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Chiangmai Choral Society on Broadway
Sandy Clark
Set in the spacious garden of Waranan and Preecha
Pongcharoenkul, the Chiangmai Choral Society held a most successful concert
for friends last weekend. Almost 100 people were treated to sundowners,
dinner, and delicious bites from ‘The Fondue House’, with everyone
enjoying each other’s company, while well known flautist Ajarn Xavier
supplied background music.
The
Choral Society’s multi-cultural choir.
The guests were welcomed by President Waranan who said,
“Love of music is our bond here at the Choral Society and as we are a
group of friends of many nationalities, we decided on this rather informal
evening to just sing for our friends who share this bond with us.”
Pitijet
Vichitporn (aka Ajarn Xavier) is a native of Chiang Mai who has already
performed for Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand. Last Sunday he
played for music lovers in the garden of Waranan and Preecha Pongcharoenkul
to get people ‘in the mood’.
The concert started with The Kings Anthem, followed by
Broadway tunes-from ‘My Fair Lady’. Several all-time favorites, which
the audience visibly enjoyed, included ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’,
‘Rain in Spain’, ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’ and the popular
‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face’.
 Pat
(Naruntap), a rather new face for the audience, performed a medley from
‘Fiddler on the Roof’, accompanied by pianist Sid Richarson.
It was intended to give the event more of a ‘homely’
feeling, rather than the usual ‘concert’ atmosphere, a fact that was
appreciated by all. Not only were the singers relaxed and ‘all smiles’
during the whole concert, but also conductor Rainy Riding appeared to be
very much at ease.
Pat (Naruntap), a newer face, received huge applause
after the performance of a medley from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Les
Miserables’, accompanied by pianist Sid Richarson. We learnt later that he
used to be with a Symphony orchestra in the United States and enjoyed the
challenge this multi-cultural, multi-linguistic Chiang Mai Choral Society
gave to him.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and will most probably all be
seen at the Choral Society’s next performance which is scheduled for July
4, at the US Consulate General’s Independence Day celebration.
Young
and old, Thais and foreigners, sharing a love for music, appreciated the
hospitality shown by Waranan and Preecha Pongcharoenkul.
Conductor
Rainy Riding is very much at ease.
Study in USA! Who says it’s out of reach?
Event News from IC-ACE International Center, CMU
The International Center, Chiang Mai University
An international educator and frequent guest of CMU’s
International Center, Dr. John Driscoll, will be visiting Chiang Mai to
speak on new trends in US university education, and to discuss those issues
with teachers, students and parents. Dr. Driscoll will go over current
issues for international students studying in the United States, and provide
useful options for US higher education.
Dr. John Driscoll is the Program Director of California
State University-East Bay (located in the San Francisco-Silicon Valley area
of California), a university which has a good understanding of Thai students
through its long term relationship with Thammasat University, Bangkok.
The talk has been organized with the cooperation of
‘The American Corner’ and ‘CMU Main Library’. Dr. Driscoll will be
hosted by IC-ACE, the North American educational advisory and specialized
English training division of CMU’s International Center and is part of
IC-ACE’s “Distinguished Speakers Series”.
The event will be held at the 3rd Floor Mini-Theater of
CMU’s Main Library on July 5, 2005 from 2.30-4 p.m. Refreshments and
materials will be provided for guests who register in advance - seats are
limited, so you are advised to book early.
Advance Reservations are available by contacting IC-ACE:
0 5394 2896, [email protected], or at their office in CMU’s International
Center (next to the fitness park, off Nimmanhemin Road).
Khunying Buphan Nimmanhaeminda honored
Sandy Clark
Over the past 41 years Khunying Buphan Nimmanhaeminda’s
contribution to society has resulted in the latest recognition she has
received from HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
Khunying
Buphan Nimmanhaeminda was all smiles while people were lining up just to
hold her hand and tell her how grateful they were for her never to have
stopped giving support.
The Payorm Room at the Amari Rincome Hotel was filled to
capacity with the guest list reading like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Northern
Thailand. Everyone was there with one purpose, and that was to give their
best wishes to one of the most honored senior citizens of Chiang Mai,
Khunying Buphan Nimmanhaeminda.
Khunying Buphan has become an integral part of the local
culture and most of her immediate family, her children, and grandchildren,
all substantial figures in their own right covering many fields of endeavor,
were present during the celebration of her award.
Garlands of flowers were submitted from representatives
of different schools of Northern Thailand, recognizing the fact that at 83
years of age, Khunying Buphan can look back on a lifetime involved in
education and service to the people.
People
at the celebration, including (from left) Chao Tanatwarn na Chiang Mai, Dr.
Hans Penth, Tamika Shinohara, Tony Moon, US CG Beatrice Camp, Japanese CG
Katshuhiro Shinohara, Finish Hon. Consul Dr. Supavat Poovakul, and Mrs.
Penth
She sat smiling in the midst of friends and family and
said, “For me, the best thing in life is to see people smile and be
happy.” She still is involved in supporting two homes for the elderly,
pre-school child care services, medical services for all members and a
scholarship fund for the third generation children of the New Life
Foundation (under Royal Patronage).
Khunying Buphan Nimmanhaeminda, a true lady of Chiang Mai, has set an
example which hopefully will inspire others and make her charities
successful for a long time to come.
Around the World at 86
Marion Vogt
Don’t ever say that 86 is too old! Canadian Hermann
Kleefisch will soon prove you wrong. A widower after 50 years of happy
marriage, he decided it was time for an adventure and embarked on a nine
month journey through 30 countries and four continents in a 1990 Volkswagen
van, decorated with a funny yellow dragon.
 Around
the World at 86
Listening to him was like a fresh breeze, fascinating to
hear about fishing in the Philippines, dining with families in Korea and
even finding a new love in Chiang Mai.
This has led Hermann to start yet another adventure and
soon he and Ta will be married. But it would not be Hermann if this were
just ‘another wedding’. The plan now includes elephants, a white tuxedo
and a bride dressed in Lanna style. One can only wish that we could grow
older, just like Hermann, with a happy heart and a happy mind.
His adventures are all recorded and available in a richly illustrated
book. If you want a copy of his book to learn his secrets, please call his
fianc้e Ta on 0 1 030 1054 or email: cloverfishherm @hotmail.com.
Three premieres at Debussy Festival
Jan Verwers
Although the French composer Claude Debussy wrote his
last piece of music in 1918, the year of his death, it took almost one
century for his composition “Intermede For Piano”, created in 1880, to
have its first performance. Till its premiere in 2002 the manuscript of
Intermede had been hidden in a private library. Up till now, there has been
no Asian performances. The first is going to be given by Bennett Lerner
during the Opening concert of A Debussy Festival on Friday, July 8, 2005 at
Gong Dee Studio.
That memorable concert will have two other premieres as
well. Thorsten Wollman wrote especially for this concert “Prelude For
“Dr” Claude” for clarinet and piano. Wollmann is Payap’s resident
composer, internationally-known as a jazz composer and film scorer. This
piece celebrates the doctoral degrees of Dr. Thorsten (composer), Dr.
Bennett (piano) and Dr. Chaipreuk (clarinet), all of which were sponsored by
Payap University and completed in the last four years.
The third premiere is called “Debussy”. It is a
composition for klui (Thai flute) and guitar, and has been composed
by Bringkop Vora-urai. Ajarn Bringkop is the head of Payap’s Music
Department and a distinguished ethno-musicologist. He will play the klui,
with Passakorn Phuprapha as the guitarist.
For more information on A Debussy Festival, see Community
Happenings.
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