Thank you for coming in 2024. See you soon in the summer of 2025!

Master Class 2024 Application Guide

July 21 (Sunday) to August 4 (Sunday) 2024.

Introduction of Faculty
Solo Master Classes

Violin

Frank-Michael Erben

Gewandhaus orchestra Leipzig First Concert master Leader of Gewandhaus-Quartet Leipzig

Violin

Sergej Krylov

Professor of Lugano Music Conservatory, Switzerland Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra Music Director Judge at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019 and the Fritz Kreisler International Competition in 2022

Violin

Akiko Tatsumi

President of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Viola

Kazuhide Isomura

Former Member of the Tokyo String Quartet Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Cello

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi
(Music Director)

Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music Director of Suntory Hall

Cello

Kangho Lee

Dean and Professor of Music of the Korea National University of Arts

Piano

Eliso Virsaladze

Professor of Moscow Conservatory

Piano

Susumu Aoyagi

Professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts

Flute

Seiya Ueno

Winner of the Rampal International Flute Competition Jury Member of the 77th Geneva International Music Competition
Chamber Music Class

Chamber Music
(Viola)

Kazuhide Isomura

Former Member of the Tokyo String Quartet Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Chamber Music
(Piano)

Shigeo Neriki

Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Chamber Music
(Cello)

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi
(Music Director)

*Participate in only some lessons

Chamber Music
(Viola)

Kazuhide Isomura

Former Member of the Tokyo String Quartet Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Chamber Music
(Piano)

Shigeo Neriki

Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Chamber Music
(Cello)

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi

(Music Director)

*Participate in only some lessons

July 21 (Sun) – August 4 (Sun)
Kirishima International Music Hall (Kirishima, Kagoshima)
Announce Details in March / Application Deadline May 9 (Thu)
GUIDELINES FOR MASTER CLASS APPLICANTS
Kirishima International Music Festival
The Kirishima International Music Festival was held in 1980 in Kirishima highland, a natural hot spring tourist area adjacent to a national park, with the philosophies of “growth through the mutual influence of master and pupil” and “cultivation of technically and humanly independent musicians.” Under the direction of Music Director Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, the curriculum is designed to give students a comprehensive experience as a musician. Students who have studied at Kirishima have grown into world-class musicians who are active both in Japan and abroad, and support the current music festival as instructors and performers. Today, it is highly acclaimed both at home and abroad as one of Asia’s leading music festivals.
The topic of the 45th Kirishima International Music Festival
Professor Frank-Michael Erben is back in the violin course!
Frank-Michael Erben, concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, who was very popular the year before last, will appear again in the violin course. And just like last year, Professor Sergej Krylov, who will participating this year, was highly praised by Rostropovich, saying, “He is one of the top five violinists of his generation!” He also served as a judge at the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition and the 2022 Kreisler Competition. Professor Akiko Tatsumi, president of Toho Gakuen School of Music, who has trained many excellent violinists, will also be participating for the second time.
8/6にサントリーホールにおいて、キリシマ祝祭管弦楽団の東京公演を開催
2024年、霧島国際音楽祭は第45回という節目を迎えるにあたり、東京サントリーホールにて、キリシマ祝祭管弦楽団特別演奏会を行います!
The viola solo class continues this year as well as last year!
The viola solo class will have a dedicated accompanist to provide even more fulfilling lessons!
Invite Professor Lee Kangho from South Korea to the cello class AGAIN!
Continuing from last year, Professor Lee Kangho, one of Korea’s most popular cello professors, will reappear. He is dean at Korea National University of the Arts, where Music Director Tsutsumi also teaches.
A chamber music masterclass that carries on the spirit of the festival’s founding!
A high-level chamber music class attended by up-and-coming groups every year. This year, we have prepared an option that allows you to play with a piano or viola professor!

David Reiland will be the orchestra’s conductor again from last year!

Mr. Reiland, music director of the Orchestre National de Metz (formerly the Orchestre de Lorraine) and the Lausanne Sinfonietta, will continue to appear as last year. You will have the chance to perform and learn from a highly acclaimed conductor who carefully builds orchestras!

STUDENT PRIVILEGES
Free access to concerts
You can listen to concerts performed by music festival artists at the Miyama Concert Hall (reservation required)
Auditing a lesson
Students can attend lessons of other classes (capacity depending on the size of the lesson venue)
Participation in concerts
  • Student Concert (all classes)
All students will perform in the students’ concert held during the festival.
  • Final Concert Orchestra (selected string students)
  • Cello Orchestra (all students in cello class)
  • Kirishima Festival Orchestra (selected string students)
  • Kirishima String Ensemble (selected string students)
  • Kirishima International Music Festival Award Winners’ Gala Concert (representative of each class)

*Details will be provided in the information sent after the audition result announcement.

