With a talent for music and compassion for the underprivileged, Chulayuth Lochotinan has pursued his dreams as well as helped others during his career. Only in his late twenties, Chulayuth has definitely accomplished what many can only dream to do, and he tells us about his journey and future plans.
If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it
Chulayuth Lochotinan is a busy guy. On weekdays, he works as a Senior Manager at Thomson Reuters, and on the weekends, he is the Director at Robinson School of Music, where he also teaches the piano, violin and music theory. Chulayuth developed a passion for music at the tender age of four. Other than teaching, he also pursues his passion for music by performing for charity. Chulayuth is the proud founder, director and conductor of Bangkok Charity Orchestra (BCO), the first and only orchestra in Thailand that abides by the principle of donating 100% of ticket sales to charity. Yes, Chulayuth is indeed a busy guy.
Heart of gold: Finding the concept of playing for charity
Chulayuth picked up the violin in England when he was studying at Harrow School in England before pursuing an Engineering Degree at Oxford University while finding time for his passion in music. It was at Oxford that Chulayuth won the Britton Award and started conducting. He also put his talent and his heart of gold to good use as he started the concept of performing for charity whilst he was a conductor in Oxford. On the first term of every academic year, the orchestra would perform and profit from tickets would fund charities such as Oxfam. This has become a tradition and continues today.
Route to Bangkok Charity Orchestra
Upon graduation, Chulayuth worked as a consultant in financial services at Accenture in London, during which time he founded the UBS Orchestra. The UBS Orchestra played to raise funds for underprivileged children and supported projects of Princes Charles’ The Princes’ Trust’. So when Chulayuth came back to Bangkok the beginning of last year, he wanted to continue what he did in England as he realised that the city did not have something similar. In the beginning of last year, he founded Bangkok Charity Orchestra. It is the first in Bangkok, and one of very few in the world that plays entirely for charity. ‘We donate 100% to charity without reductions of any kinds, and we keep things as transparent as possible’. The people working and helping at BCO are Chulayuth’s friends, and he matches their experiences with the jobs roles in BCO. ‘I feel very privileged to have such a talented and dedicated committee members working with me to make this project happen’, he said. BCO approaches companies for sponsorship on concerts. As there is now a big emphasis on corporate social responsibility, BCO gives companies the opportunity to enhance their CSR initiatives as well as to give aspiring musicians the opportunities to enhance their performing experiences. Chulayuth says that he wants to make classical music more approachable in Bangkok, therefore, the pieces chosen are always the ones which are easily recognised.
For more information about BCO and to receive VIP tickets to concerts and exclusive invitations through the newly established ‘Friends of BCO’, please visit:
www.charityorchestra.org
For Performers who are interested in joining BCO, please email them at:
contact@charityorchestra.org
For Sponsors and Benefactors, please visit:
www.charityorchestra.org/sponsor.php
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