2025.09.09

Today marked the official relaunch of the ZyXEL Auditorium, which was celebrated with a ceremony attended by university leaders and distinguished guests.From left: Director of NTHU's Department of Music, Wei-Lung Lee (李威龍); Vice Presidents Hsiang-Kuang Chang (張祥光) and Ping-Chiang Lyu (呂平江); President W. John Kao (高為元); ZyXEL Group Chairman Shun-I Chu (朱順一); ZyXEL Foundation Deputy CEO Pin-Jie Chu (朱品潔); ZyXEL Foundation Project Manager Ling-Yi Song (宋宜玲); and Dean of the College of Arts and Director of the Auditorium, Fang-Yu Chang (張芳宇).

 

The ZyXEL Auditorium at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan reopens with a stunning new look, ready to welcome audiences back to the Hsinchu arts scene.

 

In celebration of its relaunch, the second annual "NTHU Mid-Autumn Odes to the Moon Concert Series" has expanded its scale, offering seven performances from September 13th to October 18th, up from five last year.

 

The series showcases the rich diversity of music, bringing together celebrated artists and NTHU's own faculty and students for a variety of concerts, including choral and instrumental works, joint performances, an outdoor folk music party, and a lakeside concert featuring wind instruments.

 

NTHU President W. John Kao (高為元) noted that the ZyXEL Auditorium holds a special place in the hearts of the NTHU community. "It has been part of our collective memory, having hosted everything from film festivals and student club showcases to numerous Diwali celebrations; it holds deep significance for our faculty and students alike," he said.

 

President Kao expressed his gratitude for the ZyXEL Group's longstanding commitment to education. He specifically highlighted the invaluable support of ZyXEL Chairman Shun-I Chu (朱順一), which has benefited countless NTHU students and underprivileged scholars over the years through scholarships and various charitable initiatives.

 

This legacy of support continues today with the revitalization of the auditorium. "The past represents the first chapter in this movement, and today we turn the page to the second. The relaunch of the ZyXEL Auditorium marks a new beginning and perfectly sets the stage for our Mid-Autumn Odes to the Moon Concert Series," President Kao stated.

 

Chu spoke of his deep connection to NTHU: "My childhood home was next to NTHU. I essentially grew up alongside the university and watched it develop." He recalled that about 25 years ago, he was invited by former NTHU President Chung-Laung Liu (劉炯朗) to help refurbish the university's First Lecture Hall into what is now the ZyXEL Auditorium, a vital venue for campus events.

 

After the auditorium was closed due to the pandemic, suffering from water leaks and termite damage, Chu decided to support its refurbishment once again. "I hope to upgrade it into a more comfortable and professional space that can host a wider range of high-quality performances and events," he said.

 

Chu also expressed his hope that the ZyXEL Auditorium will continue to serve as a hub for arts and culture for the university's faculty and students, as well as the wider Hsinchu community, making it a shared cultural landmark for all of Taiwan.

 

The comprehensive refurbishment of the auditorium included upgrading the peripheral drainage, replacing the walls and flooring, and modernizing the stage lighting, sound, air conditioning, and electrical systems.

 

In addition, the renovation encompassed improvements to the backstage facilities and the implementation of new accessibility enhancements. The auditorium now has 208 seats, including five wheelchair-accessible spaces. Following its reopening, it will serve as the main venue for the Mid-Autumn Odes to the Moon Concert Series.

 

The grand reopening, with its premiere "Echo" on September 13th, features a joint performance by the NTHU Choir and Hsinchu's Yi-Fong Chamber Choir. This collaboration directly echoes Chairman Chu's vision of supporting the development of local arts and cultural groups.

 

On September 19th, "Love and Rhapsody" will showcase a distinctive lecture-concert led by Tian Tian (田甜), Head of Piano at Oakland University in the United States. The event will delve into Brahms's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, exploring the composer's narrative and connection with Clara Schumann.

 

On September 25th, Musical Legacy 2 will carry forward last year's tradition of faculty-student performances. The concert will feature Director of NTHU's Department of Music, pianist Wei-Lung Lee (李威龍), and lecturer Yong-Jei Hsu (許詠傑), performing a program of chamber music alongside students. Highlights will include Bellini's opera I puritani and selections from Schumann's Piano Quintet.

 

A highlight of the evening will be the return of alumnus Yi-Ting Chen (陳亭屹), a talented baritone who graduated from NTHU's Department of Music. While Chen began his musical journey in high school with popular music, he later shifted to classical Bel Canto with guidance from Dean of the College of Arts Fang-Yu Chang (張芳宇).

 

His exceptional talent earned him a full scholarship for his doctoral studies at Michigan State University, and he has since performed on numerous international stages. His return to campus to perform is a testament to the outstanding outcomes of NTHU's arts education.

 

Dean of the College of Arts and Director of the Auditorium, Fang-Yu Chang (張芳宇), stated that the Mid-Autumn Odes to the Moon Concert Series is now in its second year and has expanded in scope and venue.

 

The events will extend from the ZyXEL Auditorium to the University Green, the Hall of Fame, Lake Success, and even the Hsinchu City Performance Hall, reaching beyond the campus and into the city. "We hope that art can bridge generations and communities, becoming a shared cultural memory for both NTHU and Hsinchu," she said.

 

On September 16th, "Starting with Strings" will take the stage at the Hsinchu City Performance Hall. The performance will feature two distinguished musicians: a laureate of the 2015 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition, William Wei (魏靖儀), and the silver medalist and audience prize winner of the 6th Sendai International Music Competition, Yi-Wen Wang (汪奕聞). Together, they will showcase the rich diversity of 20th-century music, from tango to blues and jazz.

 

On October 1st, the retro folk song party "A Song for Youth" will be held on NTHU's campus lawn. The event will feature giant illuminated moon-shaped balloons and glowing star-shaped hand lights, creating a magical starlit atmosphere on the grass.

 

The performance will feature special guest A-Miao (阿廟), renowned guitarist for Jam Hsiao's (蕭敬騰) band LION, alongside a group of talented pop musicians. Together, they will unveil newly arranged versions of beloved classics such as "Kapok Road," "The Way You Are Tender," "Olive Tree," "Hometown in Lukang," and "Tomorrow Will Be Better," each reimagined with fresh, creative elements.

 

The performance on the campus lawn, under the moonlight, will allow the audience to rediscover the soundtrack of their youth.

 

On October 8th, Splendid Baroque—Masquerade will be staged at NTHU's Hall of Fame, featuring Japanese dancer Julie Iwasa (茱莉·岩佐) in collaboration with the NTHU Recorder Ensemble. Blending Baroque dance, period instruments, and historical costumes, the performance offers an immersive music and dance experience.

 

Finalizing this year's lineup, "Lakeside Time Machine - From Turandot to Jurassic Park" will premiere on October 18th by the shores of Lake Success. Building on last year's acclaim, the NTHU Symphonic Band will perform a diverse repertoire.

 

The program includes pieces by film score master John Williams (約翰威廉斯), such as the "Theme from Jurassic Park" and "The Cowboys Overture," as well as Puccini's famous aria from Turandot, the title song from the musical The Sound of Music, and the globally beloved classic "Time to Say Goodbye," famously sung by Andrea Bocelli (安德烈·波切利).

 

This unique event will also feature projections on a semi-transparent screen and a sophisticated lighting design, creating a poetic journey through time under the moonlight.

 

The Mid-Autumn Odes to the Moon Concert Series is presented by the Preparatory Office of Junshan Concert Hall, in collaboration with the College of Arts and the Department of Music, and generously supported by the NTHU Alumni Association.

 

All performances are free and open to the public. However, tickets are required for some events and can be reserved. For more information, please call (03)571-5131 ext. 42899.

On September 13th, the Yi-Fong chamber choir and the NTHU choir will present “Echo” as the inaugural performance at the reopened ZyXEL Auditorium at NTHU.

Musical Legacy 2 will carry forward last year's tradition of faculty-student performances in the reopening ceremony for the ZyXEL Auditorium. From left: NTHU's Department of Music lecturer, Yong-Jei Hsu (許詠傑); Director of the Department of Music, Wei-Lung Lee (李威龍); and master student, Chia-Wei Ma (馬家偉).

President Kao stated that the reopening of the ZyXEL Auditorium symbolizes the start of a "second movement," which also sets the stage for the Mid-Autumn Odes to the Moon Concert Series.

The ZyXEL Group Chairman, Shun-I Chu (朱順一), expressed his deep connection to NTHU. He hopes that the upgraded auditorium will become a vibrant hub for arts and culture, serving both the NTHU community and the citizens of Hsinchu.

The reopening ceremony for the ZyXEL Auditorium took place today, with university leaders and guests present to witness the event.

The ZyXEL Auditorium reopens today after renovations, now offering 208 seats.

The newly renovated VIP lounge at the ZyXEL Auditorium offers performers a more comfortable and well-equipped space to prepare.

The ZyXEL Auditorium at NTHU adds a ramp to improve accessibility.

On October 8, the Mid-Autumn Odes to the Moon Concert Series brings Splendid Baroque—Masquerade to the NTHU Hall of Fame.