When he told his teacher, Tomojirō Ikenouchi, that he would like to pursue his study in America or France, the latter advised him to go to France. Obtaining French government scholarships, he entered the Conservatoire de Paris. In 1962, he won deuxième prix (the second prize) and in 1963 premier prix (the first prize) at the composition class of Tony Aubin. Then, in 1964, he gained premier accesit (the third prize) and deuxième prix at the analyze class of Olivier Messiaen. The latter, paying attention to the career of his students, advised Tamba that he should study either the technique of serial music or that of musique concrète. Tamba selected the latter. Showing a letter of recommendation written by Messiaen to Pierre Schaeffer, he entered the GRM (Groupe de Recherches Musicales) in the ORTF (present-day Radio France). The ORTF contributed to the reputation of Tamba, publishing some of his works and organizing a concert titled ‘Journée d’Akira Tamba (Day of Akira Tamba)’ in 1979.
