Senior High School's Marching Bands Go Rival 「橘色惡魔」到「玫瑰遊行」 高中樂儀旗隊受矚

The "Orange Devils" from Japan was  invited to take part in Taiwan's National Day parade last year. Their jaw-dropping show at the celebration has won them millions of Taiwanese fans overnight. They will also appear on the new years eve special program in Taiwan on the 21st. Meanwhile, the marching band from Taipei's First Girls High School was invited for the first time in 18 years to participate in the Rose Parade in Southern California. 

Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School's marching band got a big round of applause at the celebration ceremony for the 2022 Double Ten National Day in Taiwan. This band, the so-called "Orange Devils" is the regular champion of the band competition in Japan and worldwide. 

Taiwan's Taipei First Girl High School's honor guards, marching band, and color guards also have a glorious history. It was established in 1958, 1963, and 1997 respectively. The performance mostly consists of military music, but American pop music has been adopted in the past 20 years. The team was invited again to participate in the 134th Rose Parade in Los Angeles, U.S. after 18 years. Along the parade routes, they got a warm welcome from spectators, Taiwanese compatriots, and foreign visitors. Their last destination in the U.S. was to perform in Disneyland. With more smiles, gestures, and hands waving hello from these girls, this time, their performance was really different. 

Chien Yi-shan, Leader, TFGMHC: “We'll study when we're commuting, or when we are resting in the hotel.”

The girls brought their books on the trip to prepare for the upcoming exams. Some students in the third grade have to take GAST as soon as they're back in Taiwan. Under the pressure of the college entrance exams, some students and parents are worried that the training may affect their academic performance. The low birth rate and the diversity of high school clubs also force the bands to face the impacts of downsizing. In recent years, auditions are no longer needed when joining the team. From the military band to a "school band," high school marching bands, honor guards, and color guards have become a club.

Ray Jiang, Director of "Marching Boys": “You can think of it as a martial art, as a competition, but they are competing against themselves, and the marching band is showing the audience the power of their performance.”

Other high school bands in Taiwan are also going through some challenges. The movie "Marching Boys" which is currently securing funding, talks about the hard work and dedication marching band members often endure. The aim of the film is trying to break out of the traditional frame and seek the best opportunities for innovation.

111年中華民國國慶大典，首度邀請了來自日本京都的橘高校吹奏部，來台演出。被稱為「橘色惡魔」的她們，不僅在日本就是比賽常勝軍，優秀的表演實力更是揚名國際，女孩帶著青春燦爛的笑容，踏著精神抖擻又整齊的步伐，演奏的樂曲更是震撼人心，旋即在台灣引起一陣風潮。

不只橘高校的學生們，台灣也有歷史悠久、實力堅強的北一女樂儀旗隊。儀隊穩健的步伐和帥氣俐落的槍法、樂隊旗隊魅力四射的活潑樣貌，成立數十年間廣受大家喜愛，也一直是國內外知名的表演隊伍。北一女樂隊、儀隊、旗隊分成立於1958年、1963年和1997年，原先是從軍樂隊、軍儀隊演變而來，一直到近20年才融入美式樂團風格。

北一女樂儀旗隊睽違18年，再度獲得美國邀請，代表台灣參加2023帕莎蒂娜玫瑰花車遊行。十天行程，總共有三場演出，最後一場參與美國迪士尼樂園的遊行表演，成員們在觀眾們的簇擁下走完全程，精彩的演出也備受國內外媒體盛讚。這次的表演，也與先前有些許不同，女孩們在行徑中加入了一些手勢，也多了很多笑容。

北一女樂儀旗隊隊長簡宜珊說：「在通勤的時候，或者是在飯店休息的時候，可以拿出書來寫然後複習。」

而遠赴美國表演的北一女學生們，一回台便要迎接期末考及學測，每個人的包包裡都帶滿課本和講義。 在升學考試的壓力下，樂儀旗隊平時訓練的高強度無疑是會讓有些學生和家長擔憂的。少子化的趨勢，使得從前人數眾多、氣勢磅礡的隊伍逐漸縮編；而如今高中社團多元化發展，也讓曾經需要透過層層甄選才能入隊的隊伍，轉型成無須加入門檻的社團。雖然每每站上舞台的樂儀旗隊伍，看上去都是相當活力耀眼，但背後練習及經營的辛苦鮮為人知。

電影「進行曲」導演姜瑞智表示：「你可以把他想像成是種武打，是種競技，但他們是在跟自我競賽，行進管樂是要怎麼樣讓觀眾看到，他震撼人心的地方在哪裡。」

不僅是北一女中等學校，台灣的高中生樂儀旗隊，都是經過一場場革新和改變，方走至今天。高中的樂儀旗隊如何跳脫體制，發展成現在的樣貌，又如何傳承與延續下去，可能也面臨許多考驗。