Biography

Short Biography

Ito Yasuhide

Ito Yasuhide is a Japanese composer, conductor, and pianist whose catalogue comprises more than 1,000 works spanning wind band, opera, orchestral, chamber, vocal, and piano music.

His symphonic poem Gloriosa (1990) has become one of the most frequently performed Japanese wind band works worldwide and is widely regarded as a modern classic of the repertoire. Other notable works include the opera Mr. Cinderella, which has received numerous revivals since its premiere, and an extensive series of sonatas and concertos for wind instruments that have become standard repertoire for performers in Japan.

A graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts, Ito has enjoyed an international career as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and educator. He has conducted ensembles throughout Asia, Europe, and North America and has served on the juries of major international composition competitions.

His music, publications, performances, and educational activities reflect a lifelong dedication to musical communication, imagination, and craftsmanship.

  

Full Biography

Ito Yasuhide

Ito Yasuhide (b. 1960) is a Japanese composer, conductor, and pianist. He graduated from the Department of Composition and completed postgraduate studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts. He subsequently taught at the Tokyo University of the Arts, Kurashiki Sakuyo University, Toho Gakuen School of Music, and Senzoku Gakuen College of Music where he served as Professor until 2025. He currently serves as Visiting Professor at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and Visiting Professor at Shizuoka University, lecturer of SHOBI Music College Conservatoire Diploma Course.

His musical achievements include prizes at the Japan Music Competition, the Shizuoka Music Competition, and the Coups de Vents International Wind Band Composition Competition.

Ito has composed more than 1,000 works in a wide variety of genres. His symphonic poem Gloriosa (1990) has become one of the most frequently performed Japanese wind band works worldwide and is widely regarded as a landmark of the modern wind band repertoire. His contribution to wind band literature has established him as one of Japan’s leading composers in the field.

His creative activities extend far beyond wind band music. His operas include Mr. Cinderella, which has received numerous revivals since its premiere, and The Tale of the Blackened Canteen. His series of sonatas and concertos for wind instruments has enriched the repertoire for flute, oboe, clarinet, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, and other instruments. He is also known for the innovative piano duet series Guruguru Piano, published in thirteen volumes, as well as numerous song collections, arrangements, educational publications, and choral works. In addition, he has composed municipal songs, school songs, and works for a wide range of community and educational settings.

Deeply involved in the wind band world, Ito has composed more than one hundred works for the medium and has conducted professional, educational, and community ensembles throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. His guest conducting engagements have included appearances with the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Singapore Armed Forces Band, Philharmonic Winds (Singapore), Singapore Wind Symphony, Taiwan Wind Ensemble, University of Illinois Bands, and many others.

A respected adjudicator, lecturer, and educator, he has served on the juries of major international composition competitions, including those associated with WASBE, the World Music Contest (Kerkrade), the Flicorno d’Oro International Competition, the Corciano International Composition Competition, and the Jeju International Wind Band Composition Competition. He has also served as an adjudicator for leading wind band events and competitions, and his works have been selected as test pieces for major competitions in Japan and abroad.

In addition to his activities as a composer and conductor, Ito is an accomplished pianist and vocal accompanist. He has collaborated with distinguished singers and instrumentalists in Japan and overseas and was greatly influenced in his work as an opera répétiteur by Volker Renicke.

Ito is also active as an author and educator. His publications include books on wind band music, music appreciation, and solfège, and he has contributed to music textbooks and educational materials widely used throughout Japan.

A native of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Ito has been honoured by his hometown for his artistic achievements and serves as a Hamamatsu Yaramaika Ambassador.

His works are published by Ito Music Publications and distributed internationally by Bravo Music / Brain Co., Ltd.