Musashino Academia Musicae: Our Founding Spirit and Educational Philosophy
Musashino Academia Musicae has established its founding spirit as “The Spirit of Wa (Harmony),” with a dual educational policy dedicated to the “Refinement of Musical Artistry” and “Character Development.”
In 1929, when music education in Japan was still in its infancy, Naoaki Fukui founded the academy with a profound passion for the promotion and advancement of music. The institution was built upon a powerful sense of “Wa”—a harmony shared by the founder and the many supporters, faculty, and students who resonated with his vision.
Based on the founder’s conviction that the pursuit of profound musical beauty and the formation of a rich personality are mutually enriching, the University has consistently upheld the “Refinement of Musical Artistry” and “Character Development” as its core educational pillars since its inception.
Guided by these ideals, all members of the University community are expected to practice the “3P Principle” in their daily lives: Propriety, Purity, and Punctuality.
Faculty of Music
The Faculty of Music at Musashino Academia Musicae comprises two departments dedicated to cultivating world-class talent. Our mission is to nurture professionals who possess artistic mastery, profound intellectual depth, and the global perspective necessary to thrive on the international stage.
Department of Performance
The Department of Performance offers three distinct courses: Instrumental, Vocal, and Virtuoso. Students develop advanced technical proficiency and artistic expression through rigorous practical training in their chosen field—whether keyboard, wind, percussion, string instruments, or voice.
Beyond solo performance, the curriculum immerses students in a range of collaborative formats, including chamber music, orchestral music, and vocal ensembles. This comprehensive approach fosters both exceptional ensemble skills and a profound understanding of music as a collaborative art.
Instrumental Course(Keyboard, Wind, Percussion, and String Instruments)
The Instrumental Course focuses on building a solid technical foundation through one-on-one practical lessons, evolving into advanced mastery. The curriculum extends beyond solo performance to include accompaniment, duos, chamber music, wind ensemble, and orchestral studies.
Students also explore musical works within their cultural and historical contexts, ensuring their expressive abilities are grounded in deep scholarly understanding.
Instruments Offered
- Keyboard: Piano, Pipe Organ
- Wind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
- Percussion: Marimba, Percussion, Timpani
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Harp
Vocal Course
The Vocal Course focuses on the mastery of vocal production and fundamental singing techniques through personalized individual instruction. Students explore a diverse repertoire from the classical to the modern and contemporary era, mastering the stylistic nuances of each period.
A key component of the course is developing the linguistic proficiency required for the accurate pronunciation and deep interpretation of lyrics. Through studies in solo performance, vocal ensembles, choir, and opera, students refine their collaborative skills and gain professional-grade stage experience.
VirtuosoCourse
The Virtuoso Course is a specialized program placing intensive focus on the acquisition of elite performance techniques in instrumental or vocal music.
In addition to rigorous one-on-one lessons and diverse ensemble training, the curriculum includes practical studies such as Repertoire Research and Performance Interpretation. This high-level training fosters broad musical knowledge, refined sensitivity, and the professional self-awareness required of a concert artist.
Note: Available specializations correspond to the instruments listed in the Instrumental Course and Vocal Music.
Department of Music Studies
The Department of Music Studies comprises four specialized courses: Composition, Musicology, Music Education, and Art Management. Our curriculum is designed to provide students with a harmonious balance of deep specialized expertise and a broad foundation in music as a whole.
In addition to mastering their chosen field, students engage in practical, cross-disciplinary learning that transcends traditional boundaries. This integrated approach cultivates versatile professionals capable of contributing to the diverse cultural and artistic landscapes of contemporary society.
VirtTwo Flexible Study Systems
- The Open Major System
This system encourages students to gain a broad perspective through interdisciplinary study during their first year, allowing them to discover untapped potential and new interests. The diverse knowledge and skills gained here are highly adaptable to various music-related careers in the modern era.
With guidance from experienced faculty advisors, students complete at least four foundational subjects. Based on their aptitude and vision, they finalize their specialization starting in the second year. To ensure students reach the same level of mastery as those in the Fixed Major System, additional specialized coursework is integrated into the second-year curriculum. - The Fixed Major System
For students with a clear focus from the outset, the Fixed Major System allows for intensive professional study starting in the first year. Selection of this system is determined at the time of the entrance examination, which includes specialized subjects or modified requirements tailored to the chosen course.
