Fourth and fifth graders from Clearview Elementary presented two performances showcasing what they learned during the school’s annual Gamelan residency last week, first for their fellow classmates, followed by a second performance for family and friends.

 

Gamelan is the traditional ensemble music of Java and Bali in Indonesia, and is among the most well-known of the traditional performing art forms of the country.  The term Gamelan refers to the entire set of instruments as well as the music played on them and the group who plays them.

 

Multiple layers of interlocking melodies and rhythms using gongs, metallophones and drums create the music, which has distinctive qualities that make it ideal for bridging cultures and traditions.

 

The students performed three dances and played traditional instruments during the performance, ending with the Kecak, also known as the Ramayana Monkey Chant. The dance is a form of Balinese music drama and depicts a battle from the Ramayana in which monkeys help Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravanan. The high-energy dance uses interlocking vocal patterns and is traditionally performed by a circle of 100 or more people percussively chanting “chak” and throwing up their arms.

 

The students each created their own mask to wear during the Kecak.

 

Throughout the performance students took turns reflecting on their Gamelan experience, sharing with the audience how much they enjoyed learning to play different instruments and dances from another country, and thanking instructors Joko and Tri Sutrisno.

 

The Sutrisnos are originally from Indonesia, and have brought their 10-day Gamelan residency to Clearview students for the past 20 years. The students practice one hour a day for nine days, with their performances on the tenth day.

 

Clearview’s Gamelan music and dance residency is sponsored by the PTA.