
BGSU College of Musical Arts professor internationally recognized for composing
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Piyawat Louilarpprasert was recently honored with the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Ensemble Prize for work with his music ensemble Tacet(i)
Some 20 years ago, it is likely no one saw or heard anything exceptional about that marching band performing at a primary school in Thailand. It was simply a group of young people playing music, an event that takes place thousands of times each day in myriad locations across the planet.
But inside a certain trombone player in that marching band, a spark of curiosity about the intricate mechanics of music would soon ignite into a conflagration. Piyawat Louilarpprasert quickly developed an interest in music composition, and by his high school years, he was writing music for the school’s orchestra.
Louilarpprasert, an assistant professor in the Bowling Green State University College of Musical Arts, soon ventured into the realm of experimental music, and that extensive exploration continues unabated today, and with distinction.
Louilarpprasert was recently honored with the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Ensemble Prize for work with his music ensemble Tacet(i), adding yet another international entry to his lengthy list of awards.
“At first, I just thought it would be cool to have my own music,” the 31-year-old said recently from his native Thailand, where he spent several weeks in December curating a music festival that brought in 50 artists from around the world.
“It definitely amazes me to see the power there is in music. Music is something every culture and every country has in common. It becomes something very important because music affects people.”
Louilarpprasert, who one music critic described as “the rebel Thai composer taking music to unheard heights,” said he wears that label as a badge of honor since the potential discoveries outside of the traditional musical norms motivate and excite him.
“I don’t write in classic musical style, so I am always questioning what music is and looking to the future of innovation,” he added.
Louilarpprasert said his music examines the countless opportunities in bringing about an amalgamation of sonic and visual arts, while also including the integration of multimedia and music. He is also interested in deconstructing an instrument’s mechanism and physicality with sound production methods and weaving Thai traditional music elements into new compositions.
Dr. Bill Mathis, dean of the College of Musical Arts, said Louilarpprasert’s expertise as a composer makes him an ideal educator for the composition program at BGSU, which has a remarkable reputation and legacy across academia.
“His work with technology, electronics and non-traditional instruments brings a unique compositional voice to our programs, creating interest and engagement with audiences,” Mathis said.
He added that Louilarpprasert’s prolific compositional record and bevy of accomplishments make him a rising star in musical compositional circles and a great addition to the BGSU faculty.
“Piyawat exudes enthusiasm, energy and passion in his work and teaching. His innate sense of curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship is contagious and sets an example for both students and faculty alike," Mathis said.
Louilarpprasert said he was attracted to Bowling Green by the “very strong faculty and performance department,” as well as the many opportunities for composers to write new music for a variety of programs.
The young composer, whose works have been performed in more than 20 countries in Asia, Europe and the U.S., said he plans to continue to bring a diverse array of artists to Bowling Green. He relishes his role as an international composer who creates musical and cultural connections between his native Thailand, the U.S., and the rest of the world.
“My goal is to keep finding new dialogues in music,” he said. “In my research, I call my music an extension of culture, and I want to expand my research even more broadly. As a composer, I feel that the way we grow is to collaborate with different forms of music, expand software and expand innovation. We can always explore new sounds and create cultural bridges with music.”
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Media Contact | Michael Bratton | mbratto@bgsu.edu | 419-372-6349
Updated: 01/22/2025 10:59AM