Course Overviews
Composition Course
The Composition Course nurtures “multi-genre” composers capable of navigating both artistic and commercial music. Grounded in traditional techniques, students also master modern orchestration and digital music production using DAWs. This duality prepares them to thrive in an ever-evolving musical industry.
Musicology Course
From music history and aesthetics to ethnomusicology, this course provides a rigorous foundation for researching global musical traditions. Students bridge theory and practice through performance studies and seminars, culminating in a graduation thesis that reflects their unique academic insights and presentation skills.
Music Education Course
This course cultivates the essential qualities and leadership skills required of modern music educators. Beginning with an introduction to music pedagogy, the curriculum blends theoretical frameworks with practical instructional techniques, preparing students to inspire learners in a wide range of educational settings.
Art Management Course
This course develops the artistic sensibility and management expertise needed to enrich society through the arts. The curriculum is uniquely broad, covering theater technology, performing arts, cultural policy, legal frameworks, and finance. Students also acquire digital skills in music production and graphic design, preparing them for leadership roles in cultural planning and production.
For details regarding undergraduate entrance examinations for international students, please visit our Admissions Page.
Graduate School of Music
Cultivating Internationally Distinguished Performers and Researchers
In today’s increasingly sophisticated and globalized society, there is a profound need for highly skilled individuals who can contribute to the world at the highest level. Within the field of music, the demand for performers who meet international standards and researchers of exceptional caliber has never been greater.
Established in 1964, the Master’s Program at Musashino Academia Musicae has produced outstanding musicians and scholars for over half a century. In 2004, the addition of the Doctoral Program completed our comprehensive academic framework, providing a continuous path for advanced research and the acquisition of doctoral degrees.
With a sophisticated organizational structure and world-class facilities, the Graduate School provides expert guidance in music theory, practice, performance, and the creative arts. Our mission is to send into society performers, researchers, and educators who possess the international competence to lead the future of musical culture.
Master’s Program(Master’s Course / Doctoral Program, First Stage)
The Master’s Program offers five specialized majors: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Composition, Musicology, and Music Education. Within the Instrumental and Vocal majors, we offer a dedicated Virtuoso Course for those focusing on elite performance at the highest level.
Academic Requirements & Duration
- Eligibility: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university or possess equivalent academic qualifications.
- Duration: The standard program is two years, with a maximum enrollment of four years. To support global experience, leaves of absence for study abroad are permitted for up to a cumulative total of three years.
Curriculum & Degree Requirements
The curriculum balances intensive practical lessons with advanced theoretical research. While honing ensemble and accompaniment techniques, students deepen their expertise through musical analysis, history, and specialized seminars.
To be awarded the degree of Master of Music or Master of Musicology, students must:
- Complete at least 30 credits of prescribed coursework.
- Successfully pass the Major Performance Completion Examination.
- Pass the review and defense of their Master’s Thesis.
Instruments Offered (Instrumental Music Major)
- Keyboard: Piano, Pipe Organ
- Wind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
- Percussion: Marimba, Percussion, Timpani
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Harp
Doctoral Program
Advanced Specialization in a Superior Academic Environment
The Doctoral Program at Musashino Academia Musicae offers five fields of advanced study: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Composition, Musicology, and Music Education. This program is designed for those who seek to reach the pinnacle of their artistic and scholarly pursuits.
Academic Requirements & Duration
- Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or possess equivalent academic qualifications.
- Duration: The standard program is three years, with a maximum enrollment of five years. To support international research and performance experience, leaves of absence for study abroad are permitted for up to a cumulative total of three years.
A Superior Academic Environment
On campus, doctoral students are provided with dedicated research rooms to support their advanced studies. The university offers an exceptional environment for learning, where students have access to computers, audio equipment, professional concert halls, and an extensive library. This comprehensive suite of facilities ensures that every student can pursue their research and artistic practice at the highest level.
Performance and Academic Milestones
- Instrumental and Vocal Music: Students are required to demonstrate their artistic growth through an annual public recital, which serves as a performance examination.
- Composition: Students must undergo an annual public examination featuring the performance of their original works.
Degree Conferral
To be awarded the degree of Doctor of Music or Doctor of Musicology, candidates must:
- Complete at least 10 credits of prescribed advanced coursework.
- Successfully pass the final performance or composition examination.
- Submit and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation that contributes original insights to the field.
Career Trajectory
Holders of our doctoral degree are uniquely prepared to lead the next generation of musical culture. Armed with profound knowledge and elite specialization, our graduates pursue independent and influential careers as world-class performers, pioneering researchers, and distinguished educators in global institutions.