The Collector

A native of Thailand, Dr. Cholthitchanta joined the University of Arkansas in fall 2001. Previously, he taught at Graceland University and faculty at Continuing Education, The University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Formerly, Nophachai was the principal clarinetist of the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, L’Orchestre Mondial Des Jeunesses Musicales, Asian Youth Orchestra, Asean Youth Orchestra and was a member of Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, New Ear Ensemble etc. He has performed at music festivals as a soloist, chamber music musician and orchestral member in the major concert halls in more than twelve countries including Concertgebouw Hall, Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Vienna Konzerthaus. He was also a concerto competition winner at the Hong Kong Academy Concerto Competition, the Rocky Mountain Competition and twice at the University of Northern Colorado Symphony’s Solo Competition. He has performed concertos with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Thai National Orchestra, North Arkansas Symphony, UNC Symphony Orchestra, Kasetsart Wind Symphony, UA Symphony Orchestra and UA Wind Symphony. Nophachai has appeared at International Clarinet Association (ICA)-ClarinetFest, International Double Reed Society Convention, National Flute Association Convention and The College Music Society National Conference.

In addition to modern clarinet, Nophachai is also a researcher and an avid collector of historical clarinets. He owns both originals and reproductions of 18th – 19th c. clarinets. His research paper entitled “Stubbin’s S-K Mechanism” was published in a companion volume to the  Catalogue of the Sir Nicholas Shackleton Collection by Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. Nophachai presented both research papers and lecture recital at American Musical Instrument Society Meetings, The Galpin Society Conferences.