The Khmer Magic Music Bus comes to our School
The Khmer Magic Music Bus (KMMB) received funding to visit our school and perform for our Cambodian students. This musical troupe, headed by Ms. Thom Smeya, is a spin-off of Cambodian Living Arts and travels throughout Cambodia educating students about Cambodian music — both traditional and contemporary.
We are grateful to Arn Chorn-Pond, founder of Cambodian Living Arts (CLA), and Charley Todd, CLA Board President, for visiting our school with the KMMB.
The “pin” harp
Musicians performing with War Conches
Particularly impressive was the Pin (pronounced Pbun). This beautiful Khmer harp depicted in the Angkor Wat bas-reliefs (and the CLA logo) was resurrected through a cooperation between researchers and CLA artists. After an absence of decades, it is now being performed again.
The students were treated to a wide repertoire, including court music, songs popularized by Sinn Sisamuth (a Cambodian rock star), folk music, musical improvisation and even Khmer slapstick. It was thrilling to see the school kids laughing, singing and dancing and experiencing the richness of Khmer culture.