Myoma Amateur Music Association

Myoma was established in 1925 by amateur musicians - Myoma Nyein, Gyi Ohn, Gyi Ngwe, Thant, Hla Din, and Mya Thein - in Mandalay, British Burma (now Myanmar).^[2] In 1928, a Chinese pawn shop owner donated money, enabling the band to expand its repertoire to a variety of wind instruments.^[2] The band's composer and leader, Myoma Nyein, became one of the country's most distinguished musicians.^[2] Throughout the years, the band briefly changed its name to others such as Naypyidaw, but ultimately reverted to its original name, Myoma.^[2]

From 1927 until 1978, Myoma was a fixture in Mandalay's Thingyan (traditional new year) celebrations, parading the city and performing live atop a parade float featuring a silver swan.^[3][2][4] The tradition was resumed in 1996.^[2] Over the years, notable actors and singers like Win Oo performed with Myoma.^[4] The band also entertained foreign delegations, including Zhou Enlai and Chen Yi, who visited Burma in the 1960s.^[1]

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