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Bangkok Music Society

The Bangkok Music Society (BMS), a non-profit organization, has been in existence for over 30 years. It began as the Bangkok Opera Society, and as interest developed in other areas of music and membership expanded, it became the Bangkok Music Society. The BMS Choir in its present form was established fourteen years ago under the directorship of Graham Taylor, who has continued as its director to the present. The choir presents four concerts each year and since its inception, choral performances have included such masterworks as the Magnificat of JS Bach, the Durufle Requiem and the Vivaldi Gloria , as well as two “Night at the Opera” concerts, one of which was accompanied by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. The 2004-2005 Season concluded with the performance of Haydn's Te Deum and Mozart's Coronation Mass at the Phya Thai Palace. The program also included soprano Danielle Tylke singing the famed Exsultate Jubilate of Mozart and twelve-year-old virtuoso violinist Anna Sowanna playing Haydn's Concerto in C , both to great acclaim. The 2005-2006 Season included a program of settings of the Psalms, Britten's Ceremony of Carols , Pinkham's Christmas Cantata and Handel's Dettingen Te Deum and Dettingen Anthem . Plans for the 2006-2007 season include choral and vocal music by Schubert and Schumann, Christmas Cantatas by Bach, Buxtehude and Vivaldi, Haydn's Theresienmesse , and Dvorak's Mass in D for organ and choir.

The goal of the BMS is to promote and support the performance and appreciation of music in Thailand . Membership attracts music lovers of all nationalities. The range of musical styles is wide, from the classics to jazz and musicals. Presentations include the sponsorship of vocal recitals by local singing artists. In addition to offering the opportunity to attend larger performances for public audience, the BMS arranges informal musical evenings to provide instrumentalists among the membership the opportunity to perform in solo works, duets, quartets and other chamber music and has presented two sessions on Thai Classical Music with the staff and experts of Srinakarinwirot University.

Local artists are encouraged, and the BMS sponsors annual scholarships for young talented and deserving Thai musicians. Occasionally visiting artists are also able to perform with or for the BMS here in Bangkok. Many of the events support Thai charities.

Membership in the BMS is open to all those interested in music and is very important in enabling the Society to honor its goal and commitment to offering our community a wide variety of quality musical opportunities and concert programs. Annual membership fees cover the period from 1 October through 30 September each Season and include special member discount rates for tickets to concerts and programs. Individual membership is 500 Baht and Family membership is 700 Baht. The Donor Member category is 1,000 Baht with one free concert ticket per year and the Patron Member category is 2,000 Baht with two free tickets to the Season's concerts. The names of Donors and Patrons are listed in the programs.

The BMS invites and encourages contributions and program advertisements from the local business community in support of its musical and cultural activities in Bangkok. Major sponsorship includes three categories: Corporate Gold Circle Supporter at 200,000 Baht per year, Silver Circle at 100,000 Baht and Bronze Circle at 50,000 Baht. Advertising categories are Full Page for 12,000 Baht, Half Page for 8,000 Baht and Quarter Page for 5,000 Baht.

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