Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra
Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra was founded during the administration of Professor Emeritus Dr. Kasem Suwanakul with a budget allocated from 1988 university revenue. The debut concert was given as part of the university’s 73rd anniversary. In 1990, under the administration of Professor Emeritus Dr. Charas Suwanwela, the late Princess Galyani Vadhana presided over the orchestra concert and accepted the orchestra under her royal patronage.
The operational budget for the orchestra in the early years was supported by Bangkok Bank until 1997, when Professor Emeritus Dr. Tianchai Kirananda added the orchestra as one of the activities funded by Funds for Art and Cultural Preservation of the university. Subsequently, in 1998 Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra was operated by Office of Art and Cultural Management in accordance to the university’s mission to increase the visibility of Western music activities of the university in the international level. The symphony orchestra committee was appointed to drive the orchestra to the university’s goal. Associate Professor Colonel Choochart Pitaksakorn, National Artist in Western Music Performance and University Artist was invited to chair the committee as Music Director. Other committee members are faculty members from Faculty of Education (Department of Music Education) and Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts.
Vision
To develop, support and produce musicians as a musical earning source and music hub for the society.
Mission
Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra gives two major concerts annually to equip music students of the university with integrated experiences of music history, theory, individua; and ensemble skills, and concert experience through rehearsals and performances under music faculty members and guest conductors. The past conductors are Assistant Professor Colonel Choochart Pitaksakorn, Professor Dr. Weerachat Premananda, Associate Professor Tongsuang Israngkul Na Ayudhaya, Jame Yanatos, Isao Matsushita, and Koji Kawamoto. Conductors in Residence are Assistant Professor Dr. Nora-ath Chamklum and Dr. Pawasut Piriyapongrat. The repertoire performed, mainly masterpieces of world-class composers, is selected with the student musicians’ best learning experience in mind.
In addition to the orchestral performance, Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra also performs in smaller ensembles to develop the students’ smaller ensemble skills. These ensembles are CU String Orchestra, Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Concert Choir, Saxophone Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. The most unconventional and unique ensemble is CU Viola Ensemble ‘The Viola Lovers’, founded by Assistant Professor Colonel Choochart Pitaksakorn, which is the only viola ensemble in Asia.
Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra also organizes workshops, lectures, master classes regularly. These activities include yearly events Chulalongkorn University Choral Festival, Thailand Youth Choral Camp. It also supports both inbound and outbound musical and cultural exchanges through Music Connections Program as well.
Chulalongkorn University String Orchestra
Chulalongkorn University String Orchestra is part of Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra under the Office of Art and Cultural Management, Chulalongkorn University. The ensemble was established and had its debut in a concert series, repertoire is generally Western Classical Music, Thai Classical Music and Thai Old Popular Music, which an intention to set the ensemble apart from Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra
Program
Lao Joi Anonymous
Lao Charoen Si Anonymous
Sukhothai Dance Montri Tramote
Sri Nuan Puy Bapuyavas
Lao Kratop Mai (Bamboo Thai Tap Dance) Montri Tramote
Lao Siang Tian Anonymous
Soke Pama Prasidh Silapabanleng
Lao Duang Duen Prince Benbadhanabongse
Assawaleela (The Horse’s Gait) Montri Tramote
Ngoh Dance (Sakai’s Dance) Noraath Chanklum
Combined with Members from Orkestra Kuala Lumpur
Ton Vorachate Luang Pradit Phairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng)
Ayam Den Lapeh
Kang Kao Kin Kluay (Bat Eats Banana) Thai Traditional
Ruaichai Sae-Ngow Concertmaster
Nora-ath Chanklum Conductor, Arranger
Choochart Pitaksakorn Music Director
Nora-ath started his conducting lessons with Richard Hornich at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, USA. After graduating his master’s degree, he joined the faculty member of the Department of Music, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, and Academic Affair at the KPN Music Academy. He furthered his conducting studies with Assistant Professor Col. Choochart Pitaksakorn and regularly received advice on conducting form Dr. Pradhak Pradipasen.
In addition to playing the violin, his major instrument, Nora-ath continues his conducting activities in various kinds of music, including compositions by Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky, Darius Milhaud, Ottorino Respighi etc. He also conducted and directed Gian Carlo Menotti’s Opera, The Medium.
In 2004, he was awarded a scholarship from Chulalongkorn University to study conducting with Michael Jinbo at the Pierre Monteux School of Conducting, Mains, USA. After having finished the course, he has regularly appeared as conductor with the Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and also as guest conductor with the National Symphony Orchestra. In 2006 Noraath was invited as guest conductor at the Yong Seaw Taw Conservatory, National University of Singapore and also as a jury for the conservatory’s concerto competition. In 2007 his violin solo recording “Tri” was awarded the Best Instrumental Recording by Khom Chud Luek magazine.
Currently, Nora-ath is a resident conductor of Chulalongkorn University Orchestra, and Guest Conductor of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO).
From his dedication and numerous musical activities, Nora-ath was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Silapathorn’ Award for the year 2018.
Musicians
1st Violin Cello
Ruaichai Sae-Ngow
Anita Yunyongkul
Pimyada Wongjaroenying
Panyarat Wongpattamapass
Karnsinee Suriyapattamalai
Achiraya Rawiwanna
2nd Violin
Tonmai Paichana
Chinnaphong Laisakul
Chophaka Arunsri
Nitada Upatamtanont
Apikoch Chuankratoke
Apichaya Taveechokrieangrai
Viola
Atjayut Sangkasem
Phattharaphon Boonchim
Sirirak Deetana
Natamon Atsavakovith
Samatchar Pourkarua
Punyanuch Rattanakul
Rachamal Jitpirom
Anyamanee Phakhaponwiwat
Double Bass
Phumraphi Wong-Anusorn
Thai Classical Instrument
Prasarn Wongwirojruk
Chatchai Tiamsaen
Thai Dance
Palita Sangkrut
Papichaya Chansri
Moderator
Nada Hutangkura
Acknowledgement
Department of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sports, Kuala Lumpur City Hall