In the year 2000 Immanuel Music School project was founded by a Norwegian missionary couple and continuously run this project cooperation with the Immanuel Lutheran Church. The project in the deprived community of Klong-Toei, Bangkok. Located at 1869 Soi Uthai Farm, Rama 4 road, Klong-Toei, Bangkok. On March 6, 2019, we were registered as the Music for Life Foundation. The Foundation is an independent organization, managed by the Board of foundation.
Classical Music Project
Today the project runs a music program involving 70 children aged 7-18 in classical music activities such as individual lessons on violin, viola, cello, double bass and guitar, piano, choir, music theory and orchestra, Open after school every Tuesday-Friday from 17.00-20.00 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 12.00-18.00 pm. We now run two classes, one at the Immanuel Music Project, and another at the Music House Project in Khlong Toei Community.
Music Scholarship
In addition, we have a music scholarship project for fully support Immanuel Orchestra students who pursue their bachelor’s degrees in the music program in Thailand’s leading music colleges, institutes, and universities with a fully-funded scholarship to further their professionals and to continuously grow as individuals.
The music project has so far had an important role in changing lives of hundreds of children in the neighborhood, not only for those who got the opportunity to study further to become professional musicians, but it has also been an overall encouragement for children to improve their academic skills at school and give the children happiness and hope for the future. This has resulted in many of the young musicians getting access to further education. It has also given the children an alternative to the drug and crime infested environment where they live, and in many cases an alternative to the families they don't have.
Immanuel String Orchestra
Immanuel String Orchestra has for a several of years co-operated with International Schools in Bangkok and have had several concert projects together. Since 2014 the Immanuel orchestra led by the exciting British conductor Jonathan Mann has grown and flourished enabling the young musicians to perform to a wider Bangkok public. There have been important collaborations with musicians.
In 2015 the Music for Life Project was set up in collaboration with the Bangkok Opera Society to give the Immanuel School a sustainable future. 2015 also saw the debut concert of the Immanuel Junior Orchestra which is the feeder orchestra for the main orchestra. This is conducted by Mr. Varin Artvilai who grew up in the Klong-Toey slums and has been a big success story from the school having studied at Mahidol School of Music and performing as a member of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra.
In the process of making music, collaborating and performing with many different people the huge class differences between these children seems to be forgotten. This evident cooperation has proven that music can build bridges in an otherwise divided Thai Society, helping to create understanding and develop confidence in the children.
Have all your questions answered — by phone or email.