The Akita Vocal Music Collegium mixed choir
秋田声楽研究会混声合 唱団
Japan
The Akita Vocal Music Collegium was founded in 1988 in northern Akita Prefecture to revitalize regional musical culture by bringing together vocalists and pianists. Since its establishment, the association has received numerous honors, including the 24th Akita Arts Award in 1998 and the Special Prize of the Kinouchi Music Award in 2003. A major milestone came in 2012 with the debut of the Akita Vocal Music Collegium Mixed Choir at its 26th regular concert, marking a significant expansion of its artistic activities. In 2023, the female chorus Cant Amsel won the Grand Prix in the senior division at the 5th Tokyo International Choir Competition. Building on this success, the Mixed Chorus performed Rutter’s Requiem at a local New Year’s Concert in 2024 and earned another Grand Prix at the 6th Tokyo International Choir Competition.
Category
Senior Choir
Yumiko Misawa
Category 2
In recent years, the conductor has devoted particular attention to women’s and mixed choral music. She has led the women’s choir Le Soleil and the Akita Vocal Music Collegium ensembles Cant Amsel and Voce Nord to six appearances at the National Mothers’ Chorus Competition, where they received the highest honor, the Himawari Prize, on two occasions. She is also a recipient of the 21st Kinouchi Music Award. Since 2023, her ensembles have participated in the Senior Division of the Tokyo International Choral Competition, achieving the Grand Prix for two consecutive years. She currently serves as President of the Akita Vocal Music Collegium, President of the Association for Blooming Local Culture in Akita, and Executive Board Member of the Akita Choral Federation.