Suanplu Chorus wins accolades and awards at Welsh festival

Suanplu Chorus wins accolades and awards at Welsh festival

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
Suanplu Chorus wins accolades and awards at Welsh festival
Suanplu Chorus's choir performance won 1st prize at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2019. photo courtesy of The Suanplu Chorus

The Suanplu Chorus has made a name for Thailand once again after winning two top prizes in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2019, which took place in Wales, the United Kingdom this month.

The Suanplu Chorus won First Prize in the Open Choir category while its conductor and music director Ramon Lijaoco Jr. won the Jayne Davies Prize for Most Outstanding Conductor.

Winning high praise from the judges for exceptionally high standards of vocals, artistry, and musical expressiveness, the Suanplu Chorus won with the highest score of 93.7%.

Founded two decades ago by National Artist Dusdee Banomyong, now the chorus director, the Suanplu Chorus has been garnering several prizes from international competitions over the years.

Dating back 73 years ago, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is one of the world's grandest choir festivals, drawing thousands of performers from around the world to pay tribute to global goodwill and peace.

After the choir festival, the Suanplu Chorus also performed at various venues in London such as the Kew Garden, National Library, and the St Luke's Church.

It also took part in the Thai Festival in Wales 2019 and staged a full performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, which was presided by the Lord Lieutenant of Wales as well as giving several short performances at the Cardiff Bay.

"Music is a universal language that unites the world," said Ajarn Dusdee Banomyong. "No matter what part of the world we are from, the one language we understand with our heart is music.

"We also realise that what is more valuable than winning prizes is winning public appreciation."

Apart from the public applause in each performance, the chorus is also proud of the compliments it received from the Mark Schnebli, vice-chairman of the Royal Albert Hall.

"The Suanplu Choir was exceptional in their quality of singing, the wide range of songs they had chosen and the various languages they sang in. It was quite clear why they had such success at the Eisteddfod in Wales."

The choir's trip to attend the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2019 was possible through sponsorship of various individual supporters and organisations, said Ajarn Dusdee. They include Thai Beverage, King Power, Thammasat Association, the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, Thai Airways, and B.Grimm Country Club.

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