Bangkok--13 Dec--ART CORE OKMD launches “Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders” Project First time in Thailand with international conductor Bundit Ungrangsee The Office of Knowledge Management and Development launches the project entitled “Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders” or “Bundit Ungrangsee International Conducting Masterclass 2008” for the first time in Thailand, in search of six conductors from the Asia-Pacific region to join the Masterclass with Mr. Bundit Ungrangsee, a Thai-national international conductor who will teach the art of conducting an orchestra. Applications can be made now until January 11, 2008. The project is implemented by ART CORE, with partnership from Kasetsart University and co-sponsor by Yamaha Thailand Music School, Siam Kolkarn Music School and Thai Airways. Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Chairman of the Board, The Office of Knowledge Management and Development, as the pioneer of Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders project, said “OKMD has an opportunity to work with Mr. Bundit Ungrangsee, and has discussed with him about educational promotion for Thai conductors to enter into the international realm. The discussions are in line with OKMD’s mission “Love. Learn. Know. Play Creatively” to promote learning in the Thai society, and inspired the cooperation with Mr. Bundit Ungrangsee about the project Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders or the MasterClass for the international conductors in the year 2008. This is Thailand’s first international-level class of conducting arts that seeks conductors from the new generation to join the MasterClass with Mr. Bundit Ungrangsee. This also generates benefits to musical fans and professionals nationwide. May I emphasize that this project is the first international-level teaching class for conductors in Thailand, and it is a special opportunity to learn in the MasterClass with Mr. Bundit Ungrangsee, the world’s top Thai conductor. In additional, the six conducting students will have a chance to perform in a final concert with Kasetsart University Symphony Orchestra.” Assoc.Prof.Vudtechai Kapilakanchana, President of Kasetsart University, as the partnership of the project, said “Kasetsart University is pleased to be invited by OKMD to be an alliance of the project. The University supports a professional orchestra ‘Kasetsart University Symphony Orchestra’ and locations for conducting rehearsal. During the four days of MasterClass (February 4-7, 2008), the rehearsal will be held at Office of Agriculture Museum and Culture. This project is expected to improve conducting skills for students and to train young musicians. Mr. Bundit Ungrangsee, international-level Thai conductor, as the Project Advisor and Conducting Instructor of the project, said “Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders is one of the most important tasks of mine at the moment. It will be the first time for me to teach conducting and to discover new conducting stars in the Asia-Pacific region to learn conducting techniques and secrets, in order to help develop and promote classical music in the future. Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders is a platform project that paves way and supports the development of classical music, and is the building block for interested young musicians who aspire to become international-level conductors.” Mr. Bundit said that the teaching of conducting arts is rare in the world because the costs of hiring the orchestra for conducting student to practise is high. The lessons and techniques to be presented in Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders will be tailor-made for each conducting student, considering the gifts each student has, room to build up or improve, as well as associating techniques which help with thorough development. The knowledge and arts of conducting is miraculous. A conductor must have good musical backgrounds, good ear training, good taste for good music creation, and good leadership skills to take lead of nearly 100 musicians with the baton. Therefore, the conductor must be confident and has leadership capability. Mr. Bundit believes that his experiences and way of life will inspire young Thai generations to achieve Thai national icon in the world arena. Ms. Chattiya Thaipiromsamukkee, Founder and Director of ART CORE, as the co-implementer, said “Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders is looking for no more than six conducting participants (four from Thailand and two from the Asia-Pacific region). Students, musical students, musicians, and music talents in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region are welcome to apply from now until January 11, 2008. The application form can be obtained from www.okmd.or.th. For more information, please contact 02-664-0399. All six conductors will garner experience from the four days spent in the Masterclass, from February 4-7, 2008 at Kasetsart University, free of charge. The teaching methods will be both Group Study and One-On-One coaching. Each day, the students will rehearse with the orchestra, and the last day which is February 7, 2008, the students will wrap up the course with a real concert performance, in which interested audience can join for free. Moreover, there will be the making of a documentary film on the project to provide an excellent educational tool for conveying information and knowledge, not only for those participating in the program, but also for other members of the general public and interested organizations. ART CORE is an organization that implements development projects in the areas of arts and culture. The organization believes in sustainable development and sees the importance of parallel development of arts and culture together with economics and technology. Arts and culture is the most approachable means to enhance morality and uplift the society.” Note To Editor: Tomorrow’s Musical Leaders or “Bundit Ungrangsee International Conducting Masterclass 2008” is the first international musical arena in Thailand that opens doors for all conducting talents in Asia-Pacific. It strikes a new dimension for orchestra conducting instruction. It is initiated and implemented by The Office of Knowledge Management and Development and ART CORE (Art Management), the expert in the management arts and cultural events, partnership with Kasetsart University and co-sponsor by Yamaha Thailand Music School, Siam Kolkarn Music School and Thai Airways. About the Conductor: Conductor is the interpreter of music, by seeing the overall picture of the orchestra. The conductor highlights the relations of the musical instruments and unites them together. The conductor communicates to the orchestra through hand gestures, and verbally in rehearsals. At the same time, the conductor must have the leadership capability to give confidence to the musicians. The conductor works like the director who controls the orchestra by using the baton to convey signals or hand gestures and suggest rhythms. The conductor is found with the orchestra, choir, and musical performance. For more information, please contact ART CORE (Art Management) Ms. Tippawan Wortong (MO) Tel. 081 421 2923 or E-mail: [email protected] The Office of Knowledge Management and Development Ms. Chutima Temrungsri Tel. 02-264-5959 ext. 243 E-mail: [email protected]