【Question 1】

Changhua City Office founded CCCO in 2004 which is the first national orchestra established by a public institution. Up to now, it has been founded for more than a decade. As the mayor of Changhua and General Director of CCCO, what do you think of CCCO?

We operate it in the way of cost budgeting in order to achieve maximum results with the least money. Although it is an amateur orchestra, it is of national and professional level because two thirds of its members are music teachers in central Taiwan, while the rest are young performers who come out on top in national competitions and enter CCCO after passing the entrance examination. Thus, its members are outstanding. CCCO has performed twice at the National Concert Hall and found the house packed and every ticket sold.

Compared with other professional orchestras, we are amateurs. Our members work on weekdays and can only practice for three hours every Friday evening. However, it is worth mentioning that, though they only practice for three hours a week, they have high level performance which results from the efforts of the members and, more importantly, the tacit cooperation between the Conductor and the performers.

【Question 2】

What are the benefits of the establishment of CCCO by Changhua City Office for Changhua?

The establishment of CCCO has two significant purposes. First, purifying public morals. In the past, we liked to play Western music on weddings and funerals as it is bustling with excitement. But people felt it a bit noisy. Western music is spectacular and strong, while our traditional music is gentle and elegant. Therefore, it is our first purpose to play elegant music in celebration.

Second, passing traditional music from generation to generation. We hope to pass the quintessence of our traditional music to the next generation.

【Question 3】

CCCO had performed twice at the Taipei National Concert Hall. While you handled the events, what were you most satisfied in? And anywhere shall be improved?

The most satisfying thing was that we were recognized as a national orchestra. The performances at the National Concert Hall were superb and professional. For improvement, I believe that we shall improve promotion to attract more people to our concerts.

In terms of future plans, we hope to perform in our sister cities in order to enhance the publicity among cities and countries and carry out good urban and musical diplomacy. We have a total of eight sister cities, via which, we hope to promote international exchanges and raise the international reputation of Changhua.

【Question 4】

How do you promote traditional music education in Changhua? And how do you cultivate traditional music lovers?

As of the promotion of traditional music education, we have assigned traditional music teachers as seeded teachers at kindergartens and elementary schools, while CCCO's members actively set up clubs at schools, such as Chung Shan Elementary School, Changhua Arts Senior High School, and so on. The traditional music courses of the music classes at Mingsheng High School are all guided by the members of CCCO. We hope that, through the clubs, we can expose the children to musical instruments and traditional music since their childhood so that traditional music education can take root.

In addition, we usually arrange many opportunities for CCCO to perform at important activities of Changhua so that more Changhua citizens can hear CCCO's superb performances and become aware of its high level. More importantly, the citizens can encourage their children to get involved in traditional music so that we can have increasing members.

【Question 5】

In terms of the promotion of the art of music in Changhua, are there any plans and arrangements? What are the difficulties? How do you overcome them?

As of music, Changhua City Office has established a total of five major groups, including CCCO, Changhua City Orchestra, Changhua City Dance Company, Changhua City Chorus, and Changhua City Harmonica Ensembles. Most of them are closely related to music education. In promotion, the biggest problem is lack of funds. But we are endeavoring to seek corporate sponsorship. For instance, insurance companies donates NTD 1 million as Teenage Rock Plan each year to our orchestra so that the orchestra can have enough funds to hire teachers, while children with disabilities or traumatic brain injuries can restore their memory via music, which adds loving care to normal music training.

Besides, while holding public performances or grand events, we invite corporates for sponsorship, while posting their ads for mutual benefit. Therefore, our music education and sources of funds are partially connected with business circles which pay attention to the orchestras of Changhua. And more people will know CCCO so as to increase the chances of performances for our members.