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The 46th Kirishima International Music Festival 2025

Master Class 2025 Application Guide

~ Two weeks of world-class music education in the rich neture of Kirishima ~

The 46th Kirishima International Music Festival 2025

Master Class 2025 Application Guide

~ Two weeks of world-class music education in the rich neture of Kirishima ~

Master Classes

Sunday, July 20 - Sunday, August 3, 2025

The 45th Kirishima International Music Festival - Masterclass Moments

Application Deadline: Thursday, May 8

Introduction of Faculty
Recent Notable Alumni
Topics
Student Privileges
Application Requirements
Accommodation
Schedule
Japanese Page
Application
Introduction of Faculty
Recent Notable Alumni
Topics
Student Privileges
Application Requirements
Accommodation
Schedule
Japanese Page
Application
Introduction of Faculty
Solo Master Classes

Violin

Sergej Krylov

Professor of Lugano Conservatory Switzerland, Music Director of Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Jury member of 2019 Tchaikovsky and 2022 Kreisler Competitions

Violin

Akiko Tatsumi

President and Special Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music, Advisor to the Japan Music Competition

Violin

Natsumi Tamai

Professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Concertmaster of Kioi Hall Chamber Orchestra

Viola

Kazuhide Isomura

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

Cello

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi
(Music Director)

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

Cello

Kenji Nakagi

Associate Professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts,
1st Prize at 2005 Lutoslawski International Competition

Piano

Eliso Virsaladze

Professor at Moscow Conservatory

Piano

Susumu Aoyagi

Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, Chairman of the Jury at Takamatsu International Piano Competition

Flute

Seiya Ueno

Associate Professor of the Osaka College of Music, Jury Member of 2023 Geneva International Competition

Violin

Sergej Krylov

Professor of Lugano Conservatory Switzerland, Music Director of Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Jury member of 2019 Tchaikovsky and 2022 Kreisler Competitions

Violin

Akiko Tatsumi

President and Special Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music, Advisor to the Japan Music Competition

Violin

Natsumi Tamai

Professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Concertmaster of Kioi Hall Chamber Orchestra

Viola

Kazuhide Isomura

Special Appointed Professor of theToho Gakuen School of Music / Former Tokyo String Quartet Member

Cello

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi (Music Director)

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

Cello

Kenji Nakagi

Associate Professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts,
1st Prize at 2005 Lutoslawski International Competition

Piano

Eliso Virsaladze

Professor at Moscow Conservatory

Piano

Susumu Aoyagi

Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, Chairman of the Jury at Takamatsu International Piano Competition

Flute

Seiya Ueno

Associate Professor of the Osaka College of Music, Jury Member of 2023 Geneva International Competition

*For those who wish to attend Prof. Krylov’s class
Due to professor’s schedule, Prof. Krylov will not be able to participate in the festival after August 1st.
Please note that the selected students will perform at the Festival Awards Gala and the Final Concert, and all Prof. Krylov class students will participate in the ensemble concert on August 2nd.
Chamber Music Class

Chamber Music
(Viola)

Kazuhide Isomura

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

Chamber Music
(Piano)

Shigeo Neriki

Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Chamber Music
(Cello)

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi
(Music Director)

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

Chamber Music
(Viola)

Kazuhide Isomura

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

Chamber Music
(Piano)

Shigeo Neriki

Specially Appointed Professor of the Toho Gakuen School of Music

Chamber Music
(Cello)

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi (Music Director)

*Participating in only some lessons

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

Recent Notable Alumni

Quartet Amabile (Chamber Music)

37th Festival Music Director’s Prize
3rd Prize at 2016 ARD International Music Competition Munich

Mao Fujita (Piano)

40th Festival Grand Prize, 2nd Prize at 2019 Tchaikovsky International Competition

Akito Tani (Piano)

38th Festival Music Director’s Prize, 1st Prize at 2021 Japan Music Competition

Quartet Integra (Chamber Music)

41st Festival Music Director’s Prize
1st Prize at 2022 Bartók International Competition, 2nd Prize at 2022 ARD International Music Competition Munich

Regulus Quartet (Chamber Music)

43rd Festival Music Director’s Prize

Yo Kitamura (Cello)

41st Kirishima International Music Festival Prize,
1st Prize at 2023 Brahms International Competition,
1st Prize at 2023 Japan Music Competition

And many other active artists　

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 46th Kirishima International Music Festival Topics
Professor Nakagi, active as both soloist and orchestral performer, brings fresh energy to Kirishima.

