Orchestral adventure

Young musicians join a big band

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of Office
of Contemporary Art and Culture

To provide opportunity to young musicians to perform with an orchestra, the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture has run the Ruam Smai Big Band Project (Contemporary Big Band Project) since 2012.

Students who want to join the big band must be singers or musicians aged between 12 and 18 who can play a musical instrument such as violin, viola, cello, drums, guitar or a brass instrument. Successful applicants can join the orchestra and perform locally and internationally.

MUSICAL TEENS

Guitarist Tatpong Masuk (Pae), 18, and violinist Yada Ethisan (Pim), 17, have both qualified to be part of the Contemporary Big Band Project for more than one season. Pae has performed with the big band in all three seasons, while Pim has been a member since season two.

“This is a great project which has enhanced our music skills,” Pim said. “Playing with the big band has also allowed us to learn more about jazz music.”

Pae said that he also enjoyed learning about jazz.

“Electric guitarists are usually more familiar with rock or pop music, but because of this project, I’ve started listening to jazz,” Pae said. “Playing jazz music is a lot of fun.”

WORKING IN HARMONY

Before 40 finalists are selected for the orchestra, the young participants attend a training camp to learn music theory and techniques. They also learn how to work as a group.

“To work as a group, musicians have to adjust to one another,” Pae said. “Being disciplined and always on time is also important.”

ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE

As members of the big band, Pae and Pim have had great opportunities to perform overseas. The orchestra has performed in different countries each season, so Pae has played in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Pae and Pim both found that the Japanese audience at the International Junior Jazz Orchestra Festival last year in Tokyo was the most impressive.

“I was very nervous before the performance, but the audience made us feel welcome,” Pae said. “They really concentrated on our performance. Nobody looked at their mobile phone.”

Pae added that the audience there also waved and sang along with the songs they performed.

“I was so happy playing to an audience like that,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave the stage!”

MUSICIAN’S HEAVEN

Apart from playing to a great audience, two young musicians enjoyed wandering around the Ochanimizu area of Tokyo, which is famous for musical instrument stores.

“It was like being in heaven. Everybody enjoyed running in and out of the stores,” Pae said. “There were so many different kinds of instruments from many brands, and they were reasonably priced.”

INSPIRING PROJECT

Taking part in the Big Band Project has been an eye-opening experience for the young musicians. Pae was particularly impressed with the seriousness and dedication to practise that Japanese musicians seemed to have. Seeing that inspired Pae to work harder on his music.

Pim said that performing with the big band has improved her confidence onstage.

“I got over stage fright by performing with the orchestra,” she said. “Performing abroad is a rare experience.”

Pim added that working with a big group of musicians has made her want to keep improving.

“I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “I plan to audition for the project again in the next season.”

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