Trombone
Born in: Osaka Prefecture, Japan
1st place, and Audience Award, Brass Section, The 6th Tokyo Music Competition 2008

Musical Study Experiences

Began learning piano as an child then from 3rd year of middle school began learning trombone
2003 Graduated from the Music Course of Hyogo Prefectural Nishinomiya Senior High School
2007 Graduated top of class from the Department of Instrumental Music, the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts

Teachers

Studied under Yamashita Hiro, Ito Kiyoshi, Nakagawa Eijiro and Koga Shinji

Musical Careers

2002	Excellence Award and Hyogo Prefectural Governor Award, the 7th KOBE International Music Contest 2nd Place, the 9th Japan Trombone Competition 1st Place, the 12th Japan Classical Music Competition
2003	Received Yuzuriha Prize from the Superintendent of the Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education
2006	Grand Prize, the 10th Matsukata Hall Music Award
2007	At time of graduation from Tokyo University of the Arts won Acanthus Music Prize
2008	1st Place, Brass Section and Audience Award, the 6th Tokyo Music Competition Currently part time lecturer at the Kyoto Notre Dame University and Notre Dame Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School
2009	the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Member
2010	At the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra Masterpiece Concert series performed the main theme of Yamada Yoji’s film "Ototo (About her brother)" (2010) in front of Yamada, receiving high praise; the music was composed by Tomita Isao who also composed the music for "Kimba the White Lion" and other pieces

Further Activities

Previously performed as a soloist with the Geidai Philharmonia Orchestra, Tokyo, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. Currently serves as principal trombonist at the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. Also appeared in magazines, performed in radio shows, educational activities and stage works. Worked with and in K-pop artists, movie and drama BGM recordings. On December 4th in 2011, premiered Trombone Concerto with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. Fujihara commissioned the concerto to Kanno Yugo, a composer known for the Japanese film scores such as "SP: the Motion Picture", "Odoru Daisosasen (Bayside Shakedown)", "Amalfi Megami no Hoshu (Amalfi: Rewards of the Goddess)."

Repertoire

Major compositions ranging from solos, chamber music to concertos regardless of era. Within these I am particularly skilled at French and American pieces. Also I have been challenging improvisation, pop music and jazz as well as classical music.

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