Michiko Toyama facts for kids

Michiko Francoise Toyama Muto (born February 14, 1908 – died October 23, 2000) was an amazing Japanese American composer. She was one of the first women to study at a very special place called the Columbia–Princeton Electronic Music Center. Today, it's known as the Computer Music Center. This center was famous for creating music using electronic machines!

Michiko Toyama's Early Life and Studies

Michiko Toyama was born in California. Her parents, Noryuki Toyama and Fuku Nakahara, were from Japan. Michiko often visited Japan with her family. She went to college in both the United States and Japan.

In 1936, she traveled to Paris, France, to study music with a famous teacher named Nadia Boulanger. A year later, in 1937, another important musician, Jacques Ibert, suggested that Michiko share her music. She sent her piece, Voice of Yamato, to the 15th Festival of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM). Her music won a prize there! In the same year, she married Hideo Muto, and they had a daughter named Lucile.

Facing Challenges During World War II

During World War II, Michiko Toyama, like many Japanese Americans, was sent to a special camp. This camp was called the Rohwer War Relocation Center. Even though she was there, people described her as a musician. She also learned how to make knitted items.

Continuing Her Musical Education

After the war, Michiko continued her studies. In 1952, she learned from more famous composers at the Paris Conservatory. These teachers included Darius Milhaud, Olivier Messiaen, and Noel Gallon.

In 1955, she received a scholarship to study at Tanglewood with Roger Sessions. She also studied how to lead an orchestra (called conducting) at the Pierre Monteux School and Columbia University.

Exploring Electronic Music

From 1956 to 1959, Michiko Toyama became one of the first women to study at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center. She worked with Dr. Otto Luening and Dr. Vladimir Ussachevsky. At the center, Michiko and another composer named Edgard Varese both loved Japanese gagaku music. This is a very old type of Japanese court music.

In 1960, some of Michiko Toyama's own music was released on a record album. It was called Folkways Records Album No. FW 8881. Michiko once said that making music was her joy. She composed for herself, hoping others would perform her pieces.

Michiko Toyama's Musical Works

Michiko Toyama published her music under the name Michiko Toyama. Her compositions include:

Electronic Music

• Aoi No Ue (This piece used tape recordings and a narrator)
• Waka (This also used tape and a narrator, with words from a collection called Hyaku-nin Shu)

Orchestra Music

• Japanese Suite (This was written for a full orchestra)

Vocal Music

• Voice of Yamato (This piece was for a singer called a soprano, and instruments like flute, clarinet, bassoon, and cello)
• "Two Old Folk Songs" (This was for a voice and a traditional Japanese instrument called a koto)