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Profile on Ms. Chen, Yun-Hong
 【Photo：HanGuang Vocal Band】
When Ms. Chen, Yun-Hong was little, she was able to play a sonatina after only three months of learning piano. With a passion for singing, she not only joined the choir, but also assumed the role of a conductor in the school competition. Ms. Chen is often invited to be a judge for international music competitions. She is recognized not only as a master of music and conducting, but also as a choral diva in Taiwan music business. Besides being the CEO and artistic director for choral music at Taiwan Choral Music Center, she is also the artistic director for HanGuang Vocal Band, specializing in singing practices.
Interview Q&A
We have come to Taiwan Choral Music Center to have an interview with Ms. Chen today. Ms. Chen agreed to our interview despite her concert in the evening. Every little step that the band makes is the source of her happiness. Being a competent musician, she did not find conducting a band difficult at all. I hope we could learn music from Ms. Chen and be joyful musicians.
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How did you first start working with HanGuang? |
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HanGuang Education Foundation has been promoting Chinese characters and classical poetries for a few years. Mr. Jerry Chu, who was serving at HanGuang Education Foundation, heard that Taiwan Choral Music Center was promoting the art of a cappella. He felt that classical poetry could combine with a cappella to produce a new art form, and this would in turn help young people becoming more accepting of classical poetry. |
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Road to becoming artistic director of HanGuang Vocal Band |
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We helped the group with its music in the beginning. Later on, we instructed them on choreography, body actions, and facial expressions. And this is how I became the artistic director of HanGuang Vocal Band. I am mainly responsible for the artistic aspect of the band. Where is it heading to? and how is it going to develop? are questions that I need to ponder. |
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Difference between instructing an a cappella band and a choir |
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I have instructed quite a few choirs, but HanGuang Vocal Band is my only a cappella band. There are more people in a choir and less so in an a cappella band. In an a cappella band, one person is responsible for one part, so the stability and uniqueness of each person are both important. In the mean time, coordination across different parts is also important. Whereas in a choir, there are multiple people in a part, so the uniqueness of each of their voice is not as important. The important task is for each voice to harmonize within a part and then coordinate across different parts. To me, instructing an a cappella band is not difficult but fun. I believe I am competent to do the job. |
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How do you see HanGuang Vocal Band? Discuss about your work with the band. |
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HanGuang Vocal Band is a very young band. It has made such tremendous growth in less than three years; it is indeed a band that progresses quickly. Everyone on the band works hard. Unlike other a cappella groups, HanGuang Vocal Band has a very good executive director and excellent teachers leading it. There will always be problems or bottlenecks for every band. When that happens, we need to figure out where the problem is and think of ways to help them get through the bottlenecks so they are able to show their fullest potentials. When I see them performing art with emotion in a professional manner, I get really touched, and that is also my happiest moment. |
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The present and future of HanGuang |
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I am very satisfied with the performance of HanGuang in every aspect. As long as they can keep surpassing themselves, I will be very satisfied. I hope the band can continue making progress in different aspects without slacking off in the future. Keep it up! |
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Words of encouragement for children |
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Learning a cappella is really good, and I do encourage children to join the choir. In order to sing a cappella well, one must have the basics in choral singing. It’s because when everyone is singing together, the pressure will not be as great. We just need to fuse our voices together. You can start by listening during choir singing, and then try to harmonize, and this will help you with your singing in a cappella. Furthermore, Yu-Tsai has a very famous choir! |
Afterthoughts
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Vanilla:
We took turns in this interview. I was nervous when it was my turn to interview Ms. Chen. It was because that she didn’t have much interaction with us, and she would ask me questions, too! I didn’t know what to say most of the time, so I wish I could get better if I practice more with my teachers and classmates. |
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Andrea:
I learned a lot through the interview with Director Chu. He not only explained the meaning of the poems, but also discussed the story behind the band's success. The most interesting interview has to be the one with Ms. Chen because she constantly asked us questions during the interview, and we have learned to think and respond quickly. We understood the difficulties of being an artistic director, and she reminded us that there is always room for improvement. |
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Source: the Beautiful Voices 
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