To mark the 145th anniversary of Wattana Wittaya Academy, Thailand's oldest all-girls school, the Wattana Chorus will stage a celebratory concert titled "Lao Khan Prasan Sieng Wattana" ("Telling Tales Of The Wattana Chorus") on Feb 7 in the school's auditorium.
Officially founded in 1995, this year also marks 25 years of the Wattana Chorus, which has been operated under Wattana Wittaya Academy. Prior to its official establishment, the school chorus ran unofficially and was comprised only of Mathayom singers. Back then, the chorus was under the baton of renowned conductor and music composer Junram Strausbaugh, now 82 years old.
In the past, the school's Mathayom band had a maximum of 40 members. After gradually establishing all levels of girls' choruses, the school now has over 150 choir members, ranging from kindergarten to high school.
Altogether, the school has four chorus bands: the Wattana Pre-school Singers; the Wattana Little Angels, comprised of first- to third-graders; the Wattana Children's Chorus, comprised of fourth- to sixth-graders; and the Wattana Girls' Chorus, comprised of Mathayom students. This is not to mention the alumni band.
Students during a rehearsal. Photos: Apichart Jinakul
Wattana Chorus has won a number of international accolades including a Gold Diploma in youth choirs of equal voice, Gold Diploma in folklore, special prize for outstanding performance and winner of the youth choirs of equal voice category at the 18th International Choir Festival and Competition 2019 in Caorle and Venice, Italy. "Lao Khan Prasan Sieng Wattana" will be staged on Feb 7 at 7.30pm at OMAI Auditorium, Ayada Building, Wattana Wittaya Academy, Sukhumvit 19.
Tickets cost 999 baht, available via ticketmelon.com.
