PUZANGALAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Puzangalan Children’s Choir was founded in Majia Township, the northeast of Pingtung County in southern Taiwan in 2008. The choir is fabricated with children of Taiwanese aboriginal tribe “Paiwan”. These indigenous children have naturally fabulous voices, and they are disciplined and taught with Paiwan traditional songs. It is not only for cultural inheritance, but also to let the children get to know more about their own culture. Moreover, the aim of the choir is to spread the happiness around the audience with their beautiful singing. Furthermore, expecting that singing can give children hopes, therefore, the choir is named “Puzangalan”, which, in Paiwan language, means “Hope”. Puzangalan Children’s Choir is eulogized “the most beautiful voice in Taiwan”. Since the choir was established, the choir has participated in several competitions and performances, as it is an educational method to make children have confidence and self-identity, and encourage them to focus on learning. Furthermore, it also makes children feel that learning can be such diverse, and brings them up with a wonderful and delightful way. The Puzangalan Children’s Choir has been awarded “Gold Medal First Prize” of the Youth Category in the Competition of the 10th China Choral Festival and the 2nd Xinghai International Choral Festival (2010), and “Gold Medal First Prize” of Children Category of The China. The choir has been awarded with Gold Diploma of Children Category of Musica Eterna a Roma 8th International Choir Festival and Competition (2017) and has been awarded with Gold Diploma of Children Category and Best female soloist and Best choreography of 1st LEONARDO DA VINCI International Choral Festival (2017). International Chorus Festival and IFCM World Choral Summit (2012), as well as 3 times of First Prize in National Students Competition of Music, and 2 times of First Prize of the Aboriginal Children Category in the National Native Ballad Competition. The Puzangalan Children’s Choir has performed in prestigious events, such as The 29th Japan Choral Association KODOMO (Children) Chorus Festival (Hiroshima, 2015), The 34th Georg Friedrich Händel International Children‘s Choir Festival (Germany, 2013), The 4th Dresden International Children Choir Festival (Germany, 2012), The Taipei International Choral Festival (Taipei, 2011 ~ 2014), The 103rd Anniversary Ceremony of the National Taiwan Museum (Taipei, 2011), among others.
Conductor
Sheng-Ying Wu
Muni Takivaljit is a Paiwan tribe member. She was born in Pingtung County, Taiwan, and graduated from the music department of Tainan University of Technology, majored in vocal music. She once participated in the ISME (International Society for Music Education) 2000 Music Festival held in Canada. During her academic life, she was supported by a scholarship especially designed for aboriginal students. She is currently the conductor of Puzangalan Children’s Choir, and also leading a children’s choir at Timur Elementary School in Pingtung County. Muni Takivaljit is specialized in interpreting ancient aboriginal tunes with modern choir singing, by mixing the beauty of ancient chants with contemporary musical styles. Such interpretations are becoming increasingly popular in Taiwan. Since the founding of Puzangalan Children’s Choir in 2008, she led the ensemble to win three prizes of excellence in nation-wide choir competitions (in 2010, 2011 and 2012). The ensemble also won the gold prize in 2010 at the 10th China International Chorus Festival and 2nd Xinghai International Choral Festival’s in 2010 in the youth category. She also won the first prize in the 11th China International Chorus Festival in 2012 for the children category. Muni Takivaljit was awarded the Special Prize for Excellent Conducting Performance at the 11th China International Chorus Festival in 2012 and the International Children’s Choir Festival "Georg Friedrich Händel" in 2013.
