An Examination of Community Music Development: A Case Study of the Songkhla Youth Winds

Abstract

The development of southern Thai music is influenced by the

social, cultural, and historical context of the area. The Songkhla Youth Winds is one of the important examples of community-level music development that promotes youth musical learning and strengthens local music networks. This article aims to study the development process, roles, and impacts of the Songkhla Youth Winds on the community in the context of southern music, including its important role in developing youth musical skills through a systematic training system and knowledge transfer through a systematic teaching and learning process. In addition, the orchestra acts as a center for preserving and disseminating southern Thai folk music by presenting folk songs together with contemporary music to create a link between Eastern and Western music.

In terms of community impact, the Songkhla Youth Winds plays a role in building local unity and pride through musical activities that provide opportunities for youth and the public to participate both locally and nationally. It also helps promote the creative economy and stimulates greater interest in music among the youth, resulting in musical sustainability. This article suggests that the development of music in the South, especially in the context of the Songkhla Youth Winds, not only strengthens the potential of the youth but is also an important factor in preserving the musical culture of southern Thailand, helping to create a strong musical network and promoting the sustainability of community music in the long run.