Yoshihiro HANAOKA / Chorus Conductor / Mannes College The New School for Music / New York, USA

We will ask you about music colleges, music colleges, music classroom course programs, local living information, etc. that only those who have experienced studying abroad in music can understand.Please use it as a reference for yourself in the future.
 
Yoshihiro HANAOKA
Born in Nagano prefecture.Started playing the piano from an early age.Graduated from International Christian University.Glee club conductor since attending International Christian University.Currently enrolled in the Chorus Conducting Department of the New York Manes Conservatory.
(Interview October 2005)

Until Hanaoka High School, I usually left my local high school in Nagano and went on to International Christian University in Tokyo.The International Christian University was a place to study a wide range of fields.I majored in musicology in the humanities department, but I didn't have a performance class and studied music and history.At the same time, you worked as a conductor of a university glee club for two years.That made me want to study conducting music in earnest and aimed to study abroad.I tried to prepare for study abroad for about a year, but my English wasn't enough and that year was ruined.

After graduating from Hanaoka.After that, I returned to my parents' home in Nagano prefecture and worked as a clerk at a vocational aid center for people with intellectual disabilities for less than a year.At that time, I wasn't just interested in music, I wanted to do various things.I was thinking of working at a facility for the disabled all the time as an option, but after all I had a strong desire to study music more and do music as a job.So I quit my job just before December of that year and came to the United States.Before I went to the United States, I did a lot of research, but the only school in New York that specializes in chorus conducting was the Manes Conservatory, which I am currently attending.So I visited to see what was going on and the atmosphere was good, so I came to take the exam at the beginning of December.So the audition was at the end of February.In the meantime, I was fortunate enough to take an open class called Extension Division at Manes Conservatory.I went to an English conversation school while taking the necessary classes to improve my English proficiency.As a result, I was able to pass the audition.

Hanaoka It's the first year of graduate school.I received it in a slightly different way.At first, I transferred to the third year of university.Because I was a little worried about my English ability.Do you need more advanced English skills in graduate school?Especially when it comes to conducting, I have to speak in public.I thought it was the first decision to accept it for the time being, so I made that choice.However, since I had a bachelor's degree at International Christian University, I decided that I didn't need to graduate from university for two years, so I transferred to graduate school one year later.

Hanaoka That's right.It's the second year.

Hanaoka First of all, the audition itself is divided into two days.On the first day, you will be tested on your basic musical skills.On the first day, you will test how much you can do basic things such as listening, reading ability, piano technique, music theory, etc.

Hanaoka Theory is written.There was also an English test on the first day.You will be tested to see if you have English proficiency that will not hinder your lessons, such as how well you understand the basic terms of music in English.If there is no problem on the first day, you can proceed to the demonstration audition on the second day.My major is chorus conducting, so I shook the chorus of the school.There are 3 assignment songs and 1 free song. In 20 minutes, the four songs are shaken and practiced.Three judges will judge what kind of guidance you will give, whether you understand the music properly, and what you have achieved in the rehearsal.Separately, we will have a one-on-one interview with the professor in charge.He asked me various questions and requests (laughs). I was also asked to analyze "what did you think about when you shook" and "what is the music like in this scene?" Some say, "Actually sing the voice." Or "Play 1 of the 1 parts on the piano and then sing the remaining 4 part."

Hanaoka That's right.It was difficult.Therefore, after holding many meetings, it seems that successful applicants will be decided by a comprehensive evaluation for two days.I heard it later.

Hanaoka There are five people in total at university and graduate school.Some people have more than one major.For example, singing and chorus conducting, composition and chorus conducting.

Hanaoka That's right.I'm only a chorus conductor.     

Hanaoka As I mentioned earlier, I was studying in the extension program before taking the exam, so I was able to take lessons under the direction of the professor in charge.So the audition assignment song had already been announced, so I was able to bring that song to the lesson.And it was great that I made friends by being at school.It is important for conducting to connect with the performers.Other students have to teach the people they met for the first time.I think I could have been more relaxed and shaken than they were.

