Harvard Krokodiloes Captivate Central Taiwan with Landmark Performance at Yuntech
Record-Breaking Attendance Fills YunTai Performance Hall to Capacity
World-Class A Cappella Excellence Brings Together International Artistry and Local Culture
The world-renowned Harvard Krokodiloes, the oldest a cappella singing group at Harvard University, brought their global concert tour to National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (Yuntech) on the evening of June 1, delivering a spectacular performance at the university’s YunTai Performance Hall.
Made possible through the joint efforts of the Chong You Cultural Foundation and Yuntech, the event achieved three notable milestones during the ensemble’s Taiwan tour: the largest audience attendance, with more than 1,400 attendees and a fully occupied venue; the most prestigious performance venue, featuring international-standard acoustics; and the strongest lineup of distinguished guests, including senior government officials, healthcare leaders, and prominent business representatives. The event brought significant international artistic energy to central Taiwan and further elevated Yunlin’s profile within the global cultural and arts community.
An Unforgettable Evening of Music and Cultural Connection
The concert began at 7:00 p.m. with an exciting countdown, setting the stage for an evening of exceptional musical artistry. Twelve Harvard students captivated the audience with their signature blend of pure a cappella vocals and lively choreography, performing a diverse repertoire that included Western folk songs, jazz, and soul classics.
A highlight of the evening was the group’s performance of several Taiwan-exclusive selections, including beloved songs such as Diu Diu Dang A, The Moon Represents My Heart, and Fairy Tale. These performances showcased not only the musicianship of the Harvard students but also their appreciation of local culture and their ability to connect with Taiwanese audiences.
The concert concluded with an enthusiastic encore. On behalf of the group, President William Flintoft presented signed posters and commemorative tour T-shirts to attendees. Yuntech President Prof. Chang Chuan-Yu reciprocated with locally inspired gifts, and both parties commemorated the occasion with a group photograph amid warm applause from the audience.
Distinguished Guests from Government, Industry, and Academia
The event attracted an impressive gathering of leaders from government, industry, and academia. Distinguished attendees included Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-Shan, Deputy Magistrate Chen Pi-Chun, senior county government officials, representatives of the Chong You Cultural Foundation, corporate sponsors, healthcare leaders, educators, alumni, and community members.
Yuntech’s leadership team, headed by President Prof. Chang Chuan-Yu and Vice Presidents Prof. Wu Ming-Chang, Prof. Huang Shih-Hui, and Prof. Chang Ken-Hui, welcomed guests and participants throughout the event. Faculty members, students, and representatives from schools and cultural organizations across Yunlin County also attended, contributing to a vibrant and memorable gathering.
Three Highlights of the Event
A Premier Venue Showcasing Yuntech’s International Standards
The YunTai Performance Hall features world-class acoustics and theater facilities. Its sophisticated multi-faceted reflective design enabled the Harvard Krokodiloes’ signature vocal harmonies to be experienced with exceptional clarity and richness. Members of the ensemble praised the venue as one of the most professional and impressive performance spaces encountered during their tour, reflecting Yuntech’s continued commitment to international excellence in both facilities and educational environments.
Meaningful International Exchange Across Sectors
In addition to the evening concert, Yuntech organized a series of daytime activities that provided opportunities for interaction between Harvard students, Yuntech students, and local youth. Participants engaged in discussions on academic pursuits, campus life, and cross-cultural experiences, fostering mutual understanding and laying the foundation for lasting international friendships.
Inspiring Young People Through Global Perspectives
According to Tang Chiu-Ling, Executive Director of the Chong You Cultural Foundation, the Harvard Krokodiloes have maintained a tradition of global touring for more than 80 years, independently raising funds to support their travels around the world. This spirit of perseverance, initiative, and pursuing dreams aligns closely with the Foundation’s mission of empowering young people. Through this cultural event, the Foundation hopes to inspire students in Taiwan to embrace broader international perspectives and aspirations.
Campus Visit Highlights
Prior to the evening performance, the Harvard Krokodiloes visited Yuntech on the afternoon of June 1. The visit began with a surprise flash performance in the courtyard of the College of Humanities and Applied Sciences, attracting enthusiastic audiences from the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation and the Department of Applied Foreign Languages.
The group then toured several specialized laboratories within the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation, including facilities dedicated to oil painting conservation, paper restoration, painted wood conservation, and textile preservation. The visitors expressed great interest in Yuntech’s expertise in cultural heritage preservation and gained valuable insights into Taiwan’s achievements in this field.
The visit also featured lively interactions with student organizations. Yuntech students welcomed the guests with performances by the Cheerleading Club, K-POP Dance Club, and Piano Club, creating an energetic and engaging atmosphere. Informal conversations and a tea gathering hosted by the Coffee and Tea Culture Club further encouraged cultural exchange and friendship among students from both institutions.
Building Bridges Through Music and Culture
The event, organized by the Chong You Cultural Foundation and co-hosted by National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, concluded successfully amid enthusiastic applause and repeated encore requests from the audience.
Beyond delivering an unforgettable musical experience, the Harvard Krokodiloes’ visit served as a meaningful cultural bridge connecting local and international communities. Through the support of the Chong You Cultural Foundation and Yuntech, Yunlin’s rich cultural heritage was introduced to an international audience while world-class artistic excellence was brought to central Taiwan. The event left a lasting impression on participants and planted seeds of international friendship, cultural appreciation, and artistic exploration.
Following their successful performance in Yunlin, the Harvard Krokodiloes continued their Taiwan tour with upcoming visits to Xitou and Tainan.
Organizing Unit: Office of Student Affairs
Dean of Student Affairs: Prof. Lin Lan-Tung
Contact Person: Chen Chin-Ying
Tel: +886-5-534-2601 ext. 2301