Surasakmontree

TEAM ID. 1009

Surasakmontree

Surasakmontree Brass Band is the first student brass band in Thailand. It was officially established on 26 June 1994 under the leadership of Mr. Thanee Sombunburana, who served as the school director at that time. The founding teachers of the band included Mr. Somkiat Banchongpru, Mr. Prakob Chaiyamaung, and Mr. Witawat Klee Muenwai, with musical training conducted by Mr. Khanesorn Srirong.
The establishment of the Surasakmontree Brass Band resulted from study visits and participation in international and world-level marching band competitions by personnel involved in marching band education. After extensive consultations with music experts, a consensus was reached to establish Thailand’s first brass band with the goal of enhancing musical knowledge and cultivating public appreciation for a new style of music characterized by perfect harmony, emotional power, and constant excitement.
In the early years, the band was often questioned: “What is a brass band?” and how it differed from a conventional marching band, since both appeared to march and play music similarly. Continuous public relations efforts over approximately five years eventually led to widespread recognition and acceptance of the brass band as a distinct musical ensemble.
The Surasakmontree Brass Band consists of two main types of instruments: brass instruments and percussion instruments, unlike traditional marching bands which also include woodwind instruments. Brass bands are notable for their powerful sound even with a relatively small number of players. Because brass instruments are made primarily of metal, they are highly durable and suitable for outdoor performances in all weather conditions. The band is capable of performing in various formats, including marching parades, field show performances, and concert settings. Its repertoire covers a wide range of musical styles such as classical music, marches, folk music, and popular music. Brass bands are widely popular in many countries including the United Kingdom, European nations, the United States, Australia, Japan, and Singapore.
At present, the Surasakmontree Brass Band consists of 90 musical instruments with a total of 123 musicians and performers. The band is conducted by Mr. Yutthasak Pothirook, with Mr. Ekkanat Lupholthae serving as Assistant band director. The band continuously trains and develops students’ musical skills with strong and consistent support from Surasakmontree School under every administration. The current school director is Dr. Onitcha Kochana. The Surasakmontree Brass Band has participated in numerous national and international competitions and has earned many prestigious awards as follows:

Major Awards and Honors
1998
• Champion, Yamaha Thailand Marching Band Competition (3rd), 26 December 1998
o Highest Score Award, Royal Trophy of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

1999
• Champion, Yamaha Thailand Marching Band Competition (4th)
o Royal Trophy of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great

2001
• Gold Medal Champion, Marching, Division 2 (Star Division)
• Outstanding Gold Medal Champion, Show Band, Division 1 (Championship Division)
o 14th World Music Contest, Kerkrade, The Netherlands

2005
• Gold Medal Champion, Marching, Championship Division
• Outstanding Gold Medal Champion, Display, Championship Division (Highest Score)
• Day Prize Award (Highest score of all bands on that day)
o 15th World Music Contest, Kerkrade, The Netherlands

2009
• 1st Runner-up, World Music Contest (16th), Show Band Corps Style Class, World Division
o Score: 93.35

2010
• Champion, Drum Battle, 1st Thailand International Marching Band Competition

2012
• Champion, Royal thophy of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Drumline Stand Still Play, Senior Division
o Thailand Drumline Contest 2012

2013
• The band achieved worldwide recognition at the 17th World Music Contest, The Netherlands, with the performance set “Oneness”, symbolizing the unity of mankind through diversity, imagination, and harmony from past to present. The band received:
1. Outstanding Gold Medal, Show Band, World Division
2. Day Prize Award
3. Highest Overall Score of the Entire Competition, 93.74
4. World Champion, 17th World Music Contest, Corps Style Class, World Division (Prize of €3,500)
• Champion, Drumline Stand Still Play, Senior Division, Thailand Drumline Contest 2013

2014
• 1st Runner-up, Drum Fighter Thailand’s Royal Celebration Marching Band International Contest 2014
• 2nd Runner-up, Drumline Battle, Thailand World Music Championship

2015
• Gold Medal, Percussion Ensemble, 11th Thailand Drumline Contest
• 2nd Runner-up, Color Guard Open Division, “Thiasus Suntech & Surasakmontree”

2016
• Gold Medal & 1st Runner-up, Marching Category, 35th Royal Trophy Student Marching Band Contest
• 3rd Runner-up, Drum Dual
• Gold Medal, Thailand Drumline Contest (12th), Basic Division

2018
• Gold Medal & 1st Runner-up, Royal Trophy Drumline Contest (13th), Senior Division
• Champion, Asia Marching Arts 2018, Percussion Ensemble, Independent Division
o Score: 86.60

2019
• Champion, Royal Trophy of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, BSRU Thailand Marching Band Competition 2019, Drumline Battle Division 2
o Score: 90.33
• Gold Medal Level Award, Music & Marching Arts International 2019, Concert Band Showcase
• Certificate of Merit, Thailand International Band and Orchestra Festival 2019, Concert Band Class B Intermediate

2020
• Champion, Royal Trophy of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, BSRU Thailand Marching Band Competition 2020, Battery Battle Division 2
o Highest Score: 89.17

2022
• Champion, Solo & Ensembles, Youth Percussion Ensemble, CGN United, Netherlands (Gold with Honors, Score 91.00)
• Gold Medal Champion, Percussion Ensemble (Score 86.33) and Gold Medal, Concert Band World Division (Score 86.30), WAMSB World Championship 2022
• Gold Medal, 5th Valaya Alongkorn Music Competition 2022, Display Category (Under 18), Score 86.35

2023
• Gold Medal, Show Band, Thailand International Marching Competition
• Champion, Royal Trophy, Thailand International Marching Competition (TIMC 15), Drum Fighter Category
• 1st Runner-up, Thailand World Music Championship, Indoor Marching Arts: Winds Independent Class (Gold Level, Score 91.600)

2024
• Champion, Royal Trophy, Thailand Symphonic Concert Championship 2024 (TSCC), Concert Marching Art, Senior Division
• Champion, Royal Trophy of King Vajiralongkorn, 16th Thailand International Marching Competition 2024, Marching Show Band, Senior Division
o Gold Level Score 92.650
o Special Awards:
 Best Music
 Best Visual
 Best Wind
 Best Percussion
 Best Color Guard
• Champion, Royal Trophy of King Vajiralongkorn 7th Valaya Alongkorn Music Competition 2024, Marching Display
o Gold Level Score 88.50
o Special Awards:
 Best Music
 Best Visual Effect
 Best Winds
 Best Percussion

2025
• Silver Medal, Yamaha Thailand International Music Competition 2025, Percussion Ensemble Premier Division
• 2nd Prize (Gold Level), Thailand International Tuba Euphonium Conference 2025, Ensemble B (Under 18)
• Champion, Band Competition of Thailand Krung Thep 2025, Color Guard (Under 20), Gold Level Score 87.00
• Champion, Band Competition of Thailand Krung Thep 2025, Marching Percussion Division 2 (Junior), Gold Level Score 83.450
• Silver Medal, North Eastern Wind International Festival 2025, Concert Brass Band Premier Division

The Surasakmontree Brass Band has received royal gracious support from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great for the documentation and preservation of musical knowledge for the King Rama IX Music Library Project and the Vajiravudh Memorial Music Library under the Fine Arts Department.
The Surasakmontree Brass Band is widely recognized both nationally and internationally. The band has also participated in many notable performances, including:
• The film “The Rhythm of Life”
• The opening ceremony of the AFC U-17 Thailand 2023
• International commercial advertisements such as Teh Pucuk Harum (Indonesia)
• Pride Parade and many other public and international events.