History and Overview

History

Our high school was established in 1954 with the goal of providing early specialized music education, and is the only national music high school in Japan.

The MHS has developed much from that time until today, and we have sent forth a great number of excellent composers, performers and other professionals that are active on the world stage.

Our graduates include soloists and principal members of preeminent domestic and international orchestras and chamber music ensembles, as well as the holders of important posts at the Tokyo University of the Arts and other music education institutions across the country. Many of our graduates fill leadership roles in Japanese music education.

The MHS recruits students from all over the country who dream of becoming great musicians in the future. Most of these students desire to continue their education at the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts.

While there are no special privileges in regard to continuing education, most students pass the TUA entrance examination on the basis of their own abilities and continue their education there.

May 1949: The Tokyo University of the Arts is established.
March 1954: The Faculty of Music-affiliated high school is established.
April 1954: The first entrance ceremony is held.
March 1957: The first graduation ceremony is held.
June 1963: The 10th anniversary ceremony and concert are held.
November 1974: The 20th anniversary ceremony, commemorative project and concert are held.
October 1984: The 30th anniversary ceremony, commemorative project and concert are held.
November 1989: The First Regular Concert is held.
October 1994: The 40th anniversary ceremony, commemorative project and concert are held.
March 1995: The new school building is completed, and the school moves to the Ueno Campus.
April 1995: New uniforms are adopted starting with entering students.
April 1999: The Koto specialization is established.
April 2001: Specializations in Nagauta Shamisen and Traditional Japanese Music Accompaniment (Kotsuzumi Drum, Ookawa Drum and Taiko Drum) are established.
April 2003: Specializations in Vocal Music and Traditional Japanese Music Accompaniment (Japanese Flute) are established.
November 2004: The 50th anniversary ceremony, commemorative project and concert are held.
April 2007: The UNESCO Prayer for Peace Concert (Paris) is held.
March 2010: The China-Japan Youth Exchange Concert (Beijing and Shanghai) is held.
March 2012: The Japan-China Youth Exchange Concert (Tokyo) is held.
April 2012: The Nagauta specialization is established.
December 2012: Student recruitment for Vocal Music specialization is halted.
November 2014: The 60th anniversary ceremony, commemorative project and concert are held.