Penghu Mandolin Orchestra Plans Japanese Island Tour After Decade of Local Performances

For 15 years, the Penghu Mandolin Orchestra has brought music to the islands of Penghu, Taiwan, completing 111 performances, including 13 special island-hopping concerts. What began as a casual musical endeavor has evolved into a celebrated community ensemble, with plans to expand its reach to Japan.

The orchestra's journey started in 2011 when the Chi Mei Foundation provided mandolins and instructors to the Penghu County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau. Xu Lihua, who was then the head of the performing arts section, took on the role of leader. Facing a group of students with little musical background, she managed everything from music arrangement to logistics, eventually guiding them to perform on stage.

After Xu moved to a different department in 2015, she ensured the orchestra's continuity by helping it formally register and relocating its classes to the National Penghu University of Science and Technology's continuing education center. That same year, the orchestra made its international debut with a performance in Hong Kong. Between 2016 and 2018, the group undertook seven island-hopping tours, visiting 13 inhabited islands within Penghu. These tours involved transporting instruments and equipment, navigating ferry schedules, weather conditions, and local residents' routines, yet were met with enthusiastic responses.

The orchestra has now achieved its goal of 50 community performances since 2019 and regularly plays in communities like Dingwan, Wai'an, and Chenggong. They have also added a new venue at the Wufeng Coffee Courtyard in Xiaomen. The group's next ambitious step is to bring the "sound of the sea breeze" to the Japanese離島, continuing their mission to share Penghu's musical charm beyond its shores.

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The sound of the sea breeze.