- Participants -
- Tainan Symphonic Band
- Founded in 2004, Tainan Symphonic Band ever hosted the 15th APBDA wind band festival in 2008 with Cultural Affairs Bureau of Tainan City Government and was highly valued by almost 100 music groups who were invited in this festival.
Over the past 13 years, Tainan Symphonic Band has made its way toward the top performance arts group in the country. The symphonic band is led by Director-General of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mr. Yeh, Tse-Shan officially with the aid of Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wang, Hsiu-Tien. Under the instruction of artistic director Mr. Wu, Cheng-Che, resident conductor Mr. Lu, Shou-Jen and Mr. Huang, Yao-Te, Tainan Symphonic Band delivers popular and relaxing band music to the locals regularly.
The members of Tainan Symphonic Band come from various professions, including medical doctors, school teachers, and even military service. The symphonic band tries its best to improve wind band music education and to promote wind band music. Many members teach in college at the same time and cultivate many famous musicians.
On June 2015, the symphonic band was invited as a resident band in Xinhua Performance Hall of Tainan City. From June to August every year, Tainan Symphonic Band cooperates with Cultural Affairs Bureau of Tainan City Government to host Tainan City Wind Band Arts Festival and invite many famous groups of Taiwan. Until now, it has hosted for three times and held 59 concerts and 10 master lectures. It shows Tainan City’s strong will to support wind band music.
Tainan Symphonic Band also cooperated with many international masters and groups, such as Francois Boulangerc (the present conductor of L'orchestre de la Garde républicaine), Philippe Ferro (the ex-conductor of L'orchestre de la Garde républicaine), Inoue Asako (the Japanese famous saxophone player), Yiu-Kwong Chung (the composer and prof. of National Taiwan University of Arts), Liang-Chang Kuo (the Taiwanese famous conductor), Kaoru Tsuyuki (the Japanese famous bass player), Ching-Shyan Yen (the Taiwanese famous saxophone player). Tainan Symphonic Band also cooperate a joint concert with Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band.
To fight for the hosting right of 2020 APBDA, Tainan Symphonic Band held four theme events in 2017 Tainan City Wind Band Arts Festival, including held a huge marching band parade on May 27th, inviting a famous French composer François Rousselot who joined the Oscar-winning short film in 2014. This arts festival invited more than 49 groups, 30 events, and attracted almost 10,000 audiences.
- The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band
- The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band, trained and managed by the Music Office, under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the HKSAR Government, was formed in 1978. The Band has successfully nurtured several generations of young musicians, creating a wider interest in and reception of band music in Hong Kong.
In 1978, the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band gave its debut with the visiting County of Avon School Orchestra. Since then, the Band has had the privilege of performing with a number of distinguished guest musicians and bands both in Hong Kong and overseas, among which included the Central Band of the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, the Tanunda Band of Australia, the Regimental Band of the Green Jackets, the Scots Guards of the United Kingdom, the Narashino Girls’ High School Band from Japan, the Baden-Württemberg Youth Wind Ensemble, and a number of youth bands from Canada, Japan, Australia, Philippines and Singapore.
Noted conductors like Bruce Pearson, Dr. Vondis Miller and Robert Lutt from the USA, Eric Banks from the UK, Felix Hauswirth from Switzerland, Russell Hammond from Australia and Li Fang-fang from Beijing had also contributed much to the refinement of the Band.
In 1986, the Band went on a highly successful concert tour to Japan. In 1990, the Band was invited to participate in the Fifth Pacific Basin Festival in Hawaii, USA. In 1993, the Band visited Australia to give a number of performances in concerts and music exchanges.
In 1994, the Band was invited by the Hong Kong Outstanding Young Persons’ Association to perform in the “Arts in the Park”. The Band participated in the 2001 Jeju Summer Band Festival organized by the Jeju City of Korea and won high acclaims from critics.
In 2008, the Band was invited by the Kagoshima Prefectural Government, Japan to go on a concert tour for cultural exchange. In 2013, the Band participated in the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival and won high acclaims from local critics, professional artists and composers. The band went on a successful tour to Taiwan and participated in the 24th Chiayi City International Band Festival in 2015.
