Since the organization’s founding in 1967, Santa Clara Vanguard has yet to send an ensemble overseas. That is, until now.

This December, select members of the award-winning drum and bugle corps will travel to Taiwan to perform as part of the Taoyuan International Band Festival.

This festival has been hosted in Taiwan since 2004 and has become one of the most important activities in the city, which is one of the largest in the country.

The trip is set to take place over three days from December 10-12, during which the Vanguard ensemble will participate in a variety of media events, educational demonstrations, DrumLine Battle™ events, and a staged performance representing Drum Corps International at the festival. 

“We are proud of our performance ensembles and honored to be representing DCI as invited guests to this prestigious event,” Santa Clara Vanguard Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Fiedler said.

During their visit to Taiwan, the Vanguard ensemble, which will consist of current corps members, alumni and staff of the organization, will serve as marching music ambassadors representing the highest levels of achievement on the international stage.

The tentative itinerary for the group’s trip currently includes:

Thursday, December 10

• Press conference with Taoyuan City mayor to announce the opening of the festival

Friday, December 11

• Performances and DrumLine Battle demonstrations at local high schools and around city

Saturday, December 12

• Performance at the Taoyuan International Band Festival as the official team of Drum Corps International
• Combined performance with 1,000 local school band students as part of festival’s closing ceremonies

Fiedler says that approximately 40 performers will make the trip next month. The members will gather at the organization’s headquarters in Santa Clara, California, four days prior to the trip to work up a number of routines that will include selections from the drum corps’ 2014 “Scheherazade” production. The group will depart from San Francisco International Airport on way to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on December 8.

Located in northwestern Taiwan and with more than 80 schools within the area with successful band programs, Taoyuan City is a hotbed of marching music.  DCI groups have visisted Taoyuan in the past, including the Blue Devils in December of 2013 and the Blue Knights in May of 2014.

“We’re very excited to have been selected for this performance opportunity and are proud to continue to present the quality and creativity that is found in Drum Corps International, as well as share information and techniques with the rapidly expanding performance arena in Taiwan and all of Asia,” Fiedler said.