U.S

▲ The Houston Wind Quintet from the United States will also perform in Chiayi. (Photo / Courtesy of2013 Chiayi City International Wind Band FestivalOfficial Website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The "Chiayi City International Wind Band Festival," which attracted 250,000 participants in 2010, is being held this year in conjunction with the Asian Oboe Annual Conference as the "2013 Asian Oboe Annual Conference and the 22nd Chiayi City International Wind Band Festival." It will invite10 international wind bands from countries such as the United States and Japan, along with numerous local ensembles, to deliver spectacular performances in Chiayi from December 19 to New Year's Day 2014.


▲ Photos of outstanding performances by domestic and international wind bands at the festival. (Left photo / Courtesy ofTourism BureauWebsite; Right photo / Courtesy of2013 Chiayi City International Wind Band FestivalOfficial Website)

The event is divided into three parts: street parades, indoor performances, and outdoor performances. A total of 101 musical performances will be presented by 10 international wind bands and 89 wind bands from across Taiwan. The 10 international wind bands include top ensembles from Japan, the United States, Malaysia, China, and other countries.

Apart from the 17 indoor concerts to be held at the Chiayi City Music Hall, which have ticket prices ranging from NT$100 to NT$200, the remaining 84 outdoor concerts at Cultural Park, Zhongzheng Park, and Cultural Square are all free to attend. However, tickets must be collected from the service desk of the Chiayi City Cultural Affairs Bureau two days prior to the performance.

Chiayi has been hosting the Wind Band Festival since 1993, and began its internationalization after adding the word "International" in 1997. Over the past 20-plus years, it has invited many wind bands from countries such as Portugal, Norway, and the United States to participate. In 2010, it set a new record with 250,000 participants and was also included in the 2013 Taiwan Tourism Calendar by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Tourism Bureau.