Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra

The Taipei National University of the Arts was founded under the auspices of The Ministry of Education in 1982, with a specific purpose to elevate the level of Performing Arts Education in Taiwan. Over the years and into the New Millennium, this vision continues to be fulfilled, as The Taipei National University of the Arts upholds this vital role and challenge, to being the forerunner & cultural leader in Taiwan, for Performing Arts Education.

The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra was founded under the guidance of the Ministry of Education in 1983. It maintains to this day, the dual purpose of elevating the Orchestral Training & Performance of College Level Musicians, while also being a platform where Outstanding Contemporary Works are performed for the public.

Repertory presented in over 100 concerts over the last 23 years, under the tutelage of Conductor Hsu Sung-Jen, span the gamut from the Baroque to the Contemporary, as well as Traditional Taiwanese Music and Western Music.

Yearly, The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra carefully plans diverse programs of Concerts, to challenge students to excel in their performance preparations. Not only are the students fulfilling study requirements, but they are also gaining valuable skills to prepare them for future careers in the Performing Arts.

Hallmark beginnings for the Orchestra in 1993, saw the founding of The Guandu Arts Festivals and Young Concert Artists of Guandu; two series of Concerts on campus, which are now yearly highlights for the district of Guandu. World – class Performing Halls and Venues on campus provide the Orchestra with invaluable resources, so that The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra continues to be an innovative leader in bringing the Performing Musical Arts, not only to the people of Taipei County and surrounding areas, but nationally, to the entire island of Taiwan.

Guest artists who have worked with The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra, include world-renowned Concert Pianist, Martha Argerich, as well as Maestro Seiji Ozawa, the Borromeo Quartet and others.

Projects in 2005 for The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra, also include an International Tour to Hong Kong, Austria, Korea and Canada.

Sung-Jen Hsu

Sung-Jen Hsu, conductor Born in 1941, Began to compose early in his childhood. After mostly pianistic training under Mrs. D. M. MacLeod and Mme Pao-Yi Kim, he studied theories and composition with Prof. Er-Hwa Hsiao during his study of philosophy at Taiwan National University (1962-1966). With scholarship of DAAD he completed his courses in composition (Prof. H. Schroeder), Piano(K. Kaufhold) and conducting(W. von der Nahmer) at the Musikhochschule in Cologne(1968-1974). He worked at opera houses in Karlsruhe and Dortmund before he returned home in 1976, and became the conductor of the Taipei City orchestra. He is now professor and conductor at the music department of the Taipei National University of the Arts since its founding in 1983. His main works: piano solos, songs, sonata for violin and piano, concerto capriccioso for orchestra, piano concerto and piano trio “Folksongs” ; and author of books on music aesthetics、instrumentation and performing practice.