachers from my
college, David Cramer, suggested that he could help me further after I had
graduated from the New School of Music, Philadelphia and was a finalist for
piccolo orchestral auditions.

He was an extremely wise and effective teacher. We worked together for
three years. His focus was precision and control. Kazuo Tokito was unique
in the way that he revolutionized and personalized his instruction tailored
to the individual.

Kazuo Tokito was focused on using the body to the best of its capabilities.
This methodology had Alexander technique as the basis. He taught
counterbalanced muscle groups for inhalation and exhalation in a unique way
that slowed the speed of wind. This drew quite a few local flutists to take
lessons with him. In the upper register he called playing forte with slow
air speed “cooling your head”.

I spent my four years during college focusing intently on the control of
tone, color, dynamics and phrasing with Deborah Carter Smith and then with
her former teacher, the former Philadelphia orchestra piccoloist John Krell
and David Cramer. Neither David nor Kaz felt the necessity to modernize my
embouchure after this solid groundwork. Instead of trying to change me,
Kazuo Tokito tailored his instruction to my personal framework. To enlarge
my volume to triple forte without change of pitch or loss of tone he
contrived a method of specific angles and distances of the flute and
piccolo to my lips which helped me increase my volume in all ranges while
still being able to revert back, playing pianissimo with control. Then we
worked on turning on a dime between the extremes in volume, which he called
being a “schizophrenic player”. This use of angling without rolling the
instrument was created specifically for me and the Philadelphia Sound/
style of playing from the Ormandy years and is a concept I continue to
employ and pass on to my students.

SYMPHONY OF MEMORIES: A LIFE DEDICATED TO MUSIC.

Warmth, kindness, generosity, integrity, and joyful spirit.

Kaz was not only my teacher but, more importantly, my dear friend. I was incredibly fortunate to spend many years in his studio, learning as much as I could. Although Kaz was a masterful teacher, what I remember most was his warmth, kindness, generosity, integrity, and joyful spirit. He delivered a wealth of life lessons far more profound than any instruction. He was humble, fair, honest, and endlessly encouraging, while also setting the bar extremely high—something rare, especially in the competitive, often discouraging flute world of today. Through his guidance, he helped me far surpass my own playing expectations and become a better human being. I continuously strive to honor his legacy by imparting these beautiful gifts to those around me including my own students." ~ Jenni Janson-Hilaire

Symphony of memories: a life dedicated to music.

An Inner Peace

To Kaz's wife & family, I looked forward to Kaz's frequent visits to The Philadelphia Orchestra's Library. Sometimes he wanted to look at a score, other times he needed assistance fixing a page turn or making a copy. Kaz always had an inner peace that exuded from within him. A quiet resolve. I hope his time after leaving The PO was spent composing.

With fond memories, Steven K Glanzmann The Philadelphia Orchestra

Associate Principal Librarian (former)

Welcome

Memories

Symphony of memories: a life dedicated to music.

Memories from Kim Trolier

“Music can be made anywhere.”

Memories of Mr. Tokito

SYMPHONY OF MEMORIES: A LIFE DEDICATED TO MUSIC.

Words from Lois Herbine, written for the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia on January 28, 2025:

SYMPHONY OF MEMORIES: A LIFE DEDICATED TO MUSIC.

Warmth, kindness, generosity, integrity, and joyful spirit.

Symphony of Memories: a life dedicated to music.

Symphony of memories: a life dedicated to music.

An Inner Peace

Welcome

Memories

Symphony of memories: a life dedicated to music.

Memories from Kim Trolier

“Music can be made anywhere.”

Memories of Mr. Tokito

SYMPHONY OF MEMORIES: A LIFE DEDICATED TO MUSIC.

Words from Lois Herbine, written for the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia on January 28, 2025:

SYMPHONY OF MEMORIES: A LIFE DEDICATED TO MUSIC.

Warmth, kindness, generosity, integrity, and joyful spirit.

Symphony of Memories: a life dedicated to music.

Symphony of memories: a life dedicated to music.

An Inner Peace

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