The marching band from Taipei First Girls’ High School is back in Taiwan after an 11-day visit to the U.S. The trip was a rare opportunity for the 127 students, with performances at the prestigious Rose Parade and in Disneyland. Students say it was an unforgettable experience despite the hard work keeping the show running. But for some there was no time to relax after returning to Taiwan. At the airport, some students were already in their uniforms, ready to go straight to class.

After 11 days in the U.S., the marching band from Taipei First Girls High School landed back in Taiwan on Friday morning. Right after touchdown, some students put on their uniforms and headed to school. After all, their finals are just around the corner.

Marching band member
Taipei First Girls High School
Over in the U.S., after the show, I went home, took a shower and went back to my books. The best thing was that on the street, people would scream our country’s name, and cheer for us.

Marching band member
Taipei First Girls High School
People there were very kind. They would say “Welcome Taiwan” and things like that. They thanked us for going there.

It was hard work to put on such energetic performances and sacrificing their free time to study, but the students say it was all worth it.

They say it was an experience for the books. The 127-member strong marching band was invited to take part in the 9-kilometer Rose Parade, held to celebrate the New Year in the Californian city of Pasadena.

Marching band member
Taipei First Girls High School
I was in charge of the quints, which are quite heavy. They weigh about 14 kilograms.

Chen Chih-yuan
Taipei First Girls High School principal
The musical director told me that it was an outstanding cadre. They estimate there were about 750,000 people watching that day.

Besides the main performance at the Rose Parade, the marching band also filed along the fantastical streets of Disneyland. The rainy weather did not put a damper on the performer’s playful spirit.

The superb performance was well received by audience, bringing pride to Taiwanese at home and abroad. It was such a momentous occasion, that a pilot who was previously the head of the school’s parent-teacher association requested his airline to let him fly the students across the ocean.

Tsai Wu-kung
China airlines pilot
My child graduated last year. I’ve been seeing how the marching band has been training over the past year, and I was really touched. So I wanted to be part of this great opportunity for all the kids. It has been a true honor in my pilot career.

For the first time in 18 years, the high schools marching band was once again able to shine on the international stage. Showing to the U.S. just how fun and energetic Taiwan can be.