1. About the Kyushu Composers Association
The Association was founded in 1979 when eight composers from Kyushu and Okinawa gathered in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, with the vision to "create fresh new winds of music from the south." The following year, with seventeen composers connected to Kyushu and Okinawa, the Kyushu Composers Association was formally established. Takeo Karashima 辛島武雄 was elected chair and Hirohiko Tamura 田村洋彦 as executive director. Successive chairs have been Takeo Karashima, Tetsu Nozaki 野崎哲, Makoto Uchiyama 内山信, Hirohiko Tamura, Toru Nakamura 中村透, and Toru Tamura 田村徹; the current chair is Mineaki Yoshida 吉田峰明.
In 2006, the name was changed to Kyushu and Okinawa Composers Association.
In 2021, the name was changed to Kyushu Composers Association.
The Association's primary goal is to promote and develop contemporary music throughout Kyushu and Okinawa, with the guiding theme "How should music rooted in local communities evolve?" Starting in 1991, the Association began mutual exchange with the Yeongnam Composers Association of Korea, engaging in reciprocal composer dispatch programs at each other's festivals. In April 2003, together with the Yeongnam Composers Association (Republic of Korea) and the Shanghai Composers Association (China), the Association founded the East Asia Composers Association. The 2nd East Asia International Music Festival was held in Miyazaki in September 2004, and the 5th festival was held in Oita in October 2010.
In September 2018, for the 38th Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival, composer Rita Ueda リタ・ウエダ and the AU Ensemble were invited from Canada. In June 2019, the Association participated in the VICO Festival's "Japanese Festival" in Vancouver, Canada. In September of the same year, for the 39th Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival, composer and conductor Dietmar Schermann ディートマール・シェルマン was invited from Vienna, broadening international exchange from neighboring countries to Europe and North America.
Primary activities include hosting the Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival, Spring Concert, Spring Music Exhibition, and Selective Concert; mutual exchange with composers, musicians, and educators both domestically and internationally; and publication of organizational journals and publications.
2. About the Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival
The Kyushu Composers Association's flagship festival, held annually in rotation across Kyushu's prefectures.
The 1st festival was held on August 28, 1980, at Sumiyoshi Hama Resort Park (Oita). Seven works in total were premiered—four through live performance and three through recorded presentation.
The 12th festival was held at NBC Video Hall (Nagasaki) on August 27, 1991. U Jong-eok 禹鐘億, chair of the Yeongnam Composers Association, participated. A dialogue with Akira Ueno 上野晃 (music critic) was held, and works by U were presented in invited performances. Since then, the Association has maintained ongoing composer dispatch exchange with the Yeongnam Composers Association.
The 15th festival, held September 8–9, 1994, at Fukuoka Bank headquarters' main hall, marked the festival's first "Evening of Orchestral Works" (conductor: Takuo Yuasa 湯浅卓雄; orchestra: Kyushu Symphony Orchestra).
The 20th festival, held September 3–4, 1999, featured the "Evening of Chamber Orchestra" (conductor: Masahiro Isaki 井崎正浩; orchestra: Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival Orchestra) on the opening night, marking the festival's second orchestral concert.
The 25th festival was jointly hosted with the 2nd East Asia Contemporary Music Festival (organized by the East Asia Composers Association), held September 18–21 at Miyazaki Prefectural Arts Theater. The program included workshops (open rehearsals with composer commentary), an international symposium (featuring panelists from Japan, China, and Korea), two concert programs, the East Asia International Composition Contest, and visits to traditional Miyazaki performing arts.
The 30th festival was jointly hosted with the 5th East Asia Contemporary Music Festival (organized by the East Asia Composers Association), held October 30–31. The symposium was held at Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture, and the 5th East Asia International Composition Contest and concert program were held at iichiko Otomizumi Hall.
The 38th festival brought composer Rita Ueda リタ・ウエダ and the AU Ensemble from Canada. Titled "West Coast International Contemporary Music Festival α," it was held at aikire Hall (Fukuoka) and connected the west coast of North America (Vancouver) with Japan's western coast (Fukuoka) in a dynamic contemporary music festival.
Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival History
| 1st (Oita) | August 28, 1980 / Sumiyoshi Hama Resort Park |
| 2nd (Oita) | August 27, 1981 / Sumiyoshi Hama Resort Park |
| 3rd (Oita) | August 26, 1982 / Sumiyoshi Hama Resort Park |
| 4th (Saga) | August 27, 1983 / Saga Civic Center |
| 5th (Oita) | August 29, 1984 / Sumiyoshi Hama Resort Park |
| 6th (Fukuoka) | August 30, 1985 / Tokushi Hall |
| 7th (Oita) | August 27, 1986 / Compal Hall |
| 8th (Kagoshima) | August 29, 1987 / Yamagata-ya Culture Hall |
| 9th (Okinawa) | October 22, 1988 / Ryukyu Broadcasting R.B.C. Hall |
| 10th (Oita) | August 28, 1989 / Saiki Culture Hall |
| 11th (Fukuoka) | August 27, 1990 / Tobata Welfare Culture Center |
| 12th (Nagasaki) | August 27, 1991 / NBC Hall |
| 13th (Kagoshima) | August 22, 1992 / Yamagata-ya Culture Hall |
| 14th (Saga) | August 28, 1993 / Saga Prefectural Museum Hall |
| 15th (Fukuoka) | September 8, 1994 – First Night "Evening of Chamber Music" / Fukuoka Bank Headquarters Main Hall September 9, 1994 – Second Night "Evening of Orchestral Works" / Fukuoka Bank Headquarters Main Hall |
| 16th (Kumamoto) | September 1, 1995 / Industrial Culture Hall |
| 17th (Okinawa) | September 22, 1996 / Shashiki Sugar Hall |
| 18th (Miyazaki) | August 30, 1997 / Miyazaki Civic Culture Hall |
| 19th (Fukuoka) | August 29, 1998 / Ishibashi Culture Center Joint Hall |
| 20th (Fukuoka) | September 3, 1999 – Evening of Chamber Orchestra / Fukuoka Central Civic Center September 4, 1999 – Evening of Chamber Music / Airefu Hall |
| 21st (Kagoshima) | September 30, 2000 / Kirishima International Music Hall (Miyama Concert) |
| 22nd (Okinawa) | October 7, 2001 / Sugar Hall |
| 23rd (Nagasaki) | September 29, 2002 / Kwassui Women's University New Tomachi Hall |
| 24th (Oita) | September 27, 2003 / Sound of Spring Hall |
| 25th (Miyazaki) | September 18–21, 2004 – 2nd East Asia International Contemporary Music Festival / Miyazaki Prefectural Arts Theater September 18, 2004 – Open Rehearsal & Workshop / Isaac Stern Hall September 19, 2004 – Opening Ceremony & International Symposium / Drama Theater Concert Program (First Night) / Isaac Stern Hall September 20, 2004 – International Composition Contest Finals / Isaac Stern Hall Concert Program (Second Night) / Isaac Stern Hall September 21, 2004 – Traditional Miyazaki Performing Arts Visit |
| 26th (Kagoshima) | August 28, 2005 / Minami Hall |
| 27th (Fukuoka) | October 20, 2006 / Airefu Hall |
| 28th (Kumamoto) | October 20, 2007 / Kumamoto City Industrial Culture Hall Main Hall |
| 29th (Okinawa) | October 11, 2008 / National Theatre Okinawa Small Theatre |
| 30th (Oita) | October 30, 2010 – Symposium / Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture, Music Building Small Hall 5th East Asia International Composition Contest / iichiko Otomizumi Hall October 31 – Concert Program / iichiko Otomizumi Hall |
| 31st (Okinawa) | October 8, 2011 – "Winds of Lekyos" / Okinawa Prefectural University of the Arts Kanrakudo Hall |
| 32nd (Fukuoka) | November 23, 2012 – "Echo, Dance, Kohroden" / Momochi Palace |
| 33rd (Kagoshima) | November 9, 2013 – Minami Hall |
