The sweet sound of music - Thai music

THE WELL-FOUNDED fears that Thai classical music would die out in an era ruled by pop and hip-hop have finally been laid to rest thanks to the efforts of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to spread the sound around the world.

“Almost 30 years have passed since the Princess distributed our music to the world and promoted the founding of music clubs in many different countries. In the US today, just about every state offers lessons in Thai classical music. In France Thai classical music concerts are sell-outs. Yet, this is never published in the domestic media,” says Sirichaicharn Fachamroon, president of the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute.

Youngsters in Thailand are also enthusiastic about learning the traditional string and wind instruments as evidenced by the sounds emanating from the Kukrit Institute a few weeks back as kids prepared for the Thai classical music contest, “Prachan Lila Banleng Phleng Khitasin” organised by the 80th Kukrit Foundation under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The youth competition (junior high and high school) for string instrument (solo) and gamelan orchestra (duel) to win the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn trophy serves as a platform to showcase the children’s musical skills while allowing for exchanges of experience among music institutes.

The winner of this year’s contest was Pornponrat band from Triamudom Suksa School, who topped the rankings in two categories.

Sirichaicharn was delighted by the large number of young hopefuls taking part in this year’s competition, a fact he puts down to an improved and more modern learning method that allows both teachers and kids to use smartphone technology to assist in practice.

“The young people who play Thai classical music take great pride in themselves because not many people can master this skill. They are confident about carrying their Thai classical musical instruments to school and think it is cool that friends admire their musical ability,” he says.

Music institutes are also adding Thai classical music to their curriculum, with 30 higher education facilities now offering classes. The public too is more open to the genre, lending their support to contests and this in turn motivates young Thais.

“I grew up with Thai classical music as both my parents played Thai instruments. I chose to be a vocalist because my mother taught me how to speak and produce sound correctly, which is very much to my advantage. When I joined the Thai classical music club at school, I was picked to be the vocalist and this has helped my technique. I practise every day,” says Nunnapat Umkrit, a Grade 11 student and member of the Pornponrat band of Triamudom Suksa School.

“I began playing the khlui (flute) when I was in the third year of primary school and practised until I liked it. The khlui is hard to play, as it requires proper breathing,” adds Pongsatorn Mingchai (Grade 6), a khlui phiang aw musician with the Prachin Ratsadorn Amroong School band.

“I started playing western music but didn’t like it that much. Then I switched to Thai music and although it was hard, I managed to master it. I particularly like the sor U because it has such an enchanting contralto voice. I’ve been playing and practising since I was in grade 7 and hope to major in music teaching at Chulalongkorn University, which has special direct admission. If I graduate, I may become a music teacher or do something else in the Thai classical music field ,” says Supawadee Samanworakij, a grade 12 student at Satri Si Suriyothai School.

But while Thai music has been saved, more work is needed to change the perception that it is old-fashioned. Traditional it may be, but it is also unique and therein lies its beauty.