String, Wind & Percussion Music
Faculty of Music, Department of Performance & Composition, String, Wind & Percussion Music
Education that responds to diverse personalities
While striving to improve individual performance skills, the curriculum places ensembles with related instruments at the core of the foundational course, and this is expanded by progressing to mixed-instrument ensembles, broadening the scope of performance. By working in ensembles with a variety of performers, students acquire the communication skills required not only in the music world but also in society, such as accepting diverse personalities and maintaining cooperation. Through performance opportunities and learning, we cultivate talents who can thrive not only as soloists, orchestral players, wind band players, and chamber musicians, but also in any field that requires music.
Learning Features
- Emphasis on "ensemble" education, where students create music as a team
- Top-class teachers from different majors and disciplines participate in lessons
- Acquire a high level of knowledge about musical instruments and increase your career options
Lesson Video
Violin
P. Tchaikovsky: 1st movement from Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35
Flute
JSBach: Sonte E-Moll, 1st movement from BWV1034
Clarinet
C. Debussy: Première Rhapsodie
Saxophone
W. Ferling: No. 1 from Quarante-Huit Ètudes pour tous les Saxophones
Trumpet
V. Brandt : Concertpiece No.1 op.11
Class and Activity Introduction
Specialized Practical Skills (String and Wind Instruments)
Practical training on string, wind, and percussion instruments. Improve your musicality and performance skills through private lessons with a teacher. Wide-ranging instruction is also provided, including orchestral repertoire.
Wind Orchestra
In their first and second years, students will focus on learning basic wind orchestra repertoire, and in their third and fourth years, they will perform a wide range of repertoire in the traditional Brass Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, presenting their results in concerts both on campus and outside the school.
Orchestra
The school has two orchestras, one made up of first- and second-year students and one made up of third- and fourth-year students, which perform in regular concerts and other requested performances. Students Composition also provide music.
Chamber Music
Third and fourth year students learn the basics and development of chamber music. The classes are divided into string quartet, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, and chamber music including piano.
Horn Masterclass by Professor Sibylle Mahni
Professor Sibylle Mahni, who has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras such as the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Symphony Orchestra, and is also active as a chamber musician, gave an open horn lesson to three students majoring in the instrument.
In Focus - 55th Percussion Ensemble Regular Concert
In October 2024, the Percussion Ensemble held a regular concert under the direction and baton of Professor Hidehiko Konishi and the guidance of Professor Toru Uematsu. The ensemble performed a total of seven pieces, including "Drum" conducted by the concert's first conductor, Tomoyuki Okada, "Concert Suite" featuring a flute solo by Masazumi Takahashi, and "Indra's Net," an original piece written by Yu Kuwahara. The results of their daily practice were on full display.
Student's Voice
Understand others and let them know you
There is such joy in an ensemble
YAMAGUCHI Kaho
Department of Performance & Composition, String, Wind & Percussion Music (Flute), 4th year
Graduated from Numazu Nishi High School, Shizuoka
String, Wind & Percussion Music + Strings, Winds, and Percussion Soloist Course
I learned a lot from the "Basic Ensemble" class, where we worked on ensembles in various formations, such as duets and quartets. One time, my teacher pointed out to me that we were "trying to match each other." I learned that rather than trying to match 100% with the other musicians, it's also important to guide the musicians toward a better performance, while valuing the music I want to play, in a way that benefits the other musicians. I think I learned the joy of getting to know others and being understood through music. Also, being involved in Graduate School opera performance in my third year was a valuable experience. I gained the experience of paying attention to the overall sound balance and following the flow of the music in sync with the singers.
Faculty Message
Become someone who can think for themselves and find solutions
OWADA Tomohiko
String, Wind & Percussion Music
Specialty: Clarinet
As a teacher, what I say is merely one opinion. I believe that the best way to improve is to believe in what the student feels is best, even when there is a lot of information available. Expressive ability is necessary to be successful on the world stage, but there is persuasive power in the expression one arrives at through independent thought. I want students to become people who can find solutions for themselves, not just in music. That is what I teach through instruments.
Educational Goals
This major will develop students who can acquire rich musicality, a wide range of musical knowledge and techniques, and who can cooperate with people with diverse values, and who can thrive not only as soloists, orchestral musicians, wind band musicians, and chamber musicians, but also in a variety of fields that require music.
Admissions Policy
We are looking for people who are eager to learn basic academic ability, musical knowledge, and performance techniques, and who wish to utilize the power of music to actively contribute to society in a variety of fields.
Curriculum Policy
Ensembles using related instruments are a core part of the curriculum, starting with the foundational course, to help students acquire communication skills that are essential not only as soloists, orchestralists, and wind band performers, but also as members of society. Through high-quality individual lessons in their specialized instrument and comprehensive general Liberal Arts at Kunitachi, students acquire comprehensive competencies as members of the music community who can adapt flexibly to diverse cultures and societies. The specialized course includes a "Soloist Course" aimed at developing more advanced performance skills and artistic talent as performers. Also, "Orchestral Studies" is a required and elective course for aspiring orchestral musicians, providing practical experience. In orchestral, wind band, and chamber music courses, students hone their skills and the spirit of creating music together, focusing on collaboration with others, with the goal of performing in various concerts both on and off campus.
Diploma Policy
Through not only solo performances but also various ensembles, students learn a variety of playing techniques and repertoires, acquire high performance skills and rich expressive abilities, and acquire the ability to demonstrate their own creativity and presence.