Saitama City School of Music Excellence
Saitama City School of Music Excellence aims to foster young musicians who are equipped with the skills to contribute to society as individuals and as part of groups. The school has developed an educational pedagogy that utilizes the latest brain research.
Akane, a high school girl who resembles the film’s heroine, is working on an event to bolster the town’s tourism when she encounters what she at first mistakes for Shinnosuke’s spirit. 西新 居酒屋
Music Theory
The music theory class is designed to deepen students’ AMEB studies in order to extend their knowledge and skills beyond performance. Students in this class will learn to analyze the music they play as well as write their own compositions.
Leah is passionate about using music as a tool for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and communities. Having grown up as an Air Force brat, she understands the value of music’s ability to bring together artists and audiences from different cultures. Leah’s love for music drives her to perform with a sense of honesty and energy that connects with audiences. She enjoys performing a variety of musical styles from Mozartian coloratura to contemporary musical theatre and Great American Songbook standards.
Having studied flute with Noriko Shudo, Yukie Ohira, Noriko Okura, Haruhiko Fukuda and Kazushi Saito, as well as chamber music with Mikiko Kawamura, Maho Kajikawa and Asako Urushihara, Yusuke Yanagihara, she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in instrumental performance at Tokyo University of the Arts. She also has extensive experience in a variety of activities including recording and video editing. She won the fourth prize in the ”Great Wall of China Cup” international competition and the first prize at the 53rd and 56th All Japan Student Flute Convention Competitions.
Music Performance
Music performance is the art of creating sound on a musical instrument. Our students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of concerts, which can be a great way for them to deepen their experience of music.
With their advanced training, our musicians can perform in a wide range of musical genres such as classical, jazz and popular music. They are also active in the community by giving performances for local events and participating in outreach activities.
In addition to specializing in the flute, flutist Nathalie Joachim has gained a wide reputation for her versatile voice. Hailed by The Nation as a “fresh and invigorating cross-cultural voice” and by The New York Times as having an “expressive, ghostly wailing [playing] of a kind never heard from the instrument before”, Joachim’s work as musician, educator, cultural entrepreneur and community leader has taken her all over the world.
As a member of the Silk Road Ensemble and Yo-Yo Ma, she has performed at some of the top live venues around Japan. Her performances have been broadcast on a variety of major radio and television shows in Japan and abroad, and she has recorded with artists such as Imani Winds and Daniel Barenboim.
Qian Zhang is a concert violinist and an advocate of social justice through music. She has toured the US, Europe and Japan as a soloist and chamber musician. Her commitment to social change is evident in her participation on panels and as a guest speaker. She is an ambassador of the Global Leadership Initiative, a part of the presidential task force on Leading Change in Higher Education.
At the 2018 Tama Fresh Music Concert, she won the grand prize of the young artist division for her outstanding performance. She is currently studying in Paris, France.
Tenor Taka Komagata is praised for his “soaring lines” and “particularly lyrical singing” by the Boston Musical Intelligencer, brightening the world of classical music internationally. He is a graduate of Omiya Koryo High School and has won the Kobe City Board of Education Prize at the 21st Kobe International Competition Age-J, the Excellence Prize at the 81st Tama Fresh Music Concert, as well as the 1st prize in both the vocal and piano sections of the 19th Tama Vocal Competition.
Music History
This subject is an extension class for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the performance and history of instrumental music through AMEB studies. Acceptance is by audition only.
A graduate of the Music Department at Meiwa High School, Aichi Prefecture and the flute course at Nagoya College of Music, Nathalie Joachim is a versatile musician who easily navigates everything from classical to urban art pop as a member of the critically acclaimed duo Flutronix. She is also a vocalist and composer, advocating for social change through her music.
She performs regularly in Japan and abroad and is highly respected for her authentic and invigorating cross-cultural voice.
Japanese Excellence
Whether it is a visit to a samurai house, experiencing omotenashi at a traditional ryokan or sampling some of Japan’s finest food, quality is everywhere in this ancient country. Those qualities are reflected in the music and arts, particularly in the highly respected Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO).
The evocative, pure sound of their instruments is due to a long-held cultural tradition of striving for perfection. This mindset of continual improvement is known as kaizen, and it is one of the foundations of Japanese culture (cf. Hofstede 1980). Kaizen is a cornerstone of the Toyota Production System, which emphasizes employee involvement in quality control. Every employee is expected to stop the production line if they observe any abnormalities, and together with their supervisor, suggest improvements. These changes are incorporated in the next batch of production, making the entire process self-checking and efficient.
In keeping with this philosophy of excellence, JPO has made a strong commitment to the community. Since the massive earthquake and tsunami hit Tohoku in 2011, JPO musicians have toured the area voluntarily, bringing music to local communities. They have even taught instrumental classes at senior centers. JPO is also well known for its yearly tour of Kyushu.
JPO’s mission is to “enrich the people of Japan through classical music” and they strive to achieve this goal by building solid relationships with their host cities. In addition to their high-quality concerts, they provide extension instruction for students of all ages, fostering a deep sense of responsibility and empathy toward their neighbors.
For example, they have held a “Sumo Kamata Workshop” where they teach how to sharpen knives using the traditional method of shitabe, with participants acquiring a worthy skill and their own personal whetstone. They also hold workshops for young people, teaching them how to play traditional instruments and sing in Japanese.
As a result of their dedication to the arts, and their desire to reach out to all people, JPO has received many accolades over the years including the Japan Classical Music Festival Grand Prize and Tama Fresh Artist Prize for Vocal Performance, as well as the Russian Soul Series Grand Prix in Hong Kong.
