Dawn of Kelantan for Orchestra

Abstract

This creative research aims to arrange orchestral music inspired by Rong Ngeng, a traditional Thai Muslim performing art along southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea Coast. The researcher investigated performing techniques, pitch range, melody, and historical background by interviewing experts. Subsequently, they selected a Rong Ngeng piece in the Yoket rhythm, known for its lively beats and accentuated melodic lines.The outcome is the orchestral composition titled "Dawn of Kelantan," which utilises Western musical theory and orchestration techniques. This approach preserves the essence of Rong Ngeng, encompassing its melody and the rhythmic patterns of Yoket, while also exploring the musical instruments, their ranges, and techniques.

This arrangement spans 3 minutes and 34 seconds. The evaluation of this creative work can be categorized into three aspects: 1) Folklore communication, promoting the concept of Rong Ngeng in a contemporary context, 2) Performance, aligning with the folk tune through instrumentation while maintaining its authenticity and 3)Orchestration, preserving the original essence of the folk melody and rhythmic patterns