Taiping: The Taiping International Youth Marching Band Festival 2026, now in its second year, is targeting over 20,000 visitors during the two-day event on June 13 and 14. Deputy Minister of Education and Taiping member of parliament Wong Kah Woh said the target is well within reach, following an encouraging response last year that drew about 20,000 people.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the festival will bring together marching band ensembles from six countries, including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Japan, as part of efforts to establish Taiping as an international youth performing arts destination. "This festival is not just a platform for marching band performances, but also a valuable opportunity for our young people to share experiences and perform alongside international teams," he told reporters at a press conference today.
He added that such experiences are crucial for raising the performance standards of local marching bands. International participants include the Santa Maria de Bethania Marching Show Band from the Philippines, the Chopiar Drumline and the Vigor Marching Band from Hong Kong, Padang Lawas Maju Marching Band from Indonesia, and the Senshu University Kumamoto Tamana High School Ventures Performing and Arts Band from Japan.
Wong added that the festival places a strong emphasis on nurturing local youth talent, especially from Taiping, with three local school bands taking part: Hua Lian High School, Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) Hua Lian, and SMK King Edward VII. They will be joined by several other top Malaysian school marching bands, including SMJK Nan Hwa Marching Band, SMJK Sam Tet Marching Band, Sri Kuala Lumpur International School Wind Band, SMK Puteri Seremban Marching Band and SMJK Hua Lian Brass Band.
The programme will be held at two iconic locations, Dataran Warisan on June 13 and the oldest public market in the country, Pasar Awam Taiping on June 14. He explained that these venues were chosen not only for their capacity to accommodate large crowds but also to showcase Taiping's unique heritage to out-of-town visitors.
The idea for the festival first arose in 2023 during Taiping's 150th anniversary celebrations as a heritage town, he noted, and it has since evolved into an international community event supported by NGOs, schools, government agencies and the private sector. "We want to bring the world to Taiping, and at the same time bring Taiping to the world," he said, confirming that Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming will officially launch the festival on June 13.