With a current membership of 70, aged 12 to 25, the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band is trained and managed by Pak Wing-heng, Palas Chan, Dr. Darren Ho and Mandy Kwan. Recruitment is held annually through open audition.
- Da Ciao Junior High School Concert Band
- Da Ciao Junior High School Concert Band (DCJH) which started in 2005, belongs to Bureau of Education of Tainan. It aims to promote education and provide students multiple learning environments. Since DCJH Concert Band began, its performance has been improving. It provides a channel to people who are interested in music and want to explore more about themselves. In addition, the members have good behavior and outstanding performance in their schoolwork. It’s one of the features of DCJH.
The concert band has won first prize for many times in the annual Student Music Competition of Tainan since 2007. They have also represented Tainan City to participate in the National Student Music Competition and gained the excellent award. Moreover, the concert band has won the distinguished honor award in the final of the Student Music Competition of Taiwan for three years in succession since 2015.
In addition, the band has planned a series of concerts since 2007 to promote the level of playing the wind instruments in the area. Its playing is full of energy, enthusiasm, and creativity. The members present various styles of music and new pieces of work in every concert. In the past ten years, the concert band collaborated with other schools and organizations. Its performance is always commendable.
- Hong Kong Festival Youth Wind Orchestra
- Founded in 1995, the Hong Kong Festival Wind Orchestra (HKFWO) is one of the premier wind orchestras in Hong Kong. Since its establishment, the HKFWO has performed an extensive repertoire of mainly modern works in Hong Kong and beyond. We aim to promote the work of contemporary composers (especially Hong Kong) and to encourage the development of young wind and percussion players in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Festival Youth Wind Orchestra provides a forum for young musicians in which to learn, share, utilize hard-won musical prowess, and foster creativity. By encouraging young, vibrant, talented students to co-operate with others having similar aspirations, we "graduate" lifetime interests in music, and nurture our musical leaders of tomorrow. The Festival Youth is a stepping stone to the HKFWO, with even more exciting musical opportunities at local and international venues. We teach pride through music.
HKFWO has performed with leading Hong Kong instrumentalists, vocalists, choirs, and orchestras. We continue to commission and premiere new wind music by Hong Kong composers of the younger generation.
- Air Note Brass Ensemble
- Air Note Brass Ensemble was formed by Air Note Music School, which established in 2013, located in the centre of Guangzhou. With its elegant environment, Air Note Music School offers a high quality instrumental education with teachers graduated from diverse conservatories of China and Europe. As one of the most famous ensembles of Guangzhou, the Air Note Brass Ensemble takes extremely active part by all kinds of music festival and contest in Guangzhou.
- Kaohsiung Citizens Wind Band
- Kaohsiung Citizens Wind Band was founded in 2005 by some undergraduates who love music and hope to spread the joy of music at first time. Through every concert, our band has got more reputation and attracted people to join who are interested in learning wind instrument and eager for performance.
Until now, every single year, we have held many concerts, not only in Kaohsiung, but also in Taipei or other county as well as The APBDA in Hong Kong and Korea.
Although the members have gone through countless hardships, they still hold the passion for music and practice it regularly.
They work very hard to improve their skills in music and performance for the purpose of fulfilling their own ideal and providing the most authentic, passionate and active music to share with people who love music as well.
- Macau Youth Symphonic Band (YSB)
- The Macau Band Directors Association (MBDA) founded the Macau Youth Symphonic Band (YSB) in 1997. The band aims to provide opportunities to local young musicians to have proper music training. Its members include wind band players from local schools, higher education students, and enthusiasts. They play an active role to promote wind music in Macau.
Soon after its establishment, Macau YSB participated in the Chiayi City International Band Festival in Taiwan. The band has also performed in the Macau Band Fair, and the Asia Pacific Band Festival held in different cities.
In June 2004, the band performed “Hands Across the Sea”, composed by John Philip Sousa, with the Eastman Wind Ensemble (USA) conducted by Mr. Mark Davis Scatterday.
In August 2006, the band was very well received in the opening concert of the 14th Asia Pacific Band Festival held by MBDA.