Mo. David REILAND appears as the conductor of the orchestra!
Mo. David Reiland, music director of Orchestra National de Metz (former Orchestra de Lorraine) and Lausanne Sinfonietta, will participate again. Here’s your chance to play under a highly acclaimed conductor in a meticulous orchestra building!
Applicaton

Dates

July 21 (Sunday) – August 4 (Sunday)

Venues

Kirishima International Music Hall “Miyama Concert Hall” etc.
(3311-29 Makizono-cho Takachiho, Kirishima, Kagoshima)

Eligibility

  1. In principle, applicants should be age 16 to 30 years old. (Please contact us if you are under 16.)
  2. Applicants should be able to stay throughout the period of the entire festival.

Lessons

  • In principle, lessons are given individually on one-to-one basis.
  • During the festival period, each student (or each chamber music group) will take about 4 lessons.
  • Some lessons will be opened to the general public. (Lessons are always open to students.)
  • Professional accompanist is provided for string and flute lessons.

Courses and
Faculty

(Master Classes)

Tuition Fees

(tax included)
(*Scholarships are available.)

Solo Class Solo Class (Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano or Flute): 118,000 JPY

Chamber Music Group
Duos (per person): 78,000 JPY
Trios (per person): 65,000 JPY
Quartets (per person): 50,000 JPY
Quintets (per person): 39,000 JPY

*For students who take both Solo Class and Chamber Music Class at the same time, Chamber Music Class fee will be half of the above amount. Example: If a student takes the Violin Class and takes the Chamber Music Class (Quartet) at the same time, the fee will be 118,000 JPY + 25,000 JPY = 143,000 JPY (including tax)

Recorded
Audition

Students will be selected through recording auditions. Please submit a recording of your performance of any piece that is 10-15 minutes long and was recorded within the past year. Recordings can be submitted in one of the following ways. *Chamber music class (group): Please submit a recording of a performance by the applicant together with members of the same group.

-Video uploaded to YouTube –
Upload to YouTube with limited release and fill in the URL in the application form or send it by e-mail. Write the piece title, recording date and time, and recording location in the remark’s column of the form or in the body of the email. Include your name in the uploaded YouTube title.

-Recording/video-recording file –
Send to us an MP3 or MP4 file by email (must be less than 25MB). Please include the piece title, recording date and time, and recording location in the body of the email.

If it is not possible to submit by the above method, mail a CD or DVD (no Blu-ray). Please write your name, title, recording date and time, and recording location on the disc. Please make sure that it can be played before sending it. The sound source will not be returned.

How to Apply

Please send the application form and the recorded material to the festival office.
Music Festival Official Website
https://kirishima-imf.jp

When submitting by mail, download the application form from the official website and send it to the following address.
Please contact us if you cannot download the application form.

<Application/Inquiry by mail>
Kirishima International Music Festival Office
Japan Music Foundation JESC
2-1-6 Shibuya Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0002 Japan
TEL: +81-3-3499-4530 E-mail: kirishima@jesc-music.org

*If you are a violinist or pianist, please fill in your professor’s preference (1st and 2nd choice).
*Applicants who wish to take both classes of solo and chamber music are requested to send an application form for each class (two sets in total).
*If you apply for chamber music, each member must apply individually. (The sound source should be submitted by the representative.)

Application
Deadline

May 9 (Thursday), 2024
(The application must arrive by this date.)

Notification of
Results

Each applicant will be notified of the recorded audition result in early to mid-June by e-mail.

Cancellation
Policy

If you pass the audition and have paid the tuition fee, you will be charged a cancellation fee. For details, please refer to “Information for successful applicants”

Privacy Policy: All information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of music festivals and workshops operated by Japan Music Foundation JESC. We will not use it for any other purposes without permission.

Scholarship system
Applicants should submit the following at the time of application. The professor and the secretariat will conduct an examination, and about one person in each class will be exempted from part of the tuition fee.
Documents to be submitted
  1. Statement of reasons for application (1 sheet of A4 paper, format is free)
  2. A letter of recommendation from your instructor (written within the past year. Be sure to include the instructor’s contact information)
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation
We will guide you to accommodation facilities near the venue at a special price for the music festival.
After the audition result announcement, we will send you detailed information and an application form.
As a rule, all reservations for accommodation should be made through the secretariat.
In principle, students will share a room with other students (for 2 to 4 people, depending on the size of the room).

Meals
-Lunch –
A nutritious lunch using local ingredients is served on weekdays (charges apply).
The special lunch of the music festival is always very famous!!
-Dinner –
You can apply for a paid lunch box with a different menu every evening.
Festival Schedule (estimate) The 45th Kirishima International Music Festival 2024 General Schedule
Contact/Application
Kirishima International Music Festival Office Japan Music Foundation JESC
2-1-6 Shibuya Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0002 Japan
TEL: +81-3-3499-4530 E-mail: kirishima@jesc-music.org
https://kirishima-imf.jp
Facebook/Instagram/YouTube Updating!