Project Planning Committee
ATM's Music Division formulates a yearly plan for the concerts held at Concert Hall ATM. It is guided by a Project Operation Committee consisting of several prominent members, headed by Director General Seiji Ozawa. The Committee explores various proposals for the performance of a wide spectrum of musical works--spanning many eras and genres--to be given by talented musicians from Japan and around the world. It also supports activities by musicians who are active locally, introducing them to audiences.
ATM's Resident Chamber Music Groups
Spurred by the suggestion of ATM's first Director General, the late Hidekazu Yoshida(1913-2012), the Music Division has created several resident chamber music groups whose membership consists of some of the most superlative performers Japan has ever produced.
Those ensembles have put on wonderful performances enjoyed by many people from Mito and elsewhere, and their quality has begun to be recognized worldwide.
Mito Chamber Orchestra (MCO)
The Mito Chamber Orchestra (MCO) was founded in 1990, concurrently with ATM's opening. The world-famous conductor Seiji Ozawa helps run the orchestra as musical director, and the group's members include musicians performing on the world stage, either as soloists or as first-desk orchestral members. MCO has given regular concerts and concerts for children at its home base at ATM, along with performances at other venues around Japan. It has also made three performance tours in Europe, further solidifying its global reputation as one of Japan's leading chamber orchestras.
New "Davidsbuendler"
The New "Davidsbuendler" is the latest addition to the roster of ATM's residentgroups, having just been founded in 2010. This chamber group assembles some of Japan's most superb musicians, starting with the young violinist Sayaka Shoji, and also including Shunske Sato (violin), Kazuhide Isomura (viola), Danjulo Ishizuka (violoncello), and Yu Kosuge (piano). Inheriting the innovativeness of the great Romantic composer Robert Schumann, whose 200th birthday was marked in 2010, along with the spirit of the New "Davidsbuendler" that he envisioned, the group passionately pursues the ideal expression of music in the new age.
Quartet AT Mito
This quartet is led by Yosuke Kawasaki, whom Seiji Ozawa places great trust in, and brings together Yuka Nishino, Shota Yanase, and Rei Tsujimoto, who are active in Japan and abroad, and began its activities in 2023 as the exclusive music ensemble of Art Tower Mito.The main focus of their activities is to spread the appeal of timeless string quartet masterpieces, while at the same time introducing outstanding works that are still unknown to the public.
Activities Rooted in the Community's Musical Culture
ATM's Music Division carries out activities that contribute to the musical culture of the local community from different angles. Those include: (1) a concert of Ibaraki-based performers, planned by musicians active locally, (2) a concert featuring talented young musicians and singers from Ibaraki, aiming at discovering and broadly introducing such performers, and (3) a year-end concert of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, with more than 300 citizens of Mito blaring their voices as members of the chorus. In addition, the Division carries out various programs to bring local people into closer familiarity with music, such as dress rehearsals and an assortment of seminars, as well as performances and workshops targeted at people of all generations. Refer to the section on educational programs for more details.
Educational Activities
ATM's Music Division carries out various programs to bring local people into closer familiarity with music, such as dress rehearsals and an assortment of seminars, as well as performances and workshops targeted at people of all generations.