New Flourishing Ground for Music in Meguro City

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New Flourishing Ground for Music in Meguro City

The new campus of Tokyo College of Music (TCM) opened on the hill between Nakameguro and Daikanyama on April 1st of 2019. The Meguro residents had been interested in the long-vacant construction site, and so we visited TCM for an interview. Three staff participated and taught us much about TCM.

Would you tell us about the history and the current state of TCM?
TCM was founded 112 years ago and the main campus was in Ikebukuro, Toshima city, but in order to expand education facilities we have moved to the new campus in Meguro City. Apart from classical music which is a core subject, we employ a pedagogy of liberal arts and a wide range of information technology.

Was there any special request from Meguro City office when opening the new campus?
We were requested to provide various kinds of music to Meguro residents through the open campus. Therefore, we eld an exchange concert program of piano solo and piano-cero duet last June at TCM hall to celebrate a century anniversary since the establishment of Poland-Japan diplomatic relations. The ambassador and people from Polish embassy and Meguro City Office, and two hundred of Meguro residents who were lucky enough to get the concert ticket enjoyed the concert to their heart’s content. We believe we can offer the locals more opportunity to experience the culture, music and art between Poland and Japan. As for our connection with Meguro reseidents, we were able to fulfill the request from Tokyo Kyosai Hospital in Nakameguro and held a small concert of chamber music at the hospital. It was much appreciated by the patients and hospital staff. We will be holding a chamber music and orchestra concert this coming December at Meguro Persimmon Hall (Tel: 03-5701-2913).

How do TCM graduates contribute to the society?
TCM graduates contribute to the society by becoming classical music players, music teachers and instructors of various music related institutes, some of them compose music for movies and TV dramas, play as studio musicians, become sound engineers around the music field. Some graduates work in private companies and public organizations.

What kind of international exchange activities do you have?
We have research class of of Gamelan, an Indonesian musical instrument, and erhu lesson, a Chinese string instrument available for adults. Furthermore, we plan to hold and exchange concert with Taipei National University of the Arts (TUA) this November. TUA will send its Contemporary Music Ensemble (CME) to Japan sponsored by Government of Taiwan. CME consists of thirtyexcellent college students and they will play at TCM hall this November 11th at 16:30.

After the interview we were shown around the campus, 422 seats of TCM hall which is the main facility to deliver music, the rehearsal room with superb all-round sound effect, music studio with high quality musical equipment, library, cozy cafeteria and other campus facilities. Surprisingly, TCM hall is used for student lessons and recitals for within and outside TCM almost every day. Outside the school building, there is a path covered with green trees.
Meguro residents can enjoy taking a stroll on it. We are glad to know that musical activities are performed at such a pleasant environment. Finally, we would like to thank TCM staff for their hospitality by accepting the interview and showing us around the campus of TCM!