Challenges Faced by the Taiwanese Civil Orchestra from the Perspective of the Development and Transformation of the Western Orchestra

• Main Authors: Yu-Guang Cai, 蔡宇光
• Other Authors: 顏綠芬
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/nvvc66

碩士 === 國立臺北藝術大學 === 音樂學研究所 === 104 === The orchestra is no doubt one of the most prevailing indicators of Western civilization, and also one of the most magnificent organized activities in the history of music. But as time went by, at the turn of the 21st century, most orchestras faced financial challenges with lasting effects spanning the 1990s – 2000s. While some have overcome the difficulties of the two decades, dozens of once successful orchestras have been bogged down in the economic mire, or in the worst cases, faced permanent closure. These monetary obstacles have appeared not only in the world of the Western orchestra, but are also being faced by the Taiwanese civil (privately-owned) orchestra, with similar consequences. This thesis’ objective is to provide a solution to the dilemmas, financial and otherwise, being encountered by the Taiwanese civil orchestra, using examples set by the Western world. Beginning with a discussion of modern orchestral history, I will be examining the transformation of the American orchestra, focusing on its operational obstacles and resolutions. Ideas stemming from these case studies in conjunction with the principles of “learning organization”, a process by which companies reform its values and operations constantly, pave a new path for the modern orchestra. Two Taiwanese civil orchestras, the oldest existing Taiwanese civil orchestra, Taipei Century Symphony Orchestra (1968), and a much younger group, Philharmonia Moments Musicaux (1998), will serve as the primary examples in the discussion of challenges faced by Taiwanese civil orchestras. In conclusion, I propose 10 fundamental principles by which the modern orchestra should operate, in hopes of facilitating orchestral organizations and sponsors in navigating difficulties in the changing musical landscape.