A group of IT executives in the Hsinchu area who had no background in music, but had a passion for music and wanted to participate in social welfare, formed the Spring Breeze Saxophone Band. The band gives charity performances all over to entertain others and also themselves. Among the members, the youngest is Lee Chi-ying, who, accompanied by his patient mother Chien Mei-ming, obtained a street performer’s license, which helped Lee to break through his autism and become more socially active.
Spring Breeze Saxophone Band leader, Hsu Po-chao, is also a Public Relations director for the Far Eastern New Century manufacturing plant in Xinpu Township. Hsu said the formation of the band has been amazing and was originally just a few saxophone novices getting together in their free time to form a group and learn from each other. As time went on, more members were invited into the group and there are now 15 members. After having a discussion, the group decided to name the band after the song that they played the most often, “Spring Breeze blows kisses on my face.” Hsu said that he hopes when they play everyone will enjoy the beauty of their songs as if the spring breeze was blowing on them.
The members of Spring Breeze are mostly in the IT services industry. Amongst others, there is a CEO of a technology company, a director at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, an architect and a boutique owner.
Photo: Liao Hsueh-ju, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者廖雪茹
Lee, who is twenty-four years old and works at National Tsinghua University restaurant, originally had difficulties interacting with people, but six years ago went to Taichung’s Houli Township to visit a saxophone tourism factory, where he took the initiative to ask his mother, Chien, for a saxophone. Chien then hired a saxophone teacher to provide one-on-one lessons, and later on accompanied her son to group practices and charity performances. Learning music not only made him happy, it also unexpectedly helped him gradually socialize with others. The Spring Breeze members use music to relieve stress from work and increase enjoyment in life.
For over two years they have also played at the Huashan seniors sports meet, and other events, to make their own contribution toward good causes.
(Liberty Times, translated by Zane Kheir)
新竹地區一群科技業精英，都非音樂系出身，但熱愛音樂，又想投身社會公益，便組成一支「春風薩克斯風樂團」，四處義演，自娛娛人；其中年紀最小的團員李奇穎，在母親簡美明的耐心陪伴下，考取街頭藝人證照，更因此從自閉走向人群。
春風薩克斯風樂團團長、也是新埔遠東化纖總廠公關室主任許柏炤說，樂團的組合很妙，原本只是幾個薩克斯風初學同好，利用閒暇時間，聚在一起搭配演奏團練，互相觀摩學習，之後一個介紹一個加入，現有十五名成員，大家討論後決定以最常吹奏的第一首歌「春風吻上我的臉」，為樂團取名「春風」，希望當他們演出時，大家以如沐春風的心情來享受樂曲之美。
春風樂團成員，大多在科技業服務，有科技公司總經理、台積電主管、建築師，一名精品店老闆娘等。
在清大餐廳工作的二十四歲李奇穎，原對人際互動有障礙，六年前，某次他到台中后里參觀薩克斯風觀光工廠，主動向母親提及他也想要有一支，簡美明便為他聘請老師，一對一教學，之後團練、義演也都全程陪同，學音樂不但讓奇穎變開心了，也意外幫助他漸漸地融入人群。
春風團員透過音樂舒解工作壓力，增加生活樂趣，二年來也在華山老人運動會等場合義演，貢獻一己心力。
（自由時報記者廖雪茹）
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