The Classical Music Education Project in Klong Toey, Bangkok’s largest slums, was initiated 22 years ago in 2000 by a couple of Norwegian missionary, Dag Johannessen and Solveig Johannessen with the support of Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Project aims to provide free classical music lessons to impoverished and disadvantaged children in Klong Toey slums and the surrounding communities. It is also
hoped that music education will transform the lives of the children emotionally, intellectually and socially through music and encourage them to pursue higher music studies. The Project accepts children aged between 7 – 13 years old and runs free classes after normal school hours every Tuesdays – Fridays during 16.00 - 20.00 pm and Saturdays during 12.00 - 18.00 pm. Classes include instructions on individual instruments such as violin, viola, cello, double base as well as choir singing, music theory and orchestra. Previously, the Project was named as Immanuel Music School. Subsequently, it had changed the name and was registered as ‘Music for Life Foundation’ on March 6, 2019 with a non-profit public charity status. The Foundation is managed by a committee of Thais from various professions and is located at 1869, Rim Thang Rotfai Sai Paknam Road, Klong Ton, Klong Toey, Bangkok.
'Immanuel String Orchestra' began in 2014 led by the exciting British musician and conductor Jonathan Mann he helped grow Immanuel Orchestra, inspired the Thai youth to express themselves confidently and made the Orchestra more well known to the Thai professional musicians. In 2015 saw the debut concert of Immanuel Junior Orchestra under the conductorship of Varin Artvilai (Kru Ton Klauy) who grew up in Klong Toey slums, received scholarships from the Foundation and became the first student of the Foundation to graduate from College of Music, Mahidol University. After graduation, Kru Ton Klauy has been teaching children in the communities’ classical music up to the present. The Classical Music Education Project of the Foundation has been instrumental in transforming the lives of many children in Klong Toey slums, helping them reach their full musical potential and supporting them along the pathway to their future professional success. Music education has enabled the children to use their spare time creatively and saved them from the harms of drug abuse and crime. The Foundation also gives music scholarships up to the undergraduate studies level so that students may earn their livelihood for their own benefit and the society at large.
