CAMPUS REPORT
2026/4/27
津田梅子ゆかりの楽曲がOxford-Japan Prizeを受賞 —作曲者Jacques Allen氏が小平キャンパスを訪問
オックスフォード大学のカレッジのひとつであるセント・ヒルダズ・カレッジ（St. Hilda's College） は、1893 年に女子大学として設立されました。本学の創立者・津田梅子は1899年に同カレッジに聴講生として滞在し、英国における女子高等教育の先駆者たちとの交流から多くの知見を得て、その経験が日本での学校作りにも生かされました。
また、2024年度からは、セント・ヒルダズ・カレッジのキャンパスで建築・文学・教育・歴史など様々なテーマを英語で学ぶ本学主催の語学研修が「セントヒルダプログラム」として実施されています。
同カレッジには今も梅子ゆかりの「梅の木」が植えられており、この木から着想を得た楽曲『A Plum’s Haiku』が、2025年度の「Oxford-Japan Prize for Composition」を受賞しました。
■関連リンク：Oxford-Japan Prize for Composititon 2025 - Winner Announced
【サントリーホールでの世界初演と作曲者のキャンパス訪問】
2026年4月2日、サントリーホールにてピアニスト・佐野優子氏により同曲の世界初演が行われました。演奏会当日に、本学卒業生の佐藤由紀氏が作曲者のJacques Allen氏と言葉を交わす機会があり、それが縁となって4月5日に小平キャンパスを訪問されました。創立者・津田梅子の足跡を共に辿る貴重なひとときとなりました。
なお同曲は、秋にはオックスフォードでお披露目の機会があるとのことです。
Musical Piece Inspired by Umeko Tsuda Wins Oxford-Japan Prize; Composer Jacques Allen Visits Kodaira Campus
St. Hilda's College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, was founded in 1893 as a hall for women. Umeko Tsuda, the founder of our university, stayed at the college as a visiting student in 1899. During her time there, she gained profound insights through interactions with pioneers of women’s higher education in the UK—an experience that later informed her vision for establishing her own school in Japan.
Also, since academic year 2024, the "St. Hilda's Program," a language study program organized by our university, has been held on the St. Hilda’s College campus. The program allows students to study various themes such as architecture, literature, education, and history in English.
To this day, a plum tree associated with Umeko remains on the St. Hilda's campus. Inspired by this very tree, the musical piece "A Plum’s Haiku" was awarded the Oxford-Japan Prize for Composition 2025.
■ Related Link:
Oxford-Japan Prize for Composititon 2025 - Winner Announced
【World Premiere at Suntory Hall and Composer’s Campus Visit】
On April 2, 2026, the world premiere of "A Plum’s Haiku" was performed by pianist Yuko Sano at Suntory Hall, Tokyo. On the day of the concert, Yuki Sato, an alumna of our university, had the opportunity to speak with the composer, Jacques Allen. This encounter led to his visit to our Kodaira Campus on April 5, providing a precious opportunity to retrace the footsteps of our founder, Umeko Tsuda, together.
"A Plum’s Haiku" is also scheduled to be performed in Oxford this coming autumn.
Also, since academic year 2024, the "St. Hilda's Program," a language study program organized by our university, has been held on the St. Hilda’s College campus. The program allows students to study various themes such as architecture, literature, education, and history in English.
To this day, a plum tree associated with Umeko remains on the St. Hilda's campus. Inspired by this very tree, the musical piece "A Plum’s Haiku" was awarded the Oxford-Japan Prize for Composition 2025.
■ Related Link:
Oxford-Japan Prize for Composititon 2025 - Winner Announced
【World Premiere at Suntory Hall and Composer’s Campus Visit】
On April 2, 2026, the world premiere of "A Plum’s Haiku" was performed by pianist Yuko Sano at Suntory Hall, Tokyo. On the day of the concert, Yuki Sato, an alumna of our university, had the opportunity to speak with the composer, Jacques Allen. This encounter led to his visit to our Kodaira Campus on April 5, providing a precious opportunity to retrace the footsteps of our founder, Umeko Tsuda, together.
"A Plum’s Haiku" is also scheduled to be performed in Oxford this coming autumn.
