Founded in 1981 by the city of Kobe government as the Kobe Chamber Ensemble, which was made up of top level string players and, while mainly a string ensemble, also had concerts in chamber orchestra programmes with guest musicians. The orchestra has listed as music directors world class musicians such as Gerhard BOSSE, OKAYAMA Kiyoshi and performed with leading conductors and soloists from Japan and abroad. With wind musicians newly joining, the orchestra named from 2018 onwards the Kobe City Chamber Orchestra or KCCO. An exciting new era of the KCCO began in April 2021 with world-renowned cellist and conductor SUZUKI Hidemi as the music director and the orchestra continues to pursue high-quality ensembles with diverse and unique repertoires including classical period works as our speciality. As well as acclaimed performances on stage, the KCCO is also passionate about providing diverse programmes, expanding access for everybody to participate in concerts and helping individuals and communities through music. Kobe Cultural Foundation, organiser of the KCCO operates Kobe Bunka Hall and Kobe City Philharmonic Chorus besides the orchestra, and the three sectors have closely worked together to thrive the artistic dynamism. The orchestra has joined the Association of Japan Symphony Orchestra as an associate member since 2023.
