Tsung-Wen Kao

Trombone

Tsung-Wen Kao holds a Master of Music from Taipei National University of the Arts. At the age of 17, Kao was inspired by Chung-Hao Huang, the principal trombone of National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra and studied trombone. In 1997, he was recommended for admission to the Department of Music at National Institute of the Arts (renamed Taipei National University of the Arts in 2001). He majored in trombone, and studied with John van Deursen, the Canadian conductor and trombonist, then, and completed his Master’s studies under the tutelage of Chia-Jung Tsai from 2009 to 2012 at the same school.

Currently, Mr. Kao serves as a trombonist in Taiwan Soloist Symphony Orchestra, Kaohsiung City Wind Orchestra, and Tainan Symphony Orchestra. He also teaches for Gifted and Talented Music Programs and supervises clubs at various schools in Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung.

In 1999, Mr. Kao was awarded First Place for Excellence Award at the Adult Division Trombone Solo in the Competition of Music around Taiwan. In 2002, he joined Ministry of National Defense Symphony Orchestra to fulfill the mandatory military service and was awarded the outstanding soldier of national army in 2003. From 2004 to 2014, he served as a trombonist in Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra. In 2005, Kao played Grondahl’s Trombone Concerto along with Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra. In 2008, he won` First Prize of the solo competition in Summer Trombone Workshop (STW). In 2010, he performed F. DAVID’s Trombone Concerto with Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra Youth Orchestra. In 2013, he gave his solo trombone recitals in Taipei, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung while in 2015, he performed his solo trombone recitals in Kaohsiung and Chiayi. In 2017, Chiayi City Government invited Mr. Kao to perform a solo in the 228 Incident Memorial Concert.