Music and dance students from Phranakhon Rajabhat University performed at Crowder College Tuesday as part of a larger exchange with the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

This trip to the United States is part of their partnership with UMSL, said Pravit Khaopluem, music instructor at Phranakhon.

“One of the objectives is to exchange culture and tradition and we are here to fulfill that,” Khaopluem said through a translator.

Most of the performers are music students, and many of the dancers are also musicians. The program pulled from many different parts of Thai history and culture. The dances themselves tell a story like the Khon, a mask drama in dance. Costumes for that royal dance are more ornate than some of the more folk-style dances like the Serng Krapo (coconut dance) of the northeast district of Thailand.

“The dress is a little shorter because that area of Thailand is hot,” Khaopluem said.

The rhythm is also much faster.

Music for the program was performed by a Mahori ensemble of students playing wind, string and small percussion instruments. The music is different than the Western musical scale with each note spaced equally apart.

Narrator Kannaphat Nithitwaraphakun noted the names of the instruments reflect the sound of their music: the “ching” is a finger cymbal, the “chap” is a flat cymbal and the “grap” is a wooden clapper.

The students will perform every night this week at different colleges across the state before heading back to Thailand. They arrived Saturday night, tried to recover from their jet lag on Sunday, and played at Ozark Technical College in Springfield Monday, before heading to Neosho on Tuesday. They will also play at Mineral Area Community College in Park Hills, Mo., Jefferson Community College in Hillsboro and at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The trip was organized by university president, Dr. Preung Kitratporn, Dr. Tanom Intarakhumnerd, Dr. Laongtip Mathurasa and Kannaphat Nithitwaraphakun.

Mahori ensemble musicians included: Pravit Khaopluem, Saisunee Hawang, Nawat Laothong, Aekkaphan Mairot, Taweesak Pomseethong, Yanapon Kuttasingkee, Kittipong Nakpaniam, Wannisa Pariwantago, Arm Inon, Jaruwat Inon, Nantapat Noosamrit, Phurit Khaopluem and Adisorn Uttakrit.

Classical dancers included: Pinthip Khaopluem, Naiyana Yunchalad, Maria Thungchan, Pornsawan Chawnam, Kasira Hawang, Jariya Simma, Putcharin Kesonbua, Kanokwan Patpai, Nattapong Chatkate, Montira Sansri.