The Academy of Thai Classical Music, Wat Dhammaram (Thai Buddhist Temple) was formalized in 1990. It was the product of Dr Prasert Luangkesorn, MD's years of work. In 1977 he procured musical instruments (angklung) for the teaching of the Thai American students attending the Sunday school at the temple. In 1985 he formed a Thai classical music group, composing of Thai adults with music experience.
This group performed Thai classical music at the temple for the religious ceremonies as well as nonreligious celebrations. Later on, it had a permanent residence in the temple. Wat Dhammaram has an affiliation with Chulalongkorn University of Thailand since 1977 through its Thai language and cultural project for the Thai American children. In 1989, the first year of the program, the University sent one professor and one senior student, majoring in Thai classical music from the Faculty of Education. Since then we have had one or two volunteer music graduates assigned annually to the program. Student numbers have averaged around 50 to 60, and varied in age from 4 to 84 years old. Classes range from Kim, Thai fiddle (Sor), Thai string instrument(Ja-kae), Thai flute (Klui), Thai xylophone (Ranard), Thai gong (Kong Wong) and Thai classical singing. For more information, please feel free to contact us.
