Bangkok--Feb 18--SET
40 champions out of 480 participants in the 2004 8th SETTRADE Youth Music Competition of Thailand, from the elementary through the tertiary levels, received scholarships for their continued music study worth more than THB800,000.
Mrs. Chanisa Chutipat, CEO of SETTRADE.Com Co., Ltd., revealed that the 8th SETTRADE Youth Music Competition of Thailand was jointly organized by SETTRADE.Com and the College of Music at Mahidol University to find the best musically-gifted youth. The event was kicked off in late 2004 and the final round was held on Saturday, February 12, 2005. It was an very impressive occasion. The competition welcomed 480 contestants, who sent in a total of 510 tape cassettes/CDs. All participating youths were highly talented and made each round of the competition enjoyable for the audience and fiercely competitive for the participants.
The final round of the competition ended with 40 winners, categorized into 4 levels. Each of the 4 levels had 5 gold medalists, for a total of 20 gold medalists. There were also 5 silver medalists for each of the 4 levels, for a total of 20 silver medalists. The prizes and scholarships presented at the competition were worth more than THB800,000 in total.
Mrs. Chanisa said that the judging criteria in the competition focused on superior musical talent, both in terms of theory and practice, which are both needed to please an audience. The judging panel consisted of 15 renowned individuals within the music industry, including musicians, music instructors, music and entertainment critics from the press and other music enthusiasts
“All the 40 awardees have proven their genuine musical talent, and Settrade is proud to be part of a move to promote Thai youth. It is our hope, at SETTRADE, that Thai youth can make the best use of their free time by taking part in projects like this music competition”, said Mrs. Chanisa.
The judges in the final panel were Clin.Prof.Varavudh Sumawong, Prof.Emeritus Udom Aroonratana, Asst.Prof.Choochart Pitaksakorn, Mr. Tanis Sriklindee, Mr. Niwat Kongpein, Khunying Malaival Boonyaratavej, Mr. Borwonpong Supasopon, Mr. Pongkit Suttapong, Mr. Naovarat Pongpaiboon, Mr. Pratak Faisupagarn,
Mr. Vinai Phanturak, Mr. Santi lunphe, Mr. Anant Luepradip, Mr. Bhanapot Damapong, and Mr. Leo Phillips.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sugree Charoensook, the director of the College of Music at Mahidol University, who also chaired the project, said “the final round of the competition was very intense. Aside from a large number of Thai youths participating in the competition, there were also youths from Korea and Japan in the event. All of the participants have practiced their music for years and many of them have taken part in other competitions before. This dedication by the participants to their music resulted in making their musical renditions very beautiful. The participants demonstrated high standards in both Thai and international music. It is quite flattering to see that Thai youths are showing an interest in Thai music equal to the interest they are showing in international music.”
The 8th SETTRADE Youth Music Competition of Thailand is the only open opportunity for youth to show their musical talent with all types of non-amplified musical instruments. Some of the instruments used during the competition included pianos, Chinese dulcimers, flutes, gong sets, Pong-Lang (a Thai xylophone-like instrument), guitars, violins, xylophones and saxophones. The youths’ singing talent was also a big part of the event.
“This Youth Music Competition should be regarded as an inspiration for all. Both youths who are interested in music and musical instructors should be inspired by this competition to create more music. This is truly a beneficial activity for the Thai music industry”, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sugree.
The victors of the final round consisted of 5 winners and 5 runners-up in all 4 levels. Each winner at the tertiary level received a THB20,000 cash prize together with a gold medal and a certificate. Each runner-up received a THB10,000 cash prize, a silver medal and a certificate.
The winners in the elementary, junior high school, and high school levels each received a THB10,000 cash prize, a gold medal and a certificate. The runner-ups were awarded a THB5,000 cash prize, a silver medal and a certificate.
Apart from the cash prizes, each winner who wishes to pursue his or her study at the College of Music at Mahidol University will be waived from taking a selection test for musical performance, and will not have to pay tuition fees for 1 year. The tuition fee for the pre-college courses (M.4-M.6) is THB30,000 annually and for the undergraduate degree program it’s THB60,000 annually. These fee waivers all add up to more than THB400,000.
For more information,
please contact the Corporate Communication Dept.:
Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 End.