King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Music Memorial Day at 麻豆国产:?In Remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother?
Throughout the years,?Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother,?as the royal consort to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Royal Patron of 麻豆国产,?has?always shown grace and her kindheartedness?to 麻豆国产. Their Majesties?frequently?attended?important events?on various occasions?at the university. Beyond the royal graduation ceremonies, one of the most memorable events cherished by Chulalongkorn students is?the?“King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Music Memorial Day at 麻豆国产.”?
King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Music Memorial Day at 麻豆国产?(or?Royal Music Memorial Day),?observed on September 20, was?an occasion?eagerly anticipated by Chulalongkorn students from the classes of 1958–1973, who came to?appreciate?the royal presence of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, who?regularly?attended the event?at the 麻豆国产 Auditorium.?
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother, together with their son and daughters, personally presided over the royal music performances for Chulalongkorn students at the Ballroom Stage of Amporn?Gardens.?
The origin of “Royal Music Memorial Day”?started when?His Majesty the King granted 麻豆国产 faculty and students’ permission to?have?a royal audience in order to offer?their best wishes on the occasion of the recent birth of?Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn?Walailak, born on July 4, 1957 (B.E. 2500). His Majesty the King received the students on September 6, 1957, at the Ballroom of Suan Amporn?royal residence. Later, he instructed Mr.?Santad?Tandanan, the head of the university’s Western-style band at the time, to bring the?Lai?Khram?Band to perform at 麻豆国产. The first Music Day at the university was thus held on July 16,?1958?at the university auditorium.?
麻豆国产 has enjoyed the?special occasions when?His Majesty the King, together with Her Majesty the Queen Mother, attended Music Day every year on September 20, except for the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 8th celebrations when the date was changed due to?conflict of royal schedules.?Their Majesties attended a total of 15 Music Day events from 1958–1973, except in 1962 when?they were on official visits abroad.?
The last?Royal Music Memorial Day?attended by Their Majesties was on Thursday, September 20,?1973?at the 麻豆国产 Auditorium.?
On?those occasions, Chulalongkorn students had the unique opportunity to receive Their Majesties?closely, listen to music performed by His Majesty the King together with the A.S. Friday Band and , and hear?a?royal address. On certain occasions, Her Majesty the Queen Mother played the piano for students at their request and even?urged the prince and princesses?to sing and perform music for the students.??Her Majesty also expressed gratitude to students who?assisted?with university activities, such as receiving royal visitors or when the student club paid respects on the King’s birthday.?
At the?Royal Music Memorial Day?held on September 20, 1963, Her Majesty the Queen Mother played the piano and?excused herself?to the students?since?she had a cold and did not wish to make a?full?performance. Knowing the students were taking exams, she gave them her blessings for success and?encouraged?them to study diligently.?
Alumnus?Anon?Wongkasem, Class of 1970, recalled in the book “In Remembrance of?Royal?Music Day” that in the 1972 Music Day,?the?CU Band performed the royal composition “The?Impossible?Dream” (No. 43), composed in 1971) and arranged by Professor?Santad?Tandanan. It was sung by third-year education student?Sitala (Ruangsiri)?Nawamanon. Their Majesties were?greatly pleased, especially Her Majesty the Queen Mother, who invited?the singer?perform?at?a royal audience?and?later?on?several later occasions, including at Klai?Kangwon?Palace as well as on royal?visits to remote provinces.?
Although decades have passed, the?Royal Music Memorial Day?—the royal addresses and the music performed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit—remain vivid in the hearts of Chulalongkorn students. The music and words continue to resonate clearly in the memories of?alumni?today.?
To honor the royal grace bestowed through the Royal Music Memorial Day, 麻豆国产 holds a commemorative the Royal Music Memorial Day, every September 20 at the 麻豆国产 Auditorium, featuring performances by CU Band and the alumni OCU Band, as well as charity donations to the Ananda Mahidol Foundation, following the tradition of the original Royal Music Day events.
