The 2024 20th International WASBE Conference is scheduled to take place in Gwangju, South Korea in July. Among the only nine wind ensembles in the world selected to participate in this event, the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, National Chiayi University, is the only representative from Taiwan. It is also the first time in the 20-year history of the event that an ensemble from a Taiwanese university has been selected to perform at the main concert. This bears witness to the outstanding musical talent and international influence of the faculty and students of NCYU’s Department of Music, making it the pride of Taiwan. At noon on June 17th, President Han Chien Lin presented the flag to Chairperson Shih-Yun Hsieh, and Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, on the second floor of the Student Activity Center, Lantan campus. They delivered a wonderful pop-up performance, earning rapturous applause from the teachers and students.
WASBE Conference is a grand event that brings together not only wind music scholars and musicians but also outstanding ensembles from all over the world. The Wind Ensemble from the NCYU’s Department of Music will go to South Korea to perform on the same stage with remarkable ensembles from around the world. They will showcase the elegance and uniqueness of Taiwanese wind music via pieces that feature Hakka culture, commissioned compositions depicting the geographical features of Dongshih Township in Chiayi, and "Eight New Attractions of Chiayi" specially created for Chiayi City. Through diverse musical performances, the Wind Ensemble will show the world the unique charm of Taiwan’s wind music.
Dr. David Shih-Wei, Lin, Assistant Professor from the Department of Music and Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, mentioned that one of the focuses of the WASBE Conference is to enhance the role of wind music in education. It is expected to cultivate interest and talent in music among students in higher education of Taiwan. While bringing the most unforgettable experience on the world stage to the students, they hope to enhance their creativity, teamwork and expression skills through music education. By representing Taiwan on the international stage of wind music, they look forward to introducing Taiwanese wind music to the world, and promoting exchange and cooperation in music, education, and culture. This will mark an important milestone for Taiwanese wind music on the world stage. The Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, will perform at the WASBE Conference in their best condition. Through demonstrating results of Taiwan’s wind music education to the world, they hope to showcase the elegance and charm of wind music in Taiwan. In the future, all members of the Wind Ensemble are expected to continue to exhibit exceptional musical abilities, thus enriching the unique musical culture of Taiwan.
Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, said that it is a great honor for him to lead the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, to join the WASBE Conference on behalf of Taiwan. It is a culmination of the ensemble’s years of effort in music. In the days to come, the ensemble will persist in their efforts to improve overall musical performance and further contribute to the development of Taiwan’s music.Photo 1: Taiwan is invited to participate in the WASBE Conference for the first time: The Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, will attend the 2024 20th International WASBE Conference in South Korea.
Photo 2: On June 17th, the Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, gave a pop-up performance at the student cafeteria on the Lantan campus.
Photo 3: NCYU President Han Chien Lin presented the flag to Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, Conductor of the Wind Ensemble.
Photo 4: The Wind Ensemble, Department of Music, NCYU, performed in the 31st Chiayi City lnternational Band Festival.