In May 2010, the band went to Shanghai to participate in the “Olympic Fanfare” series activities, in which it won the Gold Medal from the 4th Non-Professional Outstanding Band Showcase. The band was also invited to perform in the Expo Park.
In July 2011, the band was invited to perform in the “Asian Day Concert” of the International Band Festival held by the city government of Chiayi, Taiwan as an outreach program of WASBE conference. At the same time, the band also went to Tainan to have exchange concerts with wind bands of National University of Tainan and Southern Illinois University of USA.
In July 2013, the band traveled to Thailand and had exchange concerts with the bands of Mahidol University and Kasetsart University.
In August 2014, the band participated in the 18th Asia Pacific Band Directors' Association Conference in Jeju, Korea.
In July 2017, YSB joined the 20th Mid Europe band festival in Schladming, Austria and got the 1st place of the youth band competition in the medium class.
In the future, YSB will continue to promote music to society and contribute to the further development of Macau’s wind music.
- Macau Pui Ching Symphonic Band
- Macau Pui Ching Symphonic Band was established in the winter of 1993 with the aim of nurturing students’ interest in music, enriching their leisure time and educating time on the importance of team spirit.
Initially, in the wake of its rapid development through the efforts of the school, the instructors and the students, the band, which consisted of more than 40 members, began to take part in a variety of public performances. In the years that followed, the Band won great awards repeatedly in competition targeted either at group or individual participants.
In 1996 and 2002, recommended by the Macau Band Directors Association, the Band participated in the 9th and 12th conference of Asia and Pacific Band Directors Association in Hong Kong and Guangzhou and was highly credited with excellent performance. Since, the Band had participated in multiple APBDA and other international wind fairs and festivals.
Today, Macau Pui Ching Symphonic Band had already nurtured a considerable number of musical talents in Macau, had undergone reconstruction and is now presenting itself with a new image of increased vitality. The Band, comprising over 90 members, has been upgraded in its standard through more systematic training.
It is hoped that the Band can keep everyone of you who are present on this occasion better entertained, and also contribute more to the field of arts, both at home and abroad.
- MasanSinwol Elementary School Band
- The MasanSinwol Elementary School Band was founded in 2013, and now composed 102 members. We believe that the values we have learned in music will help us grow well, and having various cultural activities every year such as volunteer activities, musical concert. We all love music and truly believe in each other so that we have been able to make a happy harmony. We want to share ‘the Fanfare of hope and joy’ created by our talents and passions with many people at APBDA.
＜A prize career＞
2013 Founded a MasanSinwol Elementary School Band
2014 39th Korea Brass Band Contest Gold prize
Changwon Elementary school Band Contest 1st prize
2015 40th Korea Brass Band Contest Gold prize
2016 41th Korea Brass Band Contest 1st prize
2017 42th Korea Brass Band Contest 1st prize
15th Chuncheon National Band Contest 1st prize
- National Taipei University of Education Symphonic Band
- National Taipei University of Education Symphonic Band was established in 2003, and has been led by Professor Lin Ching-Chun since its inception.
This group has been invited to Taiwan University, giving concerts at the park by the lake for celebration. They have also been invited by Shin-Tien Temple and held many charity concerts in the Taipei area!
In 2009 with National Tainan University and National Chiayi University, they held "Music Department wind Orchestra joint Concert” in Yayuan concert hall. It was successful and well-received.
In October 2010, the group performed at small cities in Tin-Po Taipei County, Chiayi County, and Xinhua County. They held tour concerts in Tainan City and Kaohsiung City, and in 2012, with the National Taichung University of Education Department of Music Symphonic Band, held Exchange concerts to enhance the ability of students.
Their many tours include the 2015 tour concert at Taitung County and the 2016 tour concert at Chiayi City. Since 2009 till now, we have held many campus tour concerts and community concerts as well. We have also been invited by many universities to promote wind band music.
In addition, the group also won the 2010, 2012 Chiayi City International Band Festival for the excellent performance and was well received by the sponsor’s good evaluation.
In recent years, they have actively participated in performances at home and abroad, in addition to promoting the implementation of music, but also to enhance the professional skills of students to play with tacit understanding, making every performance even better.
