【press release】
Kunitachi College of Music 100th Anniversary
World-renowned composer Joe Hisaishi's new piece for his alma mater will have its world premiere!
June 26, 2026 "Kunion 100 Festival! Grand Gala"
at Suntory Hall
Kunitachi College of Music (pronounced: Kunitachi Ongaku Daigaku, location: Tachikawa City, President: Umemoto Minoru, hereafter referred to as "the College" or "Kunion") is pleased to announce that it has officially commissioned the creation of a new piece of music to commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2026 from its graduate and internationally active composer, Joe Hisaishi.
This commemorative commissioned work will have its world premiere at the Grand Gala performance on Day 1 of the Kunion 100 Festival!, the main event of the 100th anniversary celebrations.
The thoughts behind the commission for the work "Kunin New Century"
This new work, commissioned by Joe Hisaishi, is expected to symbolize the philosophy of Kunitachi College of Music, which aims to leap into the new century, building on the traditions that have been passed down since the school's founding.
The world premiere will take place in the Suntory Hall, Main Hall known for producing the sounds of prestigious orchestras. The gala concert, scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM on Friday, June 26, 2026, will feature the "Kunitachi College of Music 100th Anniversary Special Orchestra," formed specifically for the event, performing a powerful yet delicate performance of Hisaishi's commemorative new work.
Come to the venue and experience this one-night-only premium moment where the dynamism of young talents who will lead the future of music intersects with the creativity of masters.
Joe Hisaishi Profile
He began his career as a contemporary composer. After graduating from Kunitachi College of Music of Music, he became interested in minimal music and released "MKWAJU" in 1981. The following year, he released his first album, "Information," marking the beginning of his career as a solo artist. His first album, "A Symphonic Celebration," released by Deutsche Grammophon in 2023, reached number one in two categories on the US Billboard charts.
In 2004, he was appointed Music Director of the New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra (WDO). In 2014, he launched the concert series "MUSIC FUTURE," which introduces cutting-edge "contemporary music" from around the world. In 2019, he launched "FUTURE ORCHESTRA CLASSICS (FOC)," and in the same year, he won a Special Award in the Special Category at the 57th Record Academy Awards for "Joe Hisaishi Beethoven: Complete Symphonies." In 2017, he began a world tour, "Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert: Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki," which was a huge success in cities such as New York, Paris, and London, and in July 2013, the tour's final performance was held at the Tokyo Dome.
In recent years, in addition to working as a classical music conductor, he has also been actively releasing works such as "Metaphysica (Symphony No. 3)" and "Viola Saga for Orchestra." In November 2012, he gave the world premiere of a harp concerto jointly commissioned by four organizations, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has performed with artists such as Philip Glass, David Lang, and Mischa Maisky, as well as orchestras such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Cleveland Orchestra.
He has been Composer-in-Association with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra since April 2012. He has been Music Director of the Century Symphony Orchestra of Japan since April 2013. In October 2013, he became Composer-in-Residence of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
"Kunion 100 Festival!" - Everything about Kunion gathered here
"Kunion 100 Festival!" is a three-day celebration for all music lovers, held from June 26th to 28th, 2026.
The festival kicks off on Day 1 (June 26, 2026) at Suntory Hall, featuring a diverse program that allows participants to experience the history and traditions of our university. The program will begin with "Ensemble of Memories," scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM in the Blue Rose Hall, featuring a re-enactment of a commemorative concert for our university's predecessor, the Tokyo College of Music. This will be followed by the "Grand Gala" in Main Hall, featuring the world premiere of a work by Joe Hisaishi, allowing participants to enjoy a magnificent orchestra, opera arias, choirs, brass, and more.
On DAY 2, "Campus Harmony," the event will move to the lush campus (Kunitachi College of Music Concert Hall, studio) and will be packed with a variety of music workshops and concerts that can be participated in by children and adults alike.
The final day of the festival, Day 3, "Circle of Music," will be directed by music producer Satoshi Takebe, and will be a one-night-only premium stage where star alumni who are the crystallization of the "Kunin spirit" shining in various fields will gather at Tachikawa Stage Garden.
Please look forward to this music festival where diverse musical cultures intersect, brought to you by Kunitachi College of Music of Music, which brings together all of its 100 years of experience.
DAY1 “Grand Gala” Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: Starts at 18:30
Venue: Suntory Hall Main Hall
<Cast>
Moderator: Ayako Kato
Conductor: Kobayashi Sukenori, and others
Violin: Tsuguo Tokunaga, Keiko Urushibara
Piano: Kayo Miki
Vocals: Takashi Aoyama, Ai Usuki, Tomoko Oshimi, Etsuko Kano, Masumi Kubota,
Eiko Koizumi, Hironori Kobayashi, Yusuke Kobori, Emi Sawabata, Shingo Sudo,
Kaoruko Takahashi, Hiroyuki Narita, Ken Nishikori, Kaori Hirai, Kei Fukui,
Matsubara, Arina; Miyaji, Ena; Mochizuki, Tetsuya; Morita, Mao; Yamashita, Koji;
Kimitake Watanabe
Orchestra: Kunitachi College of Music 100th Anniversary Special Orchestra
Choir: Kunitachi College of Music Music Choir
Brass Orchestra: Kunitachi College of Music of Music Brass Orchestra
Tickets and future information
Tickets for "Kunion 100 Fest!" are scheduled to go on sale from January 2026 onwards. Further details will be announced on the official website and on social media as soon as they are decided.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of our founding, our university is currently running a "100 Events" countdown project across the entire university, including commemorative projects, starting in July 2025.
Related Links
Kunitachi College of Music 100th Anniversary Special Website: https://www.kunitachi.ac.jp/100th/
Kunitachi College of Music 100th Anniversary Official X: https://twitter.com/100th_kunion
Kunitachi College of Music 100th Anniversary Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/100th_kunion
<Special Sponsor>
Inageya Co., Ltd. (June 27th and 28th performances), Tachihi Holdings Co., Ltd. (June 28th performance)
<Sponsor>
Tachikawa City, Tachikawa City Board of Education, Tachikawa City Regional Culture Promotion Foundation, Tachikawa Tourism and Convention Association, Tama Toshi Monorail Line Co., Ltd., Tachikawa City Shopping District Promotion Association, Tachikawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tachikawa Junior Chamber International, Tachikawa City Medical Association, Tokyo Tachikawa Rotary Club, Tokyo Tachikawa Kobushi Rotary Club, Tokyo Tachikawa Lions Club, Tachikawa Kita Area Management, Kunitachi City, Kunitachi City Board of Education, Hamura City, Musashimurayama City, Ome City, Higashiyamato City, Kodaira City
<Sponsor>
Tachikawa City, Tachikawa City Board of Education, Tachikawa City Regional Culture Promotion Foundation, Tachikawa Tourism and Convention Association, Tama Toshi Monorail Line Co., Ltd., Tachikawa City Shopping District Promotion Association, Tachikawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tachikawa Junior Chamber International, Tachikawa City Medical Association, Tokyo Tachikawa Rotary Club, Tokyo Tachikawa Kobushi Rotary Club, Tokyo Tachikawa Lions Club, Tachikawa Kita Area Management, Kunitachi City, Kunitachi City Board of Education, Hamura City, Musashimurayama City, Ome City, Higashiyamato City, Kodaira City
(As of December 22, 2025)
Contact Information
[Inquiries regarding this press release and interviews]
Kunitachi College of Music 100th Anniversary Commemorative Project Executive Committee
MAIL: 100th@kunitachi.ac.jp