Tomo (企)
Vocal, Piano
Tomo was formed in 2016 by the singer Aya Kaburaki, the singer Sachiyo Tamura, and the pianist Ken-ichiro Watanabe. The main repertory of this group is Japanese songs. Tomo (企) means “a project” and also “a friend” is called “tomo” (友) in Japanese. The concept of Tomo (企) is that each member projects a one stage with other members (other friends) in the concert.
The 1st concert “Tomo-no-Tomo-wo-Tomo-to-tomoni” (Performing friendsʼ projects with friends) was gaved on July 1, 2017. The 2nd concert was scheduled on June 21, 2020, but cancelled under the influence of COVID-19. On that day, a radio-style video “Tomo-no- Tomo-wo-Tomo-to-tomoni on the radio” was uploaded on YouTube, in which they performed original arrangements of Japanese traditional songs: Amefuri-Otsukisan, Akatombo, etc. This is the first time of publishing the complete original pieces.
・Offical Twitter
http://twitter.com/projectomo2016
・Tomo Channel
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_XHTFxDH6H_Hkia1PA9e9w
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Aya Kaburaki, Soprano
Born in Tokyo. Graduated from the department of vocal music at Kunitachi College of Music, and completed the master's program at the baroque vocal music department of Tokyo University of the Arts. Studied vocal music with Masako Inamori, Michiaki Masuda and Naomi Satake. Studied baroque vocal music with Midori Suzuki and Yukari Nonoshita. Studied Renaissance Polyphony and Gregorian chant with Tetsuro Hanai. Actively participates in workshops held overseas including master classes and lessons by Roberta Mameli, John Elwis, Deborah York, Jill Feldman, Emma Kirkby and Rebecca Stewart. Participated in performances and recordings of the vocal ensemble Capella, Contraponto ensemble for early music , Coro Libero Classico and Harmonia Ensemble. A member of vocalconsort initium, Salicus Kammerchor, Beata Musica Tokiensis, and Laudesi Tokyo. The leader of Quartette Provisoire. Participated in the recordings of "Bard poet Martin Codax- Seven Cantigas", "Vespro of Contraponto", and Salicus Kammerchor "J.S. Bach Motets".
Sachiyo Tamura, Soprano
Born in Kanagawa. Graduated department of vocal music at Tokyo University of the Arts. Completed the Master's Program at the same graduate school. Studied vocal music with Yoko Oshima, Yoshiaki Shinozaki and Michiyo Chiba. Studied Renaissance Polyphony and Gregorian chant with Tetsuro Hanai. As a soloist, she has performed religious music and choral music such as Beethovenʼs "Symphony No. 9", Mozartʼs "Coronation Mass", Fauréʼs "Requiem", Poulencʼs "Stabat Mater".
Since she was in graduate school, she has been particularly focusing on the study of Japanese songs, and in recent years she has been presenting new works with many composers. A member of the vocal ensemble "Kabuki" , Contraponto ensemble for early music. In 2019, she released her 1st album "Shu-Ko" with Ken-ichiro Watanabe.
Ken-ichiro Watanabe, Piano
Pianist, Ensemble-Singer, Lecturer.
Born in 1990. Learned the piano playing, clavichord playing, singing, and the performance of the gregorian chant and polyphony music. Submitting a thesis about “adiastematic neumes” (one of early notations of the gregorian chant), he got the masterʼs degree of musical science in Tokyo University of the Arts. He is a pianist at plural Japanese chorus clubs, a lecturer at Fons-floris-Kogakuin (a school of the early music), a singing member of some vocal groups; vocal ensemble Cappella, Salicus Kammerchor, vocalconsort initium, emulsion, etc. A member of the Japanese section of AISCGre (Associazione Internazionale Studi di Canto Gregoriano).
