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Spring Seminar 2026 to be held at Tokyo Music University

The Spring Seminar 2026, hosted by Kyōiku Geijutsusha, is set to take place on March 27, 2026, at the TCM Hall of Tokyo Music University in Nakameguro and Daikanyama campus. Established in 1948, Kyōiku Geijutsusha has dedicated itself to publishing educational music materials, including textbooks, song books, CDs, and teaching aids, thereby contributing significantly to the promotion of music education in Japan.

A Platform for New Choir Compositions

With a history of cultivating talented composers, the Spring Seminar has been a noteworthy platform since its inception in 2013. This annual event, now in its 13th year, has featured over 30 composers presenting more than 60 new choir compositions, many of which have achieved recognition in various choir competitions, including the NHK National School Music Competition.

Featuring Renowned Composers

This year's seminar will showcase six popular composers: Junko Yokoyama, Motoki Moriyama, Takahiro Abe, Naoko Zuikeiran, Kaori Morita, and Takafumi Nobunaga. Attendees can expect to enjoy the debut of several new choral pieces that are expected to become widely performed in upcoming competitions.

What to Expect from the Seminar

The Spring Seminar is essentially a platform for presenting newly composed pieces specifically crafted for concerts and competitions. The seminar seeks to provide captivating choir music to as many teachers as possible, fostering a broader dissemination of choir compositions. Attendees will learn about six new pieces, divided into two selections each of same-gender, women’s, and mixed choirs. This will include insights from conductors as well as song explanations by the composers themselves. Following the main event, a choir workshop focused on useful teaching strategies will also be conducted.

Program Details

Same-Gender Choir:

• - "After the Sunset" – Composed by Junko Yokoyama, lyrics by Noriko Takasaki (two-part same-gender choir)
• - "Elliptical Orbit" – Composed by Motoki Moriyama, lyrics by Rintaro Uchida (three-part same-gender choir)

Women’s Choir:

• - "Mizore" – Composed by Takahiro Abe, lyrics by Motoko Takamaru (three-part women’s choir)
• - "Dawn" – Composed by Naoko Zuikeiran, lyrics by Keiko Yonaha (three-part women’s choir)

Mixed Choir:

• - "Tears" – Composed by Kaori Morita, lyrics by Rintaro Uchida (four-part mixed choir)
• - "Firestarter" – Composed by Takafumi Nobunaga, lyrics by Masukazu Kanemaru (four-part mixed choir)

Notable Hosts and Workshops

The seminar will be officiated by Toshitaka Nakamura and Noriyuki Fujiwara, notable figures in the choral music arena.
In addition to the main presentations, there will be a workshop titled "Discovering Resonance Spaces through Children's Songs" conducted by Naoko Zuikeiran, where participants can explore creative vocal expressions using existing songs.

Event Logistics

• - Date: March 27, 2026, from 12:45 PM to 5:15 PM (doors open at 12:00 PM).
• - Location: TCM Hall, Tokyo Music University, easily accessible from Nakameguro Station and Daikanyama Station.
• - Participation Fee: 6,000 yen (3,000 yen for high school students and under) which includes all materials.
• - Registration: Pre-registration is mandatory and can be completed via the link provided (space is limited).

Sales and Merchandise

On the day of the seminar, a large booth will be set up, offering sheet music, books, CDs, and other merchandise, including the new piece scores presented during the seminar.

Stay Updated

To receive the latest updates, please visit the Kyōiku Geijutsusha website and follow them on social media platforms such as X and Facebook. The event promises a profound exploration of new choral music, aiming to inspire both educators and choir enthusiasts alike.