Pipers Students Explore Indonesian Musical Traditions with a Gamelan

Our approach to music extends far beyond the notes on a page. We firmly believe that when we discuss music from around the World, we do so within the context of the culture, history and traditions of the part of the World it is from. This philosophy truly came alive for our Cultural Celebration Week, where we sought to introduce students to instruments they might never have encountered: Gamelan.

A Gamelan is a traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, predominantly found on the islands of Java and Bali. Crucially, it's not a single instrument, but rather a collection designed and tuned to be played together. This inherent ensemble nature makes it perfect for students to learn the art of collaborative music-making.

To lead this immersive experience, we were delighted to welcome Percussionist Mike Simpson from ‘Inspire-works’. Mike's deep understanding stems from a year spent in Bali, immersing himself in the Indonesian culture and learning to play Gamelan directly from the locals. The very Gamelan he brought to our workshops was custom-built in Bali – a testament to its authenticity. These intricate instruments are crafted by local experts, blacksmiths, and their tuning is specific to each village, making each one unique.

Throughout the workshops, Mike not only taught the students how to play as part of an ensemble, but he also explained the profound role of Gamelan in Balinese culture. As a mark of respect for the instruments, the students willingly removed their shoes to play the Gamelan. Mike also shared that in Bali, it is considered a breach of etiquette to not step over instruments, so the girls were guided to walk around, respecting the traditions of the instruments' home country. It was also fascinating to learn that to buy a Gamelan you cannot walk into a music shop.

Every Year 7 student participated in a dynamic one-hour workshop, culminating in their ability to perform a piece of Balinese music traditionally danced by children their age. Working on two different instruments each, they demonstrated teamwork and musicality, performing a full piece as a cohesive ensemble by the session's end. Years 2 and 3 also embraced the challenge, learning and then performing a piece for the rest of Prep and Pre-Prep.

The focus and enthusiasm from all students was a joy to watch. They not only enjoyed the hands-on experience but also gained a deeper appreciation for this unique musical tradition. It was a truly enriching day celebrating the music of Indonesia and demonstrating how music can open a window to the world's diverse cultures.

You can see photos from the workshops in the Flickr album below.
 

Flickr album: Gamelan Workshop 2025 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin