After the festival, I finally managed to catch up on my regular work, sort through the photos and videos, and sit down at my desk again, just in time for September and the new school term. Oh no!
Every year, the scheduling of juries and rehearsals drains a huge amount of brainpower in a short time. Even when traveling for performances in China and Korea, I often had my laptop open dealing with festival matters. I’m grateful for the patience and support of both the judges and performers. During the festival, every carefully handwritten comment from the jury and every moment an artist shone on stage became a source of direction and motivation for the many young harmonica players still on their musical journey.
The day before the competition is always about venue setup and welcoming our guests. Sirius members (the setup team), Sara (guest reception), and Ming Hsun from The Duet Music (sound system) split into three groups, each working hard in their own area. Thanks to everyone, all venues were ready in time, so the next day’s competitions and rehearsals could run smoothly. Meanwhile, the scoring team led by Dian-Dian sorted out the evaluation forms and scoring sheets.
THMF isn’t just about competition, it’s also about passing on experience. Aiden & Evelyn’s workshop was full of practical insights. It’s the small, consistent efforts in daily life that keep us rooted in this community.
That evening, beyond the formal welcome dinner, Sara also organised a special food sharing session: each country’s guests brought snacks from home, while Taiwan was represented by fried chicken and Kaoliang liquor. A little alcohol, and suddenly the room came alive — Kaoliang Energy!
After the Kaoliang & beer “baptism” on the first night, the second day began with renewed energy. The venue was already buzzing with students practicing.
In the morning, I repaired Rei’s Laelaps 64. She was actually the very first Laelaps customer back in 2019, and she still uses that harmonica for her concerts today. Six years of heavy playing had left it battle-worn, reeds and valves changed, but some unevenness remained. I gave it a careful overhaul, and when Rei got it back, she was amazed, like she had a brand-new instrument in her hands. If you’re curious, just ask her directly.
At noon, Sirius had its rehearsal in the main hall. Since everyone had different duties and priority was given to the guest artists, our own practice time was limited. Luckily, Ming Hsun from The Duet Music, THMF’s long-time sound engineer, was as professional as ever, quickly solving problems and giving us a sound that felt stable and comfortable on stage.
The THMF midday concert is always a highlight for me. It’s where many creative harmonica players share their ideas, not only in music but also in presentation. After the intensity of the morning competitions, this stage feels relaxed and celebratory, with audiences cheering for their favourite artists and groups. It’s less like a contest and more like a festival, gathering everyone who loves the harmonica in one place.
That evening’s big event was the night market trip requested by Mano san. For our two Japanese artists, it was their first time in Taiwan and their very first night market experience. Everything was new, Taro with his flip-flops appeared to be so "Taiwanese", and we all tried plenty of snacks and even the old ring-toss game. Something so ordinary for us was fresh cultural fun for them.
On the third day, I brought my Erlun students for the orchestra in the open category. Every year, it’s never truly a full team, just whoever is at the festival joining together for the joy of playing on stage. The sound and balance were of course very different from school rehearsals, but the goal was simply to share the fun. Part of the reason we even signed up was thanks to the seniors from Hu Wei High School who had recently won top honours at a music competition. I unexpectedly received some prize money as the nominal “instructor” (though I didn’t actually train them), so I used it to cover the orchestra registration fee. For us, just being able to perform together was enough, any award would be a bonus gift from above.
Now, some thank-yous to the people who made everything possible:
Sara, my long-time partner, took care of all matters related to our international guests, from the moment they landed to their departure, every detail was thoughtfully arranged.
On top of that, she also handled live English interpretation at the closing ceremony, standing beside me on stage. Compared to last year, she was smoother and more confident, speaking in public takes practice, and it’s wonderful to see progress!
Dian-Dian and the scoring team, reliable partners year after year. Not only did they calculate scores quickly after each round, but they also kept spirits up in the jury rest area, creating a friendly atmosphere where judges could discuss and adjust results calmly.
Our judges and mentors, your precise comments are like guiding lights. They encourage while also pointing the younger generation in clearer directions, helping them avoid unnecessary detours.
Nian-En and You-En, our award ceremony assistants, when excited winners rush to the stage, it’s your sharp minds that keep things orderly, passing out certificates, prizes, and trophies at just the right time. I couldn’t do it without you!
All the staff in uniform on site, a deep bow of gratitude to you. It’s your tireless work behind the scenes that makes an event like this possible.
When the lights finally went out in the main hall and we carried the equipment back to the activity center, I realised THMF has now been running for ten years. My youth has been spent here.
Every year I’m amazed at how skilled today’s young harmonica players have become, and relieved that I was born early enough to avoid being crushed by them in competition. More importantly, I look forward to seeing new blood join us, making friends, forming groups, discovering musical styles they love, and standing on stage with confidence. This is what keeps the harmonica world alive and growing.
“Once again this year, we chose to gather everyone in the circle. Will you walk forward with us?”