Professor Kenji Nakagi from Tokyo University of the Arts joins the cello class for the first time

Chamber Music Master Class continuing the festival’s founding spirit
A high-level chamber music class that represents one of the festival’s roots. This year again includes opportunities to perform with piano and viola faculty members!
David Reiland returns as orchestra conductor following his appearances in the previous two years
Reiland, Music Director of the Orchestre national de Metz (formerly Orchestre de Lorraine) and Lausanne Sinfonietta, continues his engagement.
Last year’s Kirishima Festival Orchestra performance became a nationwide sensation. A chance to perform under a conductor renowned for his meticulous orchestra building!
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!
Attendance at festival artist concerts at Miyama Concert Hall (reservation required)
Students may audit other class lessons (capacity limited by venue size)
Opportunities to perform in various concerts:
  • Student Concerts (all classes)
  • Final Concert Orchestra (David Reiland, conductor / selected string students)
  • Cello Orchestra (all cello students)
  • Kirishima String Ensemble (Masato Suzuki, conductor / selected string students)
  • Kirishima Festival Orchestra (David Reiland, conductor / selected string students)
  • Kirishima International Music Festival Prize Winners’ Gala Concert (representatives from each class)
Details will be provided in the information package sent after acceptance notification.
Application Requirements

Dates

Sunday, July 20 – Sunday, August 3

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)
*For those who wish to attend Prof. Krylov’s class
Due to professor’s schedule, Prof. Krylov will not be able to participate in the festival after August 1st.
Please note that the selected students will perform at the Festival Awards Gala and the Final Concert, and all Prof. Krylov class students will participate in the ensemble concert on August 2nd.

Tuition Fees

(tax included)
(*Scholarships are available.)

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)

Scholarship System

Applicants who would like to apply for scholarship 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)

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 your information and the recorded material to the festival office form the application from below.

When submitting by mail, download the application from below 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

Thursday, May 8, 2025
(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 submitted information will be used solely for music festivals and seminars operated by JESC (Japan Music Foundation).
We will not use your information for any other purposes without your permission.

Permission to use photographs, etc

Your name, age, school name, pieces of your choice, photo and other information will be shared with other students and staff of the festival.
Application form for Master Class
Download of application guidelines
Download of application form

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.

Travel, Accommodation and Meals

Air Travel
Special rates available on designated flights arranged by the festival office.
Tokyo (Haneda) / Osaka (Itami) → Kagoshima: Sunday, July 20, morning flights
Kagoshima → Tokyo (Haneda) / Osaka (Itami): Sunday, August 3, evening flights

Accommodation
Accommodation near the venue available at special festival rates.
Detailed information and application forms will be sent after acceptance notification.
Please make all accommodation reservations through the festival office.
Shared rooms with other students (2-4 persons depending on room size) are standard.

Meals
Nutritious lunches using local ingredients available on weekdays (additional fee).
Our popular festival lunches are always highly rated!

14-night Package including Flight and Accommodation
From Tokyo (Haneda) ↔ Kagoshima: Starting from ¥177,000
From Osaka (Itami) ↔ Kagoshima: Starting from ¥165,400
*Instruments exceeding size restrictions (sum of three dimensions: 115cm for Tokyo flights, 100cm for Osaka flights) must be checked or require purchase of an additional seat.

Example of Participation Costs
For a violinist from Tokyo (full attendance, using minimum package rate):
Tuition ¥118,000 + Flight/Accommodation Package ¥177,000 + Instrument Seat ¥23,000 + Lunch (¥600×14 days) + Dinner (¥600×14 days) = ¥334,800

Festival Schedule (Tentative)
The 46th Kirishima International Music Festival 2025 General Schedule
Details will be provided on the website and in the acceptance information package.
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
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