A youthful jazz melody resonates through Taichung’s summer night! Organized by the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, the “2026 Taichung’s Jazz Specialized Course Showcase” took place on Jun. 6th at the Old Track Meadow in the Taichung Station Railway Cultural Park. Students from National Taichung University of Education and Taichung Municipal Cingshuei Senior High School kicked off this year’s Taichung Jazz Festival series with performances brimming with rhythm and creative energy. The event drew a large crowd of citizens and music enthusiasts. On a summer night with a gentle breeze, the audience swayed to the music and applauded enthusiastically, showcasing the fruitful results of Taichung’s ongoing commitment to jazz music education and the cultivation of a new generation of musical talent.
　　

Now in its third year, the specialized jazz music curriculum features renowned local jazz musicians Liu Jia-en(劉佳恩), Lin Yi-ming(林奕銘), and Xie Zong-han(謝宗翰) as instructors. The program focuses on classic jazz and diverse musical styles, guiding students through a full semester of rigorous professional instruction and ensemble training to help them express their passion for music and showcase their skills through vibrant performances. Participating students shared that through the jazz program, they have not only significantly improved their music theory knowledge and performance skills but have also gained valuable stage experience through public performances. They look forward to continuing to deepen their development in the field of music.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that the Taichung Jazz Festival is not only the city’s annual musical extravaganza but also a vital platform for promoting arts education and shaping the city’s cultural brand. Building on past efforts to promote jazz music education, this year’s “Youth Jazz Band Training Program” will continue, with intensive training scheduled for the summer vacation. Multiple public performances are planned to encourage participants to gain practical stage experience, further cultivating their musical expressiveness and confidence on stage.

Furthermore, to further integrate the city’s industries with its lifestyle, this year will also launch the “Jazz-Friendly Businesses” recruitment initiative, inviting restaurants, lodging establishments, cultural and creative businesses, and various specialty shops to participate. Last year’s event successfully engaged over 100 businesses, attracting many well-known brands to collaborate on a series of promotional activities. This not only fostered a vibrant jazz atmosphere in the city but also effectively boosted foot traffic in commercial districts and tourism spending.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that it will continue to leverage the festival’s brand influence and educational resources to advance Taichung’s vision of becoming the “City of Jazz.” Registration is now open for this year’s “Youth Jazz Band Training Program” and the “Jazz-Friendly Venues and Industry Collaboration Recruitment Program.” Teenagers interested in jazz music and businesses from all sectors are sincerely invited to actively participate and help infuse the city with greater cultural vitality and musical energy. For more details on events and recruitment, please visit the Taichung City Government, Cultural Affairs Bureau’s official website (http://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw) or the “Taichung Jazz Festival” Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TaichungJazzFestival).