竹塹在清雍正元年（1723）成為淡水廳廳治所在，此後一直是臺灣北部的 行政中心，或是桃竹苗的區域中心；北管約在乾嘉年間傳入臺灣，此後長期是 民間娛樂、儀式及慶典表演的重要部分；竹塹北管子弟軒社，位處盛行北管的 中部及北部之間，雖然數量不多，但仍具有區域發展的特色。本文在相關報導 及研究的基礎上，不再關注特定的子弟團，而試圖以竹塹城市發展的脈絡，考 察北管子弟軒社的活動，全文共分三部分：第一部分討論子弟軒社的起源年代， 由「同樂軒」建軒120 週年的紀念匾額，論其成立於道光20 年（1840）當屬可 信，由此，竹塹子弟軒社之始，較目前所傳咸豐年間上推10 餘年。第二部分討 論子弟軒社的空間分佈，日治時期竹塹的軒社明顯集中於城區，且以北門一帶， 由紳商支持的「新樂軒」，與歷史悠久，後遷至南門一帶活動的「同樂軒」為首， 在軒社活動、元宵拚花燈，多呈南北爭鋒之勢。第三部分討論子弟軒社的演出 盛況，相較於一般子弟團難得演出一次，竹塹子弟軒社演出頻繁且遠赴外地， 日治時期甚至因拚臺而有機關佈景、金光劍氣等變化，1990 年代復振之後，又 屢登臺演出，堪稱具有子弟戲的傳統。本文最後，除總括全文，並以竹塹子弟 軒社現況作結。

Chuchien was where the Danshuei Prefecture was located in 1723; since then, Chuchien has been a political center of Northern Taiwan. Peikuan, a form of musical performance that includes vocal and instrumental music, has also been utilized in opera performances. It was first introduced to Taiwan from Fujian Province during the Chienlung-Chiaching period (1736-1821) of the Ching Dynasty, and has been integrated into folk entertainment, ceremony, and celebration. This paper focuses on the activities of the Peikuan amateur troupes in Chuchien. First, it explores the origin of the amateurs; the Tunglehsuan (同樂軒) was the earliest troupe, believed to be established in 1840. Secondly, it discusses the physical locations where these Peikuan troupes were situated: most troupes were housed in downtown Chuchien. During the Japanese-occupied period, there were two rival groups: troupe Hsinlehsuan (新樂軒) dominated the South Gate area, whereas troupe Tunglehsuan (同樂軒) ruled the North Gate area. locally in Chuchien, as well as toured many places; it may be said with the tradition of putting on a show. When compared with the use of props and the performing style of Peikuan troupes in other regions, the troupes in Chuchien appeared to be more urbanized.