Taiwanese bamboo musicians woo locals

27 November 2012 | last updated at 11:57PM

By OLIVIA MIWIL | olivia@nst.com.my 

SWEET SOUNDS: Orchestra performs at music festival near Kota Kinabalu

THE Taiwan Bamboo Orchestra enthralled the audience  when it performed at the sixth  Bamboo Music Festival in Tamparuli near here on Saturday.

The orchestra, comprising professionals, dedicated the songs Tanak kampung, Sayang Kinabalu and Jambatan Tamparuli to the audience.

It was here for a five-day visit to exchange knowledge on bamboo music with local musicians before the festival.

Founder Wu Shih-Yin said he was glad the audience liked its performance.

"Taiwan and Sabah have almost similar design instruments, but because the players are different in origin, they produce a slightly different melody."

One performer, Liou Zong Yue, said the orchestra sponsored the trip here as it wanted see the community that had been playing bamboo music for a long time.

"In Taiwan, bamboo-based music is new and played only by professionals.

"We are amazed that children as young as 5 can play songs with these instruments," said Liou, who is also a bamboo flautist.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said: "The troupe's keen interest jn our culture shows this programme can be developed to international standard.

"The organiser, Kinabalu Bamboo Associations, may want to add more activities, besides orchestra, to attract more visitors."

The festival, which has been held in this historical town for six years, aims to engage schoolchildren to learn and preserve local culture.

The Taiwan Bamboo Orchestra’s performance was music to the ears of the audience at the musical festival in Tamparuli near Kota Kinabalu on Sunday. Pic by Lano Lan