College Of Music

The College of Music at Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University originated when it was still a teacher training school. According to an article by Professor Sangad Phukaothong, he mentioned that “…academically, there was a subject called Western Music Theory in the first year of primary school, taught by only one teacher, Professor Charoen Saengrattanakul. His house was located behind Buppharam Temple. Professor Charoen was considered an important ‘band master.’ In his first lesson, he taught whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and how to count beats, emphasizing the downbeat and upbeat, while also teaching terms like leading note, mediant, and tonic. There was also a Thai music ensemble led by Professor San Intuwes, also known as Khun San. During my (Professor Sangad’s) time as a student, both Thai and Western music were not well organized, partly because there was no specific music education program and partly because the school did not recognize the importance of music. At that time, Western music education was essentially about reading music and singing. In 1957, the police department donated a large wind band, which was managed by Professor Charoen. After Professor Charoen retired, Professor But Wuttimanop took over. Around 1965, Professor Boonsong Chaloemwat took charge of the Western music department and established the ‘Chongko’ band, which played Suntaraporn songs and became very popular at that time…”

On July 21, 2014, the University Council of Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University approved the establishment of the College of Music. This was to ensure unified management and administration of musical disciplines, making it the first academic institution within the university to be recognized with a status equivalent to a faculty. The administration and teaching were managed by personnel from the Thai Music for Professional Careers and Western Music programs. In 2016, the College of Music began a significant initiative to strengthen and comprehensively fulfill its mission in all dimensions. This involved collaboration and integration of educational expertise from the Music Education program, under the Faculty of Education, as a key force in driving the missions of teaching, research, academic services, and the preservation of arts and culture. This initiative leveraged the expertise and rich socio-cultural capital within the College of Music at Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University.