Ensembles
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The Department of Music has five major ensembles: the Symphony Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, the Opera Workshop, the Chorus, and the Percussion Ensemble. All of these groups perform regularly and include challenging and innovative concert programs.
From 2024 the Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Professor Ching-Chun Lai (賴鏡淳) and is the largest of the five groups. The ensemble has played with world-class soloists such as violinist Cho-Liang Lin (林昭亮) and pianists Natalya Antonova and Robert Levin. Having performed on numerous occasions at the National Concert Hall in Taipei, the Symphony Orchestra has programmed such works as Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 3 and 9, Brahms' Symphony No. 2, Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra, Mahler's Symphony No. 1, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6.
Symphony Orchestra
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Professor Ito Akihiko (伊東明彥), is equally active as a performing ensemble. Our band has performed to sold-out audiences at Taichung’s Chung-Syin Hall (台中中興堂) and the Taichung Opera Theatre. The band also performed at the Central Conservatory in Beijing and to Osaka, Japan. It has also participated in joint concerts with the University of Delaware Wind Ensemble and the Taiwan Air Force Band.
Symphonic Band
The Opera Workshop is directed by Professors Fa-Kai Tang (湯發凱). Functioning partly as a course for both bachelor and master students, the Opera Workshop performs opera scenes at the end of each semester. In addition, it frequently combines with other ensembles for large-scale productions. Our department has performed operas such as Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) and Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) by Mozart as well as Die Fledermaus (The Bat) by Johann Strauss. Recent performances include Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow) by Franz Lehar, performed in our recital hall in June 2019, and La Traviata by Verdi, given at the Taichung Opera Theatre in June 2017. These productions featured both our own voice faculty, students, and alumni, as well as internationally acclaimed tenor, Scott Piper, a professor at University of Michigan.
Opera Workshop
The Chorus, directed by Professor Cheng-Pu Paul Chang (張成璞), also frequently combines with other ensembles. Our choir played an important part in the above-mentioned productions of La Traviata and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. It has also joined forces with the orchestra in performances of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, and Brahms’ Schicksalslied.
Chorus
The Percussion Ensemble is presently under the direction of Ming-Jen Suen (孫名箴) and performs each semester. The group often selects contemporary repertoire that combines musical performance with cutting-edge digital technology.
Percussion Ensemble
Participating in any of the department ensembles is time consuming and demanding but provides our students with experiences that enable them to become accomplished performers and musicians.