- The Port Macquarie Concert Band
- The Port Macquarie Concert Band has been in operation since February 2008. Under the leadership of Frank Rugers and Ann Hamilton, has developed the band’s number to 55. The band has gained a fine reputation which has offered a high level of music and entertainment for the students involved.
The Band has been very busy since its inception. Performances have included Royal Agricultural Show in Sydney, Concerts with James Morrison, the Australian Army Band Newcastle, the Australian Army Band Sydney. Performances at Darling Harbour Maritime Museum, The Officers Mess at Randwick Barracks for the Australian Army and a combined Christmas Concert to sell out audience with the Central Coast Concert Band. Other performances have included at Westport Club on two occasions with the NSW Performing Arts Senior Wind Ensemble; a combined concert with the St Pius X College Band (Chatswood) at Westport Club; open day at Westport Club, performances at the Koala Hospital, The netball finals, the Dutch Society, The Comboyne Show, Seniors week Concert, Tasting Of The Hastings, Motor Neuron Disease walk, Million Paws Walk and the Town Green. The band has assisted other ventures on Anzac Day, Celebrations at The Pines, and other street marches and functions.
The Band has travelled extensively since its inception in 2008, Sydney for a three day tour, the Gold Coast, twice for a five day tour and performed at 3 shopping centers and at Dream World. In July 2010 the band travelled to Hong Kong for 10 days to participate in the Asia Pacific Band Directors’ Association Band Festival. The trip included 4 performances and lots of sight-seeing. In September 2012 the Band traveled to Los Angeles where the Band performed at Madam Tossards, Universal Studios, Disneyland, a school performance and a workshop at Disneyland.
- SMU Symphonia
- From our humble beginnings as a small ensemble in 2003, Singapore Management University (SMU) Symphonia has grown leaps and bounds over the last decade into a full-fledged wind and strings symphony.
The band’s development has been a result of continual pursuit of excellence by past and present musicians both within and outside the university. Our core values are music, friends and fun, and we have appeared in both local and overseas community performances to share the joy of music in the heartlands and lift the spirits of residents.
Our vigorous music enrichment programme includes exchanges with overseas wind bands and participation in international band festivals. These include the Singapore International Band Festival 2012 (1st prize – 1st division) and the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival 2013 (Outstanding Award).
In Symphonia, we aim to be an avenue for passionate musicians to come together in pursuit of musical excellence in a professional and process oriented manner.
- The Paradise Bird Wind Band of Shenzen Nanshan Second Experimental School
- Founded in early 2005, the band is composed of students from primary department and junior middle department of Nanshan Second Experimental School. Aiming at “Enriching Children’s Life with Elegant Symphony”, the band practices twice or more every week, and has an ensemble training every Friday evening which usually lasts two hours. Diligent and efficient training helps the band accumulate quite a lot of performance experience in playing different kinds of compositions either home or abroad. The band not only performs in school, embellishing the campus life, but also goes into communities quite actively, performing either at mansions, theaters, galleries or even at the squares. Being thirteen years old, the band will continue to treasure every chance to enhance communication and cooperation with distinguished bands and masters from other countries and regions.
＜Main Awards＞
1. Be awarded First Prize in the Fifth National Sodality of Middle & Primary School in Dalian in Aug. 2007
2. Be awarded Excellent Band in the First Band Festival in Guangdong province in Dec. 2007
3. Exchange event with the primary school band from Taiwan on Jan 22, 2008
4. Be awarded Silver Prize in the first National Band Festival in Dec. 2008
5. Be awarded Excellent Band in the 10th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen in Dec, 2009
＜Events in 2010＞
1. At ENT’s invitation, the band participated in OCT community charity performance for autistic children on March 6.
2. Organized a weekend concert at Baishi community on March 19.
3. Exchange event with the middle school band from Taiwan on July 12.
4. Be awarded Gold Prize in the 11th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen in Dec.
5. Selected in competitions at all levels, the band won the first prize in the final of the first Musical Instrument Competition on in Guangdong Province on Dec 25.
＜Events in 2011＞
1. Participated in the opening ceremony of the first Distinguished Principals Communication on June 18 in Shenzhen.
2. Participated in the 3rd Fairy tale Festival on June 28.
3. Performed in the Reading Forums on Nov. 10
4. Be coached by Dr. Helkin, American Wind Master and Mr. Zhangguoming, pre-president of HK Wind Association on Nov 25.
5. Participated in the 13th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen 0n Dec.3
6. Exchange event with the band from primary school in Changsha on Dec. 10
7. Participated in the New Year Concert at OCT Square on Dec 30.
＜Events in 2012＞
1. Participated in the Farewell Activity of the 12th “Aid Education” on Feb 29.
2. Invited to perform in the Children’s Day activity on June 1.
3. Exchange event with the middle school band from Taiwan on July 6.
4. At the invitation of Dr. Li Tianchi, chairman of the Wind Association of Singapore, the band participated in the 3rd International Band Festival on July 17.
5. Be awarded Silver Prize in the 14th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen on Dec.1
6. Organized the 2013 New Year Concert on Dec 31.
7. Invited to perform in Guangming middle school New Year Concert on Dec 26.
＜Events in 2013＞
1. Performed for visiting mission from Canada on May 16.
2. Performed for the visitors from Beijing primary and middle schools on Dec 5.
3. Be awarded Gold Prize in the 15th Campus Band Festival on Dec.1 and participated in “Award Concert” and “Sunday Concert in Shenzhen”
4. Participated in the New Year Concert on Dec. 31
＜Events in 2014＞
1. Participated in the Public Performance organized by Shenzhen Government on Feb.16
2. Be awarded Silver Prize in the 16th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen on Dec.7
＜Events in 2015＞
1. Invited to compete in the 2015 International Band Festival, Taiwan, and won silver prize on Aug. 2
2. Be awarded Gold Prize in the 17th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen on Dec.5
＜Events in 2016＞
1. Be coached by Mr. Chenqian, composer and conductor on June 12.
2. Be awarded Bronze Prize of primary level in the 19th Conference of APBDA in July.
3. Be awarded Silver Prize in the 18th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen on Dec.4
4. Invited to perform in the opening ceremony of the 2016 Shenzhen Fringe Festival on Dec. 11
5. Organized the first special New Year Concert on Dec. 30, all performers being from the band.
＜Events in 2017＞
1. Be coached by Mr. Wang Dinghong, bass saxhorn performer and conductor form Taiwan on May 25.
2. Be awarded Silver Prize in the 19th Campus Band Festival, Shenzhen on Dec.4
3. Organized the second special New Year Concert on Dec. 29, all performers being from the band on Dec.29
＜Main Awards＞
・First Prize in the Fifth National Sodality of Middle & Primary School (Dalian, 2007)
・Excellent Band Award in the First Band Festival (Guangdong province, 2007)
・Silver Prize in the first National Band Festival (2008)
・Gold Prize, Silver Prize, Excellent Band Award in Campus Band Festival (Shenzhen, 2009～2017)
・Silver prize in International Band Festival (Taiwan 2015)
・Bronze Prize of primary level in the 19th Conference of APBDA (Beijing, 2016)
～and many more
＜Events＞
・Exchange events with in-country bands and bands from Taiwan
・Participation and performances in various competitions, festivals, concerts and community events
～and many more
- Wind Band of Guangzhou Little Angel Symphony Orchestra
- The Wind Band of GZ Little Angel Symphony Orchestra, as a twin band affiliated to the GZ Little Angel Symphony Orchestra, was founded in the spring of 1998.With the chief inspector Mr.Hou and all the teachers’ hard working, we own three wind bands from junior to senior, and including more than three hundred players prove to be a large youth band with numbers of students and a varied formation.
The band has traveled to perform in Germany, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macao and other countries and areas have been kept their footprint. With the excellent performances and good reputation, the Wind Band of GZ Little Angel Symphony Orchestra was awarded “The outstanding wind band in 2011 Guangdong Province” by the Musician Association.
The Wind Band shows kids’ talented performances to celebrate “Children’s Day” and “The New Year Concert” annually, they’ve performed the music both Western and Eastern, always gets different kinds of good reputation from all sectors of society and media publicity.
