[April Dream] Giving "Wings" to Young Pianists—Bringing the Tokkyu Grand Concerto to 6 Cities Nationwide. Taking a New Concerto from Japan to the World Stage.

1. Giving "Wings" to Young Talent to Soar into the World.

At the world's most prestigious international piano competitions, there is one final, major hurdle.

That is the "performance with an orchestra (concerto)."

Unlike solo performance, a concerto is an art of "dialogue," weaving music together with a conductor and orchestra members. It requires a solid technical foundation, the ability to listen to each other's sounds, synchronize breathing, and flexibly adapt expression to the harmony born in that moment. This kind of experience cannot be gained solely through practice room repetition. It is the experience on a real stage that truly becomes the "wings" for a pianist to fly out into the world.

However, the opportunities for emerging pianists to perform with an orchestra in Japan are currently far from abundant. The high costs associated with large-scale ensembles make realization difficult. Furthermore, there exists an "experience paradox" where one cannot get opportunities without a track record. If this situation continues, talented young Japanese artists may face this experience for the first time on the world stage.

To address this challenge, PTNA, in co-sponsorship with The Symphony Hall in Osaka, launched the "Tokkyu Grand Concerto" in 2022, featuring performances with the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra led by chief conductor Sachio Fujioka. This project provides winners of the "Tokkyu" (Special Grade), the highest level of the PTNA Piano Competition, with a full-scale opportunity to perform with an orchestra. It is positioned as a chance for talent recognized in the competition to advance to a practical stage, leading to further leaps in their careers.

To date, many young pianists, including Seiya Kamei, Shiori Kuwahara, and Miyu Shindo, have taken flight into the world from this stage.

And our next dream is to expand this stage across Japan.

We will expand this initiative born in Osaka to Nagoya, Sendai, Hiroshima, Yokohama, and Sapporo. By collaborating with local orchestras, halls, and companies, we will create an environment where young talents can gain concerto experience. This is not just about giving "wings" to individual pianists; it is a challenge to create new musical landscapes in the regions and nurture a cultural cycle that connects Japan to the world.

2. Bringing Concertos Born in Japan to the World

This project also aims to create and promote new concerto works by Japanese composers to the world.

In 2026, with the support of Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a commission for a new concerto from pianist and composer Shu Katayama will be realized. This work is scheduled to be premiered at the "Tokkyu Grand Concerto."

We envision a future where this initiative expands nationwide, giving birth to new concertos in various regions, and these works are eventually performed as compulsory pieces in international competitions.

3. Inspiring Children with "Real" Aspiration

Many children are invited to the audience of the "Tokkyu Grand Concerto." The sight of pianists from a generation close to their own, confidently performing with a grand orchestra. The overwhelming power and emotion of it stir the children's sensibilities and nurture the thought, "I want to be on that stage someday."

Delivering this experience to children all over Japan is also one of our important goals.

[Past Achievements] Tokkyu Grand Concerto Track Record

The "Tokkyu Grand Concerto" has been held repeatedly in Osaka, drawing near-capacity audiences.

2022.5 Hayata Morimoto (Liszt), Anna Ojiro (Chopin No. 1), Seiya Kamei (Rachmaninoff No. 3)

2023.5 Kyohei-Tani (Grieg), Shiori Kuwahara (Schumann), Tomoki Sakata (Rachmaninoff No. 1)

2024.8 Yukine Kuroki (Rachmaninoff No. 2), Hayata Morimoto (Tchaikovsky No. 1), Hibiki Tamura (Beethoven No. 5)

2025.9 Asuto Kitamura (Mozart No. 23), Miyu Shindo (Chopin No. 1), Shiori Kuwahara (Brahms No. 2)

2026.8 Yukine Kuroki (Tchaikovsky No. 1), Miyu Shindo (Rachmaninoff No. 2), Shu Katayama (Commissioned New Work)

[Venue: The Symphony Hall / Conductor: Sachio Fujioka / Orchestra: Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra]

[Tokkyu Grand Concerto National Expansion Model]

Proposed Locations: Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Hiroshima, Yokohama, Sapporo (6 regions nationwide)

Partnerships: 6 major domestic orchestras

Project Content: Creation of performance opportunities for young pianists, commissioning Japanese composers, nurturing the next generation.

To Companies and Organizations Considering Sponsorship/Partnership

To realize this grand dream, PTNA wishes to join hands with companies and organizations that share our aspiration. For those who endorse the purpose of the "Tokkyu Grand Concerto"—giving "wings" to young talent and delivering Japanese culture to the world—and are considering sponsorship or support, we will provide individual materials and opportunities for explanation.

In Conclusion: The Aspiration of PTNA's 60th Anniversary and the Competition's 50th Edition

Founded in 1966, PTNA celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The piano competition, which has been challenged by over a million people in total, also reaches a major milestone, its 50th edition this year.

Today, April 1st, registration for the competition begins. This history is not merely an accumulation of records, but a history of each individual's "growth" in facing music and the "passion" that supports it. Through the dream of the "Tokkyu Grand Concerto," we will continue to support young talent as they fly out into the world and, together with all of you, create a society where music becomes a source of regional pride.

About the Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan (PTNA)

We are a network organization for music education centered on piano teachers. With the piano teacher profession at its core, we conduct a wide range of activities to connect people through music and help each individual achieve a fulfilling life. We have built a connection of over 18,000 members and piano learners nationwide, mainly the students of our members. While establishing over 670 bases in all prefectures, we have expanded Japan's largest piano competition, joint recitals, outreach projects, and music database services.

The most difficult category of our competition, "Tokkyu" (Special Grade), has produced many young pianists who are active in international competitions, contributing to the development of human resources who lead the music and art world. In recent years, we aim to achieve "richness" through collaboration with various organizations such as local governments, companies, and NPOs, and promote support for local communities and collaboration with school education through dispatched performances by pianists who are graduates of the "Tokkyu" grade.

Head Office: 1-15-1 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Nariyasu Fukuda (Executive Director)

Tokkyu Grand Concerto 2026: https://concert.piano.or.jp/news/2026/02/tokky_grandconcerto2026.html

PTNA 60th Anniversary Special Site: https://corporate.piano.or.jp/event/ptna60th/index.html