Hanaoka: I don't think that's always the case, but being nervous and unable to exert your strength is a minus.I think that some people can go there and create an atmosphere right away.However, it is easier to prepare if you know in advance what kind of music is important to sensei and what the level of the choir is. In short, it's easy to make a plan, such as "What do you say at the time of audition?"I think it would be a plus to take such a program.

Hanaoka That's right.I went there about two and a half months ago to prepare.Actually, I once took the exam from Japan while I was in college, but since it is in the United States and Japan, it takes a lot of time to process and mail the documents.So there was a happening that I passed the primary exam that year, but I couldn't take the secondary exam.I couldn't get in touch with what the audition's theme song was, so I sent it by mail, but it arrived about three days before the audition.You can't go to America when you don't have the sheet music and you're not ready.After that, I contacted him and asked, "I want you to change the exam date somehow," but it was impossible.After all, preparing in Japan and going about 2 days ago to audition is a painful schedule, I don't understand the feeling of the land, and I'm not used to English, so I think I'm mentally exhausted.I had the experience of the previous year, so I decided to come early because I wanted to come early to get used to the area, get into the habit of speaking English a little, and prepare my mind.

Hanaoka That's right.Thanks to my mental preparation and music preparation, I didn't have to be nervous.

Hanaoka I've been learning the piano since I was little.I was also interested in singing.I used to sing in junior high school and high school.At that time, I wasn't conducting, but I liked singing.I was addicted to conducting for the first time in college.

Hanaoka I think there are many things to enjoy and enjoy.For example, there are moments when I think I'm practicing and playing music together with everyone.You can feel the relationship between the conductor and each singer, and the one-to-one relationship between the singers, not the whole chorus-to-conductor relationship.Each one expresses each other, and the music collides with each other, creating a really big whirlpool.You can see that they enjoy singing very much.Then you can see that the music changes in a good way.After that, I myself am waving the conductor and it's quite a pleasure.At the university's glee club, concerts were held twice a year, in spring and autumn, but the autumn concerts were charged.The entrance fee was about 1 yen or 1 yen at most, but there was a time when the hall was full.

Hanaoka There was a time when about 600 people came in.Not only because of the number of people, but also because I practiced a lot at the concert at that time, I really enjoyed the music.After practicing a lot until the concert, he said, "I have to do this here. I think that will come out, but instead of trying to create such limited music, I felt that I was able to create new music with the audience and the singers there. is.I deeply felt that music can only be done on the spot, on the spot, at that time.So after all the stages were over and the encore was over, the audience gave a tremendous applause.Actually, I was supposed to stop encore with two songs, but I suddenly decided to do another song and ignored the schedule (laugh) Everyone's feelings increased including such things, and music was the center. I felt that the hall was integrated.It seems that it can only be called pleasure.The conductor is not the main character, but the conductor is between the singer and the audience.

Hanaoka That's why I think it was the most obvious place to be surrounded by that atmosphere.It was fun to see the facial expressions of the singers.Looking at the customers who are really happy when they turn around after conducting the command, and the customers who are desperately applauding, "I can't be more happy. "I thought. "Oh, I can't stop this.I want to experience this excitement over and over again. I thought.

Hanaoka That's right.Through the concert, it was said that classical music in Japan has a wall or a high threshold, and I thought so, but I was able to remind myself that it is actually very close.I wanted to make music more and more so that everyone could come and enjoy it, and I wanted to lower the threshold of music and let more and more people know the joy of music.Especially in the case of songs, almost everyone has it, voice.That's why I decided to study in earnest, thinking that I could reach more people and convey their joy.

