The 10th Campus Piano Event Report

Peter Chai, Research Associate, Faculty of Political Science and Economics
Nana Nishigaki, Undergraduate Student, School of Political Science and Economics

The Tenth Campus Piano Event, organized by the Faculty of Political Science and Economics and sponsored by the Waseda Society of Political Science and Economics, was held on 1, July in the B1F lounge of the International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library). The event offered participants an opportunity to play the grand piano displayed in the library, which was formerly used in “Peter Cat,” the jazz café run by Haruki Murakami during his student years.

Students, alumni, and local residents participated in the event. Around 50 people attended, of whom around 20 performed. Participants represented a wide range of affiliations, generations, and nationalities, ranging from beginners to professional musicians. The performances covered a broad variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and pop, as well as soundtracks from films, television dramas, and anime. Diversity was evident not only in the selection of pieces but also in the performers’ individual interpretations of the same works. Before each performance, participants introduced themselves and their chosen pieces, while after performing, many shared their thoughts on the experience of playing the piano. The chairs placed behind the piano also became a space where participants could talk about music between performances, contributing to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the event.

The Campus Piano Event enabled participants from diverse backgrounds to connect through music and highlighted the important role music plays in Waseda culture. The International House of Literature, which regularly hosts a variety of cultural events, has also become a well-loved cultural space on campus. The event further demonstrated music’s ability to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries and bring people together through shared experiences. The success of the tenth Campus Piano Event was made possible by the collective efforts of the student staff, whose work included event planning, promotional design, social media management, and support for on-site operations throughout the day. The success of the Campus Piano Event over its ten-year history has been made possible by the dedicated efforts of the student staff, from event planning and promotional design to social media management and on-site operations.

Student staff members