8th APA International Chamber Music Festival 2026

Overview

APA International Chamber Music Festival 2026 (ICMF2026) 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

• Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Musashino Swing Hall, Musashisakai, Tokyo More info
• Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Musashino Shimin Bunka Kaikan (Civic Cultural Hall) Small Hall, Musashino, Tokyo More info

The first concert will take place at Musashino Swing Hall (located in front of Musashisakai station, JR Chuo Line). The second concert will take place at Musashino Shimin Bunka Kaikan (Musashino Civic Cultural Hall, Small Hall). (Nakamachi, Musashino-city, Tokyo, is located a 20-minute train ride from the central Tokyo area.)

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 concerts. We will have rehearsals (4 hours x 2 times x 2 concerts if you attend both concerts) over the two weeks! We are planning a welcome reception for Saturday, March 21st or Sunday, March 22nd.

Who Can Participate?

Any chamber music players, amateurs or pros are welcome. For the 7th ICMF2025, there were 13 overseas participants from the US, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and Portugal, 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 2026.
• Note to previous participants: We will not plan to have concerts outside of Tokyo, such as in Atami, Hakone, nor Oshima island, this time.
• 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 coachings 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. It is recommended that you request pieces which you have had prior experience playing.

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 10,000 JPY per person for each concert, covering registration fee, hall rental, rehearsal room fees, program printing, etc. Accommodation is not included. An after-concert party will be planned, and the fee will be around 5,000-6,000 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 156 JPY, or 1 EURO is 184 JPY, as of December 31, 2025

Where to Stay

Accomodation (hotels, food, transportation fees, insurance, etc.) is the responsibility of each participant. We will help you arrange hotels upon request. Both concerts will be held in Musashino-city (outside of the central part of Tokyo), so it might be easiest if you choose a hotel there. Kichijoji is one of the convenient towns in that area, as both the Chuo Line and Keio Inokashira Line (trains) come in and out.

Application

For more details and to participate - download, fill out, and send back the application form by February 1st, 2026. Download the application form here.

2025 Program Examples

Program 1 - Musashino Civic Cultural Hall-Small Hall in Musashino, Tokyo, March 14, 2025

• J. Haydn: String Quartet No. 63 in B♭ Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Hob.III:78, “Sunrise”
• W. A. Mozart: String Quintet No. 3 in C Major, KConcert 1. 515
• F. Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B♭ Major, Op. 99, D. 898
• F. Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49, MWV Q29
• A. Dvořák: Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 90, B. 166, “Dumky”
• W. A. Mozart: Piano Trio E♭ Major “Kegelstatt” KV498
• G. Mahler: Piano Quartet in A Minor
• J. Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34
• J. Haydn: Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob.I:104, “London”

Program 2 at Musashino Kokaido Hall in Kichijoji, Tokyo, March 20, 2025

• R. Schumann: String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 41, No. 1
• L. van Beethoven: Piano Trio No.4 B♭ Major “Gassenhauer”
• A. Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 23, B. 53
• F. Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, D. 667, “Die Forelle” (The Trout)
• A. Borodin: String Quartet No. 2 in D Major
• Juan Crisostomo de Arriaga: String Quartet No. 1 in D Minor
• D. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 110