As a leading musician
Continuing to create songs that leave a lasting impression on people

Graduate of the Department of Integrated Culture, Faculty of Letters (now College of Performing and Visual Arts)
Musicians

Kawai Hidehiro

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He works as a musician, handling a wide range of activities from performance to composition and arrangement.

I'm the bassist for "fox capture plan," a piano trio band that plays modern jazz-rock, and I also work extensively in music, composing and arranging music for dramas, movies, and anime. I actually only started pursuing music after entering university. My composer uncle influenced me to want to try making music myself.

The music industry has a glamorous image, but the reality is quite different. We're constantly chasing deadlines, holed up in the studio from morning till night, and it's pretty tough. It's basically a sedentary job, so my body is aching all over (laughs).

For me, music is always a part of my everyday life, so I hope that my music can add color to the lives of those who listen to it. When I receive feedback from people who have listened to my songs, I feel a sense of fulfillment, knowing that I have created a song I am satisfied with.

After enrolling in university, I began my music career in earnest, spending every day immersed in music.

I chose J. F. Oberlin University because it was a university where I could learn music from the ground up. Additionally, at that time, I could study a wide range of humanities content from art to philosophy and religious studies, so I also took psychology lectures outside the department. Nowadays, there are more specialized curricula, so you can learn broadly and deeply from the basics to academic depth.

During my time at school, I belonged to the orchestra.

During my student days, I studied music whenever I had free time. I thought that classical music was the best way to learn the fundamentals of music, so I joined the university orchestra and spent every day practicing the double bass. I was completely absorbed in music. I have fond memories of performing street live shows at the school festival... I couldn't do that anymore (laughs).

In the orchestra, I had many opportunities to interact with superiors such as student affairs staff and external musicians, which helped me learn how to behave as a working adult. The campus had a calm atmosphere, so when I didn't have classes, I would relax at the cafe... I had a great time going to restaurants with seniors treating me, or going to local izakayas (Japanese pubs).

One thing I regret not doing during my student days is studying abroad to learn a language. I was interested because the study abroad programs were excellent, but I was focused on music at the time, so I couldn't make it happen. I also think that if there were career support programs that provided opportunities for students like me, who aspire to be artists, to hear from people working in the industry, it would make it easier to plan their careers after graduation.

During your student years, challenge yourself in everything and "cultivate a strong heart that doesn't give up!"

I will continue to create music with all my might as long as there is a need for it. I don't want to be too fixated on my own musical style, but rather I want to create music that reaches many people by valuing communication with others. My goal is to create songs that people will never forget after hearing them just once. In the future, I would like to expand my activities overseas. I occasionally go abroad to perform, but I don't have much experience composing for overseas works yet, so I would like to experience how it differs from the Japanese scene.

To all students, I recommend that you make the most of your time as a student and dedicate it to learning, as an investment in your future. This includes not only studying, but also part-time jobs and spending time with friends, which are all important forms of learning. I also hope that you will challenge yourselves in various ways during your student years and cultivate a resilient spirit. If you have a strong heart, you can do any job once you become a working adult. During your student years, when you can do anything, I hope you will develop the ability to challenge yourself without fear of failure and the ability to set goals and persevere.

composer

Kawai Hidehiro

profile
He continued his musical activities while still a student, and after graduation, he worked as a composer and bassist. He is an active member of fox capture plan, which he formed in 2011, and has composed numerous soundtracks for movies and dramas. His uncle is the composer Kenji Kawai.

[Editor's Note]

Kawaii-san's calm storytelling conveys a passion for music. I am looking forward to expanding my opportunities by leveraging the vitality I cultivated in J. F. Oberlin University, and I look forward to making a mark overseas in the future.

Interview date:
This took place in January 2023.

As a leading musicianContinuing to create songs that leave a lasting impression on people

Main content

He works as a musician, handling a wide range of activities from performance to composition and arrangement.

After enrolling in university, I began my music career in earnest, spending every day immersed in music.

During your student years, challenge yourself in everything and "cultivate a strong heart that doesn't give up!"

Related content

As a leading musician
Continuing to create songs that leave a lasting impression on people