The Founding Proposition
The Kyushu Composers Association is a body of contemporary music composers based in Kyushu and Okinawa. Founded in 1979 to establish contemporary music in the region, we have since been dedicated to the dissemination and development of contemporary music through creative projects and performances rooted in the community.
We continuously hold concerts including the Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival and Spring Music Exhibition, presenting new works by our members to the world. The guiding principle underlying our activities since our founding remains: "How might music, born from the life of a region, come into being?"
Since 1991, we have maintained exchange with Korea's Yeongnam Composers Association. In 2003, we co-founded the East Asia Composers Association with the Yeongnam and Shanghai Composers Associations. In 2019, we co-hosted a Vancouver music festival with local organizations, expanding our activities across the seas. We continue to create from a perspective open to Asia and the world, regularly inviting international composers and performing ensembles to Kyushu.
Saturday 28 November 2026, 18:30 at Taniyama Southern Hall, Kagoshima. Admission free. Co-presented with the Kagoshima New Line Philharmonic Orchestra, the concert gives the world premiere of new orchestral works by four members.
October 18, 2025, 4:00 PM at Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum Hall, Nagasaki. Tickets (2,000 yen) on sale through Ticket Pia (code: 307289). Day-of tickets also available at the same price.
Held on March 30, 2025 at Grand Regato, Fukuoka.
October 20, 2024, 2:30 PM at Saiki Shiroyama Sakura Hall, Saiki, Oita Prefecture.
Concerts — Featured
A review of the 41st Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival was published in Gendai Music's December 2023 issue.
Kyushu Composers Association Journal Vol. 16 has been published.
"Delivering the Essence of Piano Music to You!"
On August 23, 2023, our association chairman met with the Mayor of Nagasaki. We discussed the 41st Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival taking place September 30, our association's history, and international exchange with neighboring countries...
Concerts — Featured
Saturday 28 November 2026, 18:30 at Taniyama Southern Hall, Kagoshima. Admission free. Co-presented with the Kagoshima New Line Philharmonic Orchestra, the concert gives the world premiere of new orchestral works by four members.
October 18, 2025, 4:00 PM at Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum Hall, Nagasaki. Tickets (2,000 yen) on sale through Ticket Pia (code: 307289). Day-of tickets also available at the same price.
Held on March 30, 2025 at Grand Regato, Fukuoka.
October 20, 2024, 2:30 PM at Saiki Shiroyama Sakura Hall, Saiki, Oita Prefecture.
A 21st-century salon concert featuring Leone, Nagasaki's acclaimed young female duo. Leone (Flute: Fumika Honda / Piano: Saya Yamaguchi) joins forces with Kyushu Composers Association composers to present sophisticated new works in an elegant salon concert setting...
Takeshi Saito: Two Pieces for Flute and Piano / Selective 3
HISTORY
In 1979, composers from Kyushu and Okinawa gathered in Yufuin, Oita, with the vision to "raise a new wind of music from the south," and the Kyushu Composers Association was born. Formally established the following year with 17 composer members, it has been passed down through successive chairs beginning with founding chair Takeo Karashima, currently led by chair Mineaki Yoshida. Through name changes in 2006 ("Kyushu & Okinawa Composers Association") and 2021 ("Kyushu Composers Association"), we have supported the region's contemporary music for nearly half a century.
Report on 21st-Century Salon Concert by Leone and more
Report on 41st "Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival in Nagasaki" and more
After the "2nd Selective Concert" and more
40th "Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival in Miyazaki" Report with Tribute to Keiko Eto and more
MEMBERS & CONTACT