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To mark the 40th anniversary of the group’s founding, the Zhu Zongqing Percussion Ensemble began its first US tour in San Francisco. Through performances that blend Taiwanese culture and Western rhythm traditions, it received enthusiastic responses from overseas Chinese and continued to promote Taiwan’s cultural diplomacy.
Ju Percussion Group, Taiwan’s internationally renowned performing arts group, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and will make its first stop in the United States on November 10.san francisco Perform “Energy ∞ Infinite”. In an interview, Zhu Zongqing said that the orchestra has been to the United States 14 times, and this is the first time in San Francisco. He felt the enthusiasm and resonance of the overseas Chinese in San Francisco and met many music lovers. He felt happy to be able to showcase in front of everyone the energy that the orchestra had gathered over the years.
“Momentum ∞ Unlimited” is a highly representative concert of Zhu Zongqing Percussion Ensemble. It has been carefully planned to showcase the orchestra’s artistic foundations and 40-year innovation process. The program began with international percussion classics and then a series of selected works. These pieces draw from contemporary Western percussion traditions, incorporate unique Eastern cultural elements, and continue to expand boundaries through modern, experimental, and interdisciplinary techniques.
These tracks break down the boundaries between classical, contemporary, world and pop music, showcasing percussion as a truly global and constantly evolving art form. Zhu Zongqing said that the content of each US tour is different. Each song performed in San Francisco has been carefully arranged to match the local atmosphere and will be refreshing for audiences.
starts with a songpandemic The background composition “Beyond the Bend” won praise; “Solar Myth” was taken from TaiwanAboriginal people This ethnic myth reflects the vitality of the people and the protection of the earth against the scorching sun. The encore was also based on Bach’s “It’s Dark”, which aroused the audience’s emotions.
Due to the previous epidemic and a warehouse fire in late 2022, Zhu Zongqing Percussion Ensemble faced reconstruction needs. In 2025, it received the ROT bid (reconstruction, operation, transfer) of “Beitou Studio”. In addition to serving as the orchestra’s home, it also serves as a venue for numerous exhibitions, collaborations, and interdisciplinary artistic performances. Zhu Zongqing said that the ROT project is currently expected to be completed and put into use by the end of next year at the earliest. The total cost will be at least US$3.05 million (NT$100 million), making it a considerable project.
Luo Qianru, organizer of “Momentum ∞ Unlimited” and chairman of the Timely Rain Foundation and chairman of the Northern California branch of the World Chinese Business Women’s Business Association, said that more than 700 people came to support the concert, and most of the overseas Chinese drove from the South Bay to the North to watch the performance, which shows the enthusiasm and support of overseas Chinese. Li Ling, co-organizer of the Northern California Chinese Teachers Association, said many overseas Chinese heard so much rhythmic music related to Taiwan that it felt homesick. As a musician she was greatly influenced.
Galen Lemon, retired professor of the music department at San Jose State University, who has collaborated with many film theme songs, was invited to participate in the concert. He said that he was excited to hear these songs and the orchestra’s performance was amazing. Mai Yuxi, a second-generation Taiwanese who is studying percussion, said that he was very excited to see professional musicians perform the “six-stick” percussion xylophone with his own eyes and hopes to have the opportunity to learn it in the future.
The Zhu Zongqing Percussion Ensemble’s performance also helped promote diplomacy to Taiwan. On the 11th, Wu Zixiang, director of the Taipei Cultural Office in San Francisco, attended the concert with Alan Coronado, Consul General of Guatemala, and Lim Jung-taek, Consul General of South Korea, and his wife. They listened to the entire concert and applauded a lot.
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The band made their first stop on this US tour in San Francisco, performing the 40th anniversary masterpiece “Momentum ∞”. Zhu Zongqing said that this was the band’s first visit to San Francisco among 14 visits to the United States and China, and they felt the enthusiastic support of overseas Chinese and music fans at the venue.
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The program begins with international percussion classics and incorporates Taiwanese aboriginal mythology, eponymous compositions and banjo elements to break down the boundaries between classical, contemporary and popular. The San Francisco performance adjusted the repertoire to the local climate, giving the audience a fresh feel.
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Zhu Zongqing Percussion Ensemble is facing reconstruction needs in late 2022 due to the pandemic and warehouse fire, and has received the ROT bid from Beitou Studios. The space will serve as the orchestra’s new home and will also be used for performances, collaborations and interdisciplinary artistic activities. It is expected to be completed by the end of next year at the earliest.
