Bangkok--29 Apr--Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Privy Councillor M.L. Usni Pramoj and The Conrad Hotel Bangkok in association with the Royal Over-Seas League and supporters namely Mercedes-Benz (Thailand), Citibank N.A., Siam Music Yamaha Co.Ltd., Raimon Land, The Post Publishing Pcl., Sony BMG Music Entertainment, organized and hosted The Conrad Young Musician of Thailand Competition 2008 to compete for The Royal Trophy given by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The competition recognizes young performers of classical music who demonstrate an exceptionally high level of talent.
The competition aims to promote young musical talent in western classical music in five categories of instruments:
Keyboard
String
Woodwind
Brass
Percussion
From the total of 83 applicants who sent their performances in on DVDs/CDs, 8 of them succeeded to the Final to perform at the hotel on 20th April 2008 which was a Gala Dinner & Performance attended by honorary guests including Privy Councilors to The King of Thailand, Ambassadors, Professors, Celebrities and media.
8 Finalists (from left to right) are:
English School/ Instrument Age
University
1. Mr. Supak Wittayanukunlak KonkhaenWittayayonSchool Clarinet 16
2. Miss Yada Lee HarrowInternationalSchool Violin 16
3. MissYaeRamPark(Korean) ShrewsburyInternationalSchool Flute 11
4. Miss Natnaree Suwanpotipra RuamrudeeInternationalSchool Piano 13
5. Miss Sirin Opasanon WeerapanMusicalSchool Violin 11
6. Miss Nuttakarn Srisawat MahidolUniversity Piano 18
7. Mr. Pongsakorn Leartsakworakul ChulalongkornUniversity Tuned Percussion 19
(Marimba,Xylophone)
8. Mr. Eknarin Mukdasanit RangsitUniversity Trumpet 19
Along with M.L.Usni Pramoj, the Honorary Advisor, the five judges are:
Richard Harvey(1R) Head Judge
A prolific composer for Hollywood Films such as all the Harry Potter films, The Da Vinci Code, Kingdom of Heaven, The Lion King and many more. He has recorded for and collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney, Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, Kate Bush, Elvis Costello, John Williams, Stanley Myers and numerous others and has also made several classical albums.
Chris Craker(2 L) General Manager and Senior Vice President of Sony BMG Masterworks International
Bundit Ungrangsee(1L) International Conductor
Winner of Maazel-Vilar Conductors’ Competition
at Carnegie Hall, New York
Cultural Ambassador of Thailand
Benedict Cruft(3R) Dean of the School of Music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Prof. Eleanor Wong(2R) Senior Lecturer and Artist-in-Residence (Keyboard) of
the School of Music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
The overall winner will receive the following prizes:
The Royal Trophy given by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Baht 100,000 cash prize
Trip and accommodation package to London for 2 persons and to perform in concert at The Royal Over-Seas League’s Princess Alexandra Concert Hall.
Recording session with Sony BMG
Play a concerto with internationally recognized Conductor Bundit Ungrangsee during a concert tour in Thailand in 2008
Image of the Winner with the King’s Trophy on the front cover of Student Weekly magazine.
The competition will be organized as an annual event at the Conrad Bangkok.
Please visit www.youngmusicianaward.com for full details.
For more information call 0 2690 9999 or email to : pr@conradbangkok.com.
For further information or images required, please contact:
Wannapa Rakkeo (Pang) — Director of Marketing Communications
wannapa@conradbangkok.com
Nannadda Supakdhanasombat (App) — PR and Promotions Manager
nannadda@conradbangkok.com
Tel: 0 2690 9981, 0 2690 9984 Fax: 0 2690 9980