British Ambassador opens Bromsgrove’s Performing Arts Centre

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Bromsgrove International School Thailand is determined to grow some of the very best music and drama provision in South East Asia, and the school has long recognised that outstanding provision depends upon an outstanding facility. Several years of planning bore impressive fruit in March 2015, when the school opened its brand new, state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre, in the presence of His Excellency Mark Kent, the British Ambassador to Thailand. Mr Kent joined VIPs aplenty, who mingled with staff and students, past and present to mark a new era in the history of Bangkok’s premier British boarding school.

Construction began in October 2013, under the generous sponsorship of Oriental Siam (1978) Co., Ltd., and the building was completed in February 2015. Like Bromsgrove’s own strategic goals, so too is this fabulous building bold, daring and visionary. Designed by Civil Design Group, the 500-seat auditorium, equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting technology, is amply suited to music and drama events either grand and complex or intimate and simple, and three floors of expertly designed learning spaces and practice rooms are complemented by exhibition and reception areas ideal for a wide variety of events. The Oriental Siam Performing Arts Centre, available for educational or commercial use, is likely quickly to become the envy of schools nationwide.

Bromsgrove International School Thailand has opened its beautiful new Performing Arts Centre.Bromsgrove International School Thailand has opened its beautiful new Performing Arts Centre.

The opening ceremony was a cornucopia of musical and dramatic talent. Jairat Pitakchareon delighted the audience with beautiful renditions of two of Puccini’s most impressive arias, whilst Pinnaree Yontararak conjured her harp to the magic of H.M. King Rama VI’s “The Wedding of the Sea God”. The student talent on display was no less striking. Daisy (Year 9) and Iga (Year 12) stunned the audience with a couple of dark and intense dramatic monologues, whilst Nano (Year 6) and Nond (Year 12) showed their prowess and panache with piano and voice respectively. A ten-minute set from rock band Enigma, featuring Bromsgrove Year 10 student, Thomas, had everyone wanting to sing along, and the school ensemble and choir showed their versatility and skill with several different numbers.

(L to R) Prasit Pawakranond, Wicha Leeskul, Duenpen Pawakranond (School Director), Thada Savetsila (Member of BIST Board of Governors), Thiti Pawakranond (Chairman, BIST Board of Governors), Dr Daniel Moore (Headmaster), H.E. Mark Kent (British Ambassador to Thailand), Matthew Savage (Deputy Headmaster), Martine Delogne (Ambassador’s wife), Asha Savage, and Alison Bedford.(L to R) Prasit Pawakranond, Wicha Leeskul, Duenpen Pawakranond (School Director), Thada Savetsila (Member of BIST Board of Governors), Thiti Pawakranond (Chairman, BIST Board of Governors), Dr Daniel Moore (Headmaster), H.E. Mark Kent (British Ambassador to Thailand), Matthew Savage (Deputy Headmaster), Martine Delogne (Ambassador’s wife), Asha Savage, and Alison Bedford.

There are few venues on the Bangkok arts scene as attractive as this jewel in Bromsgrove’s crown, and the school is now planning the launch of its new Performing Arts Academy, which will open to teenagers from across the city from January 2016. In the meantime, this trailblazing facility will ring to the sound of Bromsgrove’s two school productions next month – the Primary adaptation of The Lion King, and the Secondary production of Little Shop of Horrors.

The Performing Arts are alive and kicking at Bromsgrove International School Thailand. To find out more, visit www.bromsgrove .ac.th, or just come and see it for yourself.

(L to R) Nat Yontararak, Pinnaree Yontararak, Pawongduen Yontararak, Duenpen Pawakranond, Kornpat Pawakranond, and Prasit Pawakranond.

Pattaya Mail Managing Director Peter Malhotra shares a laugh with Dr Dan Moore, Head Master of Bromsgrove International School.Pattaya Mail Managing Director Peter Malhotra shares a laugh with Dr Dan Moore, Head Master of Bromsgrove International School.

Bromsgrove’s Ensemble and Senior Choir.

Some of Bromsgrove’s musical talent.

The best of Bromsgrove’s drama on display.