Biography
Sho Oie
Composer · Arranger · Double Bassist
Sho Oie is a composer, arranger and double bass player based in Tokyo. He writes for wind band, brass and orchestral forces, and much of his catalogue begins from the bass line — a habit formed from two decades of playing inside the ensembles he now writes for.
His music is concerned with slow processes and single ideas carried to their conclusion: a descending figure passed through an entire wind band, two brass quintets playing the same music in opposite directions, twelve variations on one left-hand shift. The surfaces are quiet more often than loud, and the loudest moments tend to be the shortest.
Alongside concert works, he writes extensively for school and amateur ensembles, with a particular interest in flexible instrumentation — music that sounds complete whether twelve players or ninety are available. He has conducted his own works with school bands across the Kantō region and teaches composition privately.
As a double bassist he performs regularly in orchestral and chamber settings, and has premiered his own solo and duo works in Tokyo and Yokohama. He is published by Bravo Music and Golden Hearts Publications, with scores available internationally.
Affiliations
- Japan Federation of Composers
- Japan Band Directors Association
Timeline
Education
2016–2018
Master of Music, Composition
Tokyo University of the Arts
Studies in composition and orchestration; graduation work for large wind ensemble.
2012–2016
Bachelor of Music, Double Bass
Tokyo University of the Arts
2015
Exchange semester, composition
Royal Conservatoire The Hague, Netherlands
Awards & Recognition
2025
Selected — New Repertoire Session
Japan Band Clinic, Hamamatsu
For Ryūsei (2024).
2022
Finalist — Toru Takemitsu Composition Award
Tokyo Opera City
For Sea of Trees (2021).
2019
First Prize — Asahi Wind Composition Competition
Asahi Shimbun Foundation
Selected Performances
2025
European premiere of Kagami
Rotterdam Brass Festival, Netherlands
2024
Premiere of Ryūsei
Setagaya Symphonic Winds, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
2023
Blue Neon Tokyo
Shinjuku Jazz Orchestra, Blue Note Tokyo
2021
Premiere of Sea of Trees
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall
Commissions
2027
Work for concert band and solo double bass
Setagaya Symphonic Winds
In progress — premiere scheduled for the 2027 season.
2024
Ryūsei
Setagaya Symphonic Winds 30th Anniversary
2021
Sea of Trees
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
Publications
2020–
Published catalogue
Bravo Music
Concert band and big band works, distributed worldwide.
2020–
Published catalogue
Golden Hearts Publications
Brass, chamber and solo works in printed and digital editions.