Yala - It may not be beyond the ability of students in Yala to drown out the sound of gunfire with the sound of their own music.
Despite being shrouded by the gloom of daily violence, many strive to fill their lives with peace and happiness.
Armed with more than 100 musical instruments, the students compiled an "army of melodies" they say can drive away the fear and anxiety of deadly insurgent attacks.
The students from various schools in the southern province were helped by local officials to establish in February the Yala Youth Orchestra, the only orchestra in the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
The orchestra confirms their will to live in peace and serves as a symbol of unity which is rare in the insurgency-torn region.
"I just thought how good it would be if these kids learned and played together," said Pongsak Yingchoncharoen, mayor of Yala municipality, recalling how the idea to set up the orchestra came to him in a flash two years ago.
At that time, he was presiding over a sports day celebration at a school in the city. Seeing musicians in a marching band parade onto a school ground, Mr Pongsak said, he realised how music could unify the young.
"They will build a strong bond, love each other, and grow together to help build a good society," he said.
The southern unrest might spark conflict between some Buddhists and Muslims, but in music class such rivalry is never found, Mr Pongsak said. Children of different religions learn and help one another. Their focus is on the internal harmony of classical music.
"I`m very happy when listening to it. I feel very relaxed," said Pasakorn Srinuan, a 13-year-old student from Satri Yala school who plays a timpani, a type of percussion instrument.
Pasakorn is one of 140 students with musical skills who were chosen from different schools to join the orchestra. A meeting room at the municipality office has become their favourite place to gather and learn. The children rush to this special classroom after school each day as their parents sit inside listening to them practise.
Nadia Saiuma, 14, of Municipality 5 school, enjoys playing viola. Music, she said, allows her to make good use of her free time. "I have some new friends, too," she said.
The municipality spent more than four million baht to buy 109 musical instruments for the orchestra. Local teachers in the province were chosen to attend music classes at the College of Music at Mahidol University`s Salaya campus in Nakhon Pathom so they could impart this new knowledge to the students.
"After two months, they could play as an orchestra," said teacher Sompong Promsawang. "Though they played easy songs, they deserve applause for their dedication and discipline."
By the third month, the young orchestra was ready for public shows, including a recent one to welcome Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim who was visiting Yala.
Now they are preparing for a big public concert on Dec 1 which is aimed to bring joy and build pride among the people of Yala.
"I plan to buy more musical instruments and open a music school here," said Mr Pongsak.
He said his municipality will support poor children who love music, but cannot afford to study it.
Mr Pongsak said music develops both the left and right sides of a child`s brain, nurturing their abilities to both reason and imagine.
This, when accompanied with other educational and economic programmes, will build a healthier society by giving each family more protection from poverty and others` propaganda.
"I believe it is not an exaggeration to have this dream," Mr Pongsak said.
Source: www.bangkokpost.com - Onnucha Hutasingh (26 Mei 2008)
