Written by THA SC

Yeosu, Korea, 16 October 2024 -- The Thailand Marching Band Association has appointed Sarasit Pithayalai Ban Pong School Marching Band to represent the country in the “2024 Yeosu Marching Festival” International Marching Band Festival in Yeosu, South Korea, from 9-16 October 2024. The band is composed of 52 students aged 12-18, 8 teachers and parents, under the leadership of Fr. Somrote Chaichana SDB, School Director, and Fr. Chinnawat Suvadinkul, SDB.

During the event, the Sarasit Marching Band participated in the Street Parade along the coastal route of Yeosu and performed at the Marching Festival Opening Ceremony and the Yeosu Wind Music Festival, which attracted a large number of visitors.

After the event, the students went on a study tour to learn about Korean culture from 14-16 October 2024 and were provided with accommodation at the Salesian Provincial House in Seoul, where they were warmly welcomed by the Salesian confreres.

In addition, the Sarasit School Marching Band has received many awards at the world level, such as winning the Second Division Champions Award at the “1998 World Championships of Marching Show Band” in July 1998 in London, England, and winning the 2003 World Champion and receiving the highest score of 93.80 (Highest Scoring Division I Band and Highest Scoring Junior Band) in Monza, Italy. Moreover, they also performed before Pope John Paul II at Castel Gandolfo in 2003.

On the occasion of Pope Francis' visit to Thailand in 2019, the Sarasit Marching Band, together with the Salesian Schools' Marching Band, performed to welcome the Pope at Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok.

The support and promotion of the Salesian School Marching Band in Thailand is a clear demonstration that the Salesians of Don Bosco care about the formation of young people in the Salesian spirit because music helps to refine the young people’s minds to be gentle and meek. This is to make it true that “A Salesian home without music is like a body without a soul.”

Thank you to the Sarasit School Alumni Association, and the Teachers and Parents Association for organizing the charity golf tournament to raise funds for this performance trip, and thank you to all parties who have always supported the school's marching band.

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