Major in Music Performance
What sets our curriculum apart is that our students can select courses based on their desired level while considering the individual path they would like to take after graduation, and can freely choose courses related to lectures and practices from the fields they would like to research more deeply. The specialized skill individual lessons, which focuses on 4-year learning, allows students to understand practical performance methods, and acquire performance skills. In addition to the practical skills test held twice a year, there are plenty of performance opportunities, including regular performance, operas, and concerts both inside and outside of the campus, allowing the students to show off the results of their studies.
We also feature outreach through music practices (social contribution), towards bringing music to life in society, and the continued development of music culture.
Vocal Course
Students will hone their rich expression skills and sensitivities with extremely detailed individual lessons and lectures.
This intricate guidance, which is tailored-made for each student, will teach them correct vocal skills, and a wide-range of expressions. Additionally, students will learn about the art of singing from various approaches, such as our “Basic Stage Expressions” and “Vocal Music Expression” courses, and the opera performances created together with the orchestra. Our goal is for our students to develop into performers with a depth of sensibilities.
Keyboard Instrument Course
Expand musical qualities with a fulfilling curriculum that develops knowledge and sensibility
With three courses and individual lessons, students will gain the knowledge to understand a musical work, a reliable sense of rhythm, and the sensitivity to understand beautiful reverberations.
- Piano
- The piano is a wide-ranging instrument, with many works for it, ranging from baroque to the modern age. In the “Piano Playing Basics” and “Piano Playing Method” courses students will learn about issues such as how to correctly read the score, each composer’s style and era, and the proper way to use their bodies, in a variety of approaches. In addition to various ensemble opportunities, our curriculum allows students to learn about the organ and harpsichord in secondary courses, as each person can expand their musical sensibilities.
- Organ
- In 1941, the Christian Doshisha installed a pipe organ, which was one of a very few in Japan at the time. It’s beautiful sounds could be heard in daily worship and ceremonies. Playing the organ requires full usage of the manual keys and the foot pedals, and selecting the stops to create the tone quality. At D.W.C.L.A. you can find programs for learning the basics of organ playing, as well as a 4-year program for high-level contemporary works. Students can study with a comprehensive viewpoint while learning about Europe’s religious background as well as the churches and organs in each region.
- Harpsichord
- The harpsichord, born around the 15th century, is a keyboard instrument with a mechanism for plucking strings. It’s primary repertoire is focused on the Baroque era of the 17th and mid-18th centuries, a period where European courtesan culture flourished. Through the weekly lessons, students will be able to discern the delicate instrument sounds, get a clear sense of rhythm, and develop a sensitive reaction to the keyboard. Additionally, in courses such as “Classic Dance” and “Basso Continuo Play Research”, students will deepen their understanding of performance styles at the time, and expression methods from a historical point of view.
Orchestral Instruments Course
Improve performance skills through the synergistic effect of individual lessons and ensembles
Through guidance from our lecturers, who are at the forefront of musical activities, the students will not only learn cutting-edge performance techniques and an understanding of musical interpretation, but they will also get to directly experience these refined sensibilities. All orchestral instruments are both solo and ensemble instruments at the same time. In order to improve performance ability, it will be necessary to understand both natures and learn about them concurrently. Ensemble music, such as chamber music, woodwind music, and the orchestral music, has the rich appeal of being featured on large and small stages. For the orchestra, regular concerts are held every year, as well as operas and concerts in response to various requests.
Courses of Interest
- Performing Arts Basics I, II
- Learn the basic expressions as a performer through various exercises, and learn how to communicate with the audience as well as other performers with “acting” as the key concept.
- Piano Teaching Method
- We are in pursuit of teaching methods that assume individual lessons for beginners, such as effective usage of various teaching materials, and teachers for students of a variety of ages.
- Piano Performance Method
- Study and practice performance from a variety of angles, including musical form theory and background research, as the students come to understand and actually put into sounds the characteristics of various works from various eras, and various regions such as Germany and France.
- Woodwind Music I – VIII, Orchestra I - VIII
- Students will learn the foundation of ensemble techniques for woodwind and orchestra, such as how to view the conductor, how to read the full score, and the skills for adjusting the harmony and reverberation among many people, while participating in divided and full ensemble in parallel.