A History of the Japan Choral Association

• Other Authors: Tsutsumi, Mihoko (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Music
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1495

The Japan Choral Association consists of 150,000 members who belong to fifty-four regional associations. It plays an important role in the International Federation of Choral Music and has played a leading role in choral activities in the Asian Pacific regions. The purpose of this study was to collect historical data from newspapers, journals, and interviews of the organization's secretary generals in order to analyze the development of the organization and its projects. This study found that the Japan Choral Association has had a long and active history. The organization began in 1927, when Kosuke Komatsu created the National Music Association. After World War II, four regional choral associations were organized in the Kanto, Kansai, Chubu, and Seibu regions. Those associations established the All Japan Chorus League (AJCL) in 1947 with Kosuke Komatsu as its president. In 1999, the name was changed to the Japan Choral Association (JCA). The study also found that the Japan Choral Association conducts national competitions, festivals, and workshops which have raised the performance level of Japanese choral society. The organization has supported competitions since its beginning. Choral workshops organized by the Japan Choral Association have provided various classes according to the needs and trends of the time since 1960. The organization introduced the Mothers' Choral Festival during its twentieth anniversary year; the population of the mothers' choruses has continued to grow, with 30 percent of the organization's membership coming from these groups. In 1987, the Junior Choral Festival was organized as a part of the fortieth anniversary celebration. The festival has been successful in nurturing children, who in turn will be the basis and support of future choral activities in Japan. The events sponsored by the JCA are conducted with the support of regional associations. This arrangement has strengthened the structure of the organization. This study concludes with the summary of the project as well as a discussion of present concerns and plans for the future. === A Dissertation Submitted to the College of Music in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Summer Semester, 2007. === April 18, 2007. === Japan, Choral, Association, History === Includes bibliographical references. === André J. Thomas, Professor Directing Dissertation; Matthew Shaftel, Outside Committee Member; Kevin Fenton, Committee Member; Alice Ann Darrow, Committee Member.