Taiwan International Percussion Convention Enters 12th Edition; Ju Tzong-Ching: Persistence Makes Dreams Come True

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Chao Ching-yu, Taipei, April 14) The 12th Taiwan International Percussion Convention (TIPC) is about to kick off, challenging 5 consecutive days of 9 performances at the National Concert Hall in Taipei starting May 14. Founder and Artistic Director Ju Tzong-Ching recalled the arduous beginnings, stating, 'As long as you have an ideal, persistence will make it come true.'

Ju Tzong-Ching stated at today's press conference that as a private performing group, organizing such a large-scale international percussion festival presents significant challenges in terms of fundraising, mobilizing human resources, and promoting audiences and ticket sales. 'Letting Taiwan go out and the world come in, building a platform for musicians and audiences who love percussion music – this is the greatest meaning, and this meaning supports us to continue.'

Veteran colleague Liu Chia-yu, a well-known classical music radio host who was then the publicity director for Ju Percussion Group, personally experienced the birth of the first Taiwan International Percussion Convention. 'At that time, Teacher Ju, who was under 40, led a group of us, who were under 30 and inexperienced, to organize an international percussion festival even though we had never seen an international exhibition. But Teacher Ju was serious; he persisted, and dreams came true.'

Liu Chia-yu recalled that from the moment 'Teacher Ju' drove south himself during Chinese New Year to borrow money, everyone knew this had to be done. 'The process was too painful, we gritted our teeth and endured. Teacher always said he wouldn't do it next time, but he always persisted. Thirty years have passed in a flash, and the Taiwan International Percussion Convention has become the pride of Taiwan, like opening a door, letting Taiwan enter the world and letting the world see Taiwan.'

Liu Chia-yu remembers when the Strasbourg Percussion Group from France came to Taiwan and found that the gong stands did not meet specifications. 'He Ho-chi (director of the JIE-YOU Youth Percussion Ensemble) immediately spent several nights at a friend's iron factory to make the correct sizes. When they went on stage, the paint wasn't even completely dry.' After each percussion festival, all groups would receive a photo album documenting every moment from landing to performing. 'Now this has also become a beautiful tradition of the percussion festival and maintains friendships.'

The 12th Taiwan International Percussion Convention features 9 programs by 155 performers from 10 countries. Highlights include the fifth 'Hundred Marimbas' concert, with Chien Wen-pin as conductor, and the Keiko & Kazuya Duo, recognized as one of the top duos in recent years.

Giridhar Udupa, known as the 'King of Clay Pot Drums' from the traditional South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and Naghib Shanbehzadeh, a French-Iranian hand drum player from a traditional music family in southern Iran who has crossed over into different genres, are both performing in Taiwan for the first time and are highly anticipated.

The 12th Taiwan International Percussion Convention will present 9 performances over 5 consecutive days at the National Concert Hall in Taipei starting May 14, with touring performances at the National Taichung Theater Grand Theater, Kaohsiung Dadong Arts and Culture Center, and Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Concert Hall. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150414

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