Hanaoka That's right.After all, I'm studying in the United States, so language problems are difficult at first. I often hear people say, "Music doesn't need words," but words are inevitable in order to practice as a conductor and to build good relationships with singers.There was a time when the communication didn't go well and I felt sick.Then, while waving the conductor, I sometimes feel that the conductor is isolated from the music and becomes something like mathematics.In short, it has become mechanical and cannot be connected to my emotions.Even though the beats, the entry of each part, and the strength are clearly shaken and easy to understand, they cannot be expressed musically at all.How do you use your arms, face, and whole body to express music?Of course, that's not all, but if it doesn't come out, it doesn't make much sense for humans to conduct.Does that mean I'm doing it?There are times when it is better not to have a conductor if it is just a beat.As a conductor, I think that how to influence the performers and draw out the music from them will continue to be a trial and error process.Then about the class.Regular lessons have become much easier as I understand English, but the counterpoint method, which is not often studied in Japan, is compulsory in theory lessons.Music such as Renaissance and Baroque was mainly written based on this theory of counterpoint, but since I started this study from scratch, it was difficult to catch up with the students around me.I don't have a college of music in Japan, so I think my basic ability was inferior to other people.I thought that I had to improve that ability first, and for the first year I focused on improving my basic ability and English ability, and managed to keep up with the lessons.But after all, if you keep doing it every day, the effect will come out, and what you were trying to catch up with at first will become better than other people before you know it.Then, since it is already a habit to continue every day, I can afford to go to class after that.In fact, professional musicians practice for more than 1 hours every day, so maybe I'm still sweet.
 
At Manes Conservatory
Hanaoka: The practice of conducting isn't it?First of all, I analyze the music to be shaken, but if the song is a chorus, for example, it has lyrics.Basically, I study and understand how to read the lyrics and the meaning of the lyrics, and then read from the score how it is related to music.It's the composer's intention, or how they interpret the lyrics and express them in music.Then it's music analysis.What kind of harmony is used, what kind of harmony progression is, which tune is important, where the scene change is done, and so on.After doing that kind of analysis, I practice singing each voice to get to know each voice well, or singing one voice and playing the other part on the piano.So first you have to know music better than anyone before you take it to chorus practice.By the time I practice, the music is already playing in my head, pointing out the wrong parts and telling me what kind of music I want to make.Also, in a private lesson with the professor in charge, the professor plays the piano and conducts it.That's why sensei gives us some advice.It reminds me of musical interpretations that I didn't notice.The professor in charge of me is a person who makes the students think well, and is often pointed out as "what to think and shake" and "what to feel".Thanks to that, when you shake in front of the choir, you will be able to express your own personality and your own music.

Hanaoka Auditions are held every year, and students from the school's song major form a chorus.There are about 1 people in each part, so it's about 1 people in total.The size of the chorus is by no means large, but each singer wants to become a professional, so it will soon improve.I don't have much time, but depending on how I practice, I can make songs in a blink of an eye, so it's like a showcase for the conductor's skill.

Hanaoka Last year I could choose it myself, but this year the professor decided.I picked up some songs and wanted to play them, but I wasn't able to do what I wanted because the songs I wanted to play with other students were overwhelming. ..

Hanaoka Now I'm studying songs by British composer Vaughan Williams, who is famous for "Green Sleeves", German composer who composed many songs called Wolf, and Monteverdi, a composer from the Italian Baroque era. increase.It seems that the professor chose not to change the language so that the times would not change.     

Hanaoka That's right.After all, the music is different, and what is important also changes.Depending on the times, there are various playing style rules, so you have to study them as well.

Hanaoka That's right.Of course, a chorus conductor is needed.You can't teach without knowing the language.It is important not only to know the meaning, but also to make the sound unique to the language of the country.Since the words and sounds match and the song is composed, if you don't know the sound of the language, you may not be able to grasp the composer's intention at all.I think it has a deep meaning because I talk and listen to it myself.

Hanaoka That's right.But I don't study dozens of languages.Latin, German, French, Italian, and English are all that are essential for studying music.It's relatively easy to read German and Italian, but you can't read French just by looking at it.I have to study desperately (laughs).Still, language is not a code, it is connected to music and culture, so it is interesting to know it.In that sense, I don't feel that burden.

