After returning from a whistle-stop tour to Moscow, where it participated in an international music festival earlier this week, Ju Percussion's (
The group will be under the spotlight again on Sunday, when it puts the finishing touches to its SARS-postponed tour, with a concert at Hsinchu Municipal Performance Hall (
PHOTO COURTESY OF JU PERCUSSION
Entitled, Hear Spring (
Along with treating audiences to a heap of Asian and Latin vibes, the ensemble will also be premiering its Drumming No.7 for Six Percussionists (
"The program is one of very contrasting styles. While White Snake, which was written by our composer in residence, is based around the classic Chinese mythical tale, Box is contemporary work both in presentation and musical content," explained a spokesperson for the group.
Founded in 1986 by Ju Tzong-ching (
It is at home, however, where the ensemble has proven its real percussive mettle, time and time again. Along with establishing the now annual Taipei International Percussion Convention in 1993, the group has been at the forefront of musical education.
Establishing the first Ju Percussion -- Music School ten years ago, the ensemble now has 18 such schools nationwide. The institute boasts an alumnus of roughly 60,000.
The belated spring tour might be coming to an end, but the ensemble's work is only just beginning. In the weeks ahead preparations for the group's much lauded collaboration with the internationally acclaimed dance group, Cloud Gate (
As part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations of Lin Hwai-min's (
Set to premier at the National Theater (
Originally premiering on Dec. 15, 1978 -- the day the US severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing -- the performance raised questions apropos Taiwan's identity,and is still seen by many as the watershed production which shaped the nation's contemporary dance scene.
"It's obviously a great honor for the group to have been invited to perform with Cloud Gate as well as being something that we are all looking forward to," continued the spokesperson. "It's proven quite hard work, but the exceptional performance will make it all worthwhile."
The Ju Percussion ensemble will take to the stage of the Hsinchu Municipal Performance Hall (新竹市立演藝廳) at 7:30pm on Sunday. Tickets cost from NT$300 to NT$800 and are available at the venue. The hall is located at 17, Tungta Rd, Sec 2, Hsinchu (新竹市東大路二段17號). Tickets for Cloud Gate's 30th Anniversary Concert, featuring Ju Percussion, at the National Theater, cost from NT$400 to NT$2,000 and are available directly from the CKS Cultural Center's box office. As Cloud Gate performances are always guaranteed sellouts tickets should be purchased well in advance.
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