| 34th (Miyazaki) | November 29, 2014 – "Machivuta Miyakonojo" / Miyakonojo Civic Culture Hall |
| 35th (Kumamoto) | September 27, 2015 – Heisei College of Music Satellite Stage |
| 36th (Kagoshima) | September 17, 2016 – With Students of Music in Kagoshima / Kagoshima International University Building 8 Mini Concert Hall |
| 37th (Nagasaki) | September 23, 2017 – Kwassui Women's University, Shindocho Music Hall |
| 38th (Fukuoka) | September 1, 2018 – Airefu Hall |
| 39th (Miyazaki) | September 21, 2019 – Miyazaki Civic Plaza Albright Hall |
| 40th (Miyazaki) | September 24, 2022 – Miyazaki Civic Culture Hall Event Hall |
| 41st (Nagasaki) | September 30, 2023 – Chitosepea Hall |
| 42nd (Oita) | 2024 (Planned) |
3. About the Kyushu Composers Association Spring Concert
Beginning in 1994 to address the marathon-concert format resulting from increased submissions to the Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival, the first concert was held on April 1, 1994, at Kitakyushu Civic Hall Hibiki. The venue became established in Fukuoka Prefecture at Airefu Hall (Fukuoka City), and from 2010, the program transitioned to the "Spring Music Exhibition" under a new name, continuing with the same purpose.
Spring Concert
| 1st (Kitakyushu) | April 1, 1994 – Kitakyushu Civic Hall Hibiki |
| 2nd (Kitakyushu) | March 31, 1995 – Kitakyushu Civic Hall Hibiki |
| 3rd (Kitakyushu) | April 6, 1996 – Kitakyushu Civic Hall Hibiki |
| 4th (Fukuoka) | March 28, 1997 – Airefu Hall |
| 5th (Fukuoka) | March 28, 1998 – Airefu Hall |
| 6th (Fukuoka) | April 1, 2000 – Airefu Hall |
| 7th (Fukuoka) | March 31, 2001 – Daimyo MK Hall |
| 8th (Fukuoka) | March 30, 2002 – Airefu Hall |
| 9th (Fukuoka) | March 21, 2003 – Airefu Hall |
| 10th (Fukuoka) | March 26, 2004 – Airefu Hall |
| 11th (Fukuoka) | March 18, 2005 – Airefu Hall |
| 12th (Fukuoka) | March 17, 2006 – Airefu Hall |
| 13th (Fukuoka) | March 17, 2007 – Airefu Hall |
| 14th (Fukuoka) | March 15, 2008 – Airefu Hall |
| 15th (Fukuoka) | March 21, 2009 – Pon Plaza Hall |
Spring Music Exhibition
From 2010 onwards, the program was renamed "Spring Music Exhibition," with each iteration featuring distinct thematic focuses. The venue expanded beyond Fukuoka's Airefu Hall to other locations.
| 1st (Fukuoka) | March 20, 2010 – "Seasons of Fukuoka" / Airefu Hall |
| 2nd (Kitakyushu) | March 20, 2011 – "The World of Children / Children of Kyushu & Okinawa" / MOVE Gender Equality Center Main Hall |
| 3rd (Fukuoka) | March 31, 2012 – "Kohroden Highlights" / Daimyo MK Hall |
| 4th (Kitakyushu) | April 7, 2013 – "The World of Children" Concert!! / Kitakyushu Civic Hall Hibiki |
| 5th (Miyazaki) | March 29, 2014 – "Gathering Contemporary Works" / Kiyotake Town Culture Hall, Small Hall |
| 6th (Miyazaki) | March 28, 2015 – "Enjoying Songs" / Heart Listening Hall |
| 7th (Miyazaki) | March 20, 2016 – "Listening to Solos" / Heart Listening Hall |
| 8th (Fukuoka) | April 9, 2016 – "Awakening to the Sounds that Exist Now" / Airefu Hall |
Selective Concert
Selective Concerts feature outstanding performing artists and ensembles both domestic and international. The 1st concert featured pianist Toshiyuki Takeuchi and was held at Kurosaki Hibishin Hall (Kitakyushu).
| 1st (Kitakyushu) | March 31, 2017 – "The Limits of Piano" / Kurosaki Hibishin Hall, Medium Hall |
| 2nd (Fukuoka) | March 26, 2023 – "New Forms of Music Contemplated in Spring" / Nihon Geigei Sha Fujisaki Honten Hall |
4. About the Yeongnam Composers Association
Established in October 1983 as the Yeongnam branch of the Korean Composers Association to promote the development of music culture in Korea's Yeongnam region, the Yeongnam Composers Association was formally founded in July 1990. Based in Daegu, Korea's third-largest city, the Association initiated the Yeongnam Contemporary Music Festival in 1990. From 1991 onwards, it became the Yeongnam International Contemporary Music Festival, held annually with invited guest composers from abroad. From 1999, it transitioned to a biennial schedule, establishing itself as a major international festival in the region. The Yeongnam Composers Association began exchange with the Kyushu Composers Association in 1991, inviting composers to each other's festivals.
5. About the East Asia Composers Association
Founded on April 1, 2003, the East Asia Composers Association was established to contribute to music culture through mutual creative activities and academic research among Korea, Japan, and China. Organized with the Yeongnam Composers Association (Korea), the Kyushu Composers Association (Japan), and the Shanghai Composers Association (China) as its founding members, the Association aims to transcend the center-periphery dichotomy in the arts and culture (Seoul-Yeongnam, Tokyo-Kyushu, Beijing-Shanghai), enabling central and regional entities to coexist and develop together. Furthermore, it seeks to foster loose networks among East Asian regional cities and contribute to the creation of new music through mutual exchange and collaboration.
Key activities have included hosting the East Asia International Contemporary Music Festival, organizing the East Asia International Composition Contest, conducting academic research, and facilitating member-to-member exchange.
6. About the East Asia International Contemporary Music Festival
The East Asia International Contemporary Music Festival is hosted by the East Asia Composers Association and held annually in rotation among Korea, Japan, and China. The program consists of concerts, symposiums, and composition contests.
The 1st festival was held June 6–7, 2003, at Daegu Culture & Arts Hall in Korea, featuring the "Evening of Songs," "Evening of Chamber Music," and two symposiums. The East Asia International Composition Contest was held the following year, April 30, 2004, at the same venue.
The 2nd festival, held September 18–21, 2004, was jointly hosted with the 25th Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival at Miyazaki Prefectural Arts Theater. The program included workshops (open rehearsals with composer commentary), international symposiums (featuring panelists from Japan, China, and Korea), two concert programs, the East Asia International Composition Contest, and visits to traditional Miyazaki performing arts.
The 3rd festival was held May 8–10, 2006, as part of the "Shanghai Spring" Music Festival at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's He Luting Concert Hall in China.
The 5th festival was held October 30–31, 2010, in Oita, with the symposium at Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture and the 5th East Asia International Composition Contest and concert program at iichiko Otomizumi Hall.
7. Exchange with Composers from Abroad
With Korean composers, the Association has conducted mutual composer dispatch programs through the Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival and the Yeongnam International Contemporary Music Festival.
With Chinese composers, member exchange has been conducted through the East Asia International Contemporary Music Festival.
With European and North American composers, the Association invited composer Rita Ueda リタ・ウエダ and the AU Ensemble from Canada for the 38th Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival in September 2018, participated in the VICO Festival's "Japanese Festival" in Vancouver, Canada, in June 2019, and invited composer and conductor Dietmar Schermann ディートマール・シェルマン from Vienna for the 39th Kyushu Contemporary Music Festival in September of the same year. Through these and other initiatives, the Association continues to facilitate mutual exchange through contemporary music and the arts.