The Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival (FOKL) 2026 included an Instrument Workshop on May 29 focusing on the oboe, French horn, and trumpet, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [1, 2]. The workshop aimed to teach young musicians reed maintenance, breathing support, and sound production techniques to deepen their understanding of these orchestral instruments [1, 2].
The oboe was a central focus. Damrih Banawityakit, head of the Creative Music Department at Silpakorn University in Thailand, who has played the oboe for over 40 years, highlighted the instrument’s expressive power. She said, "It often plays beautiful and expressive melodies, which is why we sometimes describe the oboe as the ‘main actress’ of the orchestra because its sound naturally draws attention" [1]. Banawityakit explained the challenges of mastering the oboe, especially the need to carefully make and adjust reeds, which strongly influence tone quality, adding, "If you make a very good reed, then you already have 50 per cent of the advantage" [1].
The French horn was described as having a distinct personality from the oboe. "People hear the French horn all the time in movies, especially in Hollywood films, but many may not realise it is actually the horn they are listening to," said Supreeti Ansvananda [1]. She noted the horn’s roles in evoking heroism, romance, and tension, calling it "like the soul of the orchestra" [1]. The workshop gave musicians practical tools to produce the French horn’s rich sound, frequently used in both classical music and cinematic scores [1, 2].
The festival’s workshop provided focused training on breathing techniques and the unique uses of these wind instruments to help young musicians better grasp their character and contribution to orchestral music [1, 2].
