For my IEW event, I chose to attend the Gamelan open rehearsal. I found it to be really beautiful. I really enjoyed it because it gave me the opportunity to experience a beautiful demonstration of culture without the expectation of response or participation. I got a lot out of this because it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the experience- I simply listened and learned. The leader of the ensemble spoke about the history of Gamelan and of the Gamelan ensemble’s significance at Wesleyan which was very interesting. The ensemble then played two pieces of music around ten minutes each in length, the second of which was accompanied by dance. I had never heard the gamelan ensemble perform before and it was a really great experience.
The overall sound of the group was very unique and unlike other world music I have heard in the past. It was mesmerizing, repetitive, and bell-like. The combination of xylophones, chime/gong percussion, and stringed instruments was very effective. It reminded me in many ways of music I have listened to in experimental music courses for its continuous and gradually changing presence. Although this style of music is not for everyone, I really appreciate aural experiences that fully utilize expanses of time. Another thing I enjoyed while watching the Gamelan ensemble was the clear range of experience and background. There were students who were just beginning to learn the instruments, more experienced students, and an array of adults who had more experience with Gamelan performance. Along with the leader of the ensemble, there were a number of adults of Indonesian descent that were very knowledgeable about Gamelan. It was great to see this group of people from different backgrounds make music together and share their skills and knowledge.
