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Since its inception, the 12-member Ju Percussion Group (JPG)
has dazzled worldwide audiences with its groundbreaking blend
of Western percussion and traditional Chinese gong
performances. As the first percussion ensemble in Taiwan, JPG
gives more than 100 concerts, workshops and seminars annually
to an estimated 150,000 audience members worldwide.
Under the direction of
founder Tzong-Ching Ju, JPG is rapidly establishing Taiwan's
reputation in the global contemporary music scene. Since the
group's inception in 1986, JPG conducts regular tours across
Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. During the past
decade, the ensemble has been a leading collaborator with top
percussionists from the United States, Japan, Korea, France,
Sweden, Hungry, Germany, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands
at the Taipei International Percussion Convention (TIPC). The
group is renowned for its strong international appeal, with
multiple invitations to perform at the Percussive Arts Society
International Convention, the Beijing Music Festival and the
Chekhov International Theater Festival.
With a flair for
experimentation and innovation, JPG frequently seeks to
challenge the boundaries of the group's artistic vision. A
cultural exchange project with the internationally renowned
Les Percussions de Strasbourg led to the eagerly awaited
premiere of "Les douze Lunes du serpent" in December
2001. The following year, JPG collaborated with the Amadinda
Percussion Group, Hungary to present the ambitious composition
"Stoicheia". Written by leading British composer
James Wood, "Stoicheia" premiered at the prestigious
Budapest Spring Festival in 2002. A household name in its
native Taiwan, JPG is dedicated to the development and
popularization of the island's musical heritage. In addition
to the ensemble's unique percussion arrangement of folk tunes
and children's songs, JPG regularly premieres compositions
written by native composers. With 15 highly acclaimed
recordings to date, JPG has been honored twice with the
Taiwanese equivalent of the Grammy Award, the Golden Tripod
Awards. |
