This Programme Introduced 160 Students From Undeserved Communities To Malaysian Folk Songs

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Most Malaysian students can probably recognise Beethoven or Mozart the moment they hear them

But ask them to play Ulek Mayang or Wau Bulan in an ensemble, and things start to feel a little less familiar.

A new music programme by local music education company Rondo Production is trying to change that, starting with students who often have limited access to structured music education in the first place.

Over May 2026, 160 students aged 13 to 17 from undeserved communities across Malaysia took part in a series of music workshops

The programme, Gift of Music Lessons: From the Unheard to the Inspired, is a pilot initiative by Rondo Production, supported by Arts for All Seasons (ArtsFAS) 2025 under Yayasan Hasanah.

Students from four schools in KL, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Penang came together to learn Malaysian folk songs as full ensemble pieces.

For many, it was the first time they were exposed to these works in a structured workshop setting with professional musicians and tutors guiding them.

While some were already in school bands, others were experiencing this level of structured music education for the first time.

For Rondo Production, the issue wasn't just whether students were interested in music, but whether they had access to it in the first place

"Many schools lack resources, whether that is specialist teachers, suitable teaching materials, or local repertoire that students can actually perform. We wanted to complement the excellent work already being done by schools and tutors by bringing additional resources, expertise, and inspiration directly to students," founder and CEO Kenny Ooi shared.

Instead of focusing on Western classics, the programme centred on Malaysian folk songs like Ulek Mayang, Ayam Didik, Jong Jong Inai, Wau Bulan, and Puteri Santubung.

These weren't just standard arrangements either. They were newly reworked by Malaysian composers, designed with flexible instrumentation so schools could still perform them even without a full orchestra setup.

"This was one of the most important innovations of the project. Many schools simply do not have complete instrumentation. We wanted to remove that barrier entirely," Ooi added

In some cases, even a small group of four students could bring an entire piece to life.

Students who started out shy or unsure slowly grew more confident through ensemble playing, especially once they realised every part mattered.

"Even though they are second or third parts, they are still important because we can create a balanced sound," one student from SMK Sultanah Asma in Kedah reflected.

Another student shared how music became something deeper than just a school activity: "For me, music is my place to express myself. Academically, I always have pressure, so by coming to band, I can express myself and release my stress through playing instruments and music."

For many of them, this was also their first real introduction to Malaysian folk music in an educational setting

"Folk songs are very close to our hearts as Malaysians. We studied Beethoven. We studied Mozart. But when it comes to our own Malaysian folk songs, why are we not able to convey the message?" Ooi shared.

Lead facilitator Raja Nadiah Raja Zaharuddin Shah added that preserving these songs is just as important as performing them.

"I feel it is good that we are using Malaysian folk songs because we need to make sure that they continue to be passed down. Previously, many of these traditions were shared verbally. By notating them, creating scores, and developing educational resources around them, we are ensuring that future generations can continue to learn them."

One of the standout moments came during the community showcase sessions, where parents were invited to watch the students perform and see how quickly they progressed

Teachers noted that students who were usually quiet became noticeably more expressive during the workshops.

In some cases, groups went from learning unfamiliar folk melodies to performing them confidently in just a few hours.

With the pilot now wrapped, Rondo Production is looking to expand the initiative to more schools across Malaysia

The team also hopes to commission more folk song arrangements and bring in additional educators and composers to strengthen the ecosystem around school music education.

The long-term goal is not just to run workshops, but to build a connected system between students, teachers, composers, and musicians.

And to make sure Malaysian folk songs don't just sit in textbooks, but stay alive, performed, and passed on to the next generation.