İlker Kömürcü was born in Ankara in 1978 and was introduced to music at an early age, with his artistic orientation shaped within the culturally rich, education-oriented environment of his family. His father, a Turkish Folk Music performer and music teacher, was one of the most significant sources of motivation behind his lifelong passion for music. During her high school years, she attended part-time conservatory training, strengthening her fundamental music education.

He completed his undergraduate (2000) and master’s (2004) studies in the Music Teaching Program at Gazi University, and earned his Ph.D. (2010) in the Fine Arts Education Program at Ankara University. In his master’s thesis, An Examination of Double Bass Lesson Practices at the Level of Objectives: A Draft Proposal, he presented an original model for instrument teaching based on goal-oriented approaches. His doctoral dissertation, A Model Proposal for the Practice of Aesthetic Criticism in Music Education, developed a unique theoretical framework advocating for the restructuring of art education not only around technical skills but also within the context of aesthetics and critical thinking.

Kömürcü began his academic career in 2000 as a specialist at the Department of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts, Erciyes University. Between 2000 and 2007, he performed as a double bass player in chamber orchestras, giving numerous concerts both in various cities across Turkey and on international platforms. In 2008, he was appointed as a lecturer at the State Conservatory of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, where he has taught double bass, music theory, music aesthetics, and music sociology. He has served in various administrative positions including Head of Department, Deputy Director, and Director of the Conservatory. During his tenure as director, he established the Music Department, the Musical Instrument Making and Repair Department, and the Theatre Department, making foundational contributions to the artistic infrastructure of both Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University and the Western Black Sea Region. Earning the title of Associate Professor in 2020, and Professor in 2025, Kömürcü continues to serve as the Director of the State Conservatory, leading initiatives to develop the institution’s academic vision, expand its artistic capacity, and implement student-centered projects. Since 2011, he has been a member of the Interuniversity Council’s Council of Fine Arts Disciplines, contributing to the resolution of structural issues in conservatory education and to the development of cultural policies.

His artistic productions include arrangements for qanun and oud with string orchestra, folk song arrangements for string ensembles and choir, original compositions, and symphonic adaptations. In 2017, he served as both artistic director and composer for the 15 July Marches Album. His academic research focuses on themes such as music aesthetics, creative thinking, music sociology, cultural identity, collective memory, and the psychological impacts of art education. Through articles published in international peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and conference papers, he has made original contributions to the field. His 2019 book Adorno and Music in the Context of Aesthetics and Criticism is regarded as one of the significant academic works in the field of music aesthetics and criticism in Turkey.

As an artistic director, he has designed and led projects such as The Gallipoli Battles Reenactment Performance, Children and Young Musicians Festival, Zonguldak Children Meet Classical Music, and the International Music and Performing Arts Symposium. Through these projects, he has contributed not only to the arts and art education but also to the preservation of cultural memory and the development of younger generations. He has participated in over 100 national and international concerts and artistic events, presented papers at international symposiums and congresses, and served on the scientific and organizing committees of various artistic organizations. Beyond his scholarly work, he has pioneered socially engaged projects such as rhythm and music workshops for children with autism and music-based initiatives aimed at enhancing the social participation and life satisfaction of elderly residents in nursing homes.

In 2023, in the Centennial March of the Republic of Türkiye Competition organized by the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, his work 100th Anniversary March was awarded first place in both composition and lyrics categories among thousands of entries. This work was officially recognized as the Republic of Türkiye’s 100th Anniversary March, becoming an enduring cultural symbol of the Republic’s century-long historical legacy and its vision for the future. As the composer and lyricist of the Republic of Turkey’s 100th Anniversary Anthem, İlker Kömürcü has marked a significant milestone in both the national memory and the history of contemporary Turkish music.

İlker Kömürcü, who is married and has one child, continues to be productive in the field of music, both academically and artistically, with a holistic approach in performing, composing, researching, and managing.