Overview
APA International Chamber Music Festival 2025 (ICMF2025) provides a venue in which both
overseas and Japanese amateur players can participate in cultural exchange through music. Players
from overseas will visit Japan for the festival to enjoy performing with Japanese players. It is the
basic principle that international visitors and Japanese players perform the various works together
(in mixed groups). Please note that rehearsal time will be limited and is described below.
*APA is the abbreviation of “Japan Amateur Players Association.”
Dates and Venues
- Friday, March 14, 2025, at Musashino Bunka Kaikan (Culture Center) Small Hall, Tokyo More info
- Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Musashino Kokaido (Municipal Hall), Tokyo More info
The first concert will be held at Musashino Bunka Kaikan Small Hall (Nakamachi, Musashino-city,
Tokyo), a 20 minute train-ride from central Tokyo. The second concert will take place at
Musashino Kokaido, in Kichijoji, also in Musashino-city, Tokyo.
Participants can play in both concerts, or select one depending on their schedule.
Overseas participants are advised to arrive in Japan one week before the concert, by Monday, March
10th, as we have scheduled a welcome reception that evening as well as
rehearsals.
Who Can Participate?
Any chamber music players, amateurs or pros are welcome. In the 6th ICMF2024, there were 8 overseas participants from the US, UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Israel, as well as Japanese APA members. In the 4th ICMF2023 before the COVID pandemic, there were 17 overseas participants. Many previous participants have enjoyed visiting the Tokyo Metropolitan area as well as the western part of Japan such as Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kyushu, or the north part of Japan before or after the concerts.
Concert Details
- Two free concerts are scheduled in the Tokyo area in 2025.
- Note to previous participants: We do not plan to have concerts in Hakone nor Atami in 2025.
- The same or different repertoire may be played in the two concerts.
- There is no admission fee for the audience as APA is an NPO (non-profit organization).
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be limited to two sessions per concert, each lasting 3-4 hours. There will also be a dress rehearsal at 9 a.m. each concert day. Both concerts will start at 1 p.m. There will be no coaching or lessons.
Ensemble Assignments
Each ensemble (trio or larger) will include a mix of overseas and Japanese players. Participants are encouraged to practice with their own ensemble (if possible) prior to arriving at the festival as rehearsal time in Japan will be limited. A pre-formed ensemble from your country may be considered - please contact us.
What to Play
Each participant may propose the music that they wish to play. The final decision, however, will be made by the organizer depending on the number of participants and the types of instruments.
Participation Fee
The participation fee is 5,000 JPY per person for each concert, covering hall rental, rehearsal room fees, program printing, etc. An after-concert party is planned, with a fee of around 5,000 JPY, including free drinks. Please do not send money beforehand; the fee will be collected at the welcome reception or when you arrive.
*1 USD is 141 JPY, or 1 EURO is 156 JPY as of September 14, 2024.
Where to Stay
Accomodation (hotels, food, transportation fees, insurance, etc.) is the responsibility of each participant. We can help you arrange hotels upon request.
Application
To participate, download, fill out, and send back the application form by December 31st, 2024. Download the application form here.
2024 Program Examples
Program 1 in Koganei, Tokyo (April 13, 2024)
- J. Brahms: Clarinet Trio A Minor Op.114 (Violin version)
- W. A. Mozart: Piano Trio E♭ Major “Kegelstatt” KV498
- W. A. Mozart: Piano Quartet No.2 E♭ Major KV493
- F. Mendelssohn: String Quartet No.2 A Minor Op.13
- W. A. Mozart: String Quartet No.17 B♭ Major “Hunt” KV458
- R. Schumann: Piano Quintet E♭ Major Op.44
Program 2 in Atami, Shizuoka (April 18, 2024)
- W. A. Mozart: String Quartet No.19 C Major “Dissonance” KV465
- L. van Beethoven: Piano Trio No.4 B♭ Major “Gassenhauer”
- A. Dvořák: String Quintet No.3 E♭ Major Op.97, B180
- W. A. Mozart: Clarinet Quintet A Major KV581
- J. Brahms: Piano Quintet F Minor Op.34
- W. A. Mozart: Serenade No.13 G Major “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” KV525