Pedagogical Excellence
Established in 1996, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Music School (RBSS) has earned an enviable reputation for the quality of its musical instruction on all orchestral instruments, as well as vocal training. All teachers are highly respected professional performers. One-to-one lesson courses are offered to students of all ages and experience levels (beginner to advanced), for both those who are ambitious to achieve long-term professional aspirations and also those who would like to pursue the learning of an instrument as a rewarding hobby. RBSS students typically achieve excellent examination results and are very regularly invited to perform at prestigious High Scorers’ concerts.
The Proud History of RBSS
Initially set-up in collaboration with longtime RBSO advisor John Floore and the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music, our prestigious school has trained hundreds of excellent professional performers in its 25-year history. As a testament to the consistent quality that the RBSS inspires, many former students have progressed to become the next generation of eminent teachers at RBSS, and are also established members of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra itself. These include the violinists Dechopol Kowintaweewat, Kanin Udommana, Paradee Treeratt, Aradee Iamsakulpanit, Archima Phattanawerankul, Kamolporn Byagghateja, and Pongsith Karnkringkrai, and the cellist Panyaphat Wongwechwiwat. This has encouraged a wonderful culture of teamwork to flourish.
String Lessons
Violin, viola, and cello lessons are given by an expert team of experienced professionals. First class tuition is available in spacious learning studios of the highest quality - the ideal atmosphere for successful learning. The teachers have themselves trained at many of the world’s top conservatories, including the Royal Academy of Music in London/UK; University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (including tuition by the legendary Vienna Philharmonic concertmaster Rainer Küchl); Juilliard School in New York City; and Purcell School in London/UK. Mastering any string instrument takes much dedication and focus, involving the nurturing of skills over many years.
The Virtuosi of Tomorrow
The string section is often referred to as ‘the backbone of a symphony orchestra, and from the very beginnings of orchestral tradition hundreds of years ago, it is this section that has required the most players in order to achieve the grandest, most ambitious visions of the greatest composers. The RBSS started life in 1996 with a large violin-class project, and as with every such pedagogical endeavour there have been some truly exceptional, standout players that have developed and flourished here. Emerging as either string section leaders for the RBSO itself or indeed as soloists, they have attracted much admiration.
Piano Lessons
Equipped with one of the most impressive collections of high quality pianos in Thailand, including two Steinway Concert Grand instruments, the RBSS also boasts many beautifully appointed teaching studios in which to focus the heart and mind on the study of the piano. Of course, all instrumental lessons benefit from the serene city location of the RBSS school, right next to Lumpini Park, but concentrated piano study in particular is facilitated by the spacious, bright and airy environment of our soundproofed studios. The teaching faculty here is second to none, with pupils scoring extremely high examination marks and competition success.
Piano for Adults
The RBSS is delighted to offer a weekday initiative for enthusiastic adult learners who want to learn the piano in a friendly, stimulating environment. From Wednesday to Friday, our piano studio is open for mature students of all levels, whether you have learned piano previously or are approaching it as a motivated beginner. Whilst some instruments are a technical challenge for adults, the piano is easily approached by learners of all ages, and is an excellent choice if you want to engage enjoyably with the wonderful world of music. We look forward to developing your personal passion for this great instrument.
Harp Lessons
RBSS welcomes students of all ages into its wonderful, award-winning Harp studio, with bespoke lessons of the highest quality provided by eminent performers and teachers, including professors Dharavadee Kanothai and Ema Mitarai. Expert tuition is available from Wednesday-Sunday, in an encouraging learning environment which is second to none, boasting beautifully appointed and attractive studios which create the perfect atmosphere for enjoyable, supportive, and stimulating learning. Impressive prize-winning successes have been achieved at many prestigious International Competitions. Whether you have learned harp previously or are approaching it as a motivated beginner, the harp is suitable for talented pupils of all ages.
The Premier Harp Centre
As a solo instrument, the Harp is an excellent choice if you want to engage in a rewarding manner with the wonderful world of music. Moreover, the RBSS Harp Ensemble gives the valuable opportunity to join with other harpists as part of a friendly group, which gives regular public performances at various public venues in Bangkok. Also used very often in symphony orchestras, some of the most famous orchestral music features the harp. With eager anticipation we look forward to developing your personal interest and passion for this most beautiful of instruments, and the incomparably exquisite repertoire composed for it.
Woodwind Lessons
Flute and Clarinet lessons are currently offered. A long serving flautist with the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, Supachai Jongchanachai has made solo concerto appearances with both. His distinguished career includes a wealth of teaching experience with the RBSS and other institutions. Korean clarinettist, Seung A Chung studied with Vienna Philharmonic section maestros in Austria. She won 1st Prize awards at the Sunhwa Chamber Music Competition (Korea) and Korea-USA Competition, and 2nd Prize at the Padova International Competition (Italy). She has performed with the RBSO from 2016-2018, and her students have won prizes from various international competitions.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar maestro Jetjumnong Jongprasert is strongly committed to creating one of the most efficient classical guitar classroom studios in Thailand, empowering students to achieve their full potential. Professionally active for fifteen years in Thailand and Europe, he is a highly regarded practitioner of his art, having won 1st Prize in Thailand’s Yamaha Guitar Competition Junior (under 17 years old) category for three consecutive years from 1998-2000, and 1st Prize in the Senior (over 17 years old) and Chamber categories in 2003. A member of the Yehudi Menuhin ‘Live Music Now’ project, he performed at the International Gitarrenmatineen Dusseldorf 2011 Festival.
The Acoustic Masters
Also with fifteen years of experience, Guitar master Karl Rasmidatta is likewise regarded as one of Thailand’s finest Classical Guitarists. He is also a professional event organiser, and has great experience in combining his instrument in the context of bands and ensembles. As someone enters the spacious atrium entrance of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Music School for the very first time, they are immediately impressed by the exquisitely appointed quality of the whole school. Of all the instruments on offer at RBSS, the Classical Guitar is certainly one, which is ideally suited to the concentrated, calm, serene, and quiet atmosphere here.
Voice Lessons
Nature’s own instrument, the human voice is the very purest expression of our inborn musical instinct. For as long as history has been recorded, people have used their voices to communicate their innermost feelings and emotions. All styles and genres of singing can be studied at RBSS. Formal classical voice training is certainly the most demanding, and involves the careful development of established breathing and vocal chord sound production techniques. However, all styles of microphone based, popular music singing can also be explored here, from classic West End/Broadway Musicals to Jazz idioms, from Folk traditions to commercial Pop and Rock.
Theory & Aural Lessons
The mastery of Western classical music is dependent upon, more than any other form of music, a deep knowledge and capability in the theoretical side of the art. Serious music has a unique and complex language quite unlike any other, with its own specific vocabulary, conventions, rules, codes, and traditions. Learning all the necessary elements of the reading, and indeed writing, of classical music is an essential part of all-round musicianship training when learning an actual musical instrument. Similarly with the discipline of listening skills (aural training), this is best achieved under the guidance of an experienced and encouraging teacher.