It's now a week since we arrived with the DSQ in Taiwan. SARS is the talk of the island for some of the time, the rest seems to be what/why and where next for the DSQ! Some great concerts already, Ming Hsin University of Technology was the first off on 21st April followed by an amazing workshop (22nd April ) with the brilliant students at The National Taipei University Of Arts. Pete Whyman used his 'Between The Notes' Skills to encourage the students to create their own work (35 Taiwanese students were in the workshop) which was performed at the close of the 3 hr session.

(24th Apri) lA train trip down the beautiful Pacific east coast of Taiwan from Taipei found the quartet in Hualien at the National Dung Hua University. performing a programme of Nyman, Jenkins, Fitkin, Glass and Torke to an enthusiastic audience of 400 students. The campus and surroundings are amazing, wide green open spaces with the Pacific ocean on one side and the mountains of central Taiwan (3,000 + metres) acting as a backdrop. Beautiful food after the concert in month.

(25th April) Island hopping day, a 06.30 am train back to Taipei to catch a flight to the 'Pescadores' or Pen Hu chain of island in the Taiwan straights. A mini cocnert workshop in Ma Kung High School was followed by a performance in the modern Cultural Center in Ma Kung. As the Portugese name suggests, this island is about the sea and more importantly what swims in it. The mixed fish meal which followed the concert was of a quality only the Japanese would demand re- freshness. These islands are often cut off due to high winds, the DSQ were lucky to make the return to Taipei today (26th April) as the British Council party at the Taipei Arts Centre was to be the main event of the day. An early start to Kaosiung awaits (27 April) so more reports from the city south of the tropic of cancer in the next few days.
posted by Chris at 6:08 PM

Ni hau (hello) from Taiwan. Hot, amazing and hectic schedule for the DSQ so check out the tour dates on The British Council, follow the tour via this blogger page.

Off to play thisevening at Aliang & Friends Bar, Taipei so reports etc. to follow. Cheers. Chris C.
posted by Chris at 11:20 AM