Hanaoka That's right.After all Europe is the center, such as Germany and France, classical music.I never thought about studying abroad there.Tuition fees are much cheaper in Europe.However, one of the reasons why I chose America is the problem of language.Even if I can speak English when I go to Europe, I naturally have to study the local language, so I thought that studying the language for the first year would be overwhelming and I wouldn't be able to get into music. there is.If that happens, the length of stay for study abroad will be longer, and I thought that it would be a burden.Recently, I mainly study classical music, that is, I heard rumors that good sensei is moving from Europe to the United States.I also think that Europe is internal and depends on the country, but I had a strong image that the cultural traditions of that country were important and that they were ancient.However, the United States, especially New York, is a place where various cultures and ethnic groups meet, and various things are coming in.Not only classical music, but also jazz and rock music.Studying music is equivalent to studying humans, or music is made by humans, and this is my sensibility in studying and interpreting music by interacting with various people. I thought it was a good environment to improve my humanity.However, classical music is by no means neglected.There are some of the world's top music halls and universities in New York, such as Carnegie Hall and The Juilliard School, and there are plenty of opportunities in this country.From an academic point of view, the United States is solid in academic studies, that is, studying basic music.The university system is solid.I learn technical and musical things in Europe, but I don't think basic studies are as systematic as in the United States.I thought it was necessary to improve the basic ability of music and acquire more knowledge, so I thought that America was the best overall.

Hanaoka I haven't been to other countries so I can't compare it, but that's right.New music is being made here, you can go to many great concerts, and there are lots of people.In that sense, it's really inspiring to be here.Everyone in New York says I, I, I.You can't do anything if you don't go out.If you don't assert yourself among many people, you will be buried.It is necessary to be considerate of others, but it makes me think about how to appeal to myself.If you don't do that, you'll soon be behind the others.I feel that my way of thinking and actions have changed since I came here.

Hanaoka When I first came to New York, I had few acquaintances.I had an acquaintance introduce me to this person, but I couldn't understand the language as I expected, but I had to make an acquaintance myself.Still, in order to get used to English, I created an environment where I can't speak Japanese.Join an American-only choir.At first, I sometimes felt lonely and lonely.I think that such a period was necessary after all.Even so, I was doing what I liked, so I feel that the fun and hope were greater than the spiciness.When I was in Japan, I didn't want to rely too much on my parents or friends, so it was a good opportunity.There is no one to rely on to move and live on their own.Knowing your new side, you realized that you are having a fulfilling life.Especially for the first 3 months.

Hanaoka That's right.Communication has become quite normal, so I'm enjoying it as if I were a student in Japan.Besides, American students speak more straightforwardly, which makes me feel more comfortable.I was happy to be able to interact with each other without having a tatemae.

Hanaoka It's five days from Monday to Friday.

Hanaoka: That's not the case, and depending on the day, there are days when classes end in about two hours, and there are days when classes are held in quick succession from 2 am to 1 am.It may be less than Japanese universities.Of course it depends on the person, but some of my friends only come for about 3 days a week.
 
I'm studying sheet music!
Hanaoka You have a lot of homework.This is incomparable to Japan (laughs).About half of my daily study is homework.I want to practice the piano and prepare for conducting more, but I spend a lot of time doing my homework.To be honest, I'm really doing my homework every day.

Hanaoka That's right.There are various things such as theoretical homework and analysis.There is also a reading class itself.I look at the score of an orchestra or string quartet and play it on the piano, but it also takes a lot of time to prepare.

Hanaoka That's right.There are many.Most of them are piano and sheet music.

Hanaoka I often do it at school.There are quite a few practice rooms with pianos in the school.

Hanaoka It depends on the day, but from XNUMX to XNUMX hours.

Hanaoka: I sometimes don't have much time when I have classes, but on holidays, I go to school at noon and the school closes from XNUMX:XNUMX to XNUMX:XNUMX.

Hanaoka That's right.However, I get tired if I do it all the time, so I do it while taking a break.Well, basically I'm doing it because it's fun.

Hanaoka There is a chorus that my conductor sensei is waving, but I participate as a singer there, and sometimes when I practice, I'm told to shake it.He also has a choir in New Jersey, next to NY, and he seems to be able to shake it there as well.However, I have to sing at the concert automatically.

Hanaoka Give and take.

Hanaoka That's right.I'm thinking of returning to Japan.There are many amateur choirs in Japan.I wish I could shake some of the choirs in Tokyo and Nagano.The conductor sensei, who I was indebted to in Japan, said, "There are many children's choirs, university choirs, and amateur choirs in Japan, but there is no bridge between them. I have been studying music since I was little. I want to create a school where I can go, "and I hope I can help with that.

Hanaoka That's right.We are already talking about forming a chorus with some acquaintances in Nagano prefecture.Preparations are steadily progressing, such as schedules and requests for voice trainers.The choir can be started as soon as I return.At first, you may not have many chances to swing the chorus, but I would like to visit various conductors sensei and the chorus and continue to sing as a member.I think I have to do my best now so that I can be recognized by the swing.

Hanaoka That's right.But I'm worried because there are many invisible parts.

Hanaoka I want to touch as much music as possible.There are many composers in the United States, and modern songs are played quite a bit.I hear that there are many French songs, but I think the United States is the place where contemporary songs are played most in the world, so I would like to listen to and sing a lot.I also want to incorporate it into Japan soon.The professor in charge now plays a lot of contemporary songs, so I would like to teach them in lessons.I have to constantly create opportunities to come into contact with music other than contemporary songs and improve my basic abilities, and I want to establish my own style and specialty, and sell it when I return to Japan.

Hanaoka That's right.Not only music but also being in the United States is learning.

Hanaoka That's right.American performers get a strong impression of their individuality.That's why it doesn't come together very well at first.However, I feel that it may be possible to make more interesting music in the end.The Japanese chorus is relatively organized at first, but it doesn't go well from there.It's not until each performer expresses it.I feel like creating a framework first.There is no frame here, and it's fun to make music while colliding with each other.I have a hard time, though.

Hanaoka That's right.It's a problem if the individual is strong and hits.When there is no compromise.Each person tries to make their own voice, so the timbre may not be organized.Of course, it's okay to have a voice that has individuality for each person, but how do you take that as a chorus and as music in one direction?After all, singing in chorus is completely different from singing in solo.There is a technique that respects the individual and convinces each singer, but still brings them together so that they are well organized.

Hanaoka But it's rewarding.

Hanaoka: I think I have to say that even if it's not direct.In Japan, when I'm in a big group called a chorus, I tend to think that my existence is buried.When I was a conductor in Japanese university, I used to do ensembles.I used to sing with a small group of about two people in each part.Then it becomes clear how you want to sing and express yourself.After that, when you return to the chorus, the whole thing changes.Even if there are 50 choirs, I don't think chorus should be one-fiftieth.Rather, there are many possibilities of 1 in 1x50, and I think we have to make something that has various expressions and the answer can be 1 or 100.

Hanaoka That's right.When I finish doing that and finish conducting at a concert, I'm really excited and I can already hear the heartbeat.It's a pleasure.

Hanaoka Yes.Do you want to do it (laughs)

Hanaoka It will also help you overcome that (laughs)

Hanaoka That's right.The first thing I want to say is, "If you want to do it, try it for the time being."I don't know what will happen unless I actually try everything.I think it's much better to regret doing it than to regret not doing it.I also came to America and found out what I was missing.That's the part that moved first, and I could see it because I came to the United States.It's better for me to fail than to worry and not fail.Even if it fails, it leads to the next success.I also failed to take the exam, but that's why I learned so much.At first, you should go on an ambiguous road, and then you should think about the solution to what you need to do and how to go on that road later.I think it's a big goal, I want you to try first without being afraid of what you want to do.Even in English, studying in Japan is completely different from studying in the United States.If you don't use it in your daily life, you won't be able to learn English easily.Even if you get a high score in the Japanese test, it just doesn't work here.Because Japanese English is dead English in everyday life.You may feel like you're going to get discouraged at the beginning, but that's when you think it was because of that time later.It was an important time to study hard enough to die or to have a hard time to die.So if you really want to do it, don't give up on a little bit.

Hanaoka Also, you should do everything (procedures, etc.) as soon as possible.It seems that it was attached.