Enjoy Music at Chula

Thai and Western, traditional and contemporary offerings find a large and enthusiastic audience

For almost three decades now, the “Enjoy Music at Chula” stage has provided audiences with a venue to enjoy musical entertainment and other kinds of performances. Its offerings range from the traditional, such as the Piphat wind and percussion ensemble, to fusion such as western orchestras serenading us with classical Thai works like Lao Duang Deuan, and contemporary music such as musical theatre.

“Enjoy Music at Chula” has always been a creative space, integrating and perpetuating musical innovations, creating awareness and participation in society at large. Not only does the audience benefit, but the musicians are also provided with an opportunity to showcase their skills and talents. It strengthens the cultural environment within the university as well.

“Enjoy Music at Chula” evolved from the “Chula Vathit” program for classical Thai music, established in 1989 by the Office of Art and Culture of Chulalongkorn University, formerly known as the Chulalongkorn University Cultural Promotion Center. Responsible for the project were Associate Professor Dr Santi Chantavilasvong, Adviser to the President, and Kunchit Jitratan, Director of the Chulalongkorn University Office of Art and Culture. “Chula Vathit” programs were presented on the first Friday of every month, and audiences could attend free of charge.

As the programs consisted mainly of classical Thai music, the audience was limited to Thai classical music aficionados. The management team of the Office of Art and Culture wished to create greater diversity, both in terms of audiences and artists. Western classical music was added, helping to expand the audience substantially.

Yet the performances still catered mainly to niche audiences, so the organizers came up with the idea of a fusion stage to allow for a variety of interpretations. Classical and popular music was performed on Thai classical musical instruments, while classical Thai music was performed on western instruments. The selections ranged from the popular Suntharaporn melodies, to contemporary music and luk thung folk music.

As the programs became more diverse, so too did the audiences, and gradually the “Chula Vathit” program increased its frequency, from the first Friday of the month, to the first and third Fridays. A greater variety of performances was also presented, with classical dance, singing, and even musical exchange presentations arranged by various embassies in Thailand. The “Chula Vathit” program eventually rebranded itself as “Enjoy Music at Chula”.

Over the last 20 years, the fan base of the program has increased annually. This is possible thanks to Chulalongkorn’s central location in the city with easy access, no admission fee and, more importantly, a unique and varied selection of performances of music and dance. Furthermore, selected artists are usually well-known, and the opportunity to see them perform elsewhere is quite rare.

The general public can attend performances of “Enjoy Music at Chula” at the Chulalongkorn University Concert Hall on the first and third Friday of each month, from 18:00 to 21:00 hrs, or watch live streaming on www.facebook.com/cuartculture. The Chula Vathit radio program is also broadcast on Radio Chula every Sunday from 06:00 to 07:00 hrs.

For updates on musical recitals at Chula, check www.facebook.com/cuartculture, or call the Office of Art and Culture, 02-218-3634–5.

This article was originally published in CU Around, January 2018, Vol.61, Issue 1, Page 14, available at https://www.chula.ac.th/magazine/4122/

Media coverage:
https://thestandard.co/cu-symphony-orchestra/