Report of the 3rd IFPS Conference in Tianjin, China
2015/08/27 | コメント(0)
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On August 8th, the 3rd IFPS Conference (International Federation of Piano Societies) was held in Tianjin,China, having 12 attendees representing 11 piano societies and institutions in 6 countries (Shanghai, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Tianjin, Xiamen), and 5 guest observers (among the jury members of The HITECH 3rd China International Non-Professional Piano Competition). Following the previous conferences in Hong-Kong (2013) and Tokyo (2014), it was held to exchange information for the advancement of piano education in each country.
Shaping Music Learning Environment for Professionals and Amateurs
The HITECH China International Non-Professional Piano Competition is open to all the music enthusiasts in China and abroad to enhance their music appreciation, as well as international exchanges and exposures. Participants are evaluated by 13 international jury members and are given advices at the master classes. It has been organized by the operating company of Tianjin Binhai Hi-Tech Industrial Development Area.
- Russia
Prof.Vera B.Nosina, professor of Russian Gnessin Academy and Founder of Musika Classica, introduced the excellent teaching system of the Gnessin Academy which aims at discovering and nurturing talented children. They also provide general music education for children who are going to middle schools (7 years course). She established an association named "Musica Classica Festival-Competition" which holds the festival twice a year for professionals and non-professionals. Next session will be held on November 14th-21st / Deadline: October 18th / participation fee: 5000rub).
-U.S.
Prof.Tamás Ungár, the Founder and Executive Director of the Piano Texas International Academy & Festival, mentioned the importance of expanding repertoires throughout the lifetime, and that the competition is only a first small step. The Piano Texas Festival requires participants to prepare 7 solo pieces and 1 concerto, and to play 5 times on stage. It provides courses both for professionally trained pianists as well as amateurs.
Seeking for the Social Value of Music
-Poland
According to Prof.Anna Jastrzebska-Quinn, Professor and Dean of Frederic Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, the university has over 100 year of tradition. The educational structure is similar to those of Russia and Mongolia, and the music tradition is as good as Germany. She pointed out the importance of raising teaching quality, as she believed whether or not one can be a good student depends on whether s/he meets good teachers. As the governmental financial support is decreasing nowadays, one of the current issues is to secure and maintain the music learning environment, including reservation of sufficient quantity and quality of instruments. According to her, Japan contributed 12 pianos after the previous Chopin Piano Competition. It is their immediate task to prove the necessity and impact of the music education, and enhance the value of music department in the university.
-Japan
Mr.Seikoh Fukuda, the CEO of PTNA (The Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan), introduced the history of the association, which was founded by Mdm.Yasuko Fukuda. It has developed the music education all over Japan in the past 49 years, by giving teaching seminars, competition (PTNA Piano Competition), and concert-style auditions (PTNA Piano Step), etc. PTNA recently started "Research Projects", principally conducted by Yasushi Ueda (researcher) and Eriko Sugano (journalist) at present, to demonstrate the social value of music education and to enhance the understanding of policy makers. The latest most viewed article was about the influence of piano playing to human brains, and it also received attention by the IFPS attendees.
Music Learning in Fast-Growing Countries
-Mongolia
Prof. Sharavtseren Tserenjigmed, The head of the piano program of Music and Dance College of Mongolia, explained that the education in Mongolia has been only 50 years. He studied in Sophia music conservatory in Bulgaria, and has worked in U.K., U.S., Russia, etc. and now came back to his country to devote himself in music education. The 1st generation of Mongolian pianists had learned in Russia, etc. and after returning to Mongol, they established the college in 1977. Now teachers teach young Mongolian students to take over the music culture to the future. The college is 100% funded by the government.
-China
Mr.Chen Da (?达, President of Zhou Guangren Music School) explained that the Zhou Guangren Music School was established in 2004, and they have branches in 53 cities across China. It has established the comprehensive teaching curriculum for teachers, which requires them to take examinations on regular basis, in order to raise the standard of piano education. The online based evaluation, "The Zhou Guangren Award for Young Musicians" provides winners with the performance opportunities in major concert halls, etc.
Other Speakers
There are other attendees who gave speeches as the representatives of their organizations and societies; Mr.Gustav Alink, the founder of AAF Alink Argerich Foundation builds the comprehensive database of international competitions and provides services for organizers and young musicians / Ms.Hsueh-fong Chien, the President of Piano Podium Taiwan / Prof.Wolfgang Manz, Permanent Professor of the University of Music Nuernberg, Germany / Prof.Xian Jie Jay Zhu, Vice Editor-in-chief of Piano Academy at Gulangyu, Xiamen, China.
The conference was started with the opening address by Prof.Takako Shinohara, the founder of IFPS and a PTNA authorized member. Prof.Jin Kaiha, the Vice President of the Tianjin Piano Professional Council, and Mr.Wang Hui Chen, the Director of Publishing Department of THT, each gave welcome remarks to the conference in Tianjin and expressed gratitude to the successful completion of the competition. At the end of the conference, Prof.Zhou Guangren, the Lifetime Professor of the Central Conservatory of Music and the Founder of China International Piano Competition, made closing remark.
The next IFPS conference will be held on August 2nd 2016 in Kobe, in conjunction with the International Chinese Music Competition. This competition was established by Prof.Zhang Wennai, President of the International Music Association, and exclusively focuses on Chinese works.
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