Time: 14:00, Saturday, October 23, 2010 (Doors open at 13:30)

Venue: Auditorium Hall, 1F Center of Academic Activities, Academia Sinica

Performance: Vox Nativa Choir, Taiwan

Admission: Free

        The Vox Nativa Choir was formed in July of 2008. The choir is made up of children of the poor aboriginal tribes residing in the foothills of Jade Mountain. Currently, the choir has 75 members and is divided into two groups: the VXNT Group 1 and VXNT Group 2. All of the children are also students of the Vox Nativa Music School. Today, the VXNT Group 1 will be performing (these kids are mainly from the higher grades).

        The Vox Nativa Music School is a supplementary, weekend school for elementary and junior high students. It is located in the Shinyi Township of Nantou County, right at the foothills of Jade Mountain. All of the students are aboriginal children, and over 90% are from the Bunun tribe. Despite their less than ideal environment and limited resources, the children are dedicated to their studies and have made an emotional commitment to their singing. Audiences have called their singing pure, harmonious, and even angelic.

        The principal of the Vox Nativa Music School, Chun-Man Hung is also the principal of the Tumpu Elementary School. Pi-Te Ma is the choir leader, as well as the conductor of Vox Nativa Music School. Mr. Ma is also the principal of Lona Elementary school. Hui-Ching Chao is the piano accompanist of the choir. The Vox Nativa Music School helps children with their voice drills, as well as their school work on the weekends. It is hoped that these children can serve as future role models for their community and be a source of pride for everyone living in the mountains of Nantou. Eventually, the Vox Nativa Choir hopes to reach the standards of an internationally recognized children’s choir. In this way, the Vox Nativa Choir can introduce the world to Taiwan’s traditional aboriginal music and the beautiful sounds and voices of Jade Mountain.

◎Concert Repertoire

The repertoire includes the following three parts:

Ⅰ. Native Language Ballads

The ballads of the aboriginal people are filled with lyrical melodies and empathy. Their lyrics are filled with a joy and respect for life, as well as veneration for nature. We hope to convey the message of love and care that the aboriginal ancestors used in their songs and in the process spread a positive image of the aboriginal tribes of Taiwan.

Ⅱ. Mandarin and Taiwanese Folk Songs

These popular folk songs have been adapted with different arrangements for a more upbeat tempo that invites a sympathetic response from the audience.

Ⅲ. Religious Songs of Praise

Many indigenous people have devout religious beliefs. Many of their religious songs express their beliefs in "Faith, Hope and Love." Furthermore, these songs are also an expression of sincere gratitude to all of the people who have cared for and supported them.