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Born in Tokyo. Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, faculty of composition, with top honors. Finished the master course of choral conducting in Kodaly institute (Hungary). Ko Matsushita has studied composing under Yuzuru Shimaoka, Koichi Uzaki, Thomas Meyer-Fiebig, Mohay Miklos, orchestral conducting under Masamitsu Takahashi, choral conducting under Remenyi Janos and Erdei Peter, and singing under Somoriai Paula. He is making multifaceted approach against chorus, by conducting, composing and teaching. He energetically composes and arranges chorus pieces, which are performed not only in Japan but around the world. Recent pieces include "Everyone Sang", "Utamai", "Missa Secunda", "Missa Tertia","Jubilate Deo - psalm 100" etc. Now he is a conductor and artistic director of Koyukai, which consists of ten choirs. Each choir is actively performing music in and out of Japan, also winning many excellent prizes in choral competitions. Many invitations from around the world are sent to him for guest conducting or as a jury of a competition, and also a lecturer in choral lectures. Furthermore, Ko himself has won best conductorfs award and prizes for superior composition in various international competitions. In 2005, he became the first Asian to receive the "Robert Edler Prize" for Choral Music which is given to the best conductor, composer, or choir plays an active part throughout the year internationally. In 2007, he achieved excellent awards in gInternational Chamber Choir competition Marktoberdorf (Germany)", "Tolosa Choral Contest (Spain)", and was invited in "Polyfollia - the 3rd World Showcase and Market-place for Choral Music (France)" in late October to early November, 2008. |