Through the universal language of music, Taiwan’s young musicians are showcasing their artistic talents to the world! From October 6 to 13, the Wind Ensemble of the Department of Music at National Chiayi University (NCYU) embarked on its “International Cultural Exchange and National Day Performance Program in Brunei and Malaysia.” Led by NCYU President Han-Chien Lin and Vice President Ruey-Shyang Chen, the Wind Ensemble, comprising 28 members, traveled to Southeast Asia under the direction of Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin of the Department of Music. The ensemble performed at Taiwan’s Double Tenth National Day celebration in Brunei, participated in a music exchange at an international school, and gave joint performances with a secondary school in Malaysia. Through international performances, music instruction, and student recruitment outreach, the ensemble showcased NCYU’s achievements in arts education while deepening cultural ties between Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
NCYU President Han-Chien Lin emphasized that internationalization extends beyond inter-university collaboration and exchanges among faculty members and students. More importantly, it enables students to apply what they have learned in the classroom on the international stage, developing professional expertise, cross-cultural communication skills, and a global perspective through real-world exchanges. Music serves as a powerful medium that transcends language and cultural boundaries. NCYU continues to promote international student mobility and interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to move beyond “learning” professional knowledge to “putting it into practice” in international settings. By participating in cultural exchange through music, the Wind Ensemble not only showcased the artistic talents of its young musicians but also introduced Taiwan and NCYU to audiences abroad.
At the invitation of Representative Jeffrey S.C. Hsiao, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam, and the Taiwan Business Association in Brunei Darussalam, the Wind Ensemble organized music education outreach activities, masterclasses, and a joint concert at Jerudong International School in Brunei. Ensemble members shared wind instrument performance techniques and ensemble experience with local teachers and students, fostering artistic dialogue among students from diverse cultural backgrounds. The delegation was also invited to perform at the 2026 Double Tenth National Day gala and held a friendship concert at V Plaza Hotel in Kuala Belait, Brunei. The Wind Ensemble brought the achievements of Taiwan’s music education to overseas communities through formal performances and artistic exchanges, demonstrating the power of music to facilitate cultural understanding and people-to-people friendship.
The NCYU Wind Ensemble then visited Miri Chung Hua Middle School in Malaysia, where Principal Lai Jia Ling and ensemble advisor Chen Qi helped host the delegation. The visit featured student recruitment presentations, sectional coaching sessions, masterclasses, and a joint concert. The international exchange went beyond stage performances to include interactive music instruction, giving local students a deeper understanding of NCYU’s distinctive music education programs and resources for further study.
Assistant Prof. David Shih-Wei, Lin, the ensemble’s conductor, has long been dedicated to wind music education and ensemble coaching. He noted that international concert tours and educational outreach activities provide students with opportunities to perform and engage in artistic exchanges both at home and abroad. These opportunities allowed ensemble members to gain valuable experience in diverse performance settings, develop teamwork and adaptability on stage, and strengthen their cross-cultural communication skills, translating their professional training into practical skills for international engagement.
Drawing on the strengths of a comprehensive university and its expertise in cultivating artistic talent, NCYU’s Department of Music continues to promote meaningful international exchanges and overseas student recruitment. Extending its reach from Chiayi to Brunei and Malaysia, the department is expanding its network of international partnerships through musical performances, collaborative teaching and learning activities, and cultural exchanges. These efforts provide students with opportunities to perform on a broader stage while making NCYU’s artistic vitality an important bridge connecting Taiwan with the world.
Photo 1: Led by NCYU President Han-Chien Lin,
the delegation attends a celebration in Brunei.
Photo 2: NCYU’s Department of Music performs in Brunei at the invitation of Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.