Gamelan-a-rama
With the Jan. 26 delivery of a 75-piece Indonesian musical ensemble, UD has expanded the community's access to world music. The ensemble's premiere is April 19; new musicians are welcome to join.
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First-year music education major Bernie Metzger presses the bars into place on a new xylophone Jan. 26. The instrument is part of a 75-piece gamelan from Indonesia.
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February 5, 2009 - UD began unpacking an 8,000-pound "gong orchestra" from Indonesia Jan. 26, boosting access to world music at UD and in the Dayton area.
The collection, called a gamelan, requires about 15 to 20 musicians to play its 75 pieces, which include xylophones, chimes and gongs, said Arlene Chongson, a lecturer on world music.
"It's really easy and fun to learn," she said. "It's very accessible music because you don't have to read notation."
Sumarsam, a Javanese gamelan master from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, will visit campus March 16-19 for a three-day residency. He'll work with the ensemble and give a free, public lecture and demonstration at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Boll Theatre in Kennedy Union.
The UD Javanese gamelan ensemble will give its inaugural performance at a joint concert with the University's percussion ensemble at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Boll Theatre.
About eight students have already joined the group, and Chongson is encouraging campus and community members to join.
Rehearsals are from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays in the Music/Theatre Building on campus. For more information, contact Chongson at 229-3915 or via e-mail.
The collection, called a gamelan, requires about 15 to 20 musicians to play its 75 pieces, which include xylophones, chimes and gongs, said Arlene Chongson, a lecturer on world music.
"It's really easy and fun to learn," she said. "It's very accessible music because you don't have to read notation."
Sumarsam, a Javanese gamelan master from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, will visit campus March 16-19 for a three-day residency. He'll work with the ensemble and give a free, public lecture and demonstration at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Boll Theatre in Kennedy Union.
The UD Javanese gamelan ensemble will give its inaugural performance at a joint concert with the University's percussion ensemble at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Boll Theatre.
About eight students have already joined the group, and Chongson is encouraging campus and community members to join.
Rehearsals are from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays in the Music/Theatre Building on campus. For more information, contact Chongson at 229-3915 or via e-mail.
