#Japan #Setagaya #Eric Carle #PLAY! PARK #TSM

Expressing Eric Carle's World Through Music

In an exciting collaboration between Tokyo School of Music and Dance (TSM) and PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE (PPEC), a significant project aimed at merging sound with art has reached its completion. This initiative has allowed students to express the enchanting universe of Eric Carle’s children’s books through the creation of the park's official background music (BGM). The student, Ayaki Ushihara, emerged as the winner of a campus competition, earning the honor of having her composition featured at PPEC, slated to open in 2026.

Project Overview

The project commenced in October 2025, marking the 5th anniversary of PPEC. It was designed to elevate the appeal of the facility by crafting distinctive in-house BGM. Collaborating with TSM, reputed for nurturing talent in the entertainment industry, the project aimed to provide students with a hands-on environment for music production.

Project Timeline

1. October 2025: Kick-off orientation and student team formation at TSM Nishikasai Campus.
2. November 2025: A visit to PPEC and the start of demo production.
3. December 2025: Recording and production filming.
4. January 2026: Internal competition to select winners.
5. February 2026: On-site re-take and award ceremony.
6. March 2026: Final touches on the music tracks.

Documentary and Competition Results

A documentary capturing the entire project journey, from initial meetings to the awarding of certificates, showcases the dedicated efforts of students. Multiple teams participated, focusing on composition, recording, and DJ fields. The competition had several winners:

• - Grand Prize: Ayaki Ushihara - Adopted as official BGM.
• - Excellence Award: Yugo Ishido - Used as closing music.
• - Excellence Award: Zen Ishibashi & Yoshinobu Takahashi - Used for social media content.

Ayaki's music stood out due to her profound understanding of Eric Carle's world and the adventurous nature of children's stories. The judges praised her ability to evoke imagery from the books, with sounds that resonate with themes from “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”

Recognition Ceremony

On February 13, 2026, during a ceremony at PPEC, Ayaki received her certificate from Jun Noda, President of A&B Holdings, who expressed his joy in collaborating with students to create music that enriches children's imagination during their park experience.

Future Perspectives

The songs composed by Ayaki and other awardees will start being used in various capacities at PPEC from November 2026. The initiative solidifies TSM's commitment to fostering industry partnerships, empowering students through real-world applications of their skills.

The Facilities and Educational Context

PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE is located in Setagaya, Tokyo, within the Tamagawa Rise Shopping Center. It is poised to become a hub where children can explore the literary worlds of Eric Carle through interactive experiences combined with carefully curated sounds.

Having been operational since 1988, TSM has been instrumental in preparing students for the music and entertainment sectors. The curriculum integrates support from industry professionals, paving the way for a robust practical learning environment.

For further information, visit the official websites: PLAY! PARK and Tokyo School of Music and Dance.

Contact: TSM PR Office - ATARAYO, Yosuke Sekiguchi - Tel: 080-4471-3208, Email: [email protected].