200 French horns set a world record — the Taiwan International Wind Band Festival is even more spectacular than you think

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

The 2017 Chiayi City International Wind Band Festival launched in grand fashion on December 22, gathering outstanding wind musicians from six countries — France, Finland, Austria, Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand — along with elite domestic performers. A total of 14 international groups, global masters, and top local lineups presented over 70 high-caliber wind performances. Music lovers are warmly invited to Chiayi to enjoy this 11-day musical feast.

To celebrate the 26th anniversary of the Chiayi City International Wind Band Festival, this year’s event features two major highlights. The first is the street parade opening on December 23, where Taiwan’s “French horn patriarch” Chuang Szu-yuan gathered 200 French horn players from across Taiwan for a joint performance that set a Guinness World Record. The second highlight is the special invitation of internationally acclaimed clarinetist Paul Meyer to serve as the festival’s ambassador, aiming to elevate the event’s global reputation and strengthen the Chiayi Wind Band Festival’s international brand.

During the wind band festival, a diverse lineup of activities awaits, including 70 indoor and outdoor concerts, three master lectures, three master workshops, nine school exchange events, and six community performances. Each year as the year draws to a close, the Chiayi Wind Band Festival transforms into a citywide carnival, bringing music into neighborhoods through community tours and spreading art and culture throughout Chiayi.

This year’s most popular event, the wind band street carnival, featured a flower float designed in the shape of a French horn — “Lù Chuàng Jiā Jī” (Breaking Records Chiayi Chicken) — leading a procession of 48 floats and over 5,000 participants. Starting from the Zhongshan Road fountain, the parade followed Zhongshan Road, Wufeng North Road, Minzu Road, Qiming Road, and Sports Road before arriving at the Chiayi Municipal Stadium. Both domestic and international visitors are welcome to return to Chiayi at year’s end to join this international wind music celebration.

The most highly anticipated highlight of the year is undoubtedly the two indoor concerts to be performed by the festival’s international ambassador — Paul Meyer — at the Chiayi Concert Hall on December 28 and 29. The New York Pioneer Press once hailed Paul Meyer as one of the most renowned clarinetists of our time. He has received numerous international accolades, including top prizes at the European Young Musicians Competition and France’s most prestigious music award, the “1999 Light of French Music.” In addition to his concert performances, Meyer will also hold a master lecture, offering wind music enthusiasts the rare opportunity to learn and interact closely with a world-class maestro.