About us

Welcome to Showa

The Showa University of Music, the Showa Graduate School of Music and the Showa College of Music are part of the Tosei Gakuen Educational Foundation. Our conservatoire is renowned for its forward-thinking in music education. The founder Keisuke Shimoyakawa, an influential Bass who contributed not only to the establishment of the oldest existing opera company in Japan “The Fujiwara Opera”, started a specialised opera training institution “ The Tokyo Seisen Music School” in 1940. Through its history, the school has evolved into a music conservatoire covering from traditional western classical music, musical theater, ballet to popular and jazz music. As one of the first music conservatoire in Japan to start courses such as music therapy, arts management, stage staff and ballet, our role is clear. As the pioneer in the Japanese music education, we are responsible for looking beyond the future and to open up the possibilities for our students.

We are located in a town of Shin-Yurigaoka just outside central Tokyo. Shin-Yurigaoka is a vibrant town with its own annual music and art festivals ranging from classical music, ballet, and a traditional Japanese theater to jazz. Within this rich cultural location you will be guided by our teams of faculty to realise and reach your full potential to lead the industry and the society.

Facility

South Campus

Our newly purpose built South Campus opened its doors in 2007. 6 storey building with a basement consists of a concert hall “Yuri Hall”, 2 orchestra rehearsal studios, 3 large ensemble studios, 2 ballet studios and a rehearsal Studio, “Studio Brio” which can accommodate a full set opera or musical rehearsals. There are also lecture rooms, class rooms and over 100 practice rooms and a fully equipped recording studio. Students can make a full use of our library with 60,000 catalogued books of which over 18,000 are in foreign languages (English, Italian, German and French). There are over 30,000 scores (excluding Japanese edition) and 35,000 CD/DVDs available. Along with our college canteen which can accommodate over 300 people, we have an Italian restaurant “Il Campiello” and a cafe Campiello” in our campus where students have a special discount.

North Campus

A minute walk from Shin-Yurigaoka station, it consists of five floors and a basement with 264 seated theater, 184 seated recital hall, rehearsal studios and practice rooms.

TEATRO GIGLIO SHOWA

Located in our south campus, 1,367 seated opera house “TEATRO GIGLIO SHOWA” can accommodate full size operas, musicals theater, ballet productions and orchestra concerts with highly experienced stage crew and the state of art computerised system on site. The theater is also the base for our professional symphony orchestra “TEATRO GIGLIO SHOWA ORCHESTRA” and the Showa University of Music Symphony Orchestra. The annual Showa University of Music Opera Performances are held at this theater.

YURI HALL

Also located in our south campus is 359 seated Yuri Hall with two Steinway concert grand pianos. This hall is used for various concerts including solo recitals and chamber concerts, as well as internal and external music competitions. Many of the students use the hall to hold their own concerts.

Studio Brio

Designed to fit the stage size of TEATRO GIGLIO SHOWA, the Studio Brio is used for orchestra rehearsals, extension lecture and live jazz and popular music concerts.

Orchestra Studio

A purpose-built large orchestra rehearsal studio with high ceiling for the best acoustic effect.

Recording Studio

A fully equipped digital recording studio with three separate recording booths designed to match professional studio environment.

Ballet Studio

A purpose-built ballet studio with high ceiling.

Villa Chiericati-Showa

Located in the town of Schiavon in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy, Villa Chiericati-Showa is an oversea training facility for Showa University of Music. It is situated in the villa built by Count Rodrigo Chiericati in 1590. Within 11 acres of land, the villa consists of a concert salon, classrooms, lesson studios, practice rooms, library, canteen and a residence hall.

History

Apr-1930ｍ	The Keisuke Shimoyakawa Vocal Music Institute was founded by Keisuke Shimoyakawa. “A total education for Opera” was one of the most pioneering music educations in Japan at the time.
Jan-1940	The Tokyo Seisen Music School was granted a charter. The first premises were built between 1939 to 1940.
Apr-1945	The school buildings were destroyed by the fires of war.
May-1947	School reopens after the war and the evening classes started. Keizo Horiuchi, Manfred Gurlitt (composer and conductor), and Yoshie Fujiwara (the founder of Fujiwara Opera Company) joined the faculty. With Manfred Gurlitt and Keisuke Shimoyakawa on the right.
Apr-1952	The new school premises completed in Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.
Feb-1953	The Gurlitt Opera Association`s first production of Mozart`s The Magic Flute (Japan premier). The school cooperated in this production. “Institute of Education” granted by the Ministry of Education* (*Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
Oct-1957	The first production of the Seisen Opera Project Mozart’s The Magic Flute in Nippon Seinenkan. The performance held in a public concert hall by a music school was unprecedented event at the time.
Apr-1958	The Tokyo Seisen Music School was accredited and given a license of the incorporated educational institute.
Jan-1962	The Seisen Opera production of Bellini`s La Sonnambula Japan premier at Bunkyo Kokaido. From front left, Ken Nakamura (Elvino), Yasuhiko Aguni (Notary), Kiyoko Otani (Anima / Director)
Feb-1969	The school was renamed to the Tosei Academy.
Jun-1971	Japan premier of Verdi`s Nabucco production (concert style) with the conductor Yutaka Hoshide, planning director Kyoichi Kuroda and Shinsei Symphony Orchestra* (*Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra).
Oct-1976	An official exchange established with University of the Arts Bremen music department.
Dec-1976	The first college performance of Handel`s Messiah.
Nov-1979	The Seisen Opera production returned as the Academy Opera in Gluck`s Iphigeneia in Aulis. Japan premier with the conductor Yutaka Hoshide and the director Yasuhiko Aguni.
Oct-1980	The Showa College of Music Orchestra’s first autumn annual concert with the conductor and the guest professor Hans Löwlein, a former principal conductor of the Berlin State Opera.
Jun-1981	The academic exchange agreement was concluded with the Academy and the Conservatoire of the National Academy of Saint Cecilia in Rome. This Academy is one of the oldest music institutions in the world with over 400 years of history. At the Academy of Saint Cecilia in 1981. From left, vice president Piccini, the president Ryuzo Okuda, the president Zafreddo and Professor Takatoshi Yoshida.
Oct-1981	Affiliated school of music in Atsugi was founded. From left, Keisuke Shimoyakawa, Professor Sunahara and Gian Carlo on the far right.
May-1983	Professor Sergio Perticaroli (piano), the vice president of the National Academy of Saint Cecilia in Rome was invited for the first time.
Oct-1983	The Tosei Academy Opera production of Vitalini`s King David, world premier at Kan-i Hoken Hall. The opera was commissioned by the request of the Vatican to celebrate the 1950th anniversary of the Christ’s death.
Apr-1984	The Showa University of Music was established. (Atsugi, Kanagawa)
Nov-1985	The pianist Tatiana Nicolayeva, from the former USSR was invited.
May-1987	An Italian tenor Carlo Bergonzi was invited to hold a masterclass.
Apr-1989	The Tokyo Seisen Music School was renamed to the Showa Music and Art Academy. The campus was relocated to new premises in Shin-Yurigaoka (Kawasaki, Kanagawa).
Oct-1989	An exchange performance of Mozart`s The Marriage of Figaro with the University of Music and Performing Art Vienna. Angelika Kirchschlager, a student from the university performed the role of Cherubino. A masterclass held by a Bass & Baritone Walter Berry.
Apr-1991	The Showa University of Music Center of Lifelong Learning, and the Showa University of Music Opera Research Centre were established.
Sep-1993	The academic exchange agreement was concluded with the University of California, Los Angels (UCLA).
Oct-1993	The Academy Opera project of Scarlatti`s Mitridate Eupatore, Japan premiere.
May-1994	“Villa Chiericati-Showa”, the training facility in Italy was established in Schiavon, Veneto, North Italy.
Oct-1994	The Academy Opera project of Donizetti`s Olivo e Pasquale, Japan premier. The production also took place in the Teatro Scociale in Como, Italy, through the Japan-Italy musical culture exchange program “Music Rainbow”
Apr-1998	The Showa Graduate School of Music was established. (Atsugi, Kanagawa)
Nov-2001	Donizetti`s Don Pasquale production at New National Theater Playhouse, Tokyo.
Apr-2007	The Showa University of Music and the Showa Graduate School of Music moved to a newly built campus in Shin-Yurigaoka.
Nov-2007	The Academy Opera production of Donizetti`s Pia de’Tolomei, Japan premier.
Apr-2014	The doctoral degree programs in Showa Graduate School of Music was established.