An extract from the best-selling book 'Tong Pen Tee Nung Hai Dai' or 'Conduct Your Dreams'
BUNDIT UNGRANGSEE
Back in 1988 the chance of me becoming a classical musician, especially a conductor, seemed as remote to me as Bangkok is to most Westerners. People in Thailand couldn't even tell you what a conductor did, let alone imagine that a Thai could do it at an international level. There was no system in place, educational or otherwise, that would help me move towards that goal.
What was I to do?
The only thing I could think of was to scour every library I could access for literature on the field of conducting. I read every book about conducting or conductors that I could get my hands on. As these were primarily from foreign libraries like the Goethe Institute and the British Council library the vast majority of the literature available was in English, which meant mastering a difficult foreign language.
I was most interested in biographies of great conductors. I wanted to know what skills they possessed, what kinds of characteristics and abilities made a conductor great. And I wanted to know if I could develop those skills and abilities.
I discovered that the great conductors seemed to share these common characteristics: a great ear; strong leadership; an appreciation and knowledge of music history; familiarity with each of the instruments in the orchestra; proficiency in at least one or more instruments, especially the piano; good baton technique; and a mastery of foreign languages, especially English, French, German and Italian.
And so I got started. Once I knew what skills I needed to develop, I could take small steps. I took piano lessons; I practiced my English; I volunteered to lead choirs to get leadership experience. (To this day I still try to develop that list of skills as much as possible. I read books on leadership. I watch and listen to great conductors. I practice my foreign languages - other than English I'm proficient in Italian, and am working on my French and German.)
If you can't see a path, move forward anyway, and through trial and error you'll find a way.
What's important is to get started
Start somewhere. Do what you can. Sometimes we can't see end of the tunnel, but that is alright. Just do something everyday to develop yourself and bring your dreams closer to reality.
It's a strange thing about the world, but it's true. If you have a clear goal, even if you can't see how it could possibly be accomplished, just keep moving forward. Just keep trying. The way will open up, and the opportunities you are looking for will present themselves.
Do what you can, when and where you can. Take the first steps forward, and eventually a path will open up.
From my experience working in both developed and developing countries I have seen clearly that most developed countries provide opportunities to young people with talent. That kind of homegrown support simply isn't available to young people of equal or perhaps even greater talent in other countries. For example, if Mozart had been born in Ghana instead of Austria, it seems unlikely the world would have heard his musical genius. If Tiger Woods had been born and raised in Thailand instead of the US, I doubt he would have become the champion he is, in spite of his natural talent. The world isn't fair, and opportunity is not evenly distributed. How many artistic, athletic, mathematical or scientific geniuses have gone unnoticed, uneducated and uncelebrated because they never had a chance to realise or even discover their own ambitions? That doesn't mean it is impossible, though. If you feel you haven't had the opportunities you need, then find a way to make them happen yourself. I am trying to help improve the situation in my own home country, in the hopes that maybe I can play a small part in allowing some young artistic genius the chance to have his voice heard.
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