The following is a letter to Federal Way Public Schools superintendent Dr. Tammy Campbell:

What an incredible trip the Decatur High School Jazz Band experienced in Taiwan, Oct. 17-22! As the only non-Federal Way School District employee accompanying the band, I’d like to share some of my observations.

Decatur’s 19 accomplished musicians first performed flawlessly at the Taichung International Jazz Festival to an enthusiastic crowd. Later they performed alongside the National Taiwan University Riot Jazz Orchestra as well as other renowned jazz musicians at Taipei’s historic Riverside Live House.

Another special highlight was a collaborative performance with the talented students at the Taichung School for the Visually Impaired where the group experienced playing blindfolded and learned about the sheng, an elaborate and difficult Taiwanese bamboo instrument. It was heartwarming to watch the mutual respect and admiration develop between the student groups in a short period of time. Once the music program was completed, our students thoroughly enjoyed participating in goalball, a sporting event specifically designed for the blind in which they were once again blindfolded during the event.

Decatur students were immersed in as much Taiwanese culture as our time permitted. With the guidance of a professional tour guide, as well as the expertise of band director Jeff Chang, we visited the Taipei Baoan Temple, Taipei Confucius Temple, The Taipei National Museum, Taipei 101, various night markets, an artists’ park and witnessed a colorful traditional parade. The people of Taiwan were welcoming and gracious: Taiwan’s food is fabulous and the students sampled and ate enthusiastically.

Thank you, Dr. Campbell, for your support and that of the districts’ and a special thank you to the parents, band boosters and community. Band director Jeff Chang deserves the highest accolades for the many, many hours of planning, organizing and preparing the students to perform with the highest degree of excellence and professionalism. Every detail was absolutely perfect resulting in a trip of a lifetime. To the parents, Decatur High School and school district as well as the entire community: be proud of your students who represented you with such excellence throughout the trip. One would hope that this amazing educational opportunity was only the beginning of many more in the future.

Sandy Cofer

Federal Way