Application
Guidelines

Application
Guidelines

Application

Application

starts at 12:00 PM JST on December 2, 2024.

starts at 12:00 PM JST on December 2, 2024.

About

About

About

What is Virtual Artist?

What is Virtual Artist?

What is Virtual Artist?

Virtual artist is a new type of artist who is not bound by anything other than his or her own performance skills.

Using the latest model development and streaming technologies, virtual artists are able to maximize their own performance technique and musical expression, regardless of their appearance, gender, nationality, age, education, or awards.

They are a breath of fresh air in the world of classical music.

About the Project

About the Project

About the Project

“ポルタメタ -portameta-” continuously seeks to create a better musical experience and proposes diverse musical possibilities using technology.

The project aims to nurture virtual artists beloved by everyone, share the joy of music through their presence, and provide opportunities for people to engage with musical instruments.

Additionally, through both real and virtual musical activities, it makes global music outreach possible, encouraging people of all ages to attend classical music concerts.

“ポルタメタ -portameta-” is a word combining the musical term “portamento” and “meta” meaning of “high dimension”.

We hope that people who have never been to a music concert will gradually become fans of classical music through an smooth change like “portamento,” and therefore design this term.

Activities to Date of the First Artist,

Activities to Date of the First Artist,

“Urune Nokuto”

“Urune Nokuto”

As the first artist of the project launched in October 2023, “Urune Nokuto” debuted at “Niconico Chokaigi 2024” in April 2024.

On August 12, 2024, Urune Nokuto performed at “Festa Summer Muza,” collaborating with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra to achieve the world’s first real-time orchestral session using a 3D model.

Urune Nokuto also hosts talk and performance streams twice a week on his YouTube channel.

For updates on his ongoing activities, please visit the official website.

Auditions

Auditions

Auditions

Virtual Violinist Wanted!

Virtual Violinist Wanted!

Virtual Violinist Wanted!

Following our first pianist, Portameta is now seeking individuals who, as “virtual artists,” wish to share the joy of classical music and instrumental performance through their musical skill and storytelling abilities, reaching audiences of all ages.

Our second call is for a violinist.

The selected candidate will perform and host talk segments as a VTuber without showing their face, creating videos, live streams, and performing at concerts.

Judge and Conductor

Judge and Conductor

Message from Keitaro Harada

Message from Keitaro Harada

The birth of the Virtual Artist project, PORTAMETA was a groundbreaking initiative in the history of music. The first artist, pianist Urune Nokuto performed with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and continues to connect with the fans through frequent online live streams. We are excited to announce the audition of a second artist to join the PORTAMETA family! If you are a violinist who would like to share your love for music in a unique way by taking advantage of the most advanced technology, THIS IS FOR YOU!

Judge

Judge

Message from Issey Kobayashi

Message from Issey Kobayashi

The word “classic” originally meant “Prestigious” and “having a Traditional high standard, high quality”.

It is also used in the names of World Baseball “Classics” and other luxury items to express respect for the history, courtesy, and taste of those who have established it.

Music is a unique experience that allows the audience to feel the sound with their bodies, as if they were transported back in time to the era in which the music was composed.

Project Portameta is a new way of being that combines “classical music” with the most advanced technology and ideas of our time. Last year's concert was a great success and was widely covered by the mass media and SNS.

The next project will be a violin!

Let's create a new page of classical music together with KADOKAWA × DWANGO × Maestro Keitaro HARADA !

Activities as a Virtual Artist

Activities as a Virtual Artist

Activities as a Virtual Artist

Regular streaming activities focused on performances and talk segments

Artist activities, including regular recording of performance videos and appearances in concerts

Activity Support

Activity Support

Activity Support

Provide characters, Live2D models, and 3D models for activities

Lend livestreaming equipment

Support activities as a virtual artist

Application Guidelines

Application Guidelines

Application Guidelines

Application Requirements

Application Requirements

Application Requirements

Regardless of age, gender, nationality, or place of residence

No prior experience in streaming or performance activities required

Applicants must be able to communicate in Japanese

Those who have dreams or goals in performance activities

Those who can share their knowledge and thoughts in their own words

Other Requirements

Other Requirements

Other Requirements

Able to perform continuously (for at least one year from the end of the audition).

Currently not affiliated to an agency, record company, or other similar organization, or terminate the contract at your own risk upon being hired.

Able to sign a contract with us as an individual.

How to Apply

How to Apply

How to Apply

Please take a video in the following way, upload it on YouTube with limited public access, and include the link in the application form.

The video must be recorded within 3 months prior to the date of application.

Include the following segments in this order:
Compulsory piece → freely chosen piece (any genre, within 5 minutes) → self-introduction and talk about the freely chosen piece (within 5 minutes).

The compulsory piece, freely chosen piece, and talk segment must be combined into a single video.

*The compulsory and freely chosen pieces must be recorded at the same venue and on the same day.

For the compulsory piece, please select and perform one of the following:

・Ysaÿe: Sonata No. 2 (All Movements)

・Ysaÿe: Sonata No. 3

・Ysaÿe: Sonata No. 6

The video must be recorded in landscape orientation with a fixed camera angle.

Editing within the musical performance is not allowed; however, editing in the talk segment is permitted.

The applicant's face, body, and hands must be clearly visible throughout the entire filming.

Please make sure the video is free of any noise that may affect the performance.

Please refer to the official page for instructions on uploading videos to YouTube.
Click here for YouTube.

If it is judged that the sound does not match the hand movements during the performance, the application may be excluded from the judging.

Schedule

Schedule

Schedule

First Selection Round

First Selection Round

First Selection Round

Application Period: From 12:00 PM JST on Monday, December 2, 2024, to 11:59 PM JST on Monday, January 13, 2025

Application Period: From 12:00 PM JST on Monday, December 2, 2024, to 11:59 PM JST on Monday, January 13, 2025

Applicants who pass the first selection round will be notified by email about the second selection round in late January to early February 2024.

Applicants who pass the first selection round will be notified by email about the second selection round in late January to early February 2024.

Second Selection Round

Second Selection Round

Second Selection Round

An online interview will be held in early February.

An online interview will be held in early February.

Third Selection Round

Third Selection Round

Third Selection Round

A skills assessment and interview are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at “Classic Space 100” in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

A skills assessment and interview are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at “Classic Space 100” in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Three pieces in total (one compulsory piece and two freely chosen pieces), each piece within 5 minutes.

Compulsory Piece: Select one of the concertos listed below, introduce it, and perform the first movement (with cadenza).


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

・Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major, K. 207

・Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Major, K. 211

・Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216

・Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218 

・Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219, “Turkish”


Felix Mendelssohn

・Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14


Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky 

・Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35


Johannes Brahms 

・Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77


Ludwig van Beethoven

・Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61


Jean Sibelius

・Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47


Henry Vieuxtemps

・Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Minor, Op. 37, “Gretry”


Camille Saint-Saens

・Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 61


Max Bruch

・Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26


Edouard Lalo

・Violin Concerto in F Major, Op. 20


Antonin Dvořák 

・Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 53, B. 96


Niccolo Paganini

・Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 6, MS 21


Henryk Wieniawski

・Violin Concerto No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 14

・Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 22

Freely Chosen Piece 1: A classical work (unaccompanied)

Please introduce this piece in your own words before performing.

It is acceptable to perform a piece originally written with piano accompaniment using only the violin.

Freely Chosen Piece 2: A non-classical work (original compositions allowed)

Please introduce this piece in your own words before performing.

*Each applicant will have a total performance time of up to 25 minutes.

*Please arrange for your own accompanist if needed.

FAQ

FAQ

FAQ

Can the compulsory piece and the freely chosen piece be filmed separately and edited together?

Can I apply if I live overseas?

Can I perform multiple pieces for the freely chosen piece, as long as it’s within 5 minutes?

May I use sheet music during the video audition (first selection round) and the live performance audition (third selection round)?

Are there any costs the selected candidate will need to cover after passing the audition?

Can the compulsory piece and the freely chosen piece be filmed separately and edited together?

Can I apply if I live overseas?

Can I perform multiple pieces for the freely chosen piece, as long as it’s within 5 minutes?

May I use sheet music during the video audition (first selection round) and the live performance audition (third selection round)?

Are there any costs the selected candidate will need to cover after passing the audition?

Can the compulsory piece and the freely chosen piece be filmed separately and edited together?

Can I apply if I live overseas?

Can I perform multiple pieces for the freely chosen piece, as long as it’s within 5 minutes?

May I use sheet music during the video audition (first selection round) and the live performance audition (third selection round)?

Are there any costs the selected candidate will need to cover after passing the audition?

Can the compulsory piece and the freely chosen piece be filmed separately and edited together?

Can I apply if I live overseas?

Can I perform multiple pieces for the freely chosen piece, as long as it’s within 5 minutes?

May I use sheet music during the video audition (first selection round) and the live performance audition (third selection round)?

Are there any costs the selected candidate will need to cover after passing the audition?

For inquiries regarding the audition, please use this form.

Contact Us

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Rules & Regulations

Rules & Regulations

Rules & Regulations

●All application materials will not be returned.

●Only those who have passed the selection process will be notified of the results.

●We will not respond to individual inquiries regarding the screening process or results.

●If the applicant is a minor, it is necessary to obtain the consent of his/her legal representative.

●KADOKAWA CORPORATION will cover all transportation, accommodation, and other expenses required to participate in this audition, up to a maximum of 100,000 yen. This coverage also applies to accompanists. However, the necessity of accommodation will be determined by KADOKAWA CORPORATION.

●Please note that the selection schedule is subject to change due to the spread of COVID-19, natural disasters, etc.

●If the candidate is found disqualified for the selection after the admission, his/her qualification may be revoked.

●The Rules & Regulations are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. For any disputes (including conciliation) that may arise between KADOKAWA CORPORATION and applicants in relation to this audition, the Tokyo District Court shall be the exclusive consensus court of jurisdiction for its first instance.

●If you have any inquiries, please contact us via the [Contact Us] on this website.


<Privacy Policy>

The personal information you provide will be strictly managed in accordance with KADOKAWA CORPORATION's “Basic Policy on Personal Information Protection”. In addition, the information you provide will be disclosed to DWANGO Co., Ltd., Japan Arts Corporation, and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra to the extent necessary for the audition screening.

Application

Application

starts at 12:00 PM JST on December 2, 2024.

starts at 12:00 PM JST on December 2, 2024.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Contact Us

Please use the form below for inquiries regarding auditions.

We will answer your questions via SNS and our official website.

Please understand that we will not be able to reply individually.

Contact Us

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