Wind music festival blows horn for Chiayi City

2015/12/23

An international band fiesta is underway in Chiayi City, spurring local participation in musical activities and promoting the metropolis as a hub for wind music in southern Taiwan.

Organized by the local government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, Chiayi City International Band Festival features a cultural and creative products market, opening parade and wind instruments exhibition, as well as concerts, lectures and workshops by 38 color guards, marching bands, percussion troupes, student groups and wind ensembles from home and abroad.

Chiayi Mayor Twu Shiing-jer said Dec. 19 at the opening parade that the 15-day carnival serves as a valuable platform for homegrown talents and international groups to exchange ideas and the latest performance techniques.

“Given the rising popularity of the event since its launch 23 years ago, we’ve expanded the scale by inviting acclaimed wind bands like Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from the U.S. and other similarly prestigious outfits from around the world to create a joyous and unforgettable experience,” he said. “There is no doubt in my mind that this festival will help keep development of the local music scene on the fast track.”

One highlight of the concert series is a performance Dec. 22 by Vivid Brass Tokyo from Japan. Established in 1995 and led by well-known euphoniumist Tamao Araki, the group consists of 27 members and has collaborated with renowned composers such as Jan van der Roost of Belgium and Goff Richards and Philip Sparke from the U.K.

Another show of note is taking place the next day by the Macau Youth Symphonic Band. Launched in 1997 by Macau Band Director Association, the troupe is made up of 53 secondary and tertiary students. Its energetic playing style has attracted accolades in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and mainland China.

Equally anticipated is the Dec. 29 performance by Men in Jazz from Hong Kong. The group, founded in 2011 with the support of the Lutheran church, boasts 104 members and encourages retirees to enrich their lives through musical endeavors.

According to the bureau, the festival is expected to draw record visitor numbers and generate large-scale musical momentum before wrapping up New Year’s Day.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240517&ctNode=2194&mp=9)