The History of the Chiayi City International Band Festival
Reviews of the Festivals
Chiayi City has a history of abundant band activities. In 1993, the Chiayi City Cultural Center planned and hosted the「First Annual Band Festival」; thereafter the「1997 Chiayi City International Band Festival」 in 1998, the 「Seventh Annual Chiayi City Band Festival」, the 「2000 Asia Pacific Band Festival in Chiayi」 in 1999, the 「Ninth Annual Chiayi City Band Festival」 in 2000, the 「2001 Chiayi City International Band Festival」 in 2001, the 「2002 Chiayi International Music Festival」 in 2002 and the 「Chiayi City International Band Festival」 in 2003, till now it has entered into the 16th year. Every year enthusiastic response was obtained from the general public and attracted attention from the international band sector. By accumulating fifteen years of experience and public praise, Chiayi City won the beautiful reputation that 「Chiayi is the city of band in Taiwan」.
For the 15th Annual Chiayi City International Band Festival in 2006 that was on stage end of last year, the activity period was from December 2, 2006 to January 1, 2007 and this festival was hosted by the Chiayi City Government. Outstanding band bands in the Asia Pacific Countries and in the country were invited to participate. The contents included indoor music concert, outdoor music concert, band marathon, band parade and fixed location performance, band instrument score exhibition, band photography contest, folk custom style and cross year social evening etc. The locations were Chiayi Cultural Center Plaza, the Concert Hall, streets, Chung Cheng Park and city stadium etc.
Reviews of the Foreign Groups
Over the years, Chiayi City Government has invited bands from the United States of America, Canada, France, Japan, Korea, Russia, Australia, Kazakhstan, Philippines, China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia to perform, and makes Chiayi City become the city of band.
The following is the list of international groups who made their appearances in 「Chiayi City International Band Festival」 in 2004 and 2006.
- The Kuen Cheng Wind Orchestra
- Pay Fong High School Wind Band
- The University of Santo Tomas Symphony Band
- Brisbane Symphonic Band
- Aeolus Brass Band
- Wonju Appassionata Wind Orchestra
- Apart from the international groups, there are many local orchestras joining the events
Chiayi University Band
The Chiayi University Band is part of the Music Department at National Chiayi University, originally from Music Department of Chiayi Teachers College. The Music Department of Chiayi Teachers College started in 1992, to provide the students with more multi-learning environment started the band, hoping the talented musician can support the education and the band can benefits. The band joined the 10th Chiayi City International Band Festival and several more following after changed to be part of National Chiayi University. The band had received many awards and brilliant remark from the Musical Society, the band won first prize of University Band at the National Musical Competition in 1994 and 1998.
Chia Yi Wind Orchestra
The orchestra started in January, 1994. The objectives of the orchestra is to promote local music, they had change many folklore music into orchestra performance music. The orchestra had popular round tour performance within Taiwan, and international performance at Hong Kong, Macau, China, Japan, and Korea. There are 2 regular performance every year, once in the summer season, and another at the Chiayi City International Band Festival.
