Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Ju Tzong-ching earns international recognition for promotion of percussion music education

Ju Tzong-ching, founder of the Ju Percussion Group and the incumbent president of the Taipei National University of the Arts in Kuandu, recently received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Education Award from Steve Houghton, president of the Percussive Arts Society, in recognition of his 27-year promotion of percussion music and for his contribution to international percussion music through international percussive activities.

Ju became the first Asian ethnic Chinese to be honored with the prestigious award. The awarding took place during the evening concert organized as highlight of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). The Ju Percussion Group performed on this occasion, playing music blending influences of the East and the West.

Ju in his response expressed his gratitude to all the people who have helped him along the way. The awarding took him by surprise. Nevertheless, he felt truly the great expectations of many people.

Percussion music in Taiwan started out as a professional field with little appeal and showing little promise, he recalled. But it has emerged to become well-loved by the general public. He thanked the people in Taiwan for giving him encouragement and the opportunity to bring about the transformation. He would endeavor to drum up even greater interest in percussion music among different generations. He would work at wider and deeper interest in percussion music throughout Taiwan. His goal for the future would also include greater exchange with international artists.

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