February 3-10, 2009 - the Chiang Mai Music Festival presents its annual Festival Week of teaching and performing classical music in Chiang Mai with its special emphasis on the art of classical piano music. This Festival was founded by the internationally renowned pianist and teacher, Professor Tong-Il Han, with his friends Professor Anne E. Murase and Mr. Kazuyoshi Murase of Tokyo and Chiang Mai supported by Khun Chavalit Sirinirund and Dr. Petchsri Sirinirund, M.D. who have made Ban Wangtan the "home" of the Festival. This Year the Mayor of the Municipality of Chiang Mai, Captain Dr. Duentemduang Na Chiang Mai, has extended invaluable help by sponsoring the Festival in its Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center debut. Concluding this year's performances in Thailand, D. & M. Music of Bangkok supported by Siam Music Yamaha Co., Ltd. is presenting the the Chiang Mai Music Festival's first Bangkok concert.
The Chiang Mai Music Festival first performed and taught in Chiang Mai in February 2006 with artists and teachers from various countries and has returned every February since 2006. The purpose of the Chiang Mai Music Festival is to enrich classical musical education in Chiang Mai, to encourage youth and teachers, and to inspire and delight audiences from all walks of life and interests.
Professor Tong-Il Han (Korean-born American citizen who has now returned to his land of birth) devotes his main energies to teaching young pianists in Korea. In Seoul he teaches a select group of very gifted and accomplished young pianists (ranging in age from middle school to university) at the Tong-Il Han Piano Academy. He also is Chair Professor at University of Ulsan and teaches at Suncheon University in Korea. In Japan he is Visiting Professor at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima.
Every year Professor Han brings to Chiang Mai selected Young Pianists to perform in schools and in public in a series of concerts offered free of charge. Also, Professor Han annually brings to Chiang Mai an experienced colleague and teacher. Together they offer free workshops and lessons for students and educators. This year in Chiang Mai there will be two piano workshops, two in-school concerts, and two public concerts along with the first performance in Bangkok by Young Pianists from Korea and Japan of the Chiang Mai Music Festival.
A core project of the Chiang Mai Music Festival, Youth Making Music for Youth, comes directly from Professor Han's own life experience. While Jacqueline Kennedy was First Lady of the United States, she instituted the famous White House Concerts at which Tong-Il Han played as a young man. One feature of these concerts was Youth Making Music for Youth - an inspired project as were the famous Young People's concerts started in New York by Leonard Bernstein. Professor Han also performed in these as a boy. Thus, the Chiang Mai Music Festival’s commitment to youth has its own special musical, historical and personal roots. Young pianists mentored by Tong-Il Han now enthrall Chiang Mai audiences every February and we hope that Chiang Mai will welcome us as a regular feature of annual cultural events.
Professor Tong-Il Han -
Internationally acclaimed pianist & mentor of
Young Pianists of the Chiang Mai Music Festival
2009 Chiang Mai City
Arts & Cultural Center Debut
