Email: loan@s-mf.or.jp
9:00〜17:00（Mon-Fri）
TEL +81-(0)3-6229-5566
Activities
About Instrument Loan Program
With the aim of promoting classical music worldwide, the Foundation loans its Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesù instruments free of charge to promising young musicians and internationally active musicians, regardless of nationality.
Application for Instrument Loan 2027
| Loan Category |
A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument | Violin (A few) Cello (1) |
Violin (A few) | |
| Eligibility | 35 years old or under as of September 1, 2027 *Applicants can apply for both A and B at the same time |
Must have a specific purpose of activities (e.g. Recording, Competition, Anniversary/Special/Debut Concert, etc.) |
|
| ― | Based mainly in Japan | ||
| Must have mastered a full-size instrument over the past two years | |||
| Loan Period |
5 or 7 years ※The loan period will be announced at the time of the result notification ※Reapplying for a 2-year loan extension is acceptable for 5-year loans | Up to 1 year ※The loan period will be announced at the time of the result notification |
|
| Application Period |
March 1 - April 15, 2027 *Closes at 11:59 p.m.on April 15, 2027 (JST) |
December 17, 2026 - January 7, 2027 *Closes at 11:59 p.m. on January 7, 2027 (JST) |
|
| Selection | Based on the selection at the Instrument Loan Committee Meeting |
Separately selected | |
| Notification of Result | In late August |
About 1 month prior to the requested start date of the loan *Requires about 1 month for evaluation |
|
| Note | Applicants who have previously received a loan may reapply for Category A or B for up to a total of 7 years (including the prior loan period). Next application information: Available around November to December every year |
Applicants who have previously received a loan may reapply for Category C 2 years after the end date of their loan | |
Other
Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition
Since 1997, Sasakawa Music Foundation has loaned the Stradivarius 1708 Violin "Huggins" to the Grand Prize winners of the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium held in Brussels.
Notification Service
Please sign up to receive an email notification when new application details become available.
SIGN UPConditions and Notes for Instrument Loan Application
- 1．
- The instrument player is required to sign the Loan Agreement
with the Sasakawa Music Foundation.
If the instrument player is under 20 years of age, the legal guardian is required to sign the Loan Agreement (under 20) together with the instrument player.
Loan Agreement
- 2．
- The loan instrument shall be designated by the Foundation.
- 3．
- The collection and return of the loaned instrument must, in principle, take place at the Sasakawa Music Foundation office in Tokyo, and must be carried out by the instrument player in person.
If the instrument player is under 20 years of age, both the instrument player and the legal guardian must be present.
All related expenses such as travel and accommodation shall be borne by the instrument player.
- 4．
- The loaned instrument must undergo a condition check every three months at one of the Foundation's designated workshops (a total of eight locations in Japan, Europe, and the United States).
All related expenses such as travel and accommodation shall be borne by the instrument player.
- 5．
- The instrument player must handle the instrument appropriately in accordance with the Foundation's instructions.
Guideline
ATA Carnet
- 1．
- When taking the loaned instrument outside of Japan, the instrument player must complete customs procedures using the ATA Carnet*.
The instrument must be brought back to Japan within the one-year validity period of the ATA Carnet.
If the loan period exceeds one year, a new ATA Carnet will be issued.
All related expenses, such as travel and accommodation, shall be borne by the instrument player.
- 2．
- When using the ATA Carnet, the instrument player must sign the Memorandum for the ATA Carnet with the Sasakawa Music Foundation.
If the instrument player is under 20 years of age, the legal guardian shall sign the Memorandum for the ATA Carnet (under 20) (for instrument players under 20 years of age) together with the instrument player.
- 3．
- There are restrictions on the countries to which the loaned instrument may be brought.
STEP.1Application
Please read the following "Application Guidelines" carefully and submit the application materials to the Foundation.
【Application Guidelines】
Application form
】 Application form
Attachments *All materials must be in English
- 1．
- Two Recommendation Letters
- 2．
- Three Audiovisual Recordings (see the list of repertoire and details in the Application Guidelines)
- 3．
- Biography
- 4．
- Schedule for the Past One Year and the Next One Year
- 5．
- List of Performance Repertoire
- 6．
- Photograph and Photo Credit
STEP.2Screening (Instrument Loan Committee)
The Instrument Loan Committee is responsible for selecting recipients of the instruments. The Committee is composed of members representing Europe, the United States and Asia.
【Evaluation Rules】
An Instrument Loan Committee member shall not take part in the evaluation process of an applicant for whom they have written a Recommendation Letter or have instructed within the past two years.
Members
Count Yvan de Launoit
President of The Queen Elisabeth Competition, Belgium
Mari Fujiwara
Cellist
Koichiro Harada
Violinist, Specially Appointed Professor at Toho Gakuen School of Music and Tokyo College of Music, Faculty at the Manhattan School of Music
Ida Kavafian
Violinist, Violist, Nina von Maltzahn Chair in Violin Studies at The Curtis Institute of Music
Jonathan Nott
Conductor
Dmitry Sitkovetsky
Violinist, Conductor, Arranger
STEP.3Results
A written notification will be sent to the applicant.
Procedure After Loan Approval
