Texu Kim writes music inspired by everyday experiences, music about modern Korea, reflecting its multicultural nature, and music that is humorous yet sophisticated. His music also incorporates and expands Korean folk music elements and systems.

An impressive roster of ensembles has programmed Kim’s music, including the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Oakland Symphony, the New World Symphony, National Orchestra of Korea, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Ensemble Modern, and Alarm Will Sound. In 2014-16, he served as the Composer-in-Residence of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, and he launched its Composers’ Atelier program that commissions, mentors, and performs other Korean composers’ orchestral works.

An associate professor and one of the current Presidential Research Fellows at San Diego State University, Kim has received awards and honors from the Fromm Music Foundation, the Barlow Prize, the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Copland House, SCI/ASCAP, American Modern Ensemble, Ilshin Composition Prize, and Isang Yun International Composition Prize, in addition to winning a Silver Medal in the 1998 International Chemistry Olympiad.