First she was a singer, then she went on to be a dancer, a holographic performer, and even the star of her own game series. Now Hatsune Miku is branching out to her new career as... a teacher's assistant?
The character of Hatsune Miku has become world famous ever since her modest beginnings as a character for Yamaha's Vocaloid artificial singing program. Now, according to Japan's Asahi News, the Shikoku University Junior College has announced that starting next year, they will be offering a course that will teach students to utilize and even profit from the talents of the virtual idol and her siblings.
Starting in April, 2015, the Shikoku University's Junior College Music Department will begin its Music Development course. The course will span 2 years. During the 1st year, students will learn the basics of the Vocaloid program. During the 2nd year, they will learn to actually compose their own songs. The course curriculum also includes other useful classes for various music development skills – even a self-management class that teaches students how to market the songs they've created.
While this isn't the first time a school has incorporated the Vocaloid program in class, this is the first time a music college has created an entire course specifically centered on teaching people to use it.
Japan has seen a wealth of original talent spring up from the depth of the internet thanks to Hatsune Miku and other Vocaloid characters – many artists have gone on to fame and/or financial success as a result. If anything, this new course should give us a lot more new and creative works of entertainment. Or we'll get a bunch more iterations of Ievan Polkka... I think it's a win-win either way.
ボーカロイド、短大に専科 作曲から販売まで四国大新設 [朝日新聞デジタル]
音楽科 [